Hi Pat01,I get that too. It happened this morning while I was exercising. It didn't last very long. I'm kind of getting used to it now. I figure this is the kind of hot flashes I get, since I've never had the hot sweating kind that so many women suffer with. I've also had it with the prickly feeling, but not always.

Suzie

Thank you everyone for the information.I feel strange sharing symptoms with anyone, they look at you like you are crazy.  I remember 26 years ago when I had post partum depression that it was a taboo subject also and many women didn't talk about it, now there is all kinds of information about it.

The only thing that scares me is, what if something else is really wrong and we're blaming it on peri-menopause?

Pat

PS - This website is wonderful!

Pat,This is the place to share your symptoms--no one here will think you're crazy.  As far as knowing which symptoms could be something more serious, or peri-meno?  Well, each of us have to figure that one out for ourselves, by listening to our bodies.  If you have symptoms that are causing you to be in emotional turmoil over them, then there is nothing wrong with making a visit to the doctor to ease your mind.  Just don't let anyone convince you that you're "losing it" because you're concerned about what's happening to your body.  This is a very different time of our life, and one that takes alot of understanding and patience.  You've got friends to help!  :)Debbi

Hi Pat!  I have had these type of hot flashes too, usually when I am stressed.  Its usually always accompanied by a jittery nervous feeling (internal shaking).  As to whether it could be some serious medical condition, I think you have to take into consideration other perimeno symptoms.  Has your period become irregular?  When I first started experiencing hot flashes it was when I skipped a month on my period.  Actually at one week late I started getting hot flashes.  

  In a way, I realized that hot flashes are good.  Out of all these strange symptoms of meno, the only ones that are well known are loss of period and hot flashes.  So if you have these, probably any other strange symptom is also meno related.  What a comfort that is when the other symptoms are thought, behavior and nervousness related!      

Hi,    I too have had strange sensations that I believe are hot flashes, since I have became aquainted with this web site 3 weeks ago.  Mine would start right above my belly button and a flash of warmth would rush up and out my head, I would not turn  red but I would feel like I could pass out and sometimes it would start a whole cycle of other symptoms that I believe to be panic attacks. I also have a strange feeling under my sternum where my ribs meet, kinda feels tight, I don't know hard to expain. The one thing that seems to bother me alot lately is chills, I still at times sleep with hardly anything on, feeling warm,  but these new chills are making me pile on the clothes at night, seems to happening during my cycle. OH to live in the world of Peri. I am us so thankful for all of you out there ,who are willing to share. I hope you realize how much you do to help others, caring and sharing.

Cynda,I understand EXACTLY the sensation you are talking about, to where you think you may pass out.  And, yes, it does bring on anxiety-BIG TIME!  This particular "feeling" (for lack of a better word) does not happen too often, but when it does, it still catches me off guard.

I've never had the chills that you're talking about--I'm still struggling with getting too warm at night.  I get HOT a few minutes after getting into bed.  I'm almost thinking it has something to do with my digestive system at this point, but have never heard of that before.  I do still have hot flashes at night too.

I also, am so thankful for Power Surge, and I think I am safe in saying, that everyone on this site knows that it is helping other women----simply because we all know how much it has helped us!!  So glad you found us, cynda!  You sound like a truly sweet person!

Debbi

Thank you everyone for the information.  What a time of life.  Talk about going out like a Lion!!

What do you think about the new research on Kava Kava causing liver damage?  A friend of mine gave me a copy of U.S. News & World Report Feb. 12, 2001, the cover story is "The Risks of Natural Cures".  The article really bashed the herbal products esp. St. John's Wort, Ginko, Ginseng and Phytoestrogens.I wonder who was behind the article (a pharmaceutical company)?  You can't tell me prescription drugs are better or safer for you, take a look at all the side effects!  Everything in moderation is the key.

Pat

Cynda and Debrikka,I posted about my burning ears (when anxiety hits) on another board earlier today but thought I'd mention here it's a fairly new symptom for me.  I have experienced the cold flashes ever since this meno stuff started.  Like chills.  Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night just freezing but the room is warm and I have three blankets on.  Like when you have a fever.  Then it goes away.  I give up trying to figure it out.  All I know is I have to get myself out of this stupor.  The anxiety is much better since I've been taking Zoloft but not completely gone.  I'm thankful for that.  Some days I want to get up away from my desk, drive home, crawl into bed and just stay there until it's all over.  Something as simple as balancing my checkbook sends me over the edge these days.  Uggggg!

Pat01 - I saw something on a news program about Kava Kava causing liver damage.  Only caught the tail end of it so didn't know what all they were talking about.  heyvern

Hey Vern,<br> &nbsp; &nbsp; I know the feeling of &nbsp;wanting to sleep<br>until this misery passes. &nbsp;Has your depression<br>improved with the Zoloft? &nbsp;My anxiety has improved<br>since going back on anti-depressants but my<br>moods are another story. &nbsp;I also get that<br>overwhelmed feeling, where the tiniest tasks<br>seem monumental. &nbsp;<br>

Greetings Pat......You are so right in regards to who and what is the "hidden agenda" in relationship to the bashing of herbal remedies.  I am an Herbologist and have been working with herbs for about 20 years, very actively over the last 6 years in my wellness center.  Herbs are only as safe as the use of them.  "Natural" gives everyone a false sense of security for sure, however herbs are certainly no more dangerous than prescription drugs when used with caution and in moderation.  Of course the pharmaceutical companies want to take over the herb (i.e.St. John's Wort) because it is so effective and its affecting sales of the SRRI's to the tune of millions of dollars.  Kava Kava is an herb that should be monitored closely  as all hearbs should be however the hype about liver damage will need more research to convince me that it is unsafe taken with appropriate caution.  Lipitor and Mevacor also damage the liver (as do many drugs) but that fact is down played.  Baycol was responsible for 32+ deaths that they know of and yes it was recalled but I would say just a little late.  How did that get by the FDA I wonder?  

