I'm new to this message board and have a few questions and concerns. I am 46 years old and basically going through menopause. I never know if and when I'm getting my period, and when I do they are extremely painful.

Lately I've been having heart palpitations and/or my heart has been racing. I've also experienced waking up in the middle of the night with my heart pounding uncontrollably. I've noticed these symptoms are exceptionally bad right before and during my period (if, in fact, I do have a period). Is this part of menopause? Is this because it's possible that I need hormone therapy?

I'm concerned because the symptoms frighten me to the point I think I'm making them worse. I fixate on what my heart is doing and it seems to make things worse.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi! I've been where you are now, and it is scary. I was diagnosed with tachycardia and pvcs which always got worse before and during my period, at times they were almost non-stop. I went on a low-dose birth control pill 2 months ago and it has made all the difference in the world, not only with my heart but with everything else also! I was absolutely miserable--unable to sleep, mood swings like crazy, night sweats to the point where I would have to change sheets, and on and on. I recommend a great book by Elizabeth Vleit, MD, called "Screaming to be Heard: Hormone Connections that Women Suspect and Doctors Still Ignore". It covers the heart (and everything else) extensively. It answered questions that I didn't even think to ask! And it gave me lots of information to knowledgebly talk to my dr. and decide which was the best course of action to take for me. I ordered it from Amazon, it arrived in 2 days and helped save my life and my sanity (and my hubby's!). Take care and if you decide to get it please let me know how you like it. Thinking of you, Cat

Dear Cat54: I took your advice and bought and am reading Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's book "Screaming to be Heard". I am quite convinced she's got the answers. But NO doctor I have ever seen or heard of in my area (Chicago--but moving to Albuquerque, NM)is up on this or willing to talk about it. How did you make use of Vliet's theories to help yourself?

Dear Cat54: I took your advice and bought and am reading Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's book "Screaming to be Heard". I am quite convinced she's got the answers. But NO doctor I have ever seen or heard of in my area (Chicago--but moving to Albuquerque, NM)is up on this or willing to talk about it. How did you make use of Vliet's theories to help yourself?

Hi Melpears!

I'm glad you bought the book. I think she knows more than any doctor I've seen! I had trouble finding anyone to listen to me. I went through 2 primary care physicians and finally demanded to be referred to a GYN--which my current physician did. She (the GYN) had heard of the book and after discussing family history, symptoms, etc. we decided on the minipill. All in all, it took me about 2 years to get some relief from this, and I started having symptoms when I was 39 (I'm 46 now). I was so tired of not being listened to (and I had women physicians!), on my last visit I just said that I wanted to see a GYN and I wasn't going to take no for an answer--and I meant it. I sure hope you have better luck than I did. For the life of me, I don't know why doctors won't listen to us more! Especially when I went to women--that still blows my mind. When I switched to a male physician he immediately referred me to a wonderful GYN. Go figure! Best of luck to you and let me know how you fare!

Cat http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Dear Cat 54: Since my last note to you I chanced upon a nurse practitioner in my area. She apparently orderes the tests needed to get enough info to send off for the compounded natural hormones, as described in the book. I had ordered the intake packet from Dr. Vliet's clinic and figured I'd have to bite the bullet and go there. But maybe not. I will let you know what happens.

Best of luck to you, Melpears--be sure to keep me posted! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Dear Cat, I have a female gynecologist, thinking that she would be more understanding of women's issues...couldn't believe it when I told her about some of my symptoms, such as racing heart and also I sometimes get what I call little panic attacks where I feel like I can't breathe just before I go to sleep at night, and she asks me if I am a nervous-type person!! Which I am not!! But she didn't really take anything I said very seriously and just kind of shrugged them off. Finally when I was talking to a girlfriend of mine (we're both age 44) she was telling me that she has these panic attacks at night. You don't know how happy I was to hear her say that, because I was starting to think I was going crazy. Also my chiropractor told me that that is a definite sign of low estrogen levels. I think I'm going to change to a male gynecologist!!

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Hi BBMom!

It's funny you should say that--I went to female docs for years and they dismissed me as anxious and one even told me that palpitations have no relation to hormones at all (can't wait till she's my age!!!). I changed to a male doctor and he referred me to a wonderful GYN who's up on the latest info. I started the minipill and am doing much, much better. Hang in there and do change docs if you need to! Also, perimenopause has a great effect on anxiety, also. People who have never suffered from it before have been known to become anxious during this time of life. You're NOT crazy--this is physical! Best of luck to you!

Cat http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks Cat, it's good to hear that other women are going through the same thing. We all have to stick together and be tough with these doctors! Will they put you on a mini-pill in your 40's? I have varicose veins and when I went on the pill after I had my last child, my legs would hurt, so I went off of it. Did you try any of the over the counter stuff, like Estroven?

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Hi BBMom!

They put me on the minipill when I was in my 40's. I tried over the counter stuff but it just didn't help me at all, plus I have a good medical history for going on the pill. Have you read Elizabeth Vliet, MD's book "Screaming to be heard: Hormone connections women suspect and doctors still ignore"? You should be able to find a copy in your library. It's really thick, but it tells you everything you want to know about this time of life, and has extensive info on over the counter and natural HRT. It also has great info on the heart, thyroid, anxiety and anything else you want to know! Keep me posted. Take care!

Cat