Some months I get this some I don't ; it can come before, during or after my period. I am 45 on May 12th so realize I am in peri. For the past year or so I'll be walking along , suddenly get lightheaded (almost a floating off kilter feeling ) then only recently I realized when this happens I am holding my breath! I also get this lightheaded stuff when I have a lot of gas -- as soon as I relieve the gas the lightheaded feeling leaves too. It is scary when it happens though as I feel scared then weak which almost perpetuates a panic! Anyone else have this!? If so how do you deal with it? Thanks

Hi TMNT

yes, I get this a lot, mostly when I am very anxious, stressed, worried angry,but I believe also that fluctuating hormones can cause this, and not breathing properly will just make it worse.

Somewhere on the boards there is an article on BREATHE! it is very good, explains how a lot of people reverse breathe and shallow breathe, can't remember where it is, but I'm sure one of the other girls will know.

Try not to worry, I get this a lot and my GP says it is anxiety.

Luv Jenniffer

TMNT,

Yes! How interesting that you mentioned this. I began a couple years ago, while going about my business, noticing how often I was holding my breath. So very strange! It still happens once in awhile. Clearly rooted in anxiety.

It's helped to take time for relaxation each day, just sitting quietly and breathing deeply.

Good luck with this!

Jacquie

That's happened to me too. I don't realize I'm not breathing properly until I become aware of it. When it happens, I just take a deep breath and force myself to relax. It usually means I have to distract myself so I don't dwell on it.
THE KEY IS TO RELAX!

Yes, this happens to me too. I don't know that I'm doing it and then I realize that I have to remember to breath.

Thank you all for your replies! It is nice to know that I am not alone in this. Yes, I 've realized that I have to relax more. I've been trying to find time to meditate . I used to meditate years ago but I've been so busy lately with work, night school courses, my 6 yr old son, and caring for my Mom who was recently in hospital for one month. (My son and I live with my elderly Mom . I am a happy single Mom). I found the article re breath. It is also helpful. Thanks all and I am SO glad you are all here! Hugs to all!

I get this too - kind of a lightheaded, "foggy" feeling, like nothing is quite real. It is usually associated with the anxiety I've experienced since entering peri - breathing through it and knowing it's going to go away if I just keep on with my daily routine and don't let it scare me helps a LOT. And it inevitably does do exactly that - it goes away. Actually, that technique has helped me a LOT with all this perimenopausal stuff - when I get anxious, or have palpitations, or wierd body aches, or any of the apparently endless variations of peri wierdness .....it seems to help me a great deal by realizing that it's just fluctuating hormones, it will pass, and I will feel better, probably very soon. And - the PowerSurge board has been a lifesaver! Hang in there!

- Kes

I agree with Kes - keeping focused on the present and moving forward helps - before power-surge my motto was so far it hasn't killed me I would repeat as I crawled onward, which wasn't always that reassuring!

This symptom bothered me a lot as it seemed to have no apparent reason. I could be walking with friends here at work as we sometimes do on our breaks and wham, or working on the computer. I know I have become more sensitive to smells and seasonal allergins which may play a part.

One thing that has helped me with many symptoms is knowing that it is probably realted to menopause. Another is Tai Chi - helped me to breathe deeply ... just turning from side to side at the waist helps to open one up to breathing from the diaphram which helps to *stabilize* the moment. Or the Lion face in yoga or something that helps you to focus on something other than our crazy hormonal bodies! Just taking a few minutes each day to do this as you are waiting for the elevator door to open, or the light to change can help. Hazey

Thank you all for responding! Hey Ksxroads: You mentioned these techniques for tai chi , etc. Can you describe how to do them so I can give them a try? Thanks al lot.

Im a 13 year old girl and i started my periods 2 days ago. The thing is i have been deing to start my periods becuse i was the odd one out and now i want them to go away. I went on a school trp yesterday and i was in agonising pain. Not cramp but like... down there if you know what i mean. I was bleeding quite heavily and had to change the sanitory towel every 2 hours. Is that normal? Also the blood had some clots in it and was quite gooey like the doscharge i'd been having before my atchual period. Please tell me that i am normal because i'm worried that it might not atchually be my period

Hi Steph, and WELCOME to Power Surge!!!

I know what you mean about wanting your period, and then not wanting it. I was almost 16 before I go my first period, I felt like a freak!!

My guess is you have started your period. Periods usually last between 4 and 7 days, so keep track. It might take you a few months, or even a couple years to get the hang of how your cycle works. I always put an "X" on my calendar on the day I'm suppose to start (you count 28 days from the first day of your period, and that's when you should start your next period)- but keep in mind, a few days late or early is normal also.

The clots, and discharge are all part of having periods, but if it scares you maybe you can ask your mom about it? Or a relative that you trust?

If you don't have anybody that you can confide in, search the internet. I'm sure there is a lot of info about mensruation out there.

Other girls who have been having periods for awhile could probably help you also.

Don't let your periods get in your way, they're going to be around for awhile, so you might as well not stress out over them.

You take care sweetie, and I think you are totally normal (and adorable!)

....and Steph, you're on a website for menopause. The ladies here are trying to figure out what happens when we STOP our periods, not when we first get one

I'd go to google and type in "onset of menses" or "menstruation", and you'll probably find a website that will help you.

Good luck, hon!!

Hi Steph!

Like Leanne, I was also almost 16 when I first started. I remember all my girlfriends had started theirs way earlier and I felt left out.

Just want you to know that after my very first period, it was 6 months before I had another. I worried about it a lot!

You just hang in there Steph and like Leanne said, don't let them get in your way!

Go out there and enjoy your youth!

Take care Steph! You sound like a sweet girl!

Drea

Hi Steph,

Great to hear from you here. The onset of your period isn't so terribly different than the ending we are all facing. You'll have mood swings, emotional outbursts, and sometimes just feel like being alone, like no one understands you. My periods started at 11. The first one was fine then they went away for 6 months. When they came back they were long (7 days) and quite heavy with clumping. I also had a lot of pain. Some of this is normal so don't worry. Nothing will be quite right for awhile and it's ok. Your body is growing and doing something new.

If any of it scares you talk to your mom or some other adult you can trust. You can even get checked by a doctor. I turned out to have endometriosis. It's no big deal. It mostly meant that I had a little more cramping than most and got check by my doctor a little earlier than other girls.

I think it is great your here. We have so much in common. My daughter just turned 13 and has had her periods for 2 years. At first she cried a lot. But she got used to it. Sometimes it even makes her sick to her stomach. Ginger pills work great.

Let us know how your doing.