I have been menopausal for about two years now, and have experienced all of the symptoms you mention. I've even had friends get a bit ticked off with me about my gloomy attitude, but I can't seem to help it. You didn't mention insomnia; that has been one of the worst ones for me. I've been troubled with it all my life, but it's been much worse lately. I guess we just have to console ourselves that this will end eventually. Hope you find some relief.

I am 42 and have been peri-men for 1yr 1/2 now but I have suffered from anxiety my whole life. I had always been afraid of antidepressants till I had to be put on them after losing both parents 6 mo. apart. With my anxiety I have always exp. the rapid heart rate but once meno set in I started getting the skipped beats and jumping feeling. I went for a full work up with my cardio and my heart was fine. It is scary when it happens but I heard it is not dangerous. I would see a cardioligist just incase. far as the other symptoms it sounds like meno to me. It is kind of like PMS but doesn't go away as fast. It is a scary feeling being bummed out I know I have been there. My Gyno put me on Zoloft and 1mg. of ativan which i rarely take it is my security pill. The Zoloft works on me fine and it is more for anxiety not depression.

I will be praying for you.
Good luck and God bless!

I also have alot of your symptoms. I'm 47 and not sure when peri-menopause started but just within the last month I've been feeling pretty weird. Seems like right at O' time and cycle time my heart races, just for about 24hrs, I almost always have this shaky inside feeling and I've had the heart skips for 10yrs now which makes me wonder if I started peri-menopause back then and maybe I'm nearing the end now and that's why my symptoms have gotten worse. I've also been getting little anxiety attacks which seem to be for no reason, chalking it up to crazy hormones.
This new braid dead thing drives me nuts. I go to do something and can't remember what I wanted to do ??? How annoying is that? I thought I was going crazy until my cardiologist told me she's going through the same thing. lol Try natural "B" vitamins. Their supposed to be helpful.

Sorry to hear so many problems with everyone but glad to see I'm not alone.

Everyone hang in there. We will get through this. Enjoy your Holidays.
Donna (47)

I, too, have those symptoms...so you are definately not alone. Hormones suck! They have always been bad for me ( since I was 11! I have had bouts of depression since then and that is when I started my cycles). menopause is hell and unpredictable.
You should read the 35 symptoms of menopause..Google that..it lists all the things that go on with menopause.
My mood swings have been really bad. I wake up and will just start crying for no real reason some days. Other days i feel normal though. And yes anxiety and brain fog and so many other things happen too. and the sweats and on and on and on. I just keep saying how this menopause is making me "miserable" most of the time.
I am not on any hormones as of yet....but right now my symptoms seem to be lessening at least temprorarily!