I just put this same thing in the hot flahs thread, I didn't know where to put it. I appreciate any help. Thanks.
Ive been having lots of sinus problems along with tmj. For a few days, mostly yesterday though I had a full feeling in the back of my head, got a little lightheaded/dizzy, then my eyes strated to bug me, then I got hot from the neck up, this lasted about five minutes, then I have to run to the bathroom and that lasted about ten minutes. After the event was settling down, my stomach stated shaking, vibrating, the my upper arms and upper legs. Finally I took a xanax to relax and it helped. I can live with the heat, but the head thing alwys send me for a loop. Was this an aura before a flash, or painc. I've been under alot of stress the last few days which doesn't help. Evn as I woke up, my sinuses and annoying and the heavy head thing is back. ANy thoughts?

Enough,

It sounds to me like you had both a panic attack and a hot flash at the same time. Along with the sinus problems you're having, it had to be really miserable for you. The fact that the Xanax helped is a sure sign that you were panicking.
I think the feelings in your head could all be explained by sinus. Are you taking any meds for it? When you had to run to the bathroom, were you nauseous, or was it the other? I'm pretty sure either could be from the anxiety, too.

Bless your heart and I hope you get some relief soon,

Deb

Enough: Interesting post. I think I get an aura before a hot flash. For a few minutes before the actual flash, I feel uncomfortable and panicky. I even say to my husband: Watch out: Flash is coming!

Thank you both for your answers. I had the same dizzies today and yes, my sinuses are a mess. I started with a sore throat as well. I took a xanax since I had to go to a function an hour away from home and was responsible for driving. I needed to relax and be my best. the xanax doesn't make me drowsy, just calms the nerves a bit. I only take when needed as I am paranoid of getting hooked. I think sudafed tomorrow will be a good move. I hate to do it at night in case it makes me jumpy. Boy this is a rough time of life. I never worried as bad as I do now. Knowning I have support here helps a great deal. Thanks again,

Hi enough,

I am wondering about an experience I had on Thanksgiving that was similar to yours...Was it a hot flash, or a panic attack? I felt pretty good driving to my parents' house, and eating the meal. Then after the meal I went to the bathroom. When I came out of the bathroom I felt anxious. Then I had one of those "where am I?" disconnected from reality moments, which was scary! I suddenly felt like I had to run back to the bathroom, but I didn't. I served pie and sat down to eat it. Then I felt hot, and found myself pulling on the neck of my sweater to fan myself. I felt anxious and panicky. I stood in front of the open patio door for a minute, and cooled down. But I still felt like I "had to get out of here!" So I told everyone I had a tummy issue (which I did as I felt like I was getting diarrhea), and we left early.

So, what do you ladies think? Hot flash, or panic attack?

Oh I wish knew the answer. Last night I had a rough time again. After a difficult weekend, I was watching tv with my huby, then out of the blue the back of my head statred feeling funny. full, not pain, maybe light, wierd, then the phone rang, I got up to talk, but my stomach arms and legs got really jittery. I sat back down and head felt tingly. I got a little warm but couldnt relax. After 15 minutes I took a xanax. Yes, it did work and I slept great. This morning though, I am still a little shaky and my stomach is wiggly again. Wht is this? I get so scared. I just want to crawl up and sleep all day, but have to get to work. Anyone else ever have this? What is it? Internal shaking, panic, anxiety? Please help!!!!

Enough, it sounds like anxiety and panic to me, and I have been there too! I take an anti-depressant, Paxil, which also has anti-anxiety properties. I have seen a lot of improvement. I can still have anxiety and panic, but now it is only situational...if I find myself in a high stress situation...and even then with some of the breathing techniques I have learned I can usually stop them from developing into full-blown panic!

And I DID crawl into bed for 2 months!!! I was such a mess, it was just terrible! I had the jittery feeling all the time, I had the dizzies all the time, I could not eat, I could not leave my house....I was agoraphobic...it was really bad. I honestly thought I was dying for a time, how could I feel THAT bad and not be?? But I didn't and I am much better. Not "well" but better. I still have exhaustion issues and sleeping issues!! Not to mention all the normal symptoms, hot flashes, loss of libido, irritabiltiy...well you know the drill.

There are differing opinions out there, but for me I wanted to get well and as I was not functioning at all I went for anti-depressants. I also have Ativan for the anxiety and panic, which I took daily for over a month. It has been a journey to say the least....and one I am not finished...but at least the road is a little smoother right now.

Take whatever steps you have to in order to feel better, and know that you are not alone in this! Sadly it seems to be very common, I wish the world was more educated regarding peri and meno so we all would not be blind sided like this!!

