hi ladies just a brief question about dizziness. I started to get dizzy/brain fog about 2 years ago, it wasn't so bad just every now and then. A year ago or so the dizziness/brain fog really became a problem. It was a daily nuesance along with it I had hotflashes, palp's, horrible fatigue and my periods started to come very early then late. This all got so bad I left my job, I don't drive, I don't like to walk even through store or open places because I have this illusion of tipping or sometimes I will just get a spin of quick vertigo that will last a couple of sec. but enough to make me anxious...I feel drunk or like I am walking on a water bed through out the day. I started to take pro-gest a month ago and recently started phytoestrogen cream all from emerita.

To the question does this go away??? This symptom of peri has been disabling. It took my independance and I am left to wonder if I will ever drive again. Did anyone here use anything different to get this sensation more tolerable? Thanks Mikki

I might add I also developed allergies to dust of all things...I am plugged alot...ears and nose.

I will also add I did have an MRI and heart tests.

Hello - I also have had the brain fog/dizzy thing going on for about a year. It happens everyday either at work or at home or even in the car, which is really scary. It has been 3 months now with no period so I am wondering if one will pop up soon. I also get that "drunk" feeling while walking in a big store or mall, it is very strange. When this happens to me, I just get a grip on myself and talk myself out of the feeling and it seems to work. I start thinking about other things and eventually I forget the feeling. So far this has worked for me - I just keep telling myself that I haven't passed out yet and I will not pass out in the future. My ears and nose are plugged more too and I don't even have allergies! Hang in there, we are going thru the same things and it is a good feeling knowing that we are not alone.

I don't want to be negative or discouraging but the symptoms you described started with me in my early 40's & became worse with time. I didn't see a ENT about them until I started having vertigo & tinnitus in my 50's. It turns out it was Meniere's disease. I have blamed everything that has happened to me for the last 25 years on menopause & it has definitely been a contributor. It might be a good idea for you to see an ENT. Some women with Meniere's say ERT helps them but most of us get worse with ERT. Best of luck!

Well, count me as one who seemed to improve on HRT. I take estraderm patch (bio-identical estradiol) and prometrium (bio-identical progesterone).

My dizziness and feeling off balance came suddenly when I got out of bed one day. The plugged ears and nose had been going on for quite some time. (Last period was in summer of 2000, controlled symptoms (hotflashes and depression) with soy and St. Johns Wort until the Spring of 2006. In June, 2006 woke up and was dizzy upon standing). When I got up I felt off balance and felt like I had to duck. This got a little better--but I all of a sudden became afraid to drive--and was very uncoordinated at it--jerky braking, etc. I gradually improved my driving--but didn't go out many times that Spring and summer--just to get groceries. In March 2007 I started using the hormones and have gradually improved since then.

I have a theory that the plugged ears and nose are dryness caused by lack of estrogen. Since I went into menopause I have suffered from vaginal atrophy (which resulted in recurring UTIs), dry skin, dry hair and dry eyes. Since I've been on the hormones the itchy dry skin has gotten better, my dry eyes have gotten better. my hair gets oil in it and I haven't had a UTI in over a year--also stress incontinence has gone away and I can hold my urine. My plugged ears and sinuses have also cleared up, I have wax in my ears again. I can blow my nose and get moist stuff out of it instead of the concrete I used to dig out. I also have no balance issues anymore and I wonder if the fluid in our inner ears that helps balance doesn't dry up in the absence of hormones too!

I have no proof that estrogen cleared these things up--but they did clear up when I went on the hormones. If your doctor checks you out and there is "nothing" wrong--then you might try the hormones.

I hope you all feel better soon.

Miss Tibbs

P.S. My grandmother had Menier's Disease and controlled it with antivert (meclizine). Meclizine can be bought over the counter. It is sold for motion sickness.

I have this one also. i havent found anything that helps at all i have driven my family mad with it, they say just try and live with it, better that than something else easy to say i know when you dont have it, i have googled it to death, checked every illness going i am wondering if i have GAD seems to be a symptom i have along with others, i suffer with anxiety as well i am sure it will go one day well i hope so the thought of this for the rest of my life would be awful, how people drink to feel like this beats me. this is my worst symptom i hope it goes for us all, x

The dizziness does subside after a while. It did for me. During peri I had problem with faintness when I laid on my stomach and when I tipped my head back. Now that I have not had periods for two years, the dizziness has gone away.

