When my peri symptoms started 2 months ago (panic attacks, chest tightness, hot flushes, weakness, vertigo) they came on like 30 minute attacks, maybe once or twice a week. Then they increased to daily, then a few times a day, and now it seems like I feel this way 24/7. Is this normal? I can barely function now. I have kids - how am I supposed to care for them? I drive them to lessons and we sometimes have to sit in parking lots until my vertigo passes, me sobbing uncontrollably. Do other moms have ways to keep functioning? To get things done in a day? I feel almost completely debilitated at this point, and am thinking it's probably not safe for me to drive.

Im sorry to hear this and hope you can get this under control. But I just wanted you to know that many of us suffer with all you have mentioned so your definately in good company.

You may want to talk to your Dr. about possibly trying xanax for the anxiety, only have to use it on a when needed basis. Also as for the dizziness, Im told your hormones can cause this too. But you may want to get that checked out. I had vertigo off and on for years starting in my late 30's before finding the right Dr. and getting the proper diagnosis and in my case I had what is called otiscloerosis, had surgery and have greatly improved.

Now there is several drugs that can help with the vertigo, antivert, valium, and I believe compazine is the other. Ive tried all 3 and they all worked for me. But maybe just getting the anxiety under control will help stop the vertigo. I dont really know but I just wanted to let you know there are many things you can to help you get thru this and know your not alone.

Keep us posted and good luck,, Helen

Thanks, Helen. I actually am taking klonopil (sp?) and it worked at first, but now seems not to work, and I'm not willing to up my dose because the drug scares me. My husband brought me home a bunch of stuff to try tonight that I read about here in this forum, things like magnesium, theanine, black cohosh, etc. I wouldn't mind if peri was just was a here-and-there type problem. But I can't function when it's constant like this.

The only thing I've found that helps me feel a *little* better is sobbing. Feel a little more clear after a good cry.

I'd be open to getting the vertigo checked out, but it did only start 2 months ago, and came on with the other symptoms, so I'm guessing it's just another peri problem. I looked into it quickly online, and it seems to involve hearing loss as well? And I don't have any hearing loss.

Thanks so much for your help. (smile)

Sometimes it involves hearing loss and in my case it did but not always. I think though that your right and its because of the peri. Trying the vitamins and suppliments might do the trick I dont know but if the klonopin no longer works for you I think the xanax may be the way to go. I dont know for sure but I believe the Klonopin is taken on a daily basis?
with the Xanax you can take it as needed and it works fairly quickly.
You can also usually expect vitamins and suppliments to take a few weeks before noticing any improvement, so dont give up if you dont notice a differenc e right away.

Sometimes just KNOWING what is going on can be such a relief and yes a good cry can work wonders too. I know that every once in a while I get a little wierd and depressed, I also have Hepatitis C and sometimes I just feel overwhelmed
because I have to watch every little thing I take. I would love to try the Black Cohash as Ive heard so many say it works really well for the flashes and thats my biggest problem along with sleep. But its a big no no for people with liver disease. Anyway, sometimes Ill get fed up and have a good cry and I know it worries my husband but I always tell him i really DO feel better after a good cry.

I hope you can find some relief and Im sure you will. Keep coming and reading. There are so many here that can help with any questions or fears you might have. I know its been a great help to me. Remember knowledge is power and I believe the more you learn and understand the better you can cope. Plus its always better to talk with others going thru the same thing. You know, "Misery loves company"

Keep us posted, Helen

ENT gave me SERC for the vertigo. It had gotten so bad I felt seasick all the time. The bed would literally sway and sleep became near impossible. Mine is hormone related. Within one week.......vertigo cleared. You can take the SERC on an as needed basis when the attacks clear. You will feel better I assure you.....and the best thing....SERC has little to no side effects. Let us know how you make out and you are in my thoughts. xo

Welcome to the best help in the world (IMHO). The women on this site know their stuff, can understand EXACTLY what you're going through, and will be there in so many ways for you.

Don't worry about the crying. I've cried for years on and off, and yes, I understand what you mean when you say it's the only thing right now that makes you feel better. I spent two years watching for the clock to hit that magical minute when I could get myself home, hop on the road bike attached to a trainer, jam the iPod headphones in my ears, and "check out." I went through hundreds of boxes of tissues on that bike--it seemed to be THE place where I was free to just let the tears flow. I felt stupid, I felt embarrassed, I felt confused, yet after an intense 15-30 minute cry, I was calm enough to get through another 24-48 hours.

Whatever it takes to make yourself feel in control and sane. Peri robs you of so many things in such a cyclical manner. You'll get through it--Power Surge has many women who will attest to that. Just hang in there! Take it one minute, one hour, one morning, one night, one day at a time.

Be good to yourself. Don't beat yourself up over any of your symptoms.
Take care-
BJ

Thanks everyone - so glad I didn't get responses saying, Wow - you have this 24/7? That's not normal!

:-)

Question, though - when people on the board talk about having symptoms for years, do they have them 24/7 for years? Or do you get some breaks now and then? As I'm only 2 months into this nightmare, I'm still pretty clueless about what this is going to be like.

