Panic Attacks anyone?

[catluvr4]

Does anyone else get panic attacks during perimenopause? I didn't have a period for two months, and the next two came 23 days apart. When I didn't have the period, I started to feel better. But then the panic attacks hit during the first two weeks after each period. Also, I cry all the time sometimes sounding like a hurt animal or something. Every little ache, pain or whatever makes me think I'm dying of some weird disease even though my doctor can't find anything wrong with me.

I have become afraid of leaving the house, can't tolerate stress, don't want to deal with anything, and so on. I seem to have most of the 35 Symptoms of Perimenopause.
How do you deal with the panic attacks? I just want to feel better so that I can enjoy life again. Thank you.

[tazmindog]

Hi--I feel for you as I have recently been struggling with panic attacks. I am 38 and have had a lot of tests done thinking something was wrong with me. All came back normal. I had my first really bad attack the day after my last period started. Since then, I don't feel like I can drive, have had a hard time coping with my daughter and have been a general wreck. I am feeling a little better (my mom is here to help), but feel like I'm going to slip back into anxiety at any moment. Going to the mall or WalMart was making me dizzy and lightheaded. I'm still trying to deal with this craziness. I have been prescribed Klonopin for anxiety--took one night and decided I didn't want to have to rely on meds that could be addictive. Then Rx'ed Lexapro for depression and anxiety--took two nights and it put my arms on fire and gave me nausea. So now I am not on meds and hoping I can get out of this without that crutch. HOWEVER, I am also following the vitamin regime in "Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause" by Ann Louise Gittleman. I really hope it works. You can find an abbreviated version on drphil.com under perimenopause. Apparently his wife suffered terribly and went to 70 doctors before she found one that would help her.

You are not alone! I did speak with a mental health counselor and that did help some (I see her again tomorrow), but I think you will probably have to take charge and exercise, eat right and try the supplements (WalMart had most of them). I've been doing this for a week and feel somewhat better, although still not myself.

Take care and hugs to you.

Originally Posted by catluvr4

Does anyone else get panic attacks during perimenopause? I didn't have a period for two months, and the next two came 23 days apart. When I didn't have the period, I started to feel better. But then the panic attacks hit during the first two weeks after each period. Also, I cry all the time sometimes sounding like a hurt animal or something. Every little ache, pain or whatever makes me think I'm dying of some weird disease even though my doctor can't find anything wrong with me.

I have become afraid of leaving the house, can't tolerate stress, don't want to deal with anything, and so on. I seem to have most of the 35 Symptoms of Perimenopause.
How do you deal with the panic attacks? I just want to feel better so that I can enjoy life again. Thank you.

[planetearth]

Originally Posted by tazmindog

Hi--I feel for you as I have recently been struggling with panic attacks. I am 38 and have had a lot of tests done thinking something was wrong with me. All came back normal. I had my first really bad attack the day after my last period started. Since then, I don't feel like I can drive, have had a hard time coping with my daughter and have been a general wreck. I am feeling a little better (my mom is here to help), but feel like I'm going to slip back into anxiety at any moment. Going to the mall or WalMart was making me dizzy and lightheaded. I'm still trying to deal with this craziness. I have been prescribed Klonopin for anxiety--took one night and decided I didn't want to have to rely on meds that could be addictive. Then Rx'ed Lexapro for depression and anxiety--took two nights and it put my arms on fire and gave me nausea. So now I am not on meds and hoping I can get out of this without that crutch. HOWEVER, I am also following the vitamin regime in "Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause" by Ann Louise Gittleman. I really hope it works. You can find an abbreviated version on drphil.com under perimenopause. Apparently his wife suffered terribly and went to 70 doctors before she found one that would help her.

You are not alone! I did speak with a mental health counselor and that did help some (I see her again tomorrow), but I think you will probably have to take charge and exercise, eat right and try the supplements (WalMart had most of them). I've been doing this for a week and feel somewhat better, although still not myself.

Take care and hugs to you.