Anyway sorry for going on about this but as a Holistic Nurse and the owner of a wonderful wellness center that does so much good using Complimentary  Therapies it is disheartening to hear such one sided opinions. They discredit herbs yet many of our prescribed drugs started out from an herbal base.  Digitalis (heart med.) is made from the herb Foxglove for one example and there are many more and thats why they want St. John's Wort standerdized, so they can use it in a prescribed medication and make money for the drug companies.  Oh well thats my sound off for today.

Blessings and be well.

Irene: Unbelievable, what you are saying here is so true, and I didn't have any idea until I received an online newsletter from BioMedNet, today - It usually comes every so often, since ages ago I registered for a doctor who needed some info for research.

Listen to this: On the front headlines of the newsletter it read "St.John's Wort - A natural plant remedy in the fight against cancer"  

Seemingly, researchers are finding positive results and the article states that St John's Wort, an OTC mood enhancer, venerated by natural medicine enthusiasts has an active ingredient, which acts as a natural antibotic, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

I hope it works, but It's just exactly what you talking about - and Irene, you really do know what you are talking about :smile:

Kisses, Barbie

ChrisCarol,Thank you for your concern.  That's so nice.  I actually do feel better since taking Zoloft.  I still have some depression and anxiety but can fight my way through it most days.  I can relate to no motivation.  My worst days are weekend mornings when I don't have to get up to go to work.  I have an awful time motivating myself.  I hate waking up with the sadness and feeling of being useless.  Kind of hard to describe but I'm pretty sure you know what I mean.  LOL.   I did have something positive happen!  I woke up one morning and my eyes were so swollen and puffy - no itching though.  Another weird symptom I guess.  Anyway, that evening before I went to bed I took a Benedryl thinking it would help my eyes if it was an allergy.  I slept so well that night!  I had heard some women do the Benedryl thing but I hadn't tried it.  Cool.  And it did help my eyes.  Hope you all had a nice Easter.heyvern

Greetings.....Thanks Barbie for the comment on my knowing something.  I try to read and stay abreast of the new things about herbs as I work with them everyday.  Your infor is very interesting...please keep us posted if you get anything else about this theory and St. John's Wort.  Herbalists have known that St. John's Wort has anti-inflamatory and antibiotic properties forever.  The piece about inhibiting cancer cell growth is new to me but I wouold not be surprised.  How great that would be as long as the pharmaceutical companies don't take it over and price it so high that the people who need won't be unable to afford it.

ChrisCarol.......Every cloud really does have a silver linning I guess.  Glad that the Benadryl helped your puffy eyes and the side effect was a good night's sleep.  Good for you.  Anxiety and depression can be exhausting but it sounds like you are on the right track.  Keep up the good work.

blessings and be well.

I'm one of those who used to use Benedryl for sleeping - and it helped my itching go away.  I think that's a terrific side effect - for once.  So many of the side effects from drugs give me hives, so I thought this one was fantastic

Anyone who is interested in the debate over 'natural' vs 'pharmaceutical' might be interested in reading 'Health Wars' by Phillip Day. He has researched stuff that makes your hair curl, and has little time for pharmaceutical companies......!Flossie xxxx

Hello ladies! I sure hope that everyone is doing all right. I know that the holiday weekend can be tough, I just thank the Lord above that I have a sympatric husband and this web site!

I’d like to explore these GI problems a little bit more – and in more depth. I had a bit of trouble last week, and again hubbie had to leave the office but this time I sent him right back because I know how hard good jobs are to come by these days! I’m wondering if anyone else has had this problem.

I had my surgery about 5 weeks ago now. Last week when I saw my OBG I told him that there’s a pain that comes and goes and even moves around. It was so intense last he bounced me back to my Internist who sent me over to the hospital to check for gall stones! Sometimes it’s on my right lower side, then it moves to right up behind my belly button. At times, it’s even between my shoulder blades! It gets so intense that I can’t stand up too well.

At first I thought that my stomach was aggravated from the pain medications I’d been given following the surgery, but now I’m beginning to wonder. I’ve been living on a bland diet and slowly reintroducing meat into my diet.

Anyone else having a similar pain? What did your Doctor say about it?

Thanks!

Petmepaw, what kind of surgery did you  have?

Madge,

I had a complete hysto about 8 weeks ago.

Since I mentioned my odd symptoms on this board, I've had a barium xray that showed acid reflx. So, I'm now scheduled for a upperGI scope next week and I'll have the lower (colon) done after that.

In the meantime and to get some relief, I've been working with a chiroprator/acupuncturist. (Hope that I spelled all of that correctly.) I am getting relief. Tonight I added a little bit of chicken to my mashed potatoes and rice diet that I've been on for 2 weeks.

It's off the beaten track, but it's working for me.