Hi All,

I accidently found this forum while searching for Lightheadedness that struck out of nowhere and completely freaked me out.

This feeling was not accompanied by racing pulse or increase in blood pressure, but, it made me feel very strange and raised my anxiet sky high. To make it worse I was all alone in the hosue ( husband travelling) with a 2 yr old.

I have also been experiencing racing pulse. These episodes so far only happen at night. I am all O.K. lying on the couch, and as soon as I get up and walk up to my bedroom my heart starts racing. It's so scary. Most of the times these episodes have happened a week or so before my periods. I have mentioned to my OB and GP but both say that it cannot be hormonal related. However, my periods now only last 2 days at best.

At my last visit my doctor sent me to a cardiologist since he thinks that I may have SVT:( The Cardiologist put me on a holter monitor.

I am so anxious that I cannot function properly. Since yesterday when i returned the holter my anxiety went way up, since I won't be getting the results soon and not knowing is getting to me. I have this strange sensation in my throat as if something is stuck there. I try to reason with my self my saying it could be the result of strained or tight muscles, since I may have strained them while weight lifting. I am a very active person, i train atleast 5 days a week, I eat right no junk food, very limited caffiene.

You ladies are so supportive, I read and re0read the posts to give myself confidence that whatevey it is, I can handle it, but i cannot rid myself of this anxiety.

Have you had a complete thyroid check? A TSH as well as a T3, T4, Free T3 and Free T4. It sounds like you could be hyperthyroid.Sometimes hypo can cause the anxiety as well. You didn't state your age but with a 2 year old I'm assuming you might be too young for perimenopause.

Hi, So glad to see a reponse. Actually in my state of heightened anxiety I forgot to mention that I have a 7yr old who was in an overnight camp the day I experienced lightheadedness. I am 39 yrs old and I did check with my GP regarding the Thyroid and according to him my blood work showed no abnormalities.

Since the last 3 days I have been seeing an elevated bloodpressure about 100/67, keeping in context tha my bloodpressure is normally around 88/58 with a resting pulse of 65 or 62. So I may be all upset about nothing, but every little thing is getting on my nerves.

To make the situation a little more stressful, I am supposed to leave on a 1 week trip to Hawaii tomorrow. It should make me feel good, but I am so worried that something is going to happen when i am away from home. Along with the anxiety is the guilt factor, since we have been planning a vacation for a while and now I causing so much stress:(

I woke up this morning, checked my pulse and it was 72, instaed of 65 and that too got me all upset....am i loosing my mind?

HI Want To Be Fit

You said your 39...well I started with peri at 39..so your not too young. And all the symptoms you are describing are exactly the ones I started with. The lightheadedness, the wierd feelings...that is all anxiety. Its homonal..try not to worry. But take TIKI's advise and get the Thyroid checked for hypo, just to rule that out. Also the pulse thing...you can be off 10 beats either way...so if your pulse was 72 and it is usually 65..you are still in normal range. My pulse is always between 72-85 at rest ..so try not to worry..Im sure your fine. And the BP is probably up some because of the anxiety your experiencing. But I know when all these symptoms first start it can really throw you for a loop. Go on vacation and have a great time!! Think of us while your lying on the beach sipping margarita's!!!

Peace
AA

wanttobefit I agree with AnxietyAttack, when I first started getting anxiety I thought there was something terribly wrong with me. After reading a lot of posts here articles and some books I am able to be a little more comfortable with the anxiety. I don’t get it as much. When I do now I label it for myself right away, this seems to help me and I don’t get so carried away with it. I have lay in bed and almost let it run its course it now feels like waves flowing through my body. I remember not to hyperventilate; I always have a paper bag close by. I find relieve from my progesterone although I sometimes need to use clonazapam. I understand it isn’t the best thing to do butt there are times I just have to have the edge taken off for me. Just my journey hope this is of some help.
Barb

Oprah Winfrey went to FOUR different cardiologists because of her heart palps, and her heart beat and not ONE of them mentioned perimenopause!! It was her trainer, Bob Greene that told her!!

