Hello everyone, I'm new to the message board. I'm forty six and my newest symptom is random muscle cramps (especially in the calves and thighs), along with constant muscular twitching. This goes on day and night. I only sleep approximately three hours a night as it is. This is really driving me insane. The worst of it all is the fact that I have developed agoraphobia from all of these crazy symptoms that would take up too much space and time to list. I'm lucky I can even go out in my own back yard without panicking. My main concern is that I can't even get to a doctor because of all these terrible fears. Does anyone experience this or does anyone have any advice? By the way, my heart goes out to all of you.
Jennieo

Hi Jennieo- Yes, I also have had the cramping and twitching. It all started in my calfs with the terrible cramping. It was so bad in October, I went to the emergecy room because I couldn't walk. Once the cramping went away after about three weeks, the twitching started and is constant 24/7. The twitching is only in my calfs. I was sent to a neuro who did MRI's and a EMG on my legs to check the muscles. They found everything to be normal but they are still twitching five months later. I honestly think it has to do with menopause because around the same time I started getting night sweats and terrible fatigue. I have not had a period since November. It bothers me at night also because I am just lying there and feel it even more. I don't go back to the neuro until June because he said there is nothing he can do for me. My feet also twitch constantly. I have learned to live with it since nothing stops it. Hang in there and keep in touch. Kim

Hi Kim, Thank you so much for responding so quickly. I feel a little better already, just knowing someone else has experienced this. I think this deffinately makes my top ten list of scariest symptoms.
Thanx again,
Jennieo

Hi Kim and Jennieo,

Just knowing my problem is hormonal has been so helpful. I have had anxiety/agoraphobia ( I am scared to go out if it is too cold or to hot) /driving/worry/ etc. for two plus years - BIG TIME. Now, if I start to feel anxious I just tell myself - this feeling hasn't killed you yet! It will pass!

So weird.

As to the muscle aches and pain - calcium/magnesium helps. Most days I take 1000mg calcium and 800mg magnesium (with zinc and vitamin D) You need the D to aid in absorbtion - so they say. I usually can tell if I have had enough cal/mag/zinc and D that day by the way my legs act at night! (Twitching and cramping are a sure sign for me.)

Also, so weird.

Just a little something that has worked for me. Of course, I just found out on this board about the magnesium I could have used this info a few years ago. (I am 50 now) Annie

Jennieo- I was very scared when this first happened. The cramping was so painful and nothing helped. I even had an ultrasound done at the ER because they thought it might be a clot. I also had all the blood test done and they were all fine. I still do take calcium and a multi vitamin. I was not deficient in anything. The dr has no idea what the problem is, but I know it is hormonal. I have learned to live with the twitching and hopefully one day that will stop too. Take care and keep in touch. Annie- I do feel that this is also hormonal because of all the tests the doctors did. I have other menopause symptoms that all started around the same time so I am sure this is part of it also. I am on my feet all day at work so even though they are twitching, it doesn't seem as bad and when I am just sitting still. Take care and keep writing. It helps to know someone else is experiencing these strange symptoms also. Kim

I am also experiencing the muscle cramps and twitching. The twitching is mostly in my legs but have felt them in my back and in my rear end (guess the muscles there aren't happy either lol !)There are too many of us having these for it not to be hormonal. Don't understand why doctors don't associate this with meno. They must hear many women mention this.

I'm beginning to lose all faith in Doctors. I had minimal blood work done and complete testing of the heart, only because I insisted. Do you believe he didn't want to give me a blood test for menopause. He said I was too young. I had a partial hysterectomy seven years ago and still have my ovaries. I have no idea where I am right now with peri or menopause. My sister went through peri at my age and that's the only thing I can go by for now. She had SOME of the symptoms I have but not nearly as intense or nearly as many. She is much calmer in nature anyway. I have to get up the nerve and go to a gyno. In the beginning I thought it was my heart and little by little all of the other symptoms appeared. I am now to the point where I can't even leave the house because of the agoraphobia I have from the intense fear of not knowing what is going on with my body. My Doctor makes me feel like I'm crazy and tells me that it's just my nerves. Thank God I have all of you to compare notes with. I have a really hard time with the muscular cramping and twitching. I dread going to bed and when I finally fall asleep for an hour or two I wake up in complete panic. The mornings are unbearable and the rest of the day is not much better. Please tell me this nightmare will end one day!
Jennieo

Recently went to a neurologist in Iowa. Did all the testing. Everything normal. I had muscle twitching bad plus eye twitching. Told me it would go away after menopause and to treat the symptoms. I guess I will live with it. I thought I had some horrific disease. Please don't be afraid to leave your house, etc...life is too short and it's too beautiful out there not to enjoy it! Go to a counselor or someone.

