I haven't been around for awhile but would appreciate any input please!!!!

Last week I was admitted to hospital with chest pain, they did all tests and everything came back normal. They wanted to do a stress test but couldn't because I'm off work with a torn cartilage in my knee. I am having a MIBI scan next week the test is two parts.

Yesterday i was shopping and just came over all dizzy and week and my legs were shaking and I was sweating!!! back up to the hospital, tests came back normal and they sent me home!!!! I'M FREAKING OUT as I had another small episode a little while back and my husband and son are not home!!! has anybody else experienced this??? I'm 47 and perimenopausal

any replies would be greatly received!!! thanks so much!!!!!......Deb in OZ

Hi, what tests did they do?

When you say dizzy, was in like veritgo. Did the dizziness last for a few minutes or longer?

Yes it was like vertigo and lasted about half an hour.

They did an ECG blood tests for enzymes and chest xray...thanks for answering

The scans next week are for a radioactive die to be injected to see if there are any blockages.

All tests were normal, sugar etc

If your tests came back fine, especially the EKG, I'm thinking it's most likely a full-blown anxiety attack. Mine were exactly like that, sending me to the ER, or my husband calling 911 several times over the last five years. My tests always came back normal also. I know when one is about to come on now, and have learned how to control them. (sort of) At least they don't scare the daylights out of me anymore! Once I had a big one while sitting in the waiting room at the hospital when my daughter was having surgery. A Dr. happened to be walking by and stopped, sat with me, took my pulse, and talked to me about my anxiety problems. 15 minutes later, I was fine.
Did the ER Dr. give you anything for anxiety? If not, you might want to think about it. What I take is so low-dose, it doesn't stop me from my normal routine. It just prevents those horrible panic attacks. Best of luck to you!

Thanks so very much for your reply Texasgirl.

I don't see how they could be panic attacks as I was going about my business without a care in the world?

Was your experience similar? did it feel like you were going to die? because I thought I was going to die and was actually crying out DEAR GOD PLEASE HELP ME!!! my poor 14 yr old son was beside himself....thanks for any reply xx

The thought that you're dying is pretty classic panic and the feelings can come completely out of no where. Many of us are awakened from a sound sleep by the same sensations. You should definitely follow up with your doctor in the near future. Sometimes, concentrating on slow, breathing from the diaphragm into your hands or a paper bag will help if it is panic. Myself, I'm in a constant state of anxiety and am taking ativan around the clock waiting for an AD that will get it under control. If you have new symptoms or symptoms that won't go away, don't hesitate to march right back to the ER.

Thanks alinam

Deb,
You aren't going to die. I have to agree with Texasgirl and as long as all the tests say normal they are panic attacks. No reason for them, just hormones going crazy.

And yes...out of the blue...just taking a bath or watching TV and they would hit for no reason! I use to get them like that and thought I was going to die. Chest pain, heavy breathing, couldn't think straight, high anxiety, uncontrollable shaking and crying. I went to the hospital too and it was panic attacks. I haven't had the real bad ones in years but I had plenty for about a year when they started. An anxiety med will help. I know they are scary at first but they will lessen as you realize what they are and eventually go away. Read some posts on panic attacks and there are books on how to deal with them. I learned to accept them (not happy about having them) and went with the flow as much as I could with the use of anxiety meds. Makes life a lot easier until your hormones settle down. If you need to go back to the hospital and everything still is normal ask to try an anxiety med while you are there and see if that helps.

Hang in there and keep posting,

Robin

Oh Robyn thanks so very much for your reply!! God bless you, I have accepted the fact that if it happens again I will go back to the hospital, better to be safe than sorry I guess.

I'll get those scans done and go from there, it surprises me that panic attacks are similar to heart attacks.

Just a question, have you had long periods of chest discomfort associated with the panic attacks? I know you said chest pain, but does it last? also I have been getting pain through the top part of my back??

THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR ANSWERING!! .......Deb in OZ

Hi Deb,


where in Oz do you live...lol..i think i live there too! ...well, ever since peri that is! ok, to be honest, it sounds like anxiety, and panic...i've had the same things. So many women here have. I've run to the ER with chest pains, hardly breathing, sweating, off balance, lightheaded, dizzy, etc.............. it's all be "normal" as well ... it's anxiety...and it's brought on by the hormonal changes..... yeah, this certainly is a fun time, isn't it? Take care, and try not to worry to much, although right now, that's nearly impossible......i know! BIG HUGS!

I think I've had every kind of discomfort, panic attacks, anxiety attacks that you can have with this hormonal nuttiness. I remember the first panic attack I had my chest hurt so bad and I couldn't catch a breathe. I ended up going to the hospital and was tested, etc and it was panic attack. I kept getting them on and off for awhile and the chest pain would last from a short time to hours. I think after so many panic attacks and I started to accept them as hormonal attacks the chest pains started to go away because I didn't freak out as much. I also started taking an anxiety med which helps you calm down.

To be on the safe side and ease your mind get the scans done and let us know how they turn out. PM me anytime.
Robin

Thanks so very much My darling and Robin. The replies are very appreciated in this stressful time!! Most symptoms have eased but i still have chest discomfort.

Take care and I'll keep you updated

I'm not sure this sounds like a panic attack. It sounds like you had the physical discomfort first and then you got very scared which is understandable. Can a panic atack manifest itself this way? The physical symptoms just coming out of the blue like that?


What tests have you had? Glucose tolerance test, TSH? --

Dont put this down to panic/anxiety or perimenopause without having a good physical first.

I'm sorry you went through all that - it sounds scary -- (((big hugs)))

I went to the ER for the same thing when I was 46 and again 6 months later at 47. Luckily all was fine too. I was convinced I was dying, it was anxiety. (along with hormones) My legs get the jellolike feeling too. It is very scary. The good news is that youare fine, it just takes practice and time to try to ride out these weird sensations and try not to let them get the best of you. It is hard, but it did get better for me, but, I went on bcp;s to calm the beast. It helped to balance me, it's not for everyone but I needed help. That, and a few xanax's here and there.

I hope you start to feel better. What are you doing to help yourself relax?

My panic attacks always started with the discomfort first. Which then lead to full blown panic because I thought I was dying of a heart attack or stroke.

Get the tests done to rule out any other complications and in the meantime ask for a couple of benzos, ativan and xanax are the well known ones. If it is panic the benzos will knock it out within 15 to 30 minutes. When you use a benzo it does eventually help ease your mind that nothing major is happening to you.

Thanks for replying EveningPrimrose, I have had a glucose tolerance test and have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The doctor said if I could lose enough weight I could keep it under control, which I am.

I had my thyroid out back in 2000 and take oroxin 125 micrograms daily, they checked it recently and said the levels were ok.

I'm having a MIBI scan on Tuesday, it's a two part test, first part on Tuesday and the next on Thursday. You have to have a radiation dye injected and it shows up the hearts arteries to see if any are blocked. The second part of the test is the same but they get you to exercise.

Tonight I feel a little better but find myself loathing the thought of being by myself. I feel like my life is on hold and I'm letting my family down, I also do all my mothers and fathers chores and grocery shopping etc etc.

To say I'm freaked out is an understatement but I'm trying to keep it together for the sake of my 14 yr old son, he was upset enough witnessing it in the first place.

Just venting makes me feel a little better.


Thanks also "enough" good to hear you were o.k. big hugs to all you great ladies!

Thanks very much for your input davinci817, I'll certainly get all the tests done to rule out other complications.

Thanks for the recommendations too, take care

Might I suggest looking at the South Beach Diet? You can go online and sign up, I think the basics are free but you can get more for meal planning etc for a small amount (think $5 US a month). It is well known to help with Type II. I did it faithfully for a couple of months and lost nearly 15lbs. With your sugar being off, that will also throw your hormones off which in turn can cause panic! It will be interesting to see how this plays out as you lose weight and combat the the type II. I bet you feel better for it in the end! Keep us updated with your tests results and progress on the type II.

