Panic attacks and anxiety

I'm 50 years old (and an RN with a background in intensive care
nursing) and for the last 2 years or so my menstrual cycle has been
doing flip-flops. I have gone as long as 6 months without a period but
now seem to be having them every 8 -10 weeks or so. The last one was
the week before Christmas. The flow was uncharacteristically heavy
while not altogether torrential. Since then I have been experiencing
the most distressing episodes of palpitations and anxiety, which I have
just discovered are both symptoms peri-menopausal women can experience.


I had similar episodes 18 months ago and was admitted to the emergency
room for investigations and a stress test which showed that while my
exercise tollerance was poor (i'm overweight) there wasn't much wrong
with my cardiac function. Now i'm beginning to think these episodes
were also related to me being peri-menapausal.

On the advice of my naturopath I have stopped all caffeine as I can
well do without the stimulant but a few nights back I woke about 1am
with the feeling of what I can only describe as overwhelming fear and
trepidation. For several minutes I felt like I was going to die and I
wouldn't close my eyes. It was the most awful experience and I ended
up sitting up watching TV until the feeling passed.

I've since done some research and found out that other peri-menopausal
women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
experienced these episodes and how they delt with them. Interestingly
enough I don't get hot flushes or other symptoms you usually associate
with peri-menopause.

Thanks in advance

Jayne

"selilekwi" wrote:
> I'm 50 years old (and an RN with a background in intensive care
> nursing) and for the last 2 years or so my menstrual cycle has been
> doing flip-flops
<snip>

I'm about your age and my experience mirrors yours pretty evenly, w/ the
irregular periods and flow and the begining of symptoms around the same time
as yours. My ob/gyn tells me this is normal for peri-menopause.

I've also experienced panic/anxiety attacks, the first one about two and a
half years ago. Yes, they are terrible and very frightening. My doctor Rx'd
xanax, which I can take on an as-needed basis. They were effective and I
need one only occasionally now. I'm also overweight and had elevated blood
pressure, which was probably contributing. My doctor advised me to lose
weight and get regular exercise, which is basic common sense advice. He also
advised me to avoid caffeine. I cut off caffeine altogether for a while and
did start a diet and exercise program. So far, I've lost only a little
weight, but the exercise really did help. My blood pressure is normal now
and I can even enjoy a cup of coffee now and again, which I'm very glad
about. Everyone I talk to tells me the exercise is responsible for
normalizing my blood pressure.

The exercise was very slow-going starting out. But it got easier and easier
w/ continued effort. You build tolerance. Since your cardiac function is
normal, you should find it the same.

As for not experiencing other menopausal symptoms, thank your lucky stars.
For now. Don't count on not meeting any of them just because you haven't so
far. None of them are any fun either. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Kimmy

You bet, panic can be associate with hormonal changes. I used to get them
frequently when I had PMS. I had a spell of them during one or two of the
phases of perimenopause. Totally sucks, doesn't it?

It's still worth seeing the doctor about this specifically, though, as I'm
sure you know. Xanax knocks my panic right out. In the beginning, though,
it affected my short-term memory. As well as making me sleepy, of course.
And it's addictive.

It helps just to know what's going on. My advice would be to go see your
doctor to reassure yourself that nothing is really wrong, then rest assured
that when you do wake up in the middle of the night (or whenever) with that
horrible feeling, it will pass, no harm done, it's bearable, it's not
dangerous, and we're all in this together :-)