Jennieo and Kathy -I also thought I had a terrible disease. I couldn't eat, sleep, work. I am very lucky I have a wonderful doctor. He is a family doctor, but is also my gyn. since he delivered my sons. I went to him first about the cramping and twitching in a panic. He was very nice and talked to me and did a few tests in the office. He said I should see a neuro since that would be his speciality. They called and couldn't get me in for two months. I was in such a panic, that they called back and I got in within a week. The neuro also did preliminary testing and assured me right away that I didn't have a deadly disease. He did do the MRI's and I also had another ultrasound on my legs, along with the EMG. He said he was just being thorough. When everything came back normal he said he honestly had no idea why my legs were doing this, and that in time it would probably disappear. I am feeling much better about it now since I know it is not serious, just annoying. When I first went to my family doctor about the terrible fatigue, which came a few weeks after the leg problems started he did some more blood work and said I was definately into menopause. I am 49 and have not had a period for four months. It is hard for me also because I work with almost all women and none of them had terrible symptoms like I have. I can't really talk about it to anyone because none of them went through this. They are all older than me and are all finished. Make sure you get what you need from your doctor or find another one. If I didn't have such a great one I would have found another who would give me some answers. You know your body better than anyone. Keep posting and I will keep in touch also. Kim

I hear you Kim--there is no one for me to talk to either. I seem to have the worst case of peri or meno than anyone I know. I can also relate to how frightening every new symptom is. Every day is a new adventure!
I'd like to know of other symptoms you or any of the other women on this discussion board may have. This is my list:
INSOMNIA (big time)
Anxiety (constantly)
Agoraphobia
Flashing white light in right eye
Nausea
Chills
Freezing cold hands and feet
Crying Spells
Dizziness or feeling of being unbalanced
Anger
Feelings of Doom
Sore Muscles
Shaking
And of Course Muscular Cramping and Twitching
Just need to campare notes. Having a bad day.
Thanks to you all - Jennieo

Hi Jennieo,

Your list is very similar to mine. I have not experienced agoraphobia or flashing white lights. But I have had all the others. Before I found PS I had no idea what was happening to me. My doctor was not a real big help and even when I thought it might be related to menopause he told me I was too young. I'm 47. So if the average age is 51 than that means there are women younger and older than that who start through meno. When I found PS while googling all the strange symptoms I was having it was so wonderful to find others who were as frustrated as me in finding help. Dearest lists 35 symptoms common to meno. I think I have had 99% of them. You are not alone in your symptoms. I can relate to everything you are experiencing. Hang in there. We are here for you.

HUGS TO YOU
Maeflower

I started having irregular periods about four years ago. Last year they were coming between three weeks and 10 weeks. Now I haven't had one in four months. I also have had the night sweats, hot flashes, Terrible fatigue, which is my main complaint. Being extremely tired when I go to bed and then not being able to go to sleep. Or, I will fall asleep and then wake up five or more times. Then the muscle twitching in my legs and feet. The cramping has stopped for now. I want to feel normal again. I honestly don't know how long I can take this, especially the fatigue. I barely make it through the day without collapsing. Thank goodness I found this sight. We are also having another northeaster today with more heavy snow. There is no place to put anymore. Oh well, tomorrow will be a better day...Take care all.

Hi Maeflower - Thank you so much for your input. I had the same feed back from my doctor who told me I was too young to be going through menopause at the age of 46. He didn't even want to give me a menopause test. I had a partial hysterectomy with my ovaries left in tact, so I have no idea where I'm at, as I mentioned before. I have got to get over this fear of going away from the house and get myself to a gyn. Keep in touch!
Jennieo

Hi Seahorse - I thank you too for your feed back. I feel like my life is over. I also want to feel normal again. I went from working and going away every weekend to not even being able to leave the house. They say this won't last forever so better days are ahead? Hang in there and keep in touch!
Jennieo

I am so thankful that I have all of you gals here going through the same thing as me. I've had the twitches. I had this one twitch in my index finger and the muscle that runs from it and my thumb. It would just twitch and twitch. Nothing I could do to stop it. Thought it was the beginning of Parkinson's or something. It lasted for months. Now, I haven't had it at all for at least 2 weeks. I'm just tired all the time. I would love not to have any symptoms for a period of time, but it seems that there is always something going on. At least they don't all show up at once.