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Ladies, I have been postmenapausal for some time now, and had almost all the symptoms related to menopause...the last year or so it has been heaven, with just the odd hot flash now and then...but lately I have experienced the dizziness as well. First I thought I had vertigo, because I had this once...took meds and it went away....but this has been hanging on now for over a month. The first time it started I was getting a physical with a new Dr. and when I tried to get up off the table, it literally threw me back I was so dizzy, this went on for a few times. She made me lay still and tested my blood sugars, they were fine, even my BP was alright. That was Sept. 4th, and I have had the dizziness every day since. constantly, it is so bad I am nauscous.
It doesn't matter that I move slowly I can be sitting very still and still experience it. Watching TV is annoying because of the movements, lights, I can't drive for the lst month, barely walk without feeling I will fall... The doctors are doing tests to see why but at this point don't know what to say to me, They checked my arteries to see if I was getting enough blood flow to the brain and it was fine.....now I am scheduled to see a neurologist next week.... I tell them maybe it is related to menopause, but I usually get a look of ARE YOU KIDDING.....
It is scary and a pain even writing this thread is h ard.....so will end it here....

buttercup,

It could be your eyes. Have you had your eyes checked lately?

My mother took meclizine for years for dizziness. It is sold over the counter for motion sickness. It was prescribed for her but then we found it was actually cheaper over the counter. It's something to ask your doctor about trying.

Miss Tibbs

It's amazing so many of us have this very same thing!!! I've been to every doc and had every test. All results are great (thank goodness). I was plagued for 6 months two years in a row... late this spring I was diagnosed with Labrynthitis. It was horrible. I have mostly great days now. But some days I feel a little woozy. Not driving was the worst! I've given up going to malls and most restaurants. Restaurants are the worst!! Did everyone notice sometimes turning over in bed brings on the worst vertigo! Thanks for everyone's support.

Hi ladies thanks for the replies...still trying to cope here.

I did think about Mennieres but I went to an ENT a year ago and I would think he would have seen something.

It is frustrating tryign to figure out what is the culprit. Seems like I have had a few things began at around the same time all of which could cause it.

When it showed up 2 years ago I had very rarely had a problem with dizziness, one morning I woke up and I stood up and coudn't walk...literally no exageration I crawled until my Dr. said go to the ER...it was that sudden. I got to the Er and it was subsiding some but I was leaning to the left, which now seems to be where I am always pulled towards. He said he thought it was labrynthitis since I did have a mild sore throat the day before. I was on a period though too so which was it? For the next year it came and went but just a vague feeling of being off balance.

The past year feeling off is almost daily with the past 2 mo. being better. 3 nights ago again I feel off kilter and I go to bed 1/2 hr later I get up to get something and I am being pulled to the left, I go to lay back down and the room starts to spin, lay on my right is subside a bit but the dark it making it worse...I end up sleeping upright with the light on. Now again I have an extreme residue of it a mild turning sensation.

I am just feeling hopeless and I can't stand this feeling and it would seem there is nothing I can do.

I have been to an allergist, neouro. who said she thought BPPV, and an eye Doc.

thanks for all the support

just a note again the last episode I noted 3 days ago again on my period....

I've had this exact thing. In the very beginning it was diagnosed with BPPV. But ultimately it was Labrynthinitis (sp?) an inner ear infection. THE WORST! Do a search on symptoms and I think you'll find it match your symptoms to a tee. It lasted for six weeks (6 weeks!! I know!) and was told once gone, it could come back. I remember thinking if I closed my eyes, I could regain my balance and walk -- instead the darkness makes it worse! Couldn't drive. Felt like I was on a merry go round. Meclazine (over the counter) does work. ChattyC

Wow. I cannot believe I am reading all of this! I have had this dizziness for over four years now. It is a feeling of imbalance... rocking in a boat, etc... Just like you all described!

I have had balance therapy, an MRI, seen by three ENT's, etc. No answers.

Today, I got blood work back and found out that I am POST menopausal. I am only 44... I didn't even know that I was ever menopausal, let alone POST!