ep


"selilekwi" <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1168933897.513598.28210@s34g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> I'm 50 years old (and an RN with a background in intensive care
> nursing) and for the last 2 years or so my menstrual cycle has been
> doing flip-flops. I have gone as long as 6 months without a period but
> now seem to be having them every 8 -10 weeks or so. The last one was
> the week before Christmas. The flow was uncharacteristically heavy
> while not altogether torrential. Since then I have been experiencing
> the most distressing episodes of palpitations and anxiety, which I have
> just discovered are both symptoms peri-menopausal women can experience.
>
>
> I had similar episodes 18 months ago and was admitted to the emergency
> room for investigations and a stress test which showed that while my
> exercise tollerance was poor (i'm overweight) there wasn't much wrong
> with my cardiac function. Now i'm beginning to think these episodes
> were also related to me being peri-menapausal.
>
> On the advice of my naturopath I have stopped all caffeine as I can
> well do without the stimulant but a few nights back I woke about 1am
> with the feeling of what I can only describe as overwhelming fear and
> trepidation. For several minutes I felt like I was going to die and I
> wouldn't close my eyes. It was the most awful experience and I ended
> up sitting up watching TV until the feeling passed.
>
> I've since done some research and found out that other peri-menopausal
> women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
> experienced these episodes and how they delt with them. Interestingly
> enough I don't get hot flushes or other symptoms you usually associate
> with peri-menopause.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Jayne
>

"The exercise was very slow-going starting out. But it got easier
and easier w/ continued effort. You build tolerance. Since your cardiac
function is normal, you should find it the same"

Thanks for the encouragement. I have been going to the gym regularly
and seeing a personal trainer for a few years, but am now motivated to
get serious where the food is concerned where is wasn't so 'real'
previously. I average 5 times a week at the gym and hope I can keep
this up so I can loose some weight, and now have a diet coach so I'm
hoping this will work better.

I was concerned I would develop some kind of irrational fear of
symptoms and stop going to the gym. A couple of times I have developed
palpitations while exercising but these were investigated and as I said
weren't thought to be cardiac in origin. I realized there was an
emotional element involved when I got palpitations in a couple of
similar situations while driving and that's cause a few problems as
far as anticipation responses go.

I must look like a twit sometimes talking to myself in the car ...
"breath in, breath out, you'll be fine" over and over.

As I said thanks for your response

Jayne

"and we're all in this together :-)"

I was thinking the other day what a betrayal this whole menopause thing
is ... and wondered why my mother, who died a few years ago, didn't
discuss it with me. My aunt tells me now she experienced menopause at
45 after a family tragedy and went onto HRT for amost 18 years ceasing
it recently following the disclosure of the riskfactors associated with
this form of management. She recommended 'Remifemin' but also says she
forgets to take it.

Thanks for your response

Jayne

"selilekwi" wrote:

Hot Flashes wrote:
> "The exercise was very slow-going starting out. But it got easier
> and easier w/ continued effort. You build tolerance. Since your cardiac
> function is normal, you should find it the same"

> Thanks for the encouragement. I have been going to the gym regularly
> and seeing a personal trainer for a few years, but am now motivated to
> get serious where the food is concerned where is wasn't so 'real'
> previously. I average 5 times a week at the gym and hope I can keep
> this up so I can loose some weight, and now have a diet coach so I'm
> hoping this will work better.

Wow. that's amazing! You're way ahead of the game!

> I was concerned I would develop some kind of irrational fear of
> symptoms and stop going to the gym. A couple of times I have developed
> palpitations while exercising but these were investigated and as I said
> weren't thought to be cardiac in origin. I realized there was an
> emotional element involved when I got palpitations in a couple of
> similar situations while driving and that's cause a few problems as
> far as anticipation responses go.
>
> I must look like a twit sometimes talking to myself in the car ...
> "breath in, breath out, you'll be fine" over and over.

LOL...yeah, that's funny.

> As I said thanks for your response

Sure thing. I know those attacks are awful. I felt like I was going to die a
couple of times. I was so relieved to find a medication so effective at
stopping the attack in its tracks. And I've had no side effects w/ it.

Kimmy

selilekwi <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote:

> a few nights back I woke about 1am with the feeling of what I can only
> describe as overwhelming fear and trepidation. For several minutes I felt
> like I was going to die and I wouldn't close my eyes. It was the most
> awful experience and I ended up sitting up watching TV until the feeling
> passed.
>
> I've since done some research and found out that other peri-menopausal
> women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
> experienced these episodes and how they delt with them.