I am tired ALL the time. I have been like this for four months and can't take much more of it. I know I keep complaining about this particular symptom, but it has been just terrible. Some of my other symptoms have disappeared, but this one just hangs on. Luckily I have a place I can write out my fustrations! Thanks all for listening.. My feet are very bad today with the twitching. I just got home from work and they are very unhappy. Kim

Jennie, I would go with the magnesium for a start. I get cramp spasms in my feet especially.

Are the white lights the aura which can occur with a migraine? Are they zigzag-like? I had my first aura migraine two years ago. My head felt muffled afterwards but no great pain. Tho I did have to rush to the loo with fright as I thought I was having a stroke. Hormones!

Lastly the agoraphobia... I'm like you, too scared to sit in a doctor's surgery, so I would advise you to get Essential Help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes, From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett and Triumph over Fear by Jerrilyn Ross. You can send for them from Amazon and just read. The last two books tell the stories of people who struggled with agoraphobia and how to get over it. Taking small steps, in the yard, to the gate, to the end of the street etc and stand there a minute or two. You may need a friend to help you or you may prefer to do it alone as I did. Then you are doing it at your own speed. Some "friends" can be too pushy and want to cure you in a day. I still struggle with social occasions but not every time. Sometimes I think it's down to how whacky my hormones are on the day!

We're all here to help, encourage and support you, as we have all helped each other!

I also have the muscle cramping at times (muscle in my instep - PAINFUL!!). I have also had a restless feeling in my legs when in bed at night sometimes. I haven't had it at all this year. Anyone else have that? I find that a hard massage of the calf muscles helps - my husband is quite good at this! I also recently heard about something called restless legs syndrome, which a lot of people have to varying degrees (both men and women). It doesn't appear to be serious. Check out http://www.rls.org/what_is_rls/

Thanks for that. I printed it off for my husband who I think was a circus horse in a previous life!

Hi Alice3 - Thank you for the advice. I have just started with a calcium and mag. supplement and it does seem to help. The white light that I see in my right eye is not do to migraine or any kind of head pain so I don't know what that's all about. I read that it could be a detached retina. I think one of my biggest problems is that I do read too much about different medical conditions and that's why I suffer from the agoraphobia. I have gotten myself into such a frenzy over all of these symptoms and now I can't get out of it. I will definately get the books that you suggested and will try a little harder to take those baby steps to come out of this. I was getting so desperate that I was thinking about looking for a doctor that would make a house call, if that is possible in this day and age. Thank you again and keep in touch!
Jennieo

I have had muscle twitching and spasms ever since I entered this peri stuff. When I go to bed at night it is worse. My legs jump and twitch like crazy. In fact, my whole body jerks as I am trying to relax and go to sleep.

Jennieo, I know what you mean about reading too much. I was googling ever ache and pain or strange symptom I had to the point where I was in a panic. I finally decided I had to stop doing that. Right at that time is when I found PS. And I started making the connection between how I was feeling and menopause. That did relieve my mind somewhat. Its good to educate ourselves but we have to be careful. I was diagnosing myself with every major illness there is. Hang in there. Keep in touch with us all at PS. We WILL survive this.

Hugs,
Maeflower

Hi Jennie- I was tested for magnesium deficiency when my twitching and cramping started. It was fine so it wasn't because of that. They actually tested me for alot of different mineral deficiencys and they were all fine. The dr. thought because I run, I might have depleated myself, but that was not the case. I also read too much and when the whole twitching thing started, I was sure it was a deadly disease. I find it is worse when I go to bed because I am relaxing. Keep the faith and one day we will all be back to our Normal selves.