My point is even BILLIONAIRE Oprah can't get a correct diagnosis when it comes to this.

It's totally normal to go through this in your late 30's- it's the prime age for all this CRAP (sorry, Dearest, but that's what it is! )

My advice? SLOW yourself down. Your body is changing and all the wishing that it wasn't will not stop it. You will have GOOD days, and you will have AWFUL days.

I think we all agree. The anxiety is the worst. I would suggest telling people in your life about it, because pretending it's not happening will only make it harder. I told everyone, and to my surprise, I was met with understanding. I told my dentist, the girl who does my hair, my family, my neighbors, LOL, even the checkers at the grocery store!!

I started all this at about 37- I am now 46 and have had 3 periods since December. The good news?? My anxiety is GONE. I can tell my hormones are levelling out, and I still experience symptoms, but they are mostly physical (dryness, hot flashes, and YES the racing pulse....) but EMOTIONALLY I am fine. I'm use to the symptoms now, and they no longer scare me. I actually feel some power knowing all that I know about menopause (THANK YOU POWER SURGE!)

The beginning of peri is a frightening time. All the changes seem to come on at once, overwhelming us and FREAKING US OUT! But honestly- you'll be okay. Just empower yourself with all the information on menopause that you can, and before you know it, you'll be replying to a post from a newbie peri sufferer like I am today

BEFORE peri we all wanttobefit, now AFTER 40 I just wanttobehealthy.

You take care, and lower the bar. As Bette Davis said "Fasten your seatbelt, it's going to be a bumpy ride".

Hugzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,

Thank you ...Thank you...Thank you...Thank you...sob! crying while writing this. Crying beacuse I feel some one out there understands. Even my dear husband who is one of the most understanding soul is now thinking that I am turning into a hypochondriac.

The cardiologist's nurse has asked me to call her at 4:00pm today to see if the preliminary results of my holter tests are in.

One more question, have any of you felt this choking ( like wearing a slightly tight neck scarf or necklace ) sensation? I have been experiencing this and need the feel to burp to get rid of it.

Thankyou again for all the support, kind words, it is bringing back some sanity into my tospy turvy life.

The tightness in your neck is what is leading me to believe it could be your thyroid. But of course anxiety will do that too. No one should EVER feel guilty about going to Hawaii I know from personal experience it is very hard to relax when you feel like you're in a constant state of fight or flight. I ended up on 5 mg of Lexapro to calm me down. It's too late for you to start that now before your trip so try the paper bag trick to relax. Enjoy the Mai Tai's and keep reminding yourself how lucky you are to be going to such a beautiful place. Please let us all know how you did on your trip.
Aloha

PS How about printing out some of these posts for hubby to read on the plane, then he'll know you're in very good company.

Great post leanne!! You described it perfectly. Seems like 39 is the magic number for a lot of us. That's when I started having the middle-of-the-night power surges but had no idea what they were. Thought I was dying (sheesh! I've said that lots on this board!!) Bouts with palps at 40 sent me to the ER where, like so many here, was told I was fine. Bopped along fine for a couple of years, then started having night sweats so I had peri in my mind but didn't make the connection when all the scary stuff started happening. DUH! One of my pet peeves is that we're not told about all the horrific stuff that can happen. Only woop-te-do hot flashes & night sweats ... no big deal! Yeah, right!

wanttobefit ~ I do hope you have a wonderful trip. My mom has always stressed about going on trips ... whether short or long. I still wonder how my Dad got her to go on cruises & numerous trips to Hawaii. Now that you've found P-S, I hope it helps relieve some of your anxiety. Hang in there with us.

tikigirl/boyzmom, thx for your notes of encouragement. As I had mentioned in one of my previous post, my GP saw my blood report and said that the Thyroid was not an issue. Is there any other test that needs to be done.

On a sad note...last night I had another major episode, even xanax did not help, my hubby out of caution has cancelled the trip. Now I am ridden with guilt, but am hoping that once the results come back ( good or bad) we can reschedule.