I had it once, after a party with a lot of alcohol and coffee. Thought
for sure I was having a heart attack and the palpitations and racing
heart lasted for hours. Had it a second, but less intense time after a
combination of alcohol and coffee and realized that I had to watch my
drinking. Both times happened right as my period was about to start, so
the combination of food trigger and hormones did it.

Breathing exercises, affirmations/prayer, and the awareness that it's
"just" a panic attack help me, though it's awful while the attack is on.
My doctor suggested finding a square (picture, window) and breathing in
and out as you work your way around the sides (breathe in across,
breathe out down, etc.), just as a way to focus.

BTW, I made an accidental discovery after my imagination last night
assured me that there was a stalker in my guest bedroom (IOW, an anxiety
attack, and I also thought I was going to die): Soy can provoke/worsen
perimenopausal symptoms. I had eaten a tofu dish for dinner, and
reactions to soy can come several hours later. No more soy for me!

> Interestingly enough I don't get hot flushes or other symptoms you usually
> associate with peri-menopause.

I have other symptoms, but the number of symptoms and their intensity
varies from woman to woman. Which symptoms you have can also vary from
month to month. Ain't this fun? :-)

--
Keera in Norway * Think big. Shrink to fit.
http://home.online.no/~kafox/

"selilekwi" <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1168933897.513598.28210@s34g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> I'm 50 years old (and an RN with a background in intensive care
> nursing) and for the last 2 years or so my menstrual cycle has been
> doing flip-flops. I have gone as long as 6 months without a period but
> now seem to be having them every 8 -10 weeks or so. The last one was
> the week before Christmas. The flow was uncharacteristically heavy
> while not altogether torrential. Since then I have been experiencing
> the most distressing episodes of palpitations and anxiety, which I have
> just discovered are both symptoms peri-menopausal women can experience.

Yep. I didn't experience the peri-meno palpitations - although know others
who have (they say they experienced them at night the most often), but have
had the anxiety bit. Not only panic attacks, but also shorter periods of
"OMG!" type moments, the thoughts which precipitated them not warranting any
real sort of heightened anxiety. But IIRC, those latter sort were in
early-ish post-meno.

I had panic attacks in my late 20's & later discovered that they are
frequently experienced by those who have a prolapsed mitral valve - which I
have. (Characterized by an extra click in one's heartbreat - as the mitral
valve closes in a separate movement - it's kind of floppy, if prolapsed.) I
then had no more panic attacks until peri, when some popped into place
again. Not at all welcome! But at least I knew what they were, & despite
the fact that I felt like I was about to die (for no obvious reason!), so
for the most part managed to not panic on top of the already high level of
panic! One of my friends first experienced panic attacks in peri. She
later discovered that she also has MVP.

>
> I had similar episodes 18 months ago and was admitted to the emergency
> room for investigations and a stress test which showed that while my
> exercise tollerance was poor (i'm overweight) there wasn't much wrong
> with my cardiac function. Now i'm beginning to think these episodes
> were also related to me being peri-menopausal.

Yep. Since you had a work-up, I assume they checked for MVP/mitral valve
prolapse? Because although virtually always a benign condition, it can
produce the same symptoms. But apparently women w/out MVP can also
experience panic attacks in peri.

> On the advice of my naturopath I have stopped all caffeine as I can
> well do without the stimulant but a few nights back I woke about 1am
> with the feeling of what I can only describe as overwhelming fear and
> trepidation. For several minutes I felt like I was going to die and I
> wouldn't close my eyes. It was the most awful experience and I ended
> up sitting up watching TV until the feeling passed.

Yep, panic attack. Nasty while they last.

>
> I've since done some research and found out that other peri-menopausal
> women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
> experienced these episodes and how they delt with them. Interestingly
> enough I don't get hot flushes or other symptoms you usually associate
> with peri-menopause.