The doctor is going to start me on estrogen replacement soon.... I am praying for relief as this dizziness has made my life miserable!

Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories!

I'm four years post menopause and have the dratted dizziness too. Had never had it pre menopause. It can be so disorientating and sometimes restricting...particularly regarding driving, which used to be no problem at all.Have had the usual check ups. The dizziness in my case comes on when I get anxiety/ panic attacks. Actually it's usually, present and gets worse during panic attacks. I'm hoping that things are going to improve !

Hi Genny
Sorry to hear about your dizziness.. I'm Post too...I used to get it a LOT in peri (it's gone completely now) so know how horrible it can be.
As you are Post and you say you have had all the med checks to rule out any medical cause.... have you considered your breathing?
You may already know all of this but just in case you don't.. when we are anxious we tend to breathe more quickly and more shallow.... this can cause a change in the carbon dioxide/oxygen balance in the blood which can make you dizzy.
I used to do Yoga and they teach come good breathing techniques, so might be worth getting a yoga book for the breathing exercises (you don't have to do the physical exercises.. phew!)
Other than this just try becoming aware of your breathing and breathing slowly and more deeply when you are feeling anxious.
HUGS Lindy xxxx

hey Motivated!! i was like you a lot, with the dizziness. I was afraid to say anything about it, in particular...so I would go the doctors and have check ups, blood work, got the heart checked out....and everything was good!! Back in August I had a stress overload and collapsed from anxiety, depression and panic. And of course the dizzies got worse!! It was almost constant then. I had more blood work done, and sure enough, I showed up with Post numbers too! Although at that time I had not had a period in 6 months so I wasn't surprised.

I have not had the dizzies very much lately. I started Anti depressants in September and it really seems to have helped level out the dizzies. I started having the dizzies in 1997, when I was 37! Anti-depressants fixed them back then too.

Good luck to you!! Hope you get a level head soon!

I'm definitely on the dizzy bus with y'all. It is the WORST feeling, especially for people (like me) who are already pretty sensitive to motion. In fact, I bet all of us dizzies are pretty motion sensitive. And then, when we hit perimenopause and our hormones start fluctuating all over the place, it causes a swelling in the inner ear area (or, dried up fluid in the inner ear) that causes us to be dizzy. I too have the ear fullness, have been to a gazillion doctors, had CT Scan, balance tests, ear tests, you name it. NONE of the doctors ever mentioned hormones. I was diagnosed with Labyrinthitis, migraine disease, depression/anxiety. That one really bugged me - the depression theory. OF COURSE I am going to be depressed if I constantly 24/7 feel like I am seasick and nobody can help me!!

Anyway, I finally ended up having the hormones tested after I did research and found that this might be the problem and sure enough, my estradiol is way low at 21. I am not post meno, I am still having periods, but I have a feeling I am close. And yes, I think all of the dizziness is related to hormone imbalance.

I just started Divigel a few days ago - a bioidentical low dose estradiol gel, so I am praying that this helps. I am tired of feeling nauseaus and dizzy!!

Thanks, Lindy..yes I think it's connected to the breathing too. I've done yoga in the past and I try to use breathing techniques. I am so interested too in th last post about motion sensitivity. My late grandmother was diagnosed with Meniere's when in her 50's..and so was my mother at the same age. I don't think it is, Meniere's. I agree..I think it's hormonal. Mum and my gran - if it was Menier's..why did it disappear completely when they were about 60 and also..they didn'y have it at all, before menopause. My gran was very embarrassed once when she had to ask a policeman, to help her onto the 'bus home. ( He was passing by). he thought she was drunk ! She was 100% teetotal all her life. Am just wondering how one gets a hormone test here in the UK. Had one when I was 51 and was told that I wasn't perimenopausal. I'd asked 'cos had been having two periods per month, quite separate..for over a year. So methinks that the standard UK test is about as useful as a chocolate teapot...

Missy, Keep us informed as to rather or not you get feeling better. I've only been on the HRT for about 5 days and haven't noticed any changes, except my face seems to be breaking out! Yikes! I've been diagnosed with the depression/anxiety, Menieres, BPPV (inner ear), chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, you name it... With me being post-menopausal and not having a clue for all of these years... hopefully the HRT will help. I am going to make sure I get re-tested in a few months. Good luck!