I was able to go to sleep after a couple of hrs ( slept on the sofa, since I am scared of going up to bed . Woke up in the morning with my left arm and chest feeling sore, out of anxiety I took an aspirin. Still feeling very tired and depressed, but reading your posts gives me some encouragement. So please accept my deepest heartfelt gratitude.

Huuugggggs.

Awww, that's too bad. How is hubby taking it??? Let us know what the tests results are.

Hi wanttobefit,

I am 47 but closer to 48 and one of my earliest symptoms were heart palpitations, breathlessness, panic and yes, I did feel the throat constriction feeling that you are describing.

It is ver scary when you don't know what is happening. I also experience head pressure, dizziness and unsteadiness. Some of the symptoms are still with me and other are gone...like the heart palp. (knock on wood).

I have had a brain CAT scan, numerous EKG, thyroid test, Holter, full abdominal CT scan and everything is normal.

This is a difficult time for all of us but hang-in-there, our mothers got through it and so will we. If your Mom is still living, you might want to ask her about what she felt going through peri (my Mom had some similar symptoms).

I consider myself to be in good shape and my BP and pulse has also fluctuated depending on where I am in my cycle.

I live in Hawaii by the way. Just hang-in-there and feel free to send a PM...I'll be sure to respond.

Plumeria

Leanne -
Your post is excellent - Very inspirational, filled w/knowledge, wisdom and it shows your experiences... it covers a few different symptoms that alot of us has... you have given hope to all of us...Thank you...

And you other meno. sisters - you are all truly fabulous and encouraging...thanks.

Blessings,
Stacy

My husband is a darling, he is very supportive and tries to understand but gets perplexed sometimes. We will try an reschedule for a later date, hopefully once the results are back.

I will call the cardiologist Monday and request an echocardiogram, just to rule out MVP and I will report back the results.

You all are my life support, as soon as I start getting nervous I read these posts, then I don't feel so alone and scared, so thank you for sharing your experiences.

My deepest gratitude.
Niva

Those weird scary symptoms are driving me nuts also, but sound just like yours so I guess we are all a bit nuts....or we are all right! I am a good bit older than you, but didn't start having all this trouble until fairly recently, likely because I have been on HRT for about 20 years, due to a hysterectomy. All this was happening while I was trying to cut back on the HRT because of all the reports.
Despite an entire battery of tests, not one dr. mentioned the big M word.


So, thanks to this web site, I am back on the HRT and it got better. Then, a business trip away from home and back comes all the symptoms and some BP peaking. Tried to see my GYN but we missed connections, so I have to try that again.

Right now I feel confined to home. I love to travel, but travel seems to bring on the scary symptoms. Last year, I met my daughter in Hawaii for a week and had a big time panic attack I had to hide from her to avoid spoiling the trip. Could NOT figure out what was going on, but again, it got better as I got closer to home. I am on the verge of trying some kind of anti-panic meds but would like to try something that I can just take when I need it. Any ideas?

My only other answer may be to retire from my job I love, take myself off the HRT and enter a psych ward until it all goes away.

Reschedule your trip. I survived an attack while on the islands and had a great time most of it. If I had known what was wrong and had some meds, I think I would have had a much better chance of dealing with it. This "thing" takes over so much of me that I can't get over being constantly pre-occupied with what is happening, and that makes it even worse and detracts from my life.

Try to keep your mind occupied and think outside your brain and body. Hard to do, but it really helps. Good luck!

Leanne,

I just read your post from a couple of days ago. Great words of wisdom. I can't tell you how much peace of mind I have gotten by arming myself with menopause knowledge (Thank you Power Surge as well as other sources). Since I wasn't getting info from the medical community I had to start researching and reading on my own. The more I learned the less anxious I felt. I still have those horrible anxiety attacks at times due to the hormonal roller coaster but knowing what it is and why had helped me cope!!!

We will all get through this. And the companionship and words of encouragement from wonderful ladies like yourself will definitely make the bumpy ride bearable.

