OT-Not step related, perimenopausal?
I'm hoping to hear from some who can relate and/or have come out the other side. I do have a history of anxiety and panic attacks. They went away for YEARS, but started coming back about two or three years ago. Last year I cut out caffeine. That helped for a while. Now barely anything helps. It seems like here lately the panic gets worse around my period. I have not missed a period since I was pregnant with my son. There are other things going on too. I'm feeling off and on weakness in my arms and legs, which could be related to back issues. The doctor wasn't much help. But I think the weakness is contributing to my anxiety.
My big question is what do hot flashes feel like? I think I had a bad one today but I don't know if it was that or panic. I thought I was going to pass out, my heart was racing, the room was unbearably hot, and I was terrified. I was at a doc in the box waiting room. I freaked out and they took me to an exam room right then. My forehead felt hot to the touch to me and when I walked next door to the chiropractor, the receptionist said my cheeks were pink when I asked. I remember my mom saying her face would turn red when she had them. Do they feel at all like you're having a panic attack?
I've also had breast tenderness for years that would come on like a week to two weeks before my period. That started maybe late 30's? I'm crying a lot right now. I have trouble sleeping. I'm sure there are other things that I can't think of right now. Could a doctor determine if I am perimenopausal or menopausal? I'm 45, so it's definitely possible that I am. My older sister has been dealing with "the change" for a while but I don't want to call her or my mom right now. I can't explain why. I think it's the whole don't want to start crying like there's no tomorrow over the phone. My sister would probably start crying too.
Help?
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An endocrinologist (or a good
An endocrinologist (or a good internist or obgyn) can run tests to see if you are starting menopause. They can also check other homones that may be causing issues.
The dr that wasn't much help? Stop seeing that dr. Keep looking until you find one that actually listens to you!
Thanks!
I was leaning towards seeing a gynecologist but wasn't sure if they could run tests like that. I saw one of those docs in a box today. My primary doctor is booked solid. I like him but it's hard to get in to see him. All the urgent care doctor wanted to do was give me medicine. All I wanted was a diagnosis.
You have to view urgent care
You have to view urgent care like you do the ER, but for less life-threatening things. Urgent care was created to take non-life threatening ailments out of the ER and acute, easy-to-treat illnesses (like strep throat) out of primary care. They will do the same as an ER - treat the immediate symptoms/problem and release you to someone else to provide in-depth care.
As an example, if you came in with low blood sugar, they'll give you glucose tabs to raise it to a normal level. They're not going to test you for diabetes, or if you have diabetes, change up your medication regimen. They'll tell you that you need to see your primary care doctor for follow-up because it may be a long-term problem, but they're not going to be the ones to do it.
Poor thing I feel you! I
Poor thing I feel you! I believe I have started peri menopause and it blows. I get so damn hot and sweaty and it makes me want to throat punch people. Then it passes and I'm freezing. I haven't gone to see any specialists I've been trying diet and exercise and so far it doesn't do sh@t!! But my butt looks good.
45 is about the age
Where i started getting hot flashes followed by cold spells. I've never had a panic attack so I don't know about those. Heavy periods accompany perimeno
It is a weird sensation when you can't control your own body temperature! Sleep starts to get restless, then the weight gain. Never had mood swings though. Oh and your hair starts thinning. I also felt bloated all the time. I also breastfeed both my kids so my boobs were not so great.
I was shocked when after a bone scan they said I had osteopenia. I found a gynocologist who administers Biote along with supplements. I got my boobs back, I also sleep much better and it improves your libido (another thing that takes a nose dive.) No more hot flashes either!
Fun, fun!
God yes the bloating and
God yes the bloating and weight gain!!! As much as I exercise and as healthy as I eat I should be svelte...nope I look like a solid lass ready to be chased for days through the country side with out needing food!
I feel you too. Definitely go
I feel you too. Definitely go get your hormone levels checked that will show if you are in perimenopause. I started early at 40.
Started breaking out like I was 16 again. Hot flashes would keep me up all night. The symptoms keep progressing as time goes on and getting worse.
I have breast tenderness on and off and I also went up a bra size. Water retention and started gaining weight for no reason. I never had migraines and started getting them a day or two before my period. My periods have become irregular.
Current new symptoms are feeling hazy and fatigued along with muscle aches.
I have managed most symptoms with supplements like black cohosh root for hot flashes and magnesium for the headaches. But I feel my symptoms have finally progressed to a point where I need to see the OB/GYN to discuss other options. The black cohosh root definitely helps stop the hot flashes once you find the right dose, I have to say they do suck I would feel like I was going to sponateously combust.
No period misses so far, and
No period misses so far, and I'm older than normal. BUT I had spotting this week after my period for first time.
More emotional in anger range. If I channel this properly at work it's good.
Fatigue. The worst.
Hot flashes at night, watch alcohol intake. Bummer.
Weight gain, but I'm losing now I'm active finally after an injury. Delaying my 2 week weigh in. But my jeans fit well again.
Dry skin.
I take calcium & magnesium to help with sleep and leg cramps. Works great. My gyn told me to start ibuprofen a couple days before period starts and that's a great trick too.
What you had sounds like a
What you had sounds like a panic attack. Hot flushes are unpleasant but not normally accompanied by a racing heart or anxiety. I had bad hot flushes for about 3 yrs around menopause, not much helped as I didn't want to go on HRT - soya isoflavone capsules helped a little. My periods became very irregular for a few years before getting rarer and stopping.
See your gyno and be detailed
See your gyno and be detailed and honest about ALL your symptoms. Medicine can help control panic / anxiety attacks. They can also help with side effects of menopause. My anxiety attacks felt like I was having a heart attack. Pain in my left arm, tightness in my chest, pain radiating from my breastbone, up my throat, and into my jaw. It was all extremely painful. Anxiety meds made a YUGE difference.
I had my hot flashes at night. I was fortunate they lasted for only a few months. I was ill-tempered before menopause. My personality and acid tongue didn't change much at all.
Also if you can
get an array of blood tests for low thyroid, vitamin D, hormone levels, etc.
It helps to know I'm not
It helps to know I'm not alone. It's weird how the panic attacks ramp up around my period. I'm looking for a gyno. I'm also trying to get in to see a cardiologist, one for reassurance that my heart is fine, and two because there is a family history of heart issues on my mom's side. Two uncles had a heart attack at age 50, one on mom's side, one on dad's. My mom is having a problem that she won't address and her own mother had heart issues. I'm seeing a chiropractor tomorrow. The weakness I think/hope is getting better but I still have problems with my back in general. The urgent care doctor wanted me to find a neurologist about the weakness but I'm holding off on that because I think it's back related. I've had back trouble for three years now. Thank you for helping me not feel so alone.
I also think you had a panic
I also think you had a panic attack and not a hot flash. I have hot flashes and night sweats. Cold flashes started a couple of months ago (and I hope they overtake the darn hot stuff!).
I have severe panic attacks. They are so bad, that anyone witnessing one would think I needed medical attention or that I was having a heart attack. While yours could be connected to your period (and you should get that checked), is it possible there is something about having your period that concerns you?
IMO, hon, you should get a full medical workup. Gyno, cardio... even blood work. {{{hugs}}}
I think i have hot flashes no
I think i have hot flashes no. I sweat through my clothes even in air conditioning. I have acne issues, erratic and heavy periods and difficulty controlling my anger. I will feel extraordinarily angry, irritated for no real reason. I have bad fatigue also which I hate the most.