Kim

Hi Kim - I don't know if you or the other women in this disscussion topic read what I wrote in "How menopause is effecting my life." I'll be going into the hospital tomorrow for a three day observation stay. I had the most horrible day today. When my husband came home from work I just broke down and told him I needed help. He got right on the phone with someone from our local hospital who works in the counciling dept. He put me on the phone with her and she made me promise that I would meet her in the ER tomorrow. She told me they have a program for people who are unable to cope and that I would recieve the proper care and testing that I may need. I hope I'll be able to get myself out the front door tomorrow being I havn't been out of this house for weeks!! I feel so bad for all of you who are suffering. Please don't let it destroy your lives, like it has mine. I think you're all so wonderful and caring.
Jennieo

Hi Jennie,

I responded on another thread to your posting about going into the hospital tomorrow but I wasn't sure if you would see it so I'm posting again here. I just want you to know that I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. Keep telling yourself that you need to do this for you and your peace of mind and I know you will be able to go out the front door. You are fortunate to have a supportive husband and it sounds like he is working with you to find you help. Don't stop until you get to the bottom of everything. I hope they can tell you that you have no terrible illness but if it is all the peri/meno stuff make them work with you until you can find some relief and function again.

Keep in touch with us at PS. We will all be thinking of you.
Maeflower

Jennieo- I will be thinking of you tomorrow. I had tears in my eyes when I was reading your post. I am so emotional right now I can hardly write. I was feeling so sorry for myself and now when I think about it, I am not so bad off. Please get yourself the help you need tomorrow. I know it is going to be very difficult, but you need to do it for yourself and your family. Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers all day.. Keep in touch when you are able to and please take care of yourself. I am lucky too that I have a wonderful husband. Hugs..Kim

Hi all,
Just ran across this sight yesterday while I was freaking out about my fatigue and muscle twitches. I am in the midst of getting lots of testing done, but the list you ladies have come up with seems to fit my symptoms the best. I am still shocked that our regular docs aren't taking the perimenopause possiblity seriously. The depression and fatigue have caused me to take a leave from work, so it is quite serious for me. Sorry to hear there are others going through this, but thankful that I am not alone!
JPHELP

Hi Gez,

I'm taking ativan for the anxiety. this morning is bad again! This stinks! JP

Hi JPHelp- I have had just about every test you can think of and they can't find any reasons for my muscle twitching and fatigue. It is a huge struggle for me everyday to get through work. I have actually thought about taking a leave of absence until the fatigue goes away. I have been able to deal with the muscle twitching which is only in my feet and calves. It is very annoying and sometimes hurts after twitching for so long. My primary care doctor actually did mention it could have something to do with menopause, but my neurologist said nothing about that. He did lots of tests and told me to come back in six months. This all started for me in October, but the fatigue didn't get really bad until November and it is with me from the time I get up until I go to bed. Let me know how you are doing or if you come up with anything that might help. Take Care- Kim

Hi Kim,
I wonder whether the fatigue you've been battling might be related to SAD (seasonal affective disorder). You mentioned it began in October, which is a month that many of us with SAD first notice symptoms like fatigue. If your fatigue begins to wane within the next month or two, you might be a fellow SADDIE.
Cesca

Hi Cesca- Since so far the doctor has not been able to find a medical reason for this fatigue, it could be I have SAD. He has done another blood test on me this week and I will get the results when I see him next week. I had some type of virus in November that was found in my blood during one of the many blood tests I had. He is thinking it could have triggered CFS. I don't think that is what I have because fatigue is my only symptom. I am still thinking it is another wonderful menopause symptom that will hopefully disappear Soon. Thanks for your thoughts and I will keep posting. Take care. Kim

I have Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)(last 5 years or so)with the twitching legs, switches from one to the other or both at the same time, settles in just as I'm drifting off to sleep. Itchy feet--especially the instep also show up. I don't know if there is an actual test, I think it is diagnosed more by the symptoms.
Both of my sisters and my Mom have suffered from it.
Magnesium/calcium sometimes makes a difference. Hot baths work. Aspirin sometimes helps. b12 is also a recomendation. My sister swears by standing on a cold surface (basement concrete floor or the empty bathtub!)
I have a prescription for Clonazepam and will take 2 an hour or so before bedtime on occasion (apparently addictive and should only be taken as needed, but doesn't do anything after the symptoms have started) I asked my doctor, and he, in his wisdom, told me to take them when I'd had a stretch of problem nights and felt I needed a good nights sleep!
I have found all around the hot baths work the best. I settle in with a glass of wine, a romance novel and candles and disappear for a half hour or so. It may be the get-away as much as anything else, but I'm worth the indulgence.
(Quickie baths also work)
I feel your pain and hope this helps!

