I have been having the weirdest scariest feeling for about 2 months now. Every so often -- couple time a week maybe -- I get this sensation like I'm being electrocuted. My lips and tongue start to tingle and then go numb and I can't speak clearly. My teeth get this feeling like someone is pulling on them all. Then my neck, scalp and face get really hot and start this heavy tingling like when your leg goes to sleep. Then it moves across my shoulders and down my spine and then all the way down my arms to the ends of my fingers. Then I start sweating like crazy! It completely freezes me. I'm too terrified to move, talk or even breathe. I also get that spacey out of body feeling. It only lasts a few seconds, but it scares me to death. I've been panic attack free since I started on meds in November. But this feeling will override any medication and the anxiety attack settles in every time. Is this just another form of hot flash or anxiety attack? Or is something else going on?

((((((Webalina))))))))))

That sounds terribly scary. Have you seen your dr. about this yet? Perhaps it should be looked into. It might be part of your hot flash experience but I definitely not certain about that.

Keep us posted.

Hugs,
Karen

No I haven't talked to the dr. I've thought about it, but my file is so full of so much crazy stuff over the last couple of years that the doctor will either just up my meds or have me tied down in a rubber room somewhere.

I forgot to mention that during all this, my ears also get this feeling of being stopped up. Basically, it's like somebody squeezing my head while touching a cattle prod to the back of my neck. I wonder whether it might be a pinched nerve in my neck, or (hopefully not) some kind of blockage in my neck. But like everything else, it's probably just hormones.

Although I think that it always pays to be vigilant in the health department, I do think that this sounds like a type of hot flash. I have come to the conclusion that they come in many shapes and sizes. At first my hot flashes were mild and just felt like a wash of heat across my body. Since menopause they have grown into adults. I seem to get a sort of aura or warning and my nose and throat get sort of tingly and blocked up. Then the hot flash starts. If it is a biggy, I can feel like passing out, if I do not stop what I am doing and sit down.


Perhaps we should pen a new book and call it, 'The Kama Sutra Of Hot Flashes.' Lol.



XIII

(((Webalina))) you poor thing that does sound scary! When I have a electric shock sensation it usually in a spot on my leg or even in my head. Your's sounds like a very severe one.
I would bring it up to the doctor.
Maybe it's some kind of severe TMJ thing? I have all kinds of face numbness etc with TMJ.

Please don't worry about your medical records being so FAT, if it will help you to feel better I will confess and tell you my doctor made another chart for me (PART 2). I told the nurse I was embarrassed and she's so sweet> she said Well don't feel special or anything we have a room full of 1st charts!

Thanks for the concern, ladies. I have actually pegged a description of what this feels like -- like I'm carbonated. I feel like a soda pop bottle someone shook up. The bubbles are all moving around in my blood, and my head gets tight. If someone unscrewed my head, the pressure would release. I know that sounds crazy, but that's the best way I can think of to describe it. I wonder whether it might be a blood pressure spike?

About different hot flashes -- I've posted before how I wish someone would have let me know that a hot flash can be many things besides "Gee, is it warm in here?" I've had everything from little mini-puffs of warm air up to chest pains and sweat that made me feel like I just ran a marathon. That's probably what this is.

I was telling a friend the other day that the government should have some kind of system whereby when a woman turns 40, we get a brochure in the mail about menopause and what to expect. They do this with Medicare for people about to turn 65. At least then we wouldn't be TOTALLY in the dark about it. I'm one of those who couldn't WAIT to get to menopause, but if I had known how bad it was going to be, I don't think I would have been so happy about it.

Maybe a preludes to a hot flashes?

Webalina,

I know what your are talking about because I, too, get that sensation. The final feeling is that the skin on my arms is on fire; it is a very uncomfortable surge. It seems like some sort of adrenaline rush. I noticed it happens when ever something scares or startles--or angers-- me (like someone in a car pulling out in front of me) or even with a scary thought--and sometimes happens during the night and bolts me awake from sleep. I'm not sure if its hormonal---I am post menopausal and have pretty much stopped having hot flashes (thank the Lord), but this creepy sensation emerged as the flashes began to tone down--ugh--its always something. Maybe its just a different form of a hot flash(?).

Likewise, this sensation throws me, at times, into a panic attack ( which also reared its ugly head with menopause but are not as frequent as they once were).

However, I am on a beta blocker which helps to block the adrenaline receptors so that I don't feel this surge all the time--I tried to get off of the beta blockers but this sensation was so frequent it put me in a constant state of anxiety. Beta Blockers also regulate heart rate (to ward off sensation of palpitations) and lower blood pressure; they were prescribed to me by a cardiologist when I was in peri a couple years ago and having horrific palps. It is a very low dose.

I hope this helps--you have helped me by just knowing that someone else out there has this "feeling".

A repost of a message about the electric shock / buzzing sensations:

http://www.power-surge.com/php/forums/inde...st&p=213369

Dearest

This is why I suggest people go off the message boards and explore the Web site. Two articles in the Educate Your Body Library that will give you various descriptions of hot flashes:


What Can I Do About Hot Flashes And Night Sweats

What IS A Hot Flash?

Dearest

Every strange sensation you experience during every phase of menopause cannot be addressed with medication. There isn't an answer to every strange feeling, thought, ache, pain, mood we experience during menopause. I realize everyone wants an instant answer to all the problems, which is why so many doctors are often baffled and only know to prescribe tranquilizers or anti-depressants -- hormone therapy or one medication or another. Of course, sometimes medication is necessary for various symptoms, but even though it's very uncomfortable, frustrating and at times worrisome, know you're not going to die from it. It's more common than you can imagine as are hundreds of other strange symptoms women suffer from during menopause.

Dearest
[/quote]

I think that this is a really important point.
Just recently I read here that, someone's doctor described the height of menopause as being, 'in the eye of the storm.' I really like that analogy. In many cases we ladies need to button up our overcoats and stride on through the gusting wind and torrential rain because I do believe that on the other side there is a calm sunny meadow waiting for us.
I have had hot flashes and strange unearthly sensations, for two years. A couple of months ago, they were so severe that I had to breathe my way through them and they were occuring several times an hour. Only had one yesterday and it was very mild.......... I think that I can see that sunlight in the meadow beyond. If and when I finally walk out into that sunlit meadow I will be very proud of myself and I shall shout, 'I did it!!!!!!'


Cheers

XIII

Giada ---

You may have nailed it. I've been having this horrible feeling off and on but haven't tied it to anything. The last few days I've been upset with something my man did (not something silly -- something that could have ended things for us). It came to a peak today, and I noticed that I had that sensation again. It lasted for much longer, probably because I was more upset. So maybe it is some adrenaline rush after all. I am on beta blockers for my BP, and Effexor for my anxiety, so I wouldn't think I'd still be having stuff like this. But I guess if you get upset enough, the stress can override the medication. BTW -- my man and I have talked and we might be able to work things out...at least I hope so.

Dearest --

Thanks for the repost! You described it very well. I considered that it might be a pinched nerve in my neck as well, except that I wasn't feeling any pain -- just this weird "carbonated" feeling. I normally try to read in the site so that I don't post anything that's already been discussed. When I first read about buzzing, I thought you were referring to "spot" buzzing, meaning this little vibrating spot I get in the bottom of my right foot. So when I started having this shock feelings, I didn't really think of it as buzzing so didn't read those posts. I thought it was something else. And I KNEW it was different from the internal shaking, which is what directed me to Power Surge in the first place. I guess it's just hormones again after all.

As odd as it sounds, it's kinda comforting to know that other women are going through this stuff. Thank you once again ladies for walking me through this storm of hormones.