Hugs to you,
Maeflower

wanttobefit

I have been there. Had the same stuff last summer. Had an EKG and a Echo. They did find I had a heart murmur which I always knew anyway. I am the same way with the racing heart the minute I get into bed. I would be happily lying on the couch reading, then get sleepy and decide to go to bed. The minute I would lie down it would start. I would try and deep breath and think of nice things. The good news is that it has almost stopped. I do have it a little when I get into bed, but it doesn't last. We are also going to Hawaii in two weeks. I am very nervous about going because I have been having major fatigue and muscle twitching along with everything else. We have been going every year now for five years and I am hoping having the time to relax and have no commitments will help. We did almost cancel too but I said I wanted to go because we both love Hawii and would love to move there. It is an 11 flight for us from NH but hopefully it will turn out good.

You are not alone here and this site has been my lifesaver for the past 7 months. Take care and I hope you feel better soon.

Kim

Hi All,

Seahorse you have described your symptoms exactly as my experiences. For instance, yesterday, I decided to be brave and take my kids to DisenyLand. I was O.K. all day, but the heart started racing as soon as I went to bed. I was so disappointed and depressed that I could'nt even cry. However, thanks to this site I tried someone's recommendation of putting icecold water on the eyelids...It Worked! So my apologies for not remembering your name ( i tried to find that post, but keep missing it), but I owe you

I saw my cardiologist today, my holter test is normal. He will be doing the stress test and Echo on Friday. He did insist that I should go on my vacation, but I start stressing out about it. Being away from home makes me nervous. I feel best when I'm at work. He has given me Toporol (sp?), samples suggesting that I take 1/2 of the 50mg tablet. Hopefully I will not have any negative reaction to it since I am a poster child for all adverse effects, if a medication lists any weird side effects, then I will have it I so want this to work so that I can feel like myself again. It breaks my heart my my 7yr old keeps asking me "mommy are you o.k.?

On the bright side I can go back to the gym . This keeps me sane.

wanttobefit

working out helps keep me sane also when all these strange things keep happening to my body. I really want to stay home this year, but am only going for my husband. I am hoping I will get through it all alright. I am very sensitive to medications and can't even take small doses without having the side effects. Hopefully you will be feeling better soon. I want to be me again too!

Kim

I also am VERY grateful for this site b/c I thought I had something wrong with me that the doctors and all of the tests could not find - I still have regular periods. usually heavy - I am otherwise in good health - I get PVCs that come and go, I get anxiety attacks, I sometimes feel off balance and get an occasional feeling of a skip in my head that makes me feel like I am going to faint - my BP is normal but my heart rate can range from low 70s to over 100 - that's weird! I have had all of the cardio tests, blood tests and brain scans - I can relate to the women who say that sometimes they don't want to be alone b/c they are afraid what might happen - Does anyone else experience these symptoms and still get regular periods? My primary care doctor is female and keeps telling me I am too young for peri - thanks to all of you and your posts!!!

Ialso have regular periods although the last few months they have been lighter and only 1-2 days long, which is not the norm for me. A normal heart rate can be anywhere between 60- 100 beats per minute. I also have been dealing with anxiety attacks and lightheadedness for about 6 months. Since my hormone levels were all low my doctor attributes these symptoms to my hormone imbalance. But to answer your question I still have regular periods.

Take care,
Jill

I forgot to mention that I am 45 and having been having "weird" symptoms off and on for at least 2 + years - the last year and half, they have been occurring more regularly (as in monthly I guess.) I have not been able to discern any real pattern to it -

I too am having normal periods, though they now last only 2 to 3 days, with the 2nd day being worst, and nothing much on the 1st and 3rd day. I have not yet ( or so I think) experienced hot flashes. So once my doctor asked if I had and I said no, he discounted that my symptoms could be hormone related. He also said that since the racing pulse happens a week or so before the periods ( though this time it started earlier..could be anxiety!) and the lightheadedness happened after the periods ( a weel later I think), it was definitely not hormonal!