Don't get too excited, re: lack of toher symptoms. I thought maybe I was
getting by w/no hot flashes. Until they kicked in 2 months after my last
period. And 10 years later, I still get them occasionally. Grrrr.
>
> Thanks in advance

You're welcome!

Cathy


>
> Jayne
>

"selilekwi" <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote in news:1168980295.281528.5630@
38g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> I was thinking the other day what a betrayal this whole menopause thing
> is ... and wondered why my mother, who died a few years ago, didn't
> discuss it with me. My aunt tells me now she experienced menopause at
> 45 after a family tragedy

I think the reason our mothers didn't tell us much was because once it
was over they forgot it and went on to other things. That, and the fact
that 'the change' was somehow supposed to be a secret, and a little
dirty, too.

Chak



--
If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.
--Tallulah Bankhead

On 15 Jan 2007 23:51:37 -0800, "selilekwi" <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote:

>I've since done some research and found out that other peri-menopausal
>women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
>experienced these episodes and how they delt with them.


Prozac.


Dana

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

I wonder if the appearance of panic attacks at menopause could have
something to do with the "Zest" energy many of us get at this time.
Coming from a hyper family, I've observed that if energy doesn't come
out in a positive way, it will come out in a negative way. I've seen
people slack off exercising, only to start having panic problems. One
of my sisters has gotten paranoid, another developed an anger problem,
while another starts crying at the drop of a hat.
The cryer's MD told her she has adrenal exhaustion, so stress could be
the problem.
Regarding Xanax, other anti-anxiety drugs may be less addictive. My
doc said Xanax is more addicting because it works fast, and so causes a
rush. It also wears off fast, creating a sudden need. I'm taking
low-dose clonazepam to help me sleep; it's a combination
anti-anxiety/muscle relaxer type. It's more gradual and lasts longer.
But all benzodiazepines can be addictive, and lose effectiveness over
time.
Getting more exercise might help use up the energy that's going into
panic attacks. They don't happen as easily when you're tired. It
works for me, even if it doesn't help me sleep!
Les



Dana© wrote:
> On 15 Jan 2007 23:51:37 -0800, "selilekwi" <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I've since done some research and found out that other peri-menopausal
> >women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
> >experienced these episodes and how they delt with them.
>
>
> Prozac.
>
>
> Dana
>
> Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
> for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

"sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
news:1169138164.390435.270460@51g2000cwl.googlegro ups.com...
I wonder if the appearance of panic attacks at menopause could have
something to do with the "Zest" energy many of us get at this time.

Data point (small one): My meno panic attacks showed up in peri, as did a
friend's. No zest...

Cathy


Coming from a hyper family, I've observed that if energy doesn't come
out in a positive way, it will come out in a negative way. I've seen
people slack off exercising, only to start having panic problems. One
of my sisters has gotten paranoid, another developed an anger problem,
while another starts crying at the drop of a hat.
The cryer's MD told her she has adrenal exhaustion, so stress could be
the problem.
Regarding Xanax, other anti-anxiety drugs may be less addictive. My
doc said Xanax is more addicting because it works fast, and so causes a
rush. It also wears off fast, creating a sudden need. I'm taking
low-dose clonazepam to help me sleep; it's a combination
anti-anxiety/muscle relaxer type. It's more gradual and lasts longer.
But all benzodiazepines can be addictive, and lose effectiveness over
time.
Getting more exercise might help use up the energy that's going into
panic attacks. They don't happen as easily when you're tired. It
works for me, even if it doesn't help me sleep!
Les



Dana© wrote:
> On 15 Jan 2007 23:51:37 -0800, "selilekwi" <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I've since done some research and found out that other peri-menopausal
> >women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
> >experienced these episodes and how they delt with them.
>
>
> Prozac.
>
>
> Dana
>
> Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
> for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