I will look into SERC when I see my doc tomorrow.

It's so nice to be able to connect with people who understand this, especially since I don't even yet understand this. Thanks.

I think there are times when all women have 24/7 then it easies up. if you canget your mind to tell you that it is peri it helps sometimes. I know there are times I have it 24./7 and other times it comes and goes. It sounds to me like Panic attacks with some anxiety. I have the same....But hot flashes can start that way and turn into Panic cause it scares you.
I wish you the best. and also have the advise of reading reading and reading. it does help

Steph,

I think it comes and go's for most of us, though I havent had much of a break since last October now. I think of it as peaks and valley's, its been a little over 2 years for me since all this started and about a year since my last period. The first year it seemed like it would be bad for a few weeks and then okay for a few weeks, but now its pretty much all the time
some days/nights are just not as bad as others. Im just trying to keep a positive attitude (when I can ) and keep thinking it will be over any day now.

We're all gonna get thru this.

Helen

How long have you been taking the Klonopin and at what dose?

Big Hugs!

Not long - I started on Tuesday at .25 mg (.5 knocked me OUT, which honestly was nice, but I can't sleep all day) but the dizziness was still there. And yesterday it had no effect at all. Today I started on .5 mg of Xanax, and I think I *might* like how this feels better (I'm not asleep), but I'm going to give it a full week before I decide. These benzos are really just to get me through to day 21 of my cycle, which is in a week and a half, so my doc can do the saliva test. Hopefully, after that we can start some progesterone and get off the benzos. I would like to then just keep them on hand if I need them in a desperate situation. My hope is that progesterone will end this crud, though I know from reading the boards that's not necessarily so.

Today I also took theanine, magnesium, and vitamin d3, which also could be contributing to the fact that my morning is a little better. Still nervous about picking up my son, but right now I'm feeling confident I can drive.

I have also been doing Buteyko breathing exercises, which I think do help me feel better, at least for a short time after I do them. Yesterday, a very bad day, I noticed I was mouth breathing and mildly hyperventilating all day, so I'm being more conscious today about keeping my mouth shut and getting my exercises done.

I feel for you! I've had episodes, sometimes for weeks or even months at a time, where the symptoms are very debilitating. I've been unable to do errands, drive, go places, etc. Then things get a bit better again for awhile. It is tough. I have not been comfortable driving (on/off) for five years..some days are better than others.
Hang in there! Others who share their experiences on Power Surge know what you are going through.

MTN,

I am on a disability pension due to this rubbish! I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy........I SO know how you feel......I can't work, my life feels like it has been removed from my sight until further notice and I often catch myself in the mirror and wonder who I am.......there is a valuable lesson in this somewhere........sorry, I am not usually this negative, but I HEAR you. It is awful.....

We are here and I hope things improve.......

Oh gosh - I'm so sorry! If I was working I'd probably have to quit at this point. But one encouraging note: I started keeping a perimenopause symptom diary. Someone posted this link - I forget who (my apologies):

http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/help_yourself/han...s/daily_diaries

What I'm noticing is that not every day is the same. I think I tend to dwell on the worst days and then believe all my days are like those. And then yesterday, I actually had a semi-normal day! Having been keeping records, I realized it was Day 13 of my cycle, so I looked some things up and discovered that estrogen peaks on days 11-12. (11 and 12 were horrible.) This cheered me up somewhat - if I could even look forward to one good day a month that would be something! And just to see some validation that yes, this is hormone activity, was also comforting.

Is anyone else tracking their symptoms in a diary? I'm interested to know which days in the cycle are better for some of the rest of us.

Yep a diary is an excellent idea.......a proactive approach......thanks for bringing that up MTN.......hope you are well, sweetie

Michah

I was like that a couple of years ago,my mother would keep saying nothing stays the same this too shall pass.I didn't believe her at the time.It's not over I still have symptoms but the anxiety and insomnia was the worst.I didn't want to do anything just from the fear of loosing control.But I surprised myself in times I had to do things,dizzy,shaky and nauseous but I survived.I hope it never comes back that bad but if it does I have better coping skills.I pray you find the strength and faith it takes to keep going and know the one thing you can count on during the change is it will keep changing! Big Hug Lumz

Lumz:

I am so glad you posted to this. I have had the worst day! I could not pull myself up and out of the anxiety and fear that it was causing me. I am finally feeling better. It made me feel better to see that someone else feels exactly as I did today. I was feeling horrible and scared but was able to make it through everthing I had to do today without completely flipping out. Thank you for your reaffirmation. I surely needed it today.

Hugs to you,
Jeaninne

Jeaninne,
I just got over a few horrible days, too. It's hard to remember that they do pass, but they do. The anxiety and fear is awful! I've never cried so much in my life as I have this past five years!!
My mom also used to tell me "This, too, shall pass..." and it always did, no matter how awful it was at the time. It's good to have online friends that know what you're going through, especially when there's no one close by who is experiencing the same types of nutty symptoms. There will be better days ahead for us all!