hello:

i am new here, and need some answers/advice. a few weeks ago i was at school (teaching) and all of a sudden i felt like i was going to pass out, i felt hot flashes going through my body and i felt like i couldn't breathe. (i also had a bad cold at the time and was using lots of otc meds). stupidly i left school and dorve home, the whole time dousing myself with water to stop from passing out. i didn't feel any better after i got home, infact i also felt nausea, headache, ear pain. i called 911 and was taken to the emergency room with bp 190/110. i also noticed that when i was in the hospital i had to urinate often and had diaheria. i was given a shot of valium and clonidine for the hp. 3 days later i was back at school and felt a pain behind my left eye, and ear ache. my chest and neck became flushed and i felt dizzy, so i went to the school nurse and she took my bp which was 220/115. 911 was called and back to emergency i went. this time i was given valium and lisinopril. i noticed again that in the hospital i had to urinate often and had diarherra. i was sent to see my regular doctor, who was only concerned about the hbp. he did say that to control hbp often takes a while, but he was concerned that i might have tumors on my adrenal glands. the next week i started my period and was ok at school. the week after that i was at school monday, but tuesday the same thing happened, and my prinicpal had to drive me to the dr office. he prescribed toprol along witht he lisinipril, and wanted me to get a ct scan of my ads and do a 24 hr urine collection. i had to wait 3 days until the end of my period to do the collection, but the insurance co would not pay for the ct scan. my blood pressure has been under control for the past week, but sometimes i still get the headache, hot flashes, ear aches, frequent urination, backache, etc....my dr. wants me to see a kidney specialist to rule out kidney disease. i asked about menopause/panic attacks, etc, but he said that menopause does not cause spikes in b/p. i am sorry that this is so long, but i am trying to figure out if anyone else has had the same experience as i am having. i don't know if the spikes were because i was taking cold medicine and now i am having panic attacks, or if the spikes were because i was going to start my period and then at the end of my period, etc... i am kind of afraid to leave my house, because i don't want to go anywhere and have the same symptoms happen. for instance i am supposed to go to a concert at a large arena at the end of the month, but i am afraid to go because i don't want to get there and have the bad headaches/earaches/ hbp happen. also to top things off i am experiencing vaginal dryness/ low libido. any help???????

i forgot to mention that with every bout of this, i felt unable to take a deep breathe, my chest felt like it had an elephant sitting on it, and i would also get chills after the hot flashes. also my face would feel very hot to the touch, although i never had a fever............thanks again for any help, and please excuse my spelling in the 1st post. i am very nervous, and after i went back to read what i had posted i noticed that i had misspelled alot of words. also i should include that at the hospital and dr. both urine and blood samples were taken, and all have shown normal kidney function.

Hi poohki, and welcome to PS. You'll find many good people here with whom you can share experiences such as the ones you have mentioned. I'm four years post, but I well remember how my blood pressure suddenly elevated in peri, after having no problems with it when I was younger. So I disagree with the doctor who said that menopause doesn't cause BP spikes. Many women experience elevated BP when they enter peri. Every time I went to the doctor for an annual check-up in peri, my BP was higher. The doctor recommended BP medication but I thought at the time that I probably needed to lose weight and start exercising. I was still of the mind that I could control everything by changing my lifestyle. This works to some extent, but losing weight and exercising did nothing to lower my BP. At my next annual doctor visit, it was 190/110. I was afraid of the consequences of untreated high BP and started taking Lotensin. After a week or two, I checked my BP at the pharmacy where they have one of those do-it-yourself BP machines, and it was down to 115/70. So the medication really helped me, and I'll probably stay on it the rest of my life.

I also take OTC cold medicine if I get a cold, and I've read that it can elevate BP.

I had recurring problems with getting water in my ears during peri. I was in and out of the doctor's office with "swimmer's ear" about four times every year, and I don't swim. No matter how careful I tried to be when washing my hair or showering, I'd always get water in one ear and I couldn't get it out. It would then cause an infection.

I haven't had swimmer's ear now for years, and I know that it was due to perimenopause, although the doctor would likely disagree. But why haven't I had it now for so long? I still wash my hair and bathe!

It sounds like you may be experiencing some panic about what's happening, and that is normal, but don't let the panic control you and keep you from doing the things you want to do, like the concert. I found that in peri, my mind set had a lot to do with what happened. I used to have driving panic attacks, but I learned to control my thoughts and that stopped the panic from becoming full-blown.

Hope some of this helps, if only to let you know that you're not alone.

