Just wondered if any of you lovely people can give me some advice.
I have been experiencing menopause symtoms for the past few years so I reckon I must be near the end now. Was put on HRT patches a few weeks ago to try and help with hot flushes etc.
A really horrible thing happened in the night I had a really rapid poundng heartbeat for about an hour. No pain just a really fast heartbeat. I have read that this can be a symptom of the menopause, Has anyone else suffered with this and if so how did you manage it?
I have experienced the rapid heart beat you mention. I’m pretty sure its nothing to worry about but just mention it to your gp. It maybe a side effect of the HRT but I really don’t know.
The only medication I took to help me was citalopram (antidepressant) research shows it helps with the hot flushes as well as stabilising mood swings.
I’m 53. I didn’t have a period all through 2012 but this year I have had a couple of light ones. I am guessing my hormones are all over the place. It was really unpleasant feeling though. I will mention it to my GP.
Thanks for your help sweets. A bit of reassurance makes things feel better. I’ve been fine all day but I hope it doesn’t happen again tonight.
not sure about it being an HRT side effect, ask a pharmacist, it’s the quickest source, i’m on very low dose oral HRT because my docs cautious after i had a subarachnoid haemorrhage last year. re rapid heart rate, try learning some relaxation/breathing techniques, sorry if that sounds daft, but i’ve found it helpful in the past.
Deffo Wendy. That’s what I think. I like being this age but I’m not keen on the menopause. I wonder if Madonna has these problems. She’s around our age isn’t she? I guess not with the skimpy clothes she wears lol!
Hi Shazzie I too am 53 and haven’t had a period for over 4years now. I don’t get hot flushes as such but do suffer terribly with a feeling of being permanently hot and sweaty in my upper body. Coupled with the MS hug it makes for me feeling very uncomfortable all of the time. I am restricted as to what I wear, I can’t stand the thought of wearing something a little fitting so I seem to go round like he bag lady!!! I am contemplating a visit to GP to ask for HRT. Does it help you with the flushes? I notice that my heart skips a beat quite regularly but not racing as you explain. Perhaps a visit to your GP maybe wise. Merry Xmas and all the best for 2014. Linda x
The HRT tablets I was taking really helped with all of it but the GP changed me to patches as I started getting headaches. She put me on the weakest dose so I reckon that might be why my hormones have gone bananas. I have made an appt with my GP though just to check nothing bad is going on. Typical they are closed now for a bit.
Thanks for you help and I hope your symptoms get better soon.
i have the racing heart thing,i went through a good 4 weeks of it last year,it was getting to the point i was going to go to a&e ,it was off and on,and could last a whole day,i am in menopause and havent had a period now for 14 months i am 55,and thought i was going to have periods forever lol,i put it down to my hormones or lack of them lol,i read that palpitations can be caused by the menopause,i havent had them for a while now,but i wou.ld have a word with the dr after xmas,if you are worried by them.
Thanks J. Really helpful. We are soooo lucky aren’t we?
I will def have a chat with th GP.
Thanks for your help though. I think panicking when it happened didn’t help so gonna try what Wendy suggested some deep breathing exercises if it happens again tonight but fingers crossed it won’t.
Thanks Shazzie think I will take a trip to GP soon too. Hope you get something sorted. I find I dread getting up knowing I’m going to feel uncomfortable all day! Oh the joys… Take care Linda x
You should think about giving citalopram a try Linda as I mentioned above. It has been researched for menopause symptoms…discuss it with your gp. It really helped to reduce my hot sweats/flushes and made me feel calmer.
I’m a qualified nurse and won’t take anything unless I’m convinced it will do some good. My gp is quite up to date with these matters.
Hi Shazzie How was last night for you? Did you have the racing heart? I had a terrible night, my bladder kept going into spasm, I must have only had about 3 hours sleep so not a happy bunny!! Linda x
I was absolutely fine. No racing heart. A little hot flush but nowhere near as bad as night before.
You poor thing Linda. We need our sleep at this time of year don’t we?
I wonder if it makes things worse because we are all busier at the moment. I have been getting hot and bothered worrying about Christmas. Gonna rest up today though ready for tomorrow. You should too sweets.
Oh so pleased you didn’t get the racing heart then Shazzie. I know I love my bed and it was so frustrating not being able to sleep. Hubby away for turkey and then we’ll set table and prepare veg. I will be pleased when we are sat down to dinner tomorrow. It’s a very stressful time when you are able bodied never mind us doing things from wheelchairs/scooters!!! You get some rest today and don’t overdo things honey. Linda x
I only had the racing pounding heart once. It hasn’t happened since the 22nd Dec so that’s a big relief.
I hope your racing heart has settled down too J. It was really frightening.
I am a dab hand now at the breathing exercises Wendy. In through the nose and out through the mouth.
Thanks too to Noreen and Linda for your advice. It’s amazing how a bit of reassurance relaxes you.
I have an appt at my GPs on Mon but I am sure it is the menopause. My mum said she had it badly when she was going through hers so I am probably following in her footsteps.