I know many of us have anxiety, but does anyone get full on panic attacks? I find myself walking around my backyard at all hours in the cold, trying to breath, racing thoughts, numb limbs, tingly nose and lips, waves of nausea, tight chest/back, randon twinges of pain, checking my pulse, on the verge of tears, sweaty palms, can't concentrate, and wonky vision. It is quick and vicious and unrelenting. I can't tell what symptom is real and which is in my mind anymore. Do I need a hospital or psych ward? A constant loop of fear, anxiety, doom....repeat..repeat...repeat...repeat...repeat. I have had better days than today. *sigh*
no very common when hornones drop had them for many years since 41 now 52 trying the patch hopefully it helps ...really limited my life mine is bad when it comes to driving or being away from home .... its awful and im sure all due to hormones .
When I had my first one it felt like an elephant was sitting on my upper back. And then my legs felt like they were stuck in mud. I was so scared I went out and tried to walk around the neighborhood and couldn't. Really thought I was going to die that night. Just awful. Thank goodness I don't get those anymore (knock wood).
Hi there,
Don't despair, its all part the peri package! I am 54 was told when i was 50 that was in the peri meno zone, before that i had a panic attack for the first time in my life at 47, thought i was going mad. When i feel anxious panicky i try to control my breathing, as hypervepntilating over fills your lungs so your body is trying to get rid of it, hence the feeling like you can't breath. That symptom has eased off now, i now have the bloat, and cramps and still getting periods......groan......wondering when it will stop, fed up with it. Hang in there, this site is sooo supportive, so talk as much as you can about it, we are all here to listen :) x
I've had awful trouble with anxiety, but the worst is having panic attacks at work. I find that while I can 'ignore' the hot sweat/butterflies/ tingling/roaring noises, the complete disappearance of my voice mid sentence is downright embarrassing . I have a public facing job in which there are sensitive conversations It does not look sensitive to be able to squeak out barely a word. Also,, in retrospect, I realise that all the occasions when food arrives in a restaurant and I find myself unable to eat a thing ...probably panic attacks. Bloody menopause! HANG ON IN THERE!
Hi Staci I remember those days. You are completely hormonal normal. You will get better. I promise! I'm not in menopause yet but I have been through major symptoms for almost 3 years now. I am sooo much better than I was. The biggest thing is keeping your mind busy. A couple of things that I heard helps for panic attacks....singing the twelve days of Christmas. I think because your mind gets focused on remembering all twelve days. The next is when you feel panic you count down from five, for example you name 5 things that you can see, 4 things that you can smell, 3 things that you can touch, 2 things that you can hear and one thing that you can taste in that moment. Keep coming on here as well. These ladies are awesome! Be kind to yourself and know that you are not crazy! Take care!
thats amazing advice ! they are horrible and we should never have to go through them
Yes, I have this now. And I have thought about the psych ward. What is wrong with me? I can't concentrate on simple tasks? I'm chalking it up to the holidays that making me crazy. I did make myself do a couple errands today but felt like I didn't 'belong'. Just odd feeling.
Thank you, Becky! The Twelve Days of Christmas would be a great distraction because I'm fairly certain I only know about 5 of the days. Haha! I am so glad to hear you are better. It's just an awful way to spend everyday...I want to be a cool cucumber not a nervous Nellie.
Kelly,
The concentration thing is real! My attention span is like 5 minutes. I was brave and ran errands yesterday. I think that is what did me in and set off the panic once I came home.
Trude,
That is exactly why I haven't been to work since I had my first migraine with aura two months ago. I am on the cusp of losing my job. i also have to talk in front of people all day...they are just little people. Ha! I can't just step away from the kids when I have a panic attack. I don't have any idea what my future holds.
Nikiola,
Thank you so much. I am 43 and was hit in the face with perimenopause two months ago. I never knew any of these symptoms existed. I thought peri/meno was just hot flashes and sweating. How come no one talks about any of this nonsense? If it wasn't for this site, I think I would have committed myself. It gives me immense comfort to know I am not alone. My friends and co-workers have never heard of blurry vision and migraine auras related to peri/meno. They all look at me like I am crazy and say, "That's weird." No one on this site has ever said weird to me, they all say, "Me too!" It is enough to make you cry.
Stuck in mud...yes! I am glad you don't get them anymore too! Maybe that means they won't last forever for me either!
Lori,
Yes, I agree. Limiting your life is the perfect description. Perimenopause has definitely made my life smaller. Some days I can handle a short drive, other days I spend housebound. Two months ago, I was bound by nothing. I was a confident, independent, working woman with a professional career. Now, I sit on the couch all day and wonder how I will be able to support myself (and my mom) without a job.
Lol! I probably can only sing up to 5 days as well haha! You will feel better. It took me a good little while to feel better, but it will come. Take care!
this site has been so good for me too. its awful to feel like you are the only one. It all started for me when i was 43. now im 46.
2chr,
Have your symptoms improved, gotten worse, or stayed the same in those 3 years?
I just started BHRT treatment on Dec. 4th. The doctor who inserted my pellets was amazing. He sat with me and went over my blood work with me, he told me I was one of his worse cases suffering from peri menopause. After we went over my labs he inserted 3 different pellets (Natural Hormones) into my hip. Within days I felt like a new person, I went from having hot flashes, sweats, dizziness, digestive issues, extreme anxiety, panic attacks, high blood pressure, fatigue, even paranoia everyday, through out the day and night, 24/7. Since I had the treatment, all of these symptoms have gone away. I also found a specialist who put me on Cymbalta to help with my panic attacks. Cymbalta has very little side affects and within two days the panic attacks and anxiety went away. The BHRT treatment was my last resort. I suffered with this for the last two years, peri menopause took such a toll on my body that I missed a lot of time at work and my blood pressure was so out of control that I was now fainting. I wish I had learned of this treatment 2 years ago, but i'm not complaining. I'm so grateful to be feeling myself again. Now I wake up thanking God for giving my life back to me. Not sure where you live, I know in the UK they don't do BHRT treatments but in the US BHRT is known to many women suffering from Peri Menopause.
Hi Theresa,
I am so glad you found relief! I am in the US as well. Unfortunately, I am not a candidate for hormone replacement because I have suffered a migraine with aura. The neurologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, primary, and obgyn all said that BHRT/HRT is contradicted for anyone who has aura. As for Cymbalta, perhaps I will come to a point where I will cave and take anti-depressants. I just don't want a band aid to the problem. I want a cure. I want to be normal again. With that said, I applaud anyone who tries anything to help themselves. I have no judgement what-so-ever. If anything, I am jealous of their bravery. I have an irrational fear of side effects from medicine. In the past 20+ years, I have only taken a handful of baby aspirins and three doses of Amoxicyllin (sp?).
You definitely don't need a hospital!, I've been to doctor so many times because of panic attacks, but in the end it was a friend gave me the answer. A herbal tablet called Ashwagadha, I don't know how it happened but my god the difference after a week ! Life is better now, kids and hubby are happy again because I'm not in a constant state of panic. Try it and let me know how it goes x