Nausea is also a symptom in peri, and it sometimes accompanies dizziness. Have you felt light-headed or dizzy? I don't know about the ear pain; maybe

Sorry--I posted before finishing.

If you have actual ear pain, it's could be serious. I never had pain, just congestion from getting water in my ears.

Hope this helps.

Hi Pookhie

I am sorry you have had such a rough and scary time

I am glad though that your Dr is concentrating on getting to find out why your BP is spiking so high

I know other women on this board - like Tinkybug - have raised BP at times in their cycles

CSugargrove - as usual - has given excellent advice about exercise & weight - but is right - it doesnt always help.

And weird she mentioned her ears - I have terrible ear popping problems since peri - specially in cars sometimes - I feel like I have to keep swallowing to get equilibiurm - slike gpoing up in an aircrafty - but I am only driving to supermarket - never had problems before - mmmm- Dr ignores me and thinks I am mad!!! What's new!!!!!

Relaxation has got to be good for you - deep tummy breaths (NOT shoulder shrug breaths) - really slowly - it will help if you feel panic too - it really calms body and spirit

Ill get Tinky to see if she can offer any advice!

Mele

Hi Poohki, Yes I have had exact same symptoms as you they are horrible
I will try and make my story condensed. It happened about 2-3 yrs ago my first attack.
The dizzyness, Spike in Bp, palps, Pee, Loose stools and head stuffiness, and headaches pain in the
left arm and chest and hand all signs to me of a heart attack. Well I did have it checked out and I did go the emergency room and after a ton of test said probably panic attack. Well I had off and on symptoms they calmed down and I had heart trouble ruled out with test ect, docs said best thing to do is excersize, loose the 20-25lbs I was overweight and be on your merry way.3
Well back this oct.05 it happened again not as intense but all over again I am now about 53yrs young, I still get periods so docs say it cant be menopause yet my Gyno. said any body before menopause is peri go figure he also wanted to take out my sweets (Uterus because of ovarian cancer history) and said once I didnt have a uterus I wouldnt get spikes , go figure , didnt buy his story,
So I asked some of my friends and the only symptoms they had were the traditonal hot flashes so I thought
ok I am dying then, I still have a 16yr old to raise and its the end.
Well after a lot of hard praying God used my daughter 22yr old as an answer to my prayers and she said
Mom why dont you find a web site where maybe other ladies are having your symptoms?
So the first post I came across was Feb.28 06 by Livetolove, and she was talking about Bp spikes and I
said holy toledo its peri and I am not going to die, hip hip hooray.
So this is what I did and everyone has to do whats best for them. The doc. gave me a trial of Low dosage BP meds not because he wanted to but because when it would spike I would freak out and it would go higher, he said first try changing life style, eating ect, no caffeine, and walk, walk , walk, to get the good hormones
going called ENDORPHINS, we have a joke going around here we call them Dolphins.
Now it use to spike before my period and then it was ok and would spike at the end of the cycle.
I now take a bunch of supplements, Magesium/calcium/zinc/, vit b 12 complex for the adrenal glands that do get depleted, flaxseed oil capsules, fish oil capsules (non fishy one) I am taking a natural BP supplement I can PM it to you if you want, policonsal for cholesteral, vit c,vit E, .
Now I do get the ear thing and the vaginal dryness I have a salve that I found all natural and it took care of the dryness 100%, PM me if you want the infor because I really made this long. I really hope it helped, I know exactly how you feel and it will get better. Now if your BP stays up you might need to consider the meds. like the good advice I Think it was Sugargrove?
I chose not to take because the spikes were only for a short time and the highest was 180/100 with a gazillion heart beat. I believe alot of time because we are so scarred and this comes out of the blue it
makes everthing worse, God bless you, let me know how you are doing I am usually at the thread 'Whats your symptom today, TINKYBUG

thank you all for your responses. i have read on these boards about alot of the same symptoms, as i have been having, but not all. now that you very nice ladies have replied to me, i feel so much better. i am currently on 3 bp meds to stabilize it (this is what the dr. says), but i am not having any symptoms now. i am going to see the kidney specialist to rule out the adrenal tumors, but i am convinced that i am having typical perimenopause symptoms. hopefully my dr. will address this when all else has been ruled out. i do have a few questions, what do you ladies do about the ear aches? they seem to start it all for me, and if there is anything out there to try i will try it! also i do take 800mg of magnisium a day which i have been taking for over a year because of hormonal headaches, how much do you take? i also take fish oil and b-complex. is there any other vitamins/supplements that you can suggest? Again thank you all very much for your responses!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Pooki, in herbal stores they sell mullen/garlic drops I recently used that on my daughter and put the drops in her ears and then a coton ball to keep it comfy, now ask your docter if it might be related to the
Hbp spikes, what I have isnt ear pain but a bothersome thump, thump, that I started taking some natural pills called stop ring and just after a few days it seems a tiny bit better, I will take tiny bit better because when you start natural stuff you have to be patient it usually takes a while to work because your body is workn to heal itself, but in our fast pace life we want instant pills and it isnt always the best for us, just my opinion, take care Tinkybug