Kathie

I found this while googling about hot flashes:

"Hot flashes may be somewhat comparable to panic attacks. The rapid heartbeat can certainly induce panic, and it may also cause extreme headaches, nausea and dizziness. A woman’s first hot flash can be frightening, especially since it usually occurs before menopause begins and isn’t expected. You can tell several differences between a hot flash and a panic attack. First, breathing may increase slightly, but there is not the hyperventilation typical with panic attacks. Second, panic attacks rarely cause flushing on the face, or such profuse sweating. "

RoundRobin or other ladies, can you describe the "aura" you get before a hot flash? Is it a feeling of altered conscousness, or disconnection from reality, or panic and anxiety, or vision changes?

I also found this info while googling hot flashes:

-- "Many women have a premonition of an impending hot flash -- an aura -- often described as a tingling sensation in the hands and scalp, pressure in the head, along with a sense of anxiety. Though the level of severity is often described as mild, nobody seems to have anything good to say about hot flashes. "

-- "An aura--dizziness, a racing heart and a sense of anxiety or unease--may also precede a flash."

-- "I too have the SAME type of hot flash! The "electrical" pain. I'm 51 (my symtoms started at 49.)
As with you, it only happens when lying down. It starts in the center of my body, and runs through my arms and legs. "

-- "Sometimes hot flashes are also accompanied by an increased heart rate, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, weakness or a feeling of suffocation."

-- "You may feel an aura, or warning, before a hot flash begins. This might be a "skin crawling" sensation, a feeling of anxiety, chest pressure, rapid heartbeat, headache, or a sense of pressure in the head. Or you may have no warning at all.

Next, you will feel a sensation of heat spreading from your chest to your head. You may feel a tingling sensation; the skin of your chest, neck and face may flush lightly or redden deeply, and you might feel lightheaded. The warmth and flushing may spread to other areas of your body. A hot flash, when accompanied by palpitations (rapid heartbeat), may feel like a panic attack.

After a few seconds or minutes, the flush will subside, and you may begin to sweat and feel chilled. A small number of women feel dizzy or faint as well. Although hot flashes usually last 3 to 5 minutes, they may be shorter or much longer. After the flushing is over, feelings such as headache, rapid heartbeat or anxiety will subside."


-- "An aura may precede the flash, and usually a flush follows along with post-flash/flush symptoms. The heart speeds up. There can be headache or pressure. Nausea and a sensation in one spot of the body are also felt, by some.

-- "Does anyone else get a wave of nausea immediately preceding a hot flash? At the same time I get this odd tingling feeling that seems to rush down my arms into my fingers. Both the nausea and tingling stop once the flash has come out. "

-- "The 'nausea' you've noticed may be your body's version of an aura. Many women, I've spoken to, know that a hot flash is coming before they actually feel hot. I experienced and still occasionally experience (7+ years post natural menopause) a sense that my level of consciousness was/is changing just before a hot flash hits."

--
• a feeling of pressure in the head that progresses into a flush
• redness, warmth, and sweating on the face, neck, shoulders, and upper chest
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• sweating followed by a slight chill
• sweating at night, which may cause sleep disorders
Less common symptoms include:
• fatigue
• faintness
• a feeling of overwhelming anxiety, panic, or fear
• an abnormal sensation or aura, which may precede the onset of the hot flash


-- "Some women report that they knew they were about to have the experience before it happened. An aura, or premonition, may feel like nausea, or a tingling or pressing sensation in the head. Some women become weak in the knees, dizzy and have to sit down. Others experience heart palpitations before or as the flash begins and while it’s occurring."

-- "Hot flashes, or hot flushes, may start with an aura followed by a feeling of discomfort in the abdominal area, perhaps a chill quickly followed by a felling of heat moving toward the head. "

-- "A warning signal or aura often precedes a hot flash. A hot flash may begin as a pressure in the head, a headache or a wave of nausea. A sensation of heat then starts in the head and neck and spreads to the torso, arms and entire body. "

Thank you all for your help. I felt fine today while I was working, came home and crashed for a half hour. I guess I needed to rejunevinate. You all helped me alot to know I am just in a peri state and not on my way out. When it comes out of the blue it really throws me for a loop. I stared low dose bcp's in August and it seemed to balbance me for a whiel, but once a week or two it is back and I thinkI didn't expect it. I do know the doc, (two differnet oes) said our bodies are in a constant stae of fluctuating, but it catches me off guard. I guess I thought the bco's were a majic pill. i