Hugs, jennieo, we're all here for you!

chefmarr- It is interesting that you say you have itchy feet, especially the instep. I also have this and had no idea why. I have the twitches in my calves and my primary care said in his opinion it was restless legs syndrome. I was sent off to a neurologist anyway for all kinds of tests. Everything was normal. My legs twitch all day and all night, but I think I notice it more at night because I am trying to sleep! My feet twitch also (instep). I am glad I found your post to know someone else is experiencing this... Kim

Hi Kim,

Making the decision to take a leave from work was really tough for me, but I'm glad I did it. I just can't imagine making it through the day. I am exhausted when I get up and then just wait for it to be a reasonable time to get back in bed. This is not fun! I am on anti depressants, but I don't think they have kicked in yet. The mornings are always worse and the gyno. said that was probably hormones. I am thinking of having a endometrail ablation to help with the major bleeding I get . Anyone have experience with that? Still twitching!
JP

Hi Jp,
I have an appointment with my primary care doctor next week. We are going to talk about anti depressants to help with the fatigue. He mentioned Wellbutrin would be his choice for me. I don't have depression or anxiety, just the fatigue so he said that would probably be the best one for me. My husband is a pharmacist, so I asked him to do some research for me on the different ones. It is also worse for me in the morning. I get home from work and have to lie down for at least half hour to get me through dinner. All I can think of when I am driving home is I can't wait to lie on that bed and close my eyes. It is becoming too stressful to try and get through work everyday. I don't need that also right now. I just had some type of hormonal blood test that had to be done first thing in the morning. My doctor said it might give him an idea about the fatigue. I will have the results next week. Keep in touch and I am also still twitching.. Kim

Hi Kim,

Have you gotten any relief yet? You sound so much like me, i'm hoping you'll find a miracle, and share it with me. Are you on any medications? I am thinking the Effexor I'm on is making me shake. I am still so tired that I can hardly stand myself. i want to sleep all day and all night. I wander if anyone heard from JennieO? I hope she's doing well. I have another Internist appt. tomorrow where I will get more blood results for thyroid and adrenal gland. I wish they'd find something, then give me something to make it better. I have never known anyone who felt this bad during PM. Why me?
Ugh!
JP

JpHelp

There is a topic called Endometrial Ablation in the Bleeding Forum, in case you're interested (I'm also a Heavy Bleeder). Some people have had the procedure and discuss their experiences. I haven't got the twitching, but I get the restless feeling in my legs sometimes.

Hi Jp,
I have a doctor appointment on Wednesday to find out the results of my blood work. So far everything has been normal and they have taken so much blood for tests I am not going to have any left. I just got home from work and am so tired I am going to lie down before I have to start dinner. I think we are going to talk about an anti depressant to see if that will help with the fatigue. I am willing to try just about anything. They have already told me that nothing can be done for the twitching because it is an involuntary movement. It is more annoying than anything, but sometimes my feet really hurt. I will update you on Wednesday after my appointment. He wants me to go back to my neuro sooner, but there isn't anything he can do. I am on pentasa for my crohns disease and just some vitamins. That is all I take. I want a miracle cure also. This is so bad. I pray everyday when I get up that it is going to be all better. Keep in touch... Kim

Hi again Jp,
I was thinking about Jennie also. I hope she is doing better and hope she comes back to let us know how she is doing. Talk to you soon. Kim

HI all,
I am new here, and I have had this internal shaking for about 1 month now. I immediately went to the GP, who was clueless and wanted to put me on Paxil....no way I said....all my bloodwork came back normal. I thought I was losing my mind...I had a history of anxiety and this 'internal buzzing' made my anxiety level go crazy. I was scared that I was dying and thought the cancer was eating me from the inside out. I went to a Nutritionist and she found along with my menopause and hormonal imbalance, and hypoglycemia, I have candida which makes the hormones unstable and she put me on vitamins and a whole new diet. I felt good for awhile and then the shaking came back. I spoke with her today about what you all said about the magnesium and she agreed since I got my period this week. So I noticed it started during a period, then came back real bad during this period.

Just so you know, I am 44, had breast cancer 5 years ago, which put me into menopause and I had not had a period for nine months....when I did the shaking started. It is just as some of you described. It is worse as I lay down to sleep and if I move in bed it subsides for a moment and starts up again. It is keeping me awake etc....my nutrionist suggested she will put me on magnesium, b-6 and possible zinc. I eat alot of calcium with yogurt and goat cheese, so I might not need the calcium. I do know this, our diet affects our hormones and everything else in our body. Find a good nutrtionist. This particular one does Contact Reflex Analysis. Anyway....I think all of you who have the shaking might want to be checked for candida and hypoglycemia.