Sounds great Davinci817 I shall have to do some research on it, I don't know if it will be available in Australia. What makes matters worse on the diet front is the fact I'm a vegetarian, so not a lot of food choices. But i can assure you this has given me a HUGE wake up call.

I will keep you updated and thanks so very much for your input xx

No worries they have vegetarian plans! The majority of the diet is veggies anyway. You do try to stay away from your high starch veggies though. The main part of the diet is to avoid carbs and sugars and to increase protein. If you are a vegetarian you know how to do part of this already.

If you want to look at the site and you can not get on it because of your area, drop me a line I will be glad to make you an account.

To me, this was not at panic/anxiety attack at all.

Vertigo is not causes from an attack. If it was just dizziness, then maybe, but vertigo is something much different.
Of course anxiety/panic will accompany this episode because you then are sort of 'freaking out" from feeling dizzy.

Did the dr check your thyroid levels?
Do you have any history of migraine headaches?
Where you PMS or menstrating at the time?

My dear 'The elder'
Am inclined to agree with the others and that you had an anxiety attack.They are very scary but due happen frequently to Menopausal women.It is also possible that your blood sugar was low which gives that awful shaky,jittery sensation.I actually take Xanax as needed,small dose and it has really helped but of course this is something you need to discuss with your Doctor when all physical symptoms have been ruled out.
And yes I have experienced these episodes and from reading the Posts here it seems that you are not alone.

I am sorry that your 14 your old had to see all this but kids are fantastic and very resiliant so don't let that worry you.
Seek a second opinion if you are still worried but I think its those darn Hormones on the prowl again

Wishing you Well
And please do let us know how you go on.
God Bless
Elizabeth

Hi the elder,

Ditto for me with the same kinds of symptoms you are experiencing.
Mine began one day in 2004 while driving to the store. I thought I was going to die! I was 40 years old. Since then (and it's been five years) I have MANY such episodes which I know now are hormonally related. Thanks to PowerSurge I know I'm not alone.

I do get a lot of dizziness and vertigo, too, along with chest pressure and great anxiety. I have found over the years that if I stop my thoughts and try to remember that it's just hormonal fluctuations going on, I don't get quite so panicked. It is truly a terrifying feeling, but getting all worked-up over it makes it so much worse. It is tough not to become terrified, but remember that the feelings do pass and you are OK. Hormones are so powerful (like drugs) and can make you feel all sorts of strange sensations.

If you'd like information on a very healthy lifestyle that will help you with your diabetes, please visit Dr. John McDougall's website. He helps many people overcome health problems using dietary changes.

The best to you all the way over there in Australia!

The most important thing is that you are taking steps to ensure that it is nothing physical, and that is the best thing that you can do for yourself, because of course you want to rule all of that out...

As for could this be panic, absolutely. Panic is so different than anxiety, Panic is the worst; and is always classified by almost everyone who ever had a panic attack, Am I going to die.... The vertigo, and dizzines, yes that to is often associated w/panic, bcz as your body chemically responds to that "flight or fight" response, it over loads the body w/adrenaline which really puts the body into over load. Does it come out of blue, for sure, and that is the debilating thing about panic. Bcz you don't know when it is going to happen, you become anxious about the panic... I remember one day I was standing in Publix line, and I could feel the sweeting, that foggy feeling coming on, that feeling of doom, and thought OMG please Lord let me get thru this, don't let me panic right here. By the Grace of God, I made it thru...

As for the answer to Panic, gosh, wish I knew...

