Help - Menopause Message Board

ali1231 · 03-13-2006, 07:22 PM

Hi i am 35 and i had a total hysterectomy two years ago, so of course i am in menopause(yuk). I tried estrogen off and on and now I am back on and also taking progestr. But in May of last year I started having panic attacks, and it felt like I was having a heart of attack so I have had two ekg's and they came back normal, I have been to the er and they said it was just a panic attack. The dr. said it could be stress from my job, I was teaching 3 year olds at a christian school where my kids go. The panic attacks, I was having them 5 times a week. So I finally gave up my job, the panic attacks has let up alittle I am having them once a week sometimes one in two weeks. The dr. has me on a depress. called amitripltian a low dose. I do not want to take pills all my life so what i am wondering does the panic attacks go away, and when do they leave, or do I just have to get through menopause. How long does menopause last? I am so young to go through this, and my husband is very supportive but i know it drives him crazy just like it does me. My kids and tired of me being tired the next day after i have one. Can someone help me with this that is going through this or that has gone through it.
Thank you
Alicia

HELLASRULES · 03-17-2006, 05:35 PM

ali1234
Anxiety seems to be a big part of perimenopause & menopause. I hit menopause (periods stopped) 5 yrs ago and went through a horrible time of panic attacks/anxiety attacks every singel day. It drove me nuts & in turn, I drove my doctor nuts calling him all the time. All he did was give my an RX for ativan (similar to valium). Oh, and I took it too, but all that did for me was make me depressed on top of the anxiety! I started taking omega-3 fish oil, and after about 3 weeks, the anxiety attacks stopped. My mood slowly improved, and I am sleeping better than ever.
And I know it's hard when you are feeling so low, but try and get some exersize (take a walk, dance, whatever you prefer). Try and limit cafffeine & sugar intake, too as that can intensify the anxiety/panic attacks. And if you are contemplating going off the amitriptilan, check with your doctor about it....some drugs need to be weaned off slowly.
Hang in there, ok? It does get better in time, but it's a long road for some of us. Do everything you can to improve your health. eat healthy, exersize, meditation, prayer...anything you can find that works for you.
There's lots of things you can do for yourself, and there are many great women here who can help you through this rough time.
Hellas

Belle2003 · 03-17-2006, 06:08 PM

I am in perimenopause and I would wake up with my heart racing like I had been running for my life. At any moment this would happen and it was scary.

I checked out the book (at the library) by Anne Gittleman "Before the Change"
and followed her suggestions for anxiety, etc and it worked! She suggested
1) Vitamin B6 50 to 100 mg
2) Magnesium 500 to 1000 mg
3) Flaxseed oil

She did suggest other things like:
Vitamin B Complex, but this did not agree with my stomach
Vitamin C 1000 mg three times a day
Vitamin E, 400 IU

So you may want to find her book at the libray and see what symptoms she talks about and what you can do to alleviate them.

Dr. John Lee has a great book called "What you doctor may not tell you about menopause." His book is great too and gives women alternative suggestions to taking HRT.

We just have to try these things and see what works for us individually. I wish they had one pill they helped all, but our bodies are so complex they don't.

I hope you feel better soon.

Hopefully · 03-17-2006, 08:16 PM

Hellas you are so right about the Omega 3 helping tremendously with anxiety

. I've been taking EFA (flaxseed oil, fish oil, black currant oil, primrose oil, borage oil) for many months... since I read here how it helped several other women. The borage oil has helped reduce the swelling and the pain in my knee. Oh my! I sound like a commercial LOL

.

ali1231 · 03-18-2006, 11:01 AM

Thank you for responding to me, Hellas with the omega fish oil I just started it this morning, will it take the panic away? Do u have panic attacks anymore? I will look at the books you mentioned. Thank yall so much.
Alicia