I am so grateful I found you all, and I feel empowered knowing I am not crazy.....God is good and my Lord JESUS will get me through this. Take care and talk soon....treeoflife :-)

I found this link about restless leg syndrome which you may also find of interest
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1797

I just popped in this newsgroup based on the muscle twitches found by Google.

You should all investigate Lyme's disease and its official and unofficial symptoms. My muscle-twitches are caused by a borrelia-infection which I became with a tick. Perhaps only half of the Lyme-sufferers remembers a tick!

And the most *** of all: No physycian in my country recognizes it, so I have to look over the borders to find the right antibiotics-treatment.

Greetings everyone!
I have found this site to be so helpful. I too have muscle twitches, buzzing feelings in my feet, legs, hands...over the last few months it has gotten much worse. I have been reading your posts and have tried the magnesium for a few days now and it seems to be a little better.
I have a question though. I'm wondering if any of you have experienced this. It seems that my skin has started breaking out, I've gained almost 10 pounds and the muscle twitching has all come about within a few months. In February I had a period that lasted almost a month and after a bunch of tests they said that I'm menopausal and I could have a D&C. I took hormones for 10 days and it stopped. I opted not to have the procedure, but since then I've had extreme anxiety, muscle things, skin problems and the list goes on.
The weight won't go away. I haven't changed my diet, I exercise, although that makes the twitching worse in the heat. I mean it, I'm a mess. I'm 45 and I'm reading that some of you go through this for years! Argh.
My ob/gyn says I'm in the perimenopause phase and it could last 10 years!
I'm going to keep up the magnesium and hopefully the twitching will slow down. The internal shaking that I was having in the night and early morning was horrible! But since I've been using the magnesium that has stopped. Glad about that.
Any words of advice or support would be great.
Thank you all so much for your words of wisdom.

plsrelax1,
You are in the right place. I have all those things you are talking about and more. It all came on suddenly late last summer and for months I went from doctor to doctor trying to find out what was wrong, and thinking I had some horrible disease (you will find that to be common on these boards). I have all the muscle stuff too, the twitching, internal shakes/vibration, buzzing, etc. Magnesium has helped about 75%, thank goodness as these symptoms just drive you crazy. You should like me, like it is just all hitting you all of a sudden. It took me 8 months to figure out (no help to the doctors) that this may be due to hormones, and finally I went to see my gynecologist and she confirmed it. I was waiting for hot flashes, and got everything but. I don't think most of us ever realized that all this stuff could even be a part of the menopause process. You will find a lot of support on these boards and best of all, reassurance that this is due to hormones.

plsrelax1,

I can definitely relate to feeling like you are a mess...I feel like I've completely lost who I used to be. The muscle twitching is horrid and when you find out this stuff can go on for years it's pretty disheartening. I think Dearest said that the worst of the peri symptoms usually only last 2 maybe 3 years and things get better. I've had quite a few symptoms that developed all at once. My first symptom was about a year ago (face broke out), but the majority of my symptoms hit in February. I keep thinking 5 months down....maybe only 19 to go. I can't wait for my period to stop. It's irregular but is still coming, and believe it or not usually I feel the best during one day of my period (not sure if the hormones are elevated during this time) and then the cycle starts all over with the various symptoms.

I really can't give any good advice except to take it a day at a time and try to relax, and when push comes to shove do what you have to do to keep your sanity and to be able to function, and I guess most of all keep the faith. We'll make it through this...

PixieGirl is right. PS is a great place to find info and support. It's reassuring to know that you are not the only one having a tough time with menopause (not that I enjoy others being miserable it just lessens my own level of fear and insecurity about what's happening to me). Thanks for posting!