Also bare this in mind. Sugar drops can mimick a panic attack. Also drops in Sugar levels can be hard to detect. So if you have a blood glucose monitor, check it when you are feel okay, and if you start to feel this come on, immediately check you blood sugar level, then again in a few minutes. Record your levels as they relate to your symptoms... When our sugar drops, it does play havic on our bodies, and produces that same "flight or fight" response....

Also you may want to have your vitamin D levels check. Omega 3's are also good for helping producing a calming effect, nothing over night, but does help in the long run.

I would for sure ask your doctor to prescribe you either some Ativan or Zanax, sometimes just knowing that you have something you could take if need be, makes all the difference in the world. Also too, if you did start to feel this way again, and took one of these, and your symptoms got better w/in 15-20 minutes, then you would also know it is more in line w/panic...

Keep doing what you are doing. Get the test done. Check your sugar level when you don't feel well. Get a RX for Ativan or Zanax.

BTW yes, I really for you about your son witnessing this. Let him know that you will be okay, and don't beat yourself up over it, cuz it is not going help. It happened, and you can change that, so worrying about it will only make it worse, (trust me I know exactly how you feel...)

Blessings on you, and I pray that you find your answers, and that this does not happen to you anymore...

Rebecca

Elder:

I started peri/meno about 10 years ago, about 9 years ago I started having anxiety/panic attacks. I thought I was dying. I went to the doctor who put me through every test and told me it was anxiety. I still have them but am able to handle them some better than before.

Hugs to you,
Jeaninne

I am not sure I can add much to this except to tell you that I have been doing this for 11 years. I think I have anxiety everyday. The panic well it comes. I get the chest heaviness amd it drives me crazy sometimes I have all day. You can somewhat contril them but nevr really control them. I think your body is going to do what it is going to do. The meds help make you feel better.

I still think when this happens that it is my heart. But here I am 11 years later. I would tell you to have your tests. I would. They say you would notice the diffrence between a heart attack and Panic; but I think where Heart attacks are always drilled into our minds.....from commericals and such that we always think thats what happening. I pray tHat I will know the diffrence. cause I always try to walk away from the feelings.

Best of luck to you

Honey this is how it all started for me back in feb. You are in peri, dont get on any drugs that is just another monkey. Go to your gyno and get hoemones checked, the get on a replacment. It takes time but you will feel better.

Do any of you other women that posted here take any kind of hormone replacement or are you all on meds????? How can you stand having your body out of balance for so many years????

I have had anxiety attacks but have never had chest pain with them. Now GERD on the other hand had caused me chest pain all the way through to my back and into my throat. It makes me horse afterwards and I feel a tightness in my chest. It could be a number of things, where is the pain ? ,, does it feel like its more on your right side or your left ? is it brought on after eating or shortly after eating (say within the hour) if so and your pain is mostly on your right then it could be gall bladder. The sweating with chest pain is heart indicitive and you should get an echo done. You mentioned you were going to get some tests done yesterday ,, how did those come out ?? I would not write this one off to anxiety, but it may be something as minor as GERD. Make sure they isolate this problem.

Scooterfroogie

It wasn't that long ago that you were feeling sick and asking for help here -- You sound so much better now! What did you do? You went on HRT?

So glad you're feeling better!

Hi Elder
Panic/ anxiety I know about I am a sufferer for over twenty years being agoraphobic we specialize in this, what i do know is until you hear it from a Doctors mouth you will not be happy, and fully comfortable its only anxiety. try not to stress easier said than done, i know and you said it yourself you have alot on your plate trying to hold everything together, i say to my family sometimes as everyone seems to want something from me, keep on piling it on and one day I will be either walking away or into the local hospital we are only one person how much can we carry before its to much just maybe this is a little warning saying come on time to slow up a bit and put yourself first. I have 2 boys one is 21 this year the other is 15 all there lives i have had this and tried to shield them from panic attacks or seeing their mother experience them i know how you feel but hang in there, I noticed myself i am getting very stressed and anxious but i feel like i am putting everyone else before myself i have taken to washing my hair in between runing a bath how rushed is that needless to say i am not doing it properly as i am rushing i will take some of my own advice hear and slow up have a good weekend and slow down x