My cadiologist ruled out Stress, so here I am all anxious, getting a battery of test done. So far the holter test and EKG and chest X-ray have come back normal. tomorrow is stress test and Echo. Cardiologist also gave me toprol which is making me so dizzy and short of breadth. I said that it would prevent the heart from racing, but I guess my body thinks otherwise, since last night I did get the symptoms again, racing heart though not as intense, left arm hurting at the elbows down and tightness around the chest. Driving to work today took a lot of courage since I was feeling so dizzy and panicky I stuck to the right lane, in case I needed to pull over.

Today is my 15th marriage anniversary, I want to feel good and be happy, but I feel so down and out. All I can think about is what if they find something nasty in the tests tomorrow..:sob:

Hi W2B
Happy Anniversary!!!
I wouldnt worry to much ...all the symptoms you are describing are the same as the ones we have been talking about also. The Dizzies and lightheadedness is defintelty a symptom of menopause or most of the women on this board are in lots of trouble. Get the tests done to ease yor mind...but you know Doctors they know nothing about peri/meno. Check out the "dizzy thread" and also the "My Doctor " thread...you will see what Im talking about.

Try not to worry...and let us know the results of the tests.

Peace
AA

AA, thanks for the post. I will read the other threads as you suggested. This board gives me a lot of assurance.

Leanne, I re-read your post and I feel calmer ( atleast for a little while )

(((((((wanttobefit))))))

Hi Friends,

Both the echo and Stress test were O.K. The one thing that the doctor pointed out was that during the Stress test my heart rate climbed up rather quickly, however, I was not tired or any thing and could have gone on longer. He mentioned that with conditioned atheletes the rise in heart rate with increasing intensity is gradual. This is perplexing since i do workout on a regular basis, though have to admit that I focus more on weight training than Cardio. He mentioned that I should go back to the gym and continue on my regular schedule and try to relax and meditate. Have any of ladies had a similar Stress test result. This is surprising since whrn i do cardio ( I wear the heart rate monitor) and I have never seen HR jump up very fast...well another thing to think about.

Started my periods today and am feeling quite dizzy. On another note Dr. wants me keep taking Toprol, he reduced the dosage to 12.5mg. I have read that Beta-Blockers are very strong meds, so am a bit leary takin' them.

Hope y'all are doing well and thanks for the may kind words and support.

I see on this site a lot of women who have dizziness/lightheadedness/off balance. I have been having lightheadedness/off balance feeling for the last 6 months. I have recently been recording when I feel this way (Which is most of the time). I have had all kinds of blood work and a cardiac work up and everything came up negative except my hormone blood work which showed borderline low and low on everything. Does anyone have any natural remedies for lightheadedness? My doctor prescribed progesterone cream which I have not used yet as well as some natural supplements.

Thanks,
Jill

Janne, make sure you are getting plenty of water intake. Dont count other liquids as part of it. A minimum of 8...8oz of water daily.

Hi Everyone!

I am so thankful that I have found this website. The symptoms you describe are exactly what is happening to me. I can be perfectly fine and then go to bed and my heart starts racing, my BP goes sky high and it feels like my blood is rushing through my body. It is so scarey! I just had a holter monitor test and the doc said everything is fine. I am 48 and these "episodes" started happening in January. My anxiety level is through the roof to the point I can barely drive any longer. I had an episode last night and I couldn't get to sleep until 3 am and that was after taking more BP meds and anxiety meds. My doctor also prescribed Toporol and it has really helped. I take 100 mg each and one before I go to bed. My episodes have gotten better since I have taken it.

Thank you all so much for being there for me. Doctors just don't have a clue and that is so frustrating! I have been more depressed this year then ever before in my life.

I love you guys!