Hi Ladies and welcome to Plsrelax,

Ditto to everything the ladies are saying. I really wish I would have found this site before I spent lots of money and time on going from doctor to doctor. I am also 45 and would love it if hot flashes were my problem. The muscle twitches and weakness is so unnerving. I think if you can keep pushing along, do it. I made the mistake of letting myself sink into being depressed and sick and it is making it really hard to come back.
My anxiety about my health has made me so anxious that I have stopped lots of normal activities, and the fatigue is huge. I am sleeping 8 hours a night (with help), but waking up tired. I think massage therapy helps with the twitching as well as the magnesium.
I don't know about the weight gain since I lost 10lbs with the anxiety... Hope we are all feeling better soon.

xoxoJP

plsrelax

I have had the muscle twitching and buzzing since October. I am taking the calcuim and magnesium but I am not sure it is helping. I made myself sick thinking I had a horrible disease. I guess I was reading too much on the internet. Anyway, after lots of tests the doctor still does not know the cause. He offered me neurontin but I am also experiencing the terrible fatigue so I decided against it. He said it would probably help with the twitching but I have just learned to live with it. At night is when it is most annoying while I am trying to sleep. I think with so many of us experiencing it, I am guessing it is our hormones at work. I don't think it is as bad as it was, but it is basically constantly there. I would have gone crazy if not for this site. Keep reading, I am sure someone here can help out with your symptoms.

Kim

Thanks everyone for your responses. I am suffering terrible anxiety today, but I also started my period and I'm hoping that I settle down in a few days. I just hate the anxiety and know that it's all part of the package of this time in my life. I can think that rationally for a while, then the fear sets in and I'm in the middle of a panic attack fearing the worst.
Reading your replies and knowing that I'm not alone is such a comfort. I am going on vacation on Thursday and hopefully I can relax and enjoy the time away from home and work.
Take care,
Dee

I too have had a lot of problems with leg cramping and fatigue in my legs. After reading everyones problems that matched mine, I was thankful that I found this website. I read so many messages and no one had any answers. I prayed to the holy spirit to guide me to an answer and he did. It is a tea that you can get from a health food store called Mate or Yerba Mate. It helps with fatigue, especially with muscles and for better sleep etc, etc. Go online and read about it. I have a cup of it in the a.m. and in the late afternoon. It takes my fatigue away in 20 minutes and have no leg cramps in the night now. I hope this helps some of you. It's not a cure but sure has saved me from a lot of discomfort. Let me know. Oh by the way, does anyone know how long this kind of menopausal muscle fatigue is suppose to last. I sure hope not for long.

From,

Patrice

I was pretty convinced that all my strange feelings of twitching, vibrating, etc, etc. were due to menopause, but my doctor tried me on Cenestin and Prometrium and I have had no improvement. It is about two weeks since I started and I am very discouraged since this means my symptoms must have another origin. I will finish up a month on homones, then quit and continue my search for answers and relief.

My problem is mostly cramping and tightness in my legs. If I use my muscles any where out of the ordinary I get so much fatigue the next day. The tea like I said is working. The magnesium and potasium helps but the tea is great. I still get my symptoms but not half as bad. No cramping or problems at night any more. My neighbor told me about how she has nueropathy (somewhat of the same symptoms) and that she took alpha lipoic acid and it cures you for some time. When you get the symptoms back, you take it again and they completely go away. Takes up to 3 months of taking it for most to see if it works. So, I may try that. She is older than I and she said that the menopausal state makes it more pronounced, that it is not due to menopause. Yerba Mate tea really does help. Try it and let me know if it helps any of you like it does me. Eventually I will try the alpha lipoic acid (500mgs a day) and will let you all know how I do. She swears by it and so happy she found it.

Hi!
For me it all started with muscle cramping and bladder infection and a year of antibiotics. I figured the cramping was from taking walks during lunch in my new cowboy boots so I tried sneakers. It did not help. So I figured it was the coral calcium supplement I was taking. It never occured to me that it was menopause. I went to my primary care doctor with a bladder infection and he told me it was strep b but the do not treat it unless you are pregnant. To come back in July (three months down the road) for an obgyn exam when his PA who used to work for a urologist was there.

I was in bladder hell and passing blood the following week so I called and they gave me 3 days of Bactrim. It did not help. I went in and the PA said I had a ton of blood in my urine and she could not believe they did not treat it. It had really escalated by then.

I was on pennicillan followed by levaquin followed by macrobid and this horrible internal shaking started. Then a few weeks later a fluttering in my left ear. It woke me up at 6 every morning and was really creepy. I figured it was the antibiotics. But the fluttering morphed into twitching all over the body, a feeling that my head was swelling. Crying and disorientation. That was 3 years ago.

Over the years I have been to a couple neurologists. Often with a neurologist its "diagnose and adios." But there was never a diagnosis. Just an adios and a referal to an infectious disease specialist. Or two. Or three.