Dear 'scooterfroogie'
Have been on HRT from age of 39 when found to be Post Menopausal.I am now 58 and still on them
It is a personal choice and has worked well for me
We do not have any availability to BHRT in this country.
Have very regular Gyno.check-ups and so far so good.No I do not think I could have gone all these years without Hormones
However I respect ladies who prefer the more natural route

Happy on HRT
Elizabeth,

I'm was feeling so weird lately, more than the usual and was happening most in the mornings . Then, on monday I had a panick attack after watching the news, and 2 days ago, of nowere I had a really really bad one, thanks god my husband was here. But this time my left arm started to hurd a lot, told my husband I was going to the URGENT CARE CLINIC, thinking I was having an stroke. But on my way I came on conclusion that all these feelings and symptoms was done by my DIET PILLS, At the clinic my bp was 148/110 in deed was high and my heart was 125. Doc said Yes!!!! in deed my anxiety and panics was thanks to my diet pills. I rare to be fat and happy than skinny and miscerable. Hope today have a better day sims is my 2cond day without those evil pills.

menosick

Just wanted to say thanks to all you lovely ladies for your input.

I had the scans on my heart done and they were fine, now I have had blood taken to be tested for hormone levels,thyroid and magnesium. Hopefully there might be something amiss with these to shed some light on what happened to me the other day

Love to you all! xx

Ive also been to the Emergency room several times in a 6 mo period ..they finally told me don't come back! I had dizziness chills racing heart EVERYTHING! Dr. said nothing was seriously wrong w/ me and that it might be anxiety and hormones..im trying natural hormones so we will see..hang in there:)

Hi Elder! Just wanted to send you some good vibes. I hope you get to the bottom of this situation. I am glad to see that they have taken all these tests! Please keep us posted. I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks ladies for all your well wishes and replies....

Unfortunately today was a really bad day for me, although tests have been done and everything comes back o.k. I had a really bad experience again this morning, dropped my son off at school and popped into the newsagent, wasn't thinking about anything in particular when my legs started to turn to jelly and I got really dizzy in the head. I just ran out of the place and got in my car. I have read that breathing through the diaphragm helps but I just needed to get out of there.

I really feel like I'm losing my mind, haven't stopped crying all day and I don't want my son and husband seeing me like this but what do I do?? I need groceries but cannot bring myself to leave the house. I feel like a prisoner, I feel like my life has stopped! I don't understand how I can be ok one minute, then in the depths of depression the next....

Sorry about the rant, my stomach is in knots and my head is pounding from this stress.

I have responsibilities, to my family and also my parents!!! I just don't know how to cope!

Doctor suggested a psychologist, now I feel like a fruit cake, I thought only people who weren't RIGHT in the head saw people like that......

Just wondering if anybody has taken xanax for this type of thing?

elder, I haven't used Xanax, but I used Ativan plenty (which is a very similar drug). During the worst of my symptoms I was taking the Ativan 2 times a day...this went on for about 2 months, then it was "as needed". Occasionally I will still use it, even now. If the Xanax keeps the panic away, then it most likely was panic you were experiencing....if the Xanax doesn't keep the panic away, then something else could be going on. I know this is not a very fun experience, but it does get better!!

Thanks darlin, I'll mention Ativan to my Doctor and see what he says. Here's to better days!

[quote name='the elder' date='Jul 31 2009, 07:58 AM' post='300796'

I have responsibilities, to my family and also my parents!!! I just don't know how to cope!

Doctor suggested a psychologist.
[/quote]


Maybe your body is telling you to slow down a bit. Let somebody else take over the responsibilities for awhile and see how you feel then. There is no shame in seeing a psychologist - I would follow your doctors advice instead of opting for the Ativan. Ativan is a very addictive drug, so be very careful if you decide to take this route.

(((hugs)))