Hi Debbie,

My anxiety was SKY HIGH when all of this started about 6 months ago. I will say that over time my anxiety has got better. I lost 20lbs in 4 months due to my anxiety. Like you I went to see a cardiologist who ran a bunch of tests. Everything came back negative. My mom said that anxiety was her main symptom when she was in perimenopause. After my cardiac work up was good I went to see a nurse practitioner who specializes in women's health. My hormone testing showed low estrogen, low progesterone, etc... it was all low. I have not taken anything. She wanted to put me on bcp, prometrium, or progesterone. I am going to go the ala natural route for now. With time my symptoms have got better and I have put on 10 lbs. I think my anxiety was alot worse when I did not know what was going on in my body. I had so many crazy thoughts that I had some deadly illness. There is nothing like peace of mind! I was actually happy that my hormone labs were so off. Seeing those labs FINALLY gave me an answer for all the symptoms I had/have been feeling. Anxiety must really affect alot of women during peri. I do not know what the relationship between peri and anxiety is but I believe some of it is because we do not know what is causing our symptoms. Our minds race with all the things that could be wrong with us. It is also strange how your going about your life, minding your own business then out of the blue BAM! anxiety enters into your life and changes everything. I am glad you found this website. There is a lot of support on this site!

Take care,
Jill~

Hi Jill,

I have always been prone to anxiety but in the last 8 months it is so out of control some days I can hardly work. I have antivan but it makes me feel wierd and I only take it at night if I have an "episode". Have you or anyone taken Lexapro for anxiety? My doc gave me a sample for 10mg but I hate taking meds. It seems like we just take more and more meds. I haven't tried Xanax for many years but I remember it used to make me tired. Thanks for your reply Jill.

Take care.

Hi Debbie,

I have not taken any medicine. I dont like to even take Tylenol for a headache. I am trying to go through this with no medication. I don't know why I have such an aversion to medication. I am a nurse and I don't have a problem giving meds I just dont like to take them myself. I am sure others on here have taken Lexapro and could give you some advice. I have a friend that took it and it made her feel so much better.

Jill~

Hi Debbie,
I'm taking 5mg of lexapro for the anxiety. Like you, I could barely function due to anxiety and panic attacks. The doc told me to increase it to 10 mg after 2 weeks, but I found that 5mgs worked fine for me. It actually increases anxiety for the first week, but if you know that you won't get so freaked out ( I still got freaked out but I could talk myself out of it a little better). After the first week, you'll wonder how you ever survived without it. It actually takes about 4 weeks to feel the total effects of taking it. I HATE taking drugs but I also hated being in fight or flight mode 24/7. Now I'll see how it works. I'm getting on a plane in 3 hours for vacation and I'm a "nervous" flyer. Keeping the xanax within reach just in case....In addition going to Chicago and NYC, 2 places I've never been, so I'm apprehensive about that even tho hubby is with me.
(deep breathing - I will be fine, I will be fine, I will be fine)

Hi!

How much does the Lexapro increase anxiety in the first week? I can't imagine having more than I have now. Some days I feel like I am going out of my mind. Having to deal with it really wears me out.

I used to fly all the time but now I am like you and don't even want to get on a plane. You are lucky that you will have your husband with you. I am a single Mom and don't have as much support. Talking to you gals on here has helped me so much! Thanks for being there for me.

The frustrating part is that when the doctor checks my hormore levels they are normal. My periods are still here but wierd. Last time it was 37 days in between where I used to be really regular. Even though my tests come back normal I KNOW that I am in peri. There is no doubt in my mind.

Take care!

Debbie

I to was being plagued with heart palps, dizziness, etc.....I brushed it all off as peri/menopause.

I noticed my ears would itch and I would get really sharp pains in both ears and get light headed. For a long time I thought it was beginnings of an ear ache but it never totally surfaced as a full blown ear ache.

I started back on my Prevacid and talked to an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor and he said that reflux not only can cause chest pain it can mimic ear aches and dizziness because the reflux can travel up into the sinus cavity. I have been on Prevacid again for about 2 weeks and am feeling much better.