Anyway I have had alot of lab tests, a spinal tap, an MRI, a CT scan, a cystoscopy. Nothing wrong at all. So after about a year of stress and tests I called my mother. Weeping. "Mom, I think I am dying and if I am not dying I wish I was dying. " It was like that.

She laughed and advised that the recurrant bladder infections were a result of low estrogen. She had been to one of the best specialists in the USA for a bladder problem. He gave her estrogen. She said I just needed some estrogen-that I did not need a neurologist at all but an Obgyn. She said all the membranes even in the bladder lose some integrity so to expect more sinus and nasal issues as well.

I went to the Obgyn and the physicians assistant listened to my symptoms and said the bladder problem was related to menopause. I did not believe her. How can you feel so horrible and never hear about any of this before? It's like it's mankind's best kept secret.

Anyway, I had been having fevers as well and the OB gave me estrogen. It was like death on drugs. Swollen breasts, PMSy with a fever of 101.

Turned out I had a Strep B infection of the cervix. When I took Augmentin for it the twitching stopped. I found this interesting as there are some links to strep antibiodies and muscle twitching emotional problems and OCD in children. I sometime wonder if others who are twitchy carry Strep B as well. That was what initially cultured out with the bladder infection.

After that I got a candida infection in the ears and sinuses alot with thrush, and it can create many of the same symptoms of menopause. The twitching came back even fiercer than before. I would just look at my hand and it would curl into a cramp-kind of like the wicked witch's feet curl up when the house falls on her in the Wizard of Oz. At night my toes would do that. Ouch!


Anyway after all this, I did discover that I do really well using natural substances that kill candida and keep my sugar intake under 20 grams a day. But killing yeast can initially dramatically increase the muscle twitching, Candida is a funny thing. It will always get worse before it gets better. And it will scare the heck out of you in the process. It can give off alot of nerve toxins that cause twitching, depression, panic attacks and then some.

So if I use a candida cleanse or if I get really twitchy I take activated charcoal-just 1 capsule. Amazingly I will be twitch and anxiety free in under half an hour-usually until the next AM.

I read somewhere that hot flashes can be a result of the body trying to cleanse itself or a response to toxins. Charcoal absorbs toxins so I figured it was worth a shot. Seems to work most of the time. If it does not then I take another one. Then it works. Other times I take the Bach Flower Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Cherry Plum if there is a feeling that I am going to explode.


What really helps me the most with the cramping is taking two shot glasses of dill pickle juice. They will be gone in just 5 minutes and this will be followed by such a sense of peace. It's so weird. Pickle juice on its own does not do this-only if you take a shot of it because of leg cramps. If it did it on its on sans menopuase cramps- it would surely be an addictive substance.

An old lady in W Va told me once about this pickle juice cure and it works amazingly well. She lived near a town there called Hundred. It was named so, they say, because there was an old man there who lived to be 100. They would say, "Let's go into town and see old Hundred." So they called the crossroads Hundred, W. Va. Old Hundred lived to be 110 but One Hundred and Ten West Virginia did not sound as good as Hundred, W Va. Either that or old Hundred stopped counting.

Anyway if there is no pickle juice around then some mustard or sauerkraut will often work.

Magnesium helps for the cramps but sometimes calcium and magnesium make the leg cramps worse for me. If I take a multiple vitamin mineral supplement dollars to donuts I will be up at midnight hitting the pickle juice. Real nice with the toothpaste taste still in your mouth.....

One sided leg spasms or cramps can help you find which mineral is out of balance. Right sided cramping will respond to calcium and left generally to magnesium.

I found that my blood pressure went way down when menopause hit. They seem to only treat you when the blood pressure is high. They just say "Good Girl! Your blood pressure is super low and I can hardly feel your pulse! " Low blood pressure can make you feel just as bad if not worse than it is high. If I take 1 teaspoon of sea salt in two cups of warm water (or if I am not up drinking it, I pack it in some capsules), I feel alot better and am not so hot- cold- hot-cold and dizzy. Dandelion can raise the blood pressure.

The homeopathic cell salt Mag Phos 6x works pretty well for the burning mouth feeling and calc phos 6x for weird skin sensations. All in all the doctors have been pretty useless through all of this. One did give me quinine for leg cramps and it worked pretty well but not half as well as the pickle juice.


Prayer helps me alot. It also helps to talk to ladies that are older than I and of course this forum.


Thank you everyone for being there.