[B][FONT=Arial][COLOR=blue]hi everyone. This is my first messaage so bear with me.
I had a really tough day and it prompted me to do something about it. So here I am.
I 'm 41 and have never had a normal period. I've had various and sometimes undescriable symptoms for almost 3yrs. The worst by far are the anxiety attacks and always (repeaat always) lightheaded . Depression is becoming a real issue. I've been to family doctor, gyn, cardiologist, neurologist, ent specialist and most recently psychologist. The pscychologist was the only doc who mentioned peri menopause as a possiblity.
I'm astonished that so many women are having the same crazy symptoms that I am.
What's the answer...grin and bear it. It is becoming very difficult to get thru a day when symptoms are bad. I had back to back anxiety attacks today along with numbness is feet legs and arm. I feel as though someone is going to put me in a straight jacket and take me away soon. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around this one. How can doctors tell you there is nothing wrong with you when you feel so bad for so long.
I need relief.
Any advise would be a great help.

Hi Babsmi,

Welcome, you're not alone here! I'm 44 and my symptoms, similar to yours, started about 4 months ago. This site has TONS of great information. Here's my advice to you based on what I wish someone had told me all at once 4 months ago.

To survive this crap you'll need to take care of your body, your emotions and your soul. Personally I haven't found anyway around this although I've tried.

Body - there are many minerals and suppliments you can take for the anxiety. I take a magnesium/calcium supplement and 5-HTP which has made a huge difference for me. If you have a good natural food/herb store you can ask someone knowledgable there. You can also search this website under Anxiety. Be very careful of the quick fix meds like Xanax and Ativan. They put me on this without explaining that it is addictive. I had a hard time getting off it; however it can really help as you are finding more long term solutions. NHRT is also an option for you. This is an alternative to regular HRT. Again, you can search this site by NHRT or bioidentical hormones. Many women on this board also use Estrovan. It does have Magnolia bark which helps with anxiety.

Emotions - This site recommends Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT) for anxiety. It took me a long time to find a CBT therapist but I'm glad I did. He is helping me change my day to day life to be able to better handle what my body is going through. The changes are hard for me because I cannot do everything I used to do. But I feel better making the changes. Often times depression is a result of anxiety. This was true for me. It may or may not be for you. If it is severe, talk to your doctor. The key with panic attacks is to 'float' through them. Observe your body's reactions but don't buy into it. Ha, much easier said than done . There are also many books listed on this site.

Soul - pray, meditate, use a relaxation tape/cd, go to church. Whatever helps you. For me, panic attacks created way more chatter in my brain which fed the anxiety. I use meditation or relaxation cds 3 times a day. When anxiety hits, I start to remember what is on the tape and relax a bit.

I used to think menopause was just a change in my reproductive system. I had no idea how much of my life it would change. That being said, with a lot of research and this great site, I feel like I'm surviving much better.

Take care

Hi Rendy, I am trying to do the "float Thing" for the panic attack, but sometimes its easier said then done. I have going through anxiety for the last month and I know it can last longer because of the post that I have read. I hate feeling like this, but we have no control over what has to happen to our body. I pray and go to church which helps for awhile and then my mind takes over and back to square one. We will get through this!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi rendy,

Thanks so much for your great advise. Now it will be a matter of putting it to good use. I will take a trip to the health food store and pick up what you recommeded. I also decided to give a call to my gyn and ask or insist that he do a more detailed hormone test. I had blood work done once to check levels and that was it. His explanation to me was that the levels seem to be normal. He is a wonderful doctor but I truly believe that they have proper training for peri-menopause. I think I will have to steer him in this direction. My husband is going to library tonight to pick up a couple of books on the topic.

I feel bad for my husband and especially my 8 yr old girl who deserves to have a mother who can help keep her energized and excited about life.

This morning I took my vitamins and half of xanax. I think I will try to ward off an attack before it happens. I get really nervous thinking I may have one at work.
Oh, I have classes that I must attend in order to take a test that I need to pass for my job. I can't imagine getting this done while lightheaded and dizzy all the time. Plus toss in there a lack of concentration. Did you ever try to read something and find yourself having to read it 3 or 4 times before you comprehend it. If this doesn't make you feel downright stupid I don't know what does.

Anyway, thanks for the reply. I'm so glad I found this sight.

Hi Babsmj,

I am so sorry to hear you are feeling like this,i know how scared you are right now.I too have been dizzy/off balance for 11 mos 24/7,it never leaves me.Some days it is less intense than others but it is with me from the time i wake up until i go to bed.I describe the feeling as.. i feel like im walking on a bed.

I do however,feel better when i am driving in the car for some reason and its not as intense when i am laying down,strange.

I know what you mean when you say that you have to read things several times before it sinks in i feel the same way.


I have,as you have been serching for answers and have turned up with NOTHING.I can tell you,however,this site is wonderful for support and info.I have come to the conclusion that this too is another crazy peri symptom.I have also learned we are not alone, there are lots of women with our same symptoms.

I hope this site will fill your mind with ease and give you peace of mind and the info you need to feel better.I know it has done that for me .

Feel free to pm me anytime.