"selilekwi" <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1168933897.513598.28210@s34g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> I'm 50 years old (and an RN with a background in intensive care
> nursing) and for the last 2 years or so my menstrual cycle has been
> doing flip-flops. I have gone as long as 6 months without a period but
> now seem to be having them every 8 -10 weeks or so. The last one was
> the week before Christmas. The flow was uncharacteristically heavy
> while not altogether torrential. Since then I have been experiencing
> the most distressing episodes of palpitations and anxiety, which I have
> just discovered are both symptoms peri-menopausal women can experience.
>
>
> I had similar episodes 18 months ago and was admitted to the emergency
> room for investigations and a stress test which showed that while my
> exercise tollerance was poor (i'm overweight) there wasn't much wrong
> with my cardiac function. Now i'm beginning to think these episodes
> were also related to me being peri-menapausal.
>
> On the advice of my naturopath I have stopped all caffeine as I can
> well do without the stimulant but a few nights back I woke about 1am
> with the feeling of what I can only describe as overwhelming fear and
> trepidation. For several minutes I felt like I was going to die and I
> wouldn't close my eyes. It was the most awful experience and I ended
> up sitting up watching TV until the feeling passed.
>
> I've since done some research and found out that other peri-menopausal
> women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
> experienced these episodes and how they delt with them. Interestingly
> enough I don't get hot flushes or other symptoms you usually associate
> with peri-menopause.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Jayne



Hi Jayne,

To all the advice before this reply, I'll add-- get a seriously
comprehensive thyroid work-up. You 'll want testing for TSH, Free T3, Free
T4 AND an anti-body screen for Auto-immune thyroid disease ( the microsomal
and thyroglobulin critters). If your naturopath is truly curious, cortisol
testing and a Serum Ferritin value should be marked ( Serum Ferritin vs
hematocrit)

You'll want to see your testing values compared against the lab ranges for
normal in each category. Do it Fasting, as early in the AM as the lab
will schedule.

Your naturopath may be the best place to request this as they are often
more curious than an Endo or MD. Thyroid issues can both exacerbate and
mimic peri-meno issues.

I was dx'd with Auto-immune thyroid disease ( Hashimotos thyroiditis) in
very late peri, and I was well into clinical Hypothyroidism when dx'd. My
anx/pan seriously diminished when I started levothyroxine replacement, and
my late-peri heavy periods ( complete with chicken-liver clots, more
painful cramps and embarrassing bleed-throughs) quickly resolved.

I wish you well. I'll share the t-shirts.

Sue in Maine

> Regarding Xanax, other anti-anxiety drugs <

I wonder whether hitting anxiety resulting from hormonal imbalances
with SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and
benzodiazepines is actually the right approach?

As I approached my 50th birthday last year I suddenly realised that my
life was more than half over. I have never married and have no
children, and while I am in a relationship for the past 4 years it is
with a man who is 10 years younger than me so I have a real fear I will
get traded in for a younger model. I could be stressing out about
nothing but its hard coming to terms with getting older ... I can't
help thinking the 'cure' for this isn't going to be found in a
pill.

jayne

selilekwi <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote:

>> Regarding Xanax, other anti-anxiety drugs <

> I wonder whether hitting anxiety resulting from hormonal imbalances
> with SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and
> benzodiazepines is actually the right approach?

> As I approached my 50th birthday last year I suddenly realised that my
> life was more than half over.

Hey, you've still more than a third of it left, and what's more, you
now have the advantage of not being a young fool :-)

--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

On 15 Jan 2007 23:51:37 -0800, "selilekwi" <jayne.nt@gmail.com> wrote:

>nd found out that other peri-menopausal
>women experience 'panic' attacks and wonder if anyone here has
>experienced these episodes and how they delt with them.

I'm 50 and have had them for about 3 years. I went to a therapist for
about 4 months, and it seemed to help. Like the doctor at emergency
says, "They won't kill you, but they feel they can". He told me to
keep a paper bag with me, when the panic attack starts, begin
breathing into the bag, to keep from hyperventilating.


Amy mailto:williamson@shaklee.net
~*~*~Save a Tree, Save our planet - Recycle, Think Organic~*~*~
________________

Thought of the day:
In my book, food should be nutrition and entertainment. -