Wow,

You ladies have made me feel like I'm not dying. You could have read my mail also.
I am a a teacher, too and this past week has been so stressful Last day with students, but we ahd about 24- hours worth of check out procedures to do before we teachers couldleave for the summer.

Yesterday, I was dealing with a bad cold/flu, and very rapid Hb all day. I was supposed to be ready to checkout at 3pm, but at 10 found myself expected at several meetings, and broke down and cried.
I drank Herbal tea and took mag/valerian supps and finally it calmed down a bit. At about 4 I left for the day, but couldn't sleep all night with internal vibrations.

Today I just stayed home....in bed until 6 pm, I think i'll make it now.


Thanks for letting me vent.

One ? With the high blood pressure, can you tell when you feel the blood pulsing thru your legs real hard? altho your beat is normal? I've always had very low or normal bp, but I wonder if mine is up due to the cold/stress and/or palps.

Also, on the ear- I've had wierd ear things, crackles, pops and when I sleep at night, wake up with the lobe REALLY hurting....what's up with that?


Thanks so much for your knowledge and support, ladies...

We'll make it thru with and without doctors!

Yep I am there with you Lynsi, as you read on I had a Plethera of things happining at once and thought it was the end of the rope for me Now about the throbing in the legs mine throbs in the neck and cardiolgist said he didnt know what it was.I only get this now at the end of my cycle or if I really overexcert myself but it goes away.The ear thing I have had the thump, thump of my heartbeat but it is said to be very normal for Tinnitus in perimeno. Mine is usually at nite. I did just recently buy whats called RING STOP and its capsules of all natural stuff and believe it or not it is slowly getting better it has something to do with the lil hairs in the eardrum and it helps I dont have the thumping today just feels like a lil pressure but I get that too anyways. So I am waiting day by day to see if I get good results, You see I dont mind being the guinnea pig. What I meanwhen I go to the docter they say youre fine, well I dont feel fine.I am seriously documenting all of these things and will be putting together alot of info. for my daughter and my sons futrues wives because at least I would have done the trial and error thing and can leave them hope durring this transition.If I would have listened to the docters I would probably be minus one breast, a uterus and on BP meds I didnt need. Now if in the future I get to the point where I have to go the Med. way I will but for now I am taking charge of my body and its working and I LOVE ALL MY LADYS AT POWER SURGE. Tinks

Hi Tinky 'friend of dolphins'

You are such a winner - now I get the bumpy thump in the ears & also tinnitus (mine is worse after eating??? ) and I tried to tell the nice ENT surgeon that it was peri - and he didnt take it too well - he doesnt acknowledge we have bodies below the neck anyway - well I am not seeing him again cos he said there was nothing wrong with me - yeah......I feel great thanks Doctor - patient go heal thyself!!!!

I listen to wave sounds at night which has meant I concentrate on those and NOT on the thumpy thump of my heart or the white noise of my busy little brain buzzing away there inthe background.....works for me

I have not done my Bp for ages cos when I do it I worry - may do it tomorrow for fun though just to see.....

Mele

Hi Mele, I was just going to sign off to finally go shower and put on my face when I saw your posting
You know besides you, me and Menod, we seem to be strange birds with this thumpdy, thump thing and it could be quite maddining if you let it.
I will also try what you said sounds sooooothing and maybe the other ladies here might join in
Its funny if you look at the human body and how wonderfully and complex God made it , its mind boggling on how everything works, and so if the hormones are out of wack there she blows, strange bird symptoms
So there we go make the best and hope for good days
Take care my friend, {{{{poof}}}} Tinks

Thanks, Mele,

I will try doing what you're during...listening to other sounds at nite and not taking bp or heart rate so often.

Heck, I can stand up, walk around and not faint...and I'm not dead yet, right? LOL

there, I've diagnosed and healed myself! (with some help from you, my friends!)