HUGS
Lynda

Hi, ladies...I'm post-meno at 62, but still get a swimmy head/lightheaded feeling, crashing fatigue, dizziness, internal shakiness, and anxiety several times a week. I thought I was nearly through meno when, at age 55, these symptoms began. Seven years later, I'm still dealing with them, though they are not as frequent or intense. And of course I still have night sweats and hot flashes a few times a day. I thought this would have ended by now, but there are several other women on this board who have the same thing.

Have tried compounded hormones, soy, black cohosh, Zoloft, Xanax etc. Nothing helped. Right now I'm on 3/4 of a .5 mg tablet of clonazepam (longer lasting than Xanax), and am doing a bit better. I only get the symptoms about 2 or 3 days a week, and they are milder. Of course, a person can become dependent on clonazepam, as with Xanax and Valium. So I don't know how long I'll stay on it. I'm sure withdrawal from it won't be easy. But it's the best med I've tried. Just wanted you to know you're not alone. There are many of us with variations of these problems. Madge

I just wanted to say how wonderful it is to have a place to go to and find out your not alone. Like I said before I'm going on 3yrs with lightheaded, dizzy and anxiety symptoms. There are some days that I think I just can't do this anymore (like today), but I keep checking the board and find that we are all out there and really only have each other to turn to. Thank you all soooooo.....much for the support.

I'm going to have a heart to heart with my gyn tomorrow. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks a bunch.

Hi Madge,

My sister in law was visiting us about a week ago and she has been taking clonazepam for a while now and like yourself she has tried other meds and this she finds really helps.She nipps on one pill durring the day.Tiny little bites


Im glad to hear that this helps but when will this meno stuff end.Does the fact that you are still having symptoms mean that hormones are still lurking???? These darn hormones are like roaches,imune to it all.


I hope this eases up for you soon.

I was looking foward to meno thinking when "it" ends,everything ends...guess not

Take care

Hi all,

I just wanted to clarify something. CBT stands for "Cognative Behavioral Therapy," which focuses on changing your thinking patterns (replacing untrue, irrational thoughts with true, rational thoughts) coupled with adjusting your behavior (getting out of the house, visiting friends, exercising, etc.). I personally have found this type of therapy to be very helpful during this crazy peri time!

Dear RSgreen,


please tell me more about this therapy. Do certain doctors specialize in this treatment . Are there books that could help? sounds wonderful

Let me know as much as you can.

Thanks so much


Flying Fairy

Yes, there are counselors, clinical social workers, psychologists, etc. who "do" Cognative Behavioral Therapy. I think you can just call up their office and ask if they do CBT.

My counselor does CBT (although I didn't know about it or ask about it when I started going). He listens to me talk about issues or problems or situations or feelings that I'm having a hard time with. Then together we try to identify any untrue or inaccurate thoughts related to those. And then we make an action plan for how to deal with them.

For example: I am feeling anxious about going to my friend's house because she moved into a new house and I've never been there before. (Peri has made me more anxious and hesitant!) My inaccurate thought is, "If I go there I might feel anxious or panicky and want to leave because I can't deal with those feelings." I try to replace that thought with a more true or positive thought, "Even if I do feel anxious, it is just a temporary feeling. I am in control and if I want to leave I can. I will have a nice time with my friend." That is the "cognative" part. Then there's the "behavioral" part: The action plan would be to go to my friend's house this week.

I hope that helps!

[B][COLOR=blue]I have been lightheaded/anxiety/extreme fatigue/depression going on 5 years now. (24/7) I am 45 now. My periods are slightly changing, but kinda normal. I just saw a new ob/gyn. I repeated my labs-all normal. I feeling like I am existing everyday, putting on a good front for family and friends. Nobody understands. I just want relief. I also have epilepsy which only hinders my seizures around my period. I have been to may psychiatrists, shock treatment. nothing has worked. What's wrong with my body! One psychiatrist said that I just have to live like this. I just couldn't believe what i was hearing, but then again this was a man. What do they know? This is a great support network. I live in Delaware, I would like to start a support group, i don't know.

HI! I read your post and it sounded just like me. I am 42. Panic attacks have been a problem for me off and on for 10 years, but the past 2 months have been like a constant, nonstop panic attack. Dizzy dizzy dizzy, especailly when I go out to the store or even around the block for a walk. I had to take my husband to the grocery store yesterday because I was so wobbly I was afraid to go alone. I also have been having the tingling numb feeling in my feet and left arm and leg. I went to the doctor a month ago for it and she have me Paxil, she thought it was all panic related. I am afraid to take paxil, as it is very hard to get off of, and my sister took it and said it make her emotionally numb.

I take xanax occasionally for the dizzziness of panic attacks, but I am afraid to take it often for fear of addiction.

I know how you feel, it is soooo scary to feel sick everyday. I just want to feel normal again. I have another appt. this week with the doctor, I will have to tell her that I am afraid of the Paxil. I have been worried alot this past month about possibly having MS or something terrible, with all the tingling and such.

It is nice to come to this board and see that I am not the only one who lives with these symptoms and fears.

Hope and Help for Your Nerves byClaire Weekes, The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns, Triumph Over Fear by Jerilyn Ross, From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett and Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers, are just a few of the books you can buy or borrow.

Oddly I prefer to go out on my own as you can't allow panic to get a grip when on your own and there's no having to drag DH out while he's standing there saying "What? What?" if you feel the need to rush off!