Could someone please explain these to me or direct me to the right place?
I'm feeling so alone and scared right now. I'm only 37 years old and I feel like I'm losing my mind. Every week before my period I have horrible anxiety, depression and brain fog.

For the past few months, about 5 days before my period starts, I wake up in the middle of the night with a RACING heart. I sweat, feel hot and panic panic panic. I fear I'm going to die and leave my kids without a mommy. It beats extremely fast for anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. I'm crying now because last night it was really fast. I made an appointment with my cardiologist (who checked my heart out two years ago and everything was fine). That isn't for a few days yet. I'm really fearing the worst here.
Thank you.

Well, you are doing the right thing in being checked out by the doc but I don't think you need worry. It does sound like a hormone thing and you do sound as if you are suffering from anxiety.

The thing about anxiety is it can affect anyone totally out of the blue. I know of a big burly leather clad motor bike rider who had panic attacks during the night. They woke him up!

I know of a very clever, friendly,confident gentleman who travelled around the country, visiting extremely wealthy clients for bespoke furniture (sounded a gem of a job) but travelling home had to call in at the ER as he had pains in his chest...anxiety.

Read the tips on anxiety on this site...the paper bag and the breath counting are extremely useful.

Been there...you're not alone!

At age 37, it seems to me that you are entering into the world of peri and all that it has to offer. Your body is readjusting to the decline in progesterone and the dominant effect of estrogen. Some months will be fine and other months will produce symptoms that will be hard to "stamp out." PS is a life saver!

wookiecookie,

The adrenaline surges/hot flashes with the heart racing was one of the first signs I had of perimenopause. I would wake up at night with this and it would really scare me. It all started 2 yrs ago when I turned 40.

I had every test imaginable, including all types of heart tests and everything was fine. It wasn't until I went to my gynocologist who put me on a low dose birth control pill that I got relief. I also take Lexapro for anxiety (which I never had until all this started!)

Rest assured - everything that you are going through is normal for peri. However, you should see your doctor to rule anything else out and to put your mind at ease. Good luck.

maura

Oh my goodness Wookiecookie -I'm so sorry that your going thru a rough time - I'm glad that your going to the Dr. and getting checked out - and when it turn out that the heart is ok - that will comfort you a little bit.

It does seem that your going thru some terrible peri-meno. symptoms. Ahhh, once you realize that it is peri-meno. and all those feelings are connected to the fluctuating hormones - you'll calm down - and you'll realize that all those symtoms are .... temporary ...and it will go away for awhile. And please keep going thru the boards and learning as much as possible thru the experiences and knowledge of others who have had those feelings, thought, ideas and symptoms.

Blessings,
Stacy