I went back to my PCP and he actually listened to me, which by itself made me feel better. However, he still refuses to believe that I could be peri He actually thinks that I all these tests have pushed me over the edge and made me depressed, so he gave me Lexapro. I told him that I am very sensitive to drugs and had a very bad experience with Prozac, which was given to me for post partum syndrome. My anxiety on it peaked to such extreme that I could not sleep for weeks and was actually contempalting some very bad thoughts

According to dr. lexapro was supposed to have no side effects and I only took 2.5mg, but the next morning I was quite anxious and by night I felt the same churning feeling in my abdomen, felt like some one was wrenching my insides I did not have the courage to take another dose.

So, 2 medicines have been prescribed, toprol and Lexapro and I have not tolerated either. I am managing on a day to day basis. Symptom of the day was: Lightheaded, now it is time to go to bed, don't know how I will feel, will the heart pound? will I be short of breath? will my chest feel tight? or will lightheadedness rule?

Some days I wonder, how could I go from being this self confident, active person, to this scared and fragile being in a matter of few weeks

Hi everyone. It's almost 3 a.m. on a Saturday night and I'm on the internet desperately searching for reasons behind the symptoms I've been having in the last week.

I felt a weird all week. My head and face would feel hot and feverish, I'd feel a little lightheaded, and I had a sore neck. These symptoms would come and go. I managed to convince myself that I was building up to a heart attack. Yesterday while walking with my husband through the mall I suddenly felt very hot, then cold-sweaty, then nauseous and lightheaded. Convinced I was having a heart attack for real (and that heightened anxiety didn't help, naturally), we went to the emergency room, where they found nothing to explain it. Had an EKG, blood tests, etc., and all was normal. Last night I had a sudden onset of nausea that lasted for about two hours, and I also felt very weak, like the blood had drained out of my legs. It wore off after awhile and I was fine all day today until about 1:30 this morning (right around the same time as last night) when it happened again. It's wearing off just now. I came in here and googled "menopause nausea" and found this forum.

I just turned 36 a few months ago, and the thought of early menopause did occur to me. I've read that women who don't have children (I don't) can experience early menopause, and my husband's mother started menopause at 38. I'm on birth control pills and have been for years, but have not had more than 1 or 2 extremely light (almost nonexistent) periods in the last two years. Even before the pill I had almost nonexistent periods, so that didn't strike me as anything unusual. Anyway, the ER doctor seemed to think menopause was unlikely at my age, but confessed to not knowing much about it. I'm really starting to think that's exactly what I'm experiencing, though. I can't tell you how scared to death I've been, thinking it was a heart problem. I plan to see the doctor and have more testing done, to be safe. It sounds like even doctors scoff at the idea of menopause at 36, though. There appear to be a few others on this board who are in their late 30's. Did you have trouble with your doctors acknowledging that maybe menopause was the problem? Also, what is "peri"? I keep seeing that here and am not sure what it means - is that like pre-menopause?

Anyway, excuse my rambling. I feel like I've stumbled on a lifeline here. Thanks for listening (reading).

Hi KKegley,

Keep reading the post and you will see that DR'S are not acknowledging peri/meno symptoms ......this is a a symptom

It amazes me how little,most Dr's know about Peri/meno.After all most every women goes through it in some degree or another.

Given its so common,why aren't Dr's aware of this.Its like the dirty little secret just between women

All kidding aside,My first experience with peri was just like yours,It scared the life out of me,i was CONVINCED i was dieing.

I sat on the couch for two wks paralyzed with fear before i decided enough!! I'm going to my gyno...mabey this is hormonal.All the while still VERY naive about menopause let alone menopause.

I never heard the word PERI MENOPAUSE,so i too thought I'm too young,menopause was for older ladies.

I had this whoosh of heat,kind of like an aura and my face would feel hot like a sun burn,i had no sweat,just this intense feeling of a sun burn on my face.

I would look in the mirror at my face and it was fine,not red.