I know - I started the HRT (bioidentical estradiol gel - Divigel) about 5 days ago too and on the 2nd day I started my period and got a huge ZIT on my chin. Sheesh!

What type of HRT did you start? I'll keep ya posted - I sure it hope it helps! My headaches are a real burden to bear as well.

Well, you're not alone in zit land... do you know if the zits are normal? I have my ovaries, but everything else was removed about 6 years ago. I have never talked to my doctor about the pills yet, he just ordered them when he found my levels so low. I am taking .625 Premarin, which is thd 2nd to lowest dose. My mom takes the same thing - she had a hysterectomy when she was only 31 or 32. I went through a few days of terrible headaches too, but they have eased up. I usually take Aleve because it lasts longer. Do you have any other weird symptoms? Take care!

i have the dizziness and im in perimenopause with high blood pressure seen doctor they say its in my head

I think the zits are normal because I would get them sometimes when I started my period so I know they are hormonal. The Divigel I take is only .25 estradiol so it is ULTRA low dose. We have Breast Cancer in the family so I am opting for low low estradiol at this point. Aleve for headaches is a good idea. Sometimes I have to even take 1/2 Vicodin to relieve the pain. The headaches are horrible - I sure hope the Divigel helps!

The main symptoms I have been experiencing in the past year or so is the awful dizziness, nausea, seasick feeling, major fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, migraines, tight jaw, lump in throat, anxiety, allergies (which I never had before), loose stools/diarrea, low energy, and I could probably name more if I thought about it. It has basically crippled me! I mean, I have continued to struggle through work and life, but I have no fun anymore. I can't go out the movies with my husband or eat the foods I like or go out to dinner, or exercise, or go on vacation or do anything fun because I always feel like I have the flu or something.

Oh my!!!!!!!!!! I've also been having all those symptoms including the tight jaw, which I had not mentioned before. Missy please continue to post about the Divigel. I'm getting ready try a new set of compounded hormones that I hope takes all these nasty symptoms away.

It's definately not in your head...find a more knowledgeable and compassionate doctor .

Brainfog..........I forgot to mention that when I take Ativan the dizziness and off balance feeling goes almost completely away. Of course I only take it as a last resort. I'm trying to find other ways to deal with this peri symptom.

Well my hormone test came back fine, so last month i decided due to having the test i wouldnt take the tablets to regulate my periods, so it wouldnt effect my test, also my dad died so i thought i may need to take my anxiety tablets more which i did i had a very light period, so this month i decided i would not take them again lets see how it goes, well I finished my period on the 24th November, and by the 12th December, I am back on before all this i had periods regular as clockwork if i started on a date i would near as go to that date the following month, i have noticed my anxiety is terrible this month though, is it xmas coming the stress i dont know, but i have realised that my lightheadedness has been terrible around my periods, and my deodrent isnt doing its job at all, my skin is so dry yet i am getting pimples more. i wish the heads would just go i can cope with the rest of it, but these heads are a scary ride, i hope they clear up soon, maybe i am just focusing on them to much and worrying, its something more, new years resolution i am not going to stress about them for another year, life is pretty tough isnt it at times. i looked on the internet alot of the symptoms, can be stress even the lightheadness is this all just anxiety i wonder

Hi....
I'm a newbie and I've been experiencing "dizziness" for about 2 years off and on.....it's distracting and bothersome. I've been told I have Labrynthitis and my blood pressure is controlled. I've been Post for over 18 months now. At first..I thought I had a sinus infection or a head cold....but after the Doc. checked me...she ruled out both.

I was given the Meclizine and it helped.....but I suppose I'll be cruising through the sea of post-menopausal ailments until my body decided to end it's war against being period free!!

Went to see the doctor recently after a very bad bout of vertigo. He examined my ears and said that I have a hole in the left eardrum and some fluid in the right, ear. He prescribed betahistamine which has not helped before. I am amazed, by these intermittent bouts of dizziness which have occurred since a few months after my last period five years ago. Weeks and weeks can go by when I don't get it at all. I am then able to drive easily and do anything I wish to. Then it comes back..! Several women have told me that they have had the problem. It's incapacitating, isn't it.