In the last three weeks I've been to the ER three times ... that's a world record for me. But these symptoms are so strange and different from "normal" panic attacks that I just had no idea what to do.

1. Can a hot flush last for hours and include intense facial burning and often pain?
2. Does anyone else shake uncontrollably during the episode? (I also get back pain, but I'm guessing that because of the violent shaking.)

What's worse is that even when it does pass in an hour or two ... it comes back again and again all day long. The last few weeks have been ... hard (nicer four letter word.)

There is certainly a component of panic ... I've had panic attacks for 20 years ... but NOTHING like these and never any facial heat. When I've taken my BP and pulse, they are both relatively normal. Which again, doesn't fit well with my typical panic surges. I have noticed that I am getting a bit hypoglycemic off and on during the day. But they didn't seem to care about this at the ER.

I've tried various Benzos (Xanax, Ativan, Valium) and they all make me a bit groggy for a while, but then when the next surge of heat and shakes come on I just seem less able to cope with them (thus the calls to 911).

I've heart that anti-depressants can help and at this point I'm at the --I'll-try-anything -- phase. If these are hormonally based (oh, I'm on BCP) what AD helps with hot flushes best?

Thanks for any thoughts.
~EM

EM

Effexor is the AD that is supposed to offer the best reduction in menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. If you do decide to try it, you have to hang in there for the first week, no matter how horrible you may feel. Some people get a TEMPORARY increase in anxiety, and it is caused by your brain rewiring itself with the medication...increasing seratonin, etc.

I wonder if you aren't just having your very own version of hot flashes. I know everyone will experience them differently. Some women get the burning feet, where they get so hot they hurt. Others, like me, get a really hot face and break out into a sweat in the face, neck and chest. Some get really hot, but do not sweat at all.

If your BP and heartrate are not going way up, I doubt you are having panic....it probably just "feels" like it. Also, if the benzo's aren't helping, again, probably not panic. When I had my lovely breakdown, and was complaining of anxiety and panic....I was positive, and still am to this day, that I was having hormonal crashes and adrenaline surges that "felt" like anxiety and panic, but weren't. Not really. I mean I would have a panic attack sitting quietly in my bedroom, for no reason. And I never had a panic disorder in my life.

Does your BCP have estrogen in it? Or is it one of those that have mostly progestin? It could be time to pitch the BCP and try some Estrogen replacement. Of course you have to take some progesterone with it. Good luck and please stay in touch.

Hi there, was reading your symptoms. Have you had your thyroid checked? I have hot flashes from the menopause and from my thyroid sometimes going hyper or flipping hypo because of the medication. When my thyroid goes, I have very intense hot flashes, heart palpitations that last hours (unless I take a lot of Magnesium which will help alleviate them but does loosen the stool), and my mind goes blank or forgets to work and talk about getting irritated. Anyway, I thought I would mention this, as I have just joined this forum and I am looking for those who have hot flashes because of both Hyperthyroidism and Menopause. Often the herbal remedies will help one but make the other condition worse, so I am always on the prowl for more information. Good Luck

I agree I think the Thyroid is playing a role -- I have autoimmune thyroid (hashimoto) which means it can go both hyper or hypo on a dime. Unfortunately they can't really DO anything about it other than keep looking at my TSH and making small adjustments in my meds every now and then. But I agree I think the big heat storms are thyroid related and just not showing up on the panels because they are transient. Maybe I should increase my magnesium. I forgot I could do that. Brain fog.

Thanks!

Thyroid Ladies...thanks for the heads up. I have mild hyperthyroid and have been having hot flashes and night sweats, which have completely confounded me. I'd gone through peri without a flash, aside from a few cold ones, so these had me really scratching my head. It never occurred to me it was related to the thyroid. (dah!)... I've been doubling up on my progesterone cream, thinking my hormones are still fluxing, which they are....but I gave no thought to how the thyroid would respond. I do know my adrenals are fatigued, and thought that might be related to the 'sweats'...

Go figure!

Tay

PS...I've been drinking gallons of ice water (on a daily basis) just to keep cool since I now sweat like a pig and I mean drenching sweat, where it drips down my forhead....ick!!!