I would have this feeling of a rubber band snapping under the skin This i found out latter is a typical symptom of peri/meno.Its a pre cursor to a hot flash.

when you get on the site,I'm not sure how to find it,maybe some of the other ladies can direct you, there is a list of the 34 symptoms of menopause,you will be amazed at how many you too are experiencing

To make a LONG story short,for which i apologies My gyno clarified that what i was experiencing was a pre cursor to a hot flash and that she felt i was in peri.She went on to explain every hot flash is different for every women.

I came home and Goggled my symptoms and it brought me to this site,and its been my sanity ever since.

It is so comforting to read that MANY women have the exact same symptoms you do and it puts your mind at ease to know you don't have some deadly disease.

So keep reading,educate yourself,comfort yourself so that the anxiety is less.This site will be a true comfort to you.Many wonderful caring women are here to help you,not to mention the world of expertise that you can educate yourself with.
Hope this helps

Take care,
Hugs,
Lynda

I tried taking my temeperature while having a hot flash and it hardly changed at all!

When I have a hot flash my hubby tells me my skin doesn't feel hot at all!!
It's so weird because I feel like I'm burning up!

Does anyone have hot flashes brought on by anxiety or vice versa? I cannot tell which one comes first. It just seems to start the roller coaster of feeling horrible. And then of course comes the pounding and racing heart, and then more anxiety...thoughts that I must be dying, leaving my poor husband confused what to do for me! I too have been to the ER just to be told I'm fine, which does little to calm me, but the more I read, the more I can "talk myself down" having a little more knowledge. Read somewhere on another board about some who breathed into a bag, well I carry a plastic bread bag with me EVERYWHERE! I have one in the car, one next to my bed, one in my purse. My kids know as soon as I pull out that bag, they just need to talk to me and keep the conversation going without me, not expecting any response and it keeps my mind off what's going on. Telling my kids what is going on has helped cause now I don't have to pretend nothing is going on when I feel like I'm going whacky!

Koby, welcome to Power Surge! You should be breathing into a paper bag, not a plastic bag.

I was very surprised when I went to the ER with what I thought was a heart attack and they brought out a paper bag for me to breathe into. I wonder what the cost for that "high-tech" treatment was on my insurance bill. LOL

Koby, I get hot flashes whether or not Im anxious about anything at all!

Just sittin and watching a sit-com on the telly and bam.... <_<

Ok I have a new one..well for me anyway. I was out walking to the store. Only 2 blocks. I got the the street and I had to run across since there were cars coming at a fast pace and it looked like I must have had a target on my back the way they were aiming at me. Anyway, when I got across the street my heart was pounding and then I could feel the pounding in the back of my head. Took about 5 minutes for it to go away. Now I have had this in the middle of a huge panic attack but not in a normal everyday situation. Anyone else have this?

Peace
AA

AA,

Yes, I have had this before, and it seems as though absoluetly NOTHING will bring it on. In fact, I can be lying down and my head starts pounding. Not painful, just like it is swelling up or something...like a throbbing. Does that sound like what happened to you?

Drea

AA: My daughter is having this symptom. She's been wearing a cardiac monitor to rule out any pathology. Her doctor told me that sudden pounding heartbeat is usually harmless. Now if you were to lose consciousness, that would be a different thing.

Hope this helps...

Hey Drea
It feels like your heart is pounding/palpatations at the base of your skull. Like I said ...I had had this with panic attack...but I know I wasnt having one at that time. Scared me so much ...I almost had to run home and change my pants.(just Kidding) LoL

Peace
AA

Hey RR
I was posting at the time your post came in...that is why I didnt acknowledge your post. Sorry about that!

Im sorry your daughter is having this problem. I hope all goes well for her. She is not losing consciousness is she? I have MVP but that usually is only skipped beats and or palps. The pounding in the back of the head is what threw me for a loop.

Thanks for the replys

Peace
AA

AA,

That's what it feels like EXACTLY! But what is weird with me is it happens when I'm relaxed! (I know, I'm not normal, don't have to remind me, you've told me that enough)

Take care my good buddy!

Drea

PS...running across a street, dodging cars is NOT a normal every day situation!!
STAY HOME FOR GOODNESS SAKE!! LMAO