I GET PANICY AND PANIC ATTACKS.... I am 45 am pretty sure i am pre-menopausal... this junk started about 6 months ago and i was then diagnosed with HYPO thyroid and Hashimoto's Disease... am on Levoxyl for that...however, i too GET LIGHT HEADED and can barely stand OUT OF THE BLUE especially at the store-Walmart, the mall, etc!!!!! I am amazed I am not alone cuz I sure feel like a basket case retard/insane person when this hits...I go for awhile like a CHAMP, almost forgetting abou the "attacks" and the BAM!!!!!! they come on as I said, out of nowhere and I am sure i am dying of something, anything, everything... I am about to start calling doctors to check my brain, arteries, etc... cuz this is SO WEIRD--I am starting to avoid people now from anticipatory anxiety.... On another post, one lady said her doctor told her it was from sinuses... i read also that hormonal changes affect our sinuses big time... right before my periodds are the WORSE DAYS.... I am SURE I HAVE LOST IT FOREVER each time and am going to be in a nut house or cemetary... I am embarrassed to describe this to a doctor..... Glad to have read stuff similar to it here.... if anyone knows any help, please post it.

I have given up all ASPARTAME (nutrasweet) in diet cokes, etc. about a month ago and my MIGRAINES stopped (so far, knock on wood) and I started taking B vitamins and evening primrose oil and felt so much better, and yet, with the PMS comes these horrific panic attacks and insomnia and light headedness... i can barely walk across the room some days... HELP!!!!!!!!

thanks

[sunshine123]

Originally Posted by planetearth

I GET PANICY AND PANIC ATTACKS.... I am 45 am pretty sure i am pre-menopausal... this junk started about 6 months ago and i was then diagnosed with HYPO thyroid and Hashimoto's Disease... am on Levoxyl for that...however, i too GET LIGHT HEADED and can barely stand OUT OF THE BLUE especially at the store-Walmart, the mall, etc!!!!! I am amazed I am not alone cuz I sure feel like a basket case retard/insane person when this hits...I go for awhile like a CHAMP, almost forgetting abou the "attacks" and the BAM!!!!!! they come on as I said, out of nowhere and I am sure i am dying of something, anything, everything... I am about to start calling doctors to check my brain, arteries, etc... cuz this is SO WEIRD--I am starting to avoid people now from anticipatory anxiety.... On another post, one lady said her doctor told her it was from sinuses... i read also that hormonal changes affect our sinuses big time... right before my periodds are the WORSE DAYS.... I am SURE I HAVE LOST IT FOREVER each time and am going to be in a nut house or cemetary... I am embarrassed to describe this to a doctor..... Glad to have read stuff similar to it here.... if anyone knows any help, please post it.

I have given up all ASPARTAME (nutrasweet) in diet cokes, etc. about a month ago and my MIGRAINES stopped (so far, knock on wood) and I started taking B vitamins and evening primrose oil and felt so much better, and yet, with the PMS comes these horrific panic attacks and insomnia and light headedness... i can barely walk across the room some days... HELP!!!!!!!!

thanks

I also hate to rely on meds. but in order to drive, I have to take a low dose of Xanax. It's either that or stay home. Years ago I was Agoraphobic and didn't leave the house for several months and I don't want to end up that way again. I'm 53 and had a hysterectomy when I was 40, but kept my ovaries. I have so many menopausal symptoms it's pathetic. I obsess about all my health problems.

[alwaysaworrier]

I believe I also suffer from Panic Attacks - I can feel fine and all of a sudden get this wave wash over me - it can sometimes leave me weak and tired. I'm 46 and am in peri. Also in the past number of months when I go to bed, just drifting off to sleep I get this sudden wave over me that makes me nearly jump up - I am getting used to it but still frightens me. It doesn't happen every night but when it happens it can be for a few nights. I wonder is it a panic attack as well?? I have so many symptons its scary. Sometimes I just feel down in myself as well for no reason, can feel lightheaded etc. I am asuming when this wave washes over me that it's panic attack?/anxiety. these boards keep me sane at times!