Hi,

For the past week, I've been waking up every night between 2:30 and 3:30 feeling uncomfortably warm, with a dry mouth and pounding heart (I have pulsating tinnitis in one ear, so I can hear my pulse increase too --argh!). Can't get back to sleep afterwards. Does this sound like hot flashes to you girls? I've had night sweats before, but this feels very different -- I'm not roasting, just really warm and when I kick off blankets I start to freeze. I started taking paxil again three weeks ago after being off it for five months, and at first I wondered if this was some weird side effect I hadn't experienced before. At least I'm not having panic attacks like I would have before, but I'd love to get more sleep!

By the way, this is the week before my period starts (and I'm almost 44).

Thanks so much for any advice or insight :)

I have similar symptoms. I also have pulsating tinnitus, so when my heart rate goes up I hear it and it bugs the heck out of me! I went through a time a few months ago when my heart would just start racing at bedtime, no matter what. It's not as bad as it was, but I noticed last week right before my period it seemed worse. I also get hot in the night some nights (not sweating), then cold. It's like my body temperature has a hard time regulating itself.

I've been taking magnesium and fish oil (among other things) which are supposed to be good for calming effect.

Thanks, katidid -- I had been taking magnesium, fish oil, and flax oil, but stopped when I started back on paxil. I'll give them a try again.

Sorry you've got this tinnitis too, it's awful!

Thanks again.

I went through a period of time with severe insomnia, hot flashes, heart racing and HORRIBLE anxiety. My dr. put me on a low dose birth control pill and then about 2 months later (after the hot flashes and heart racing stopped) I went on Lexapro to help with some residual anxiety. About 2 weeks after I started Lexapro, I had a few episodes of hot flashes and my dr. said that can be a side effect of an SSRI when you first start. Hang in there!

Thanks so much -- I hope the lexapro is helping your anxiety :)