Menopause Support Group

Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.

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shellylabelle 04/10/2016

I was sitting on the couch and could feel a sudden rush of something. I felt uncomfortably warm/hot and my heart started up. I rubbed ice on my neck, face and arms. It seemed to stop the escalation. I am shaking. The other two tomes that it happenes, my heart rate was elevated for quite awhile. I dread going out.

ThisToo 04/12/2016

Have you tried coughing, when this happens?
I have a habit of not showing up on DS very often and when I do I type way too much.
but bottom line, a cough, even a fake cough can help set the heartbeat back to normal.
heart surgeons even have the patients do this, and i myself have done it many times during menopause. (this saving myself panic attacks)
try it. can't hurt. Good luck

shellylabelle 04/12/2016

I will try it. Thank you.

marytcontrary 04/13/2016

I cough sometimes to reset myself. It helps! Also it sounds like a bad hot flash coming on and that makes the panic happen.
Just a thought....

ladykate 04/14/2016

Hi Shelly...hugs through cyberspace. ..I also have those bouts of fast heartbeat...usually at night when I try to sleep. I've noticed it before hot flashes n when I catch it, I cough, breathe deeply, n walk it off.
I'm on Toprol n that helps. Do things that you KNOW have calmed you in the past. This hormone roller coaster is a beastly bitch who stesla your joy. Right now I'm trying not to panic about sharp breast pain that I have had before...but each time any symptom shows up it scares the heck outta me. Doc says I'm healthy, so I talk myself down. Just know you have us all to bounce things off...you will be fine.

ThisToo 04/16/2016

I am happy to see other people know about the cough trick. I consider myself done with menopause so I have not had to use that for awhile.
(and let me tell you, I celebrate my life now, post menopause !!!)
I consider it a very great thing.
I agree with other comments , and the tachycardia , panic and hot flashes can all trigger the symptoms to each other.
I don't think I said that right but hope you know what I meant.

I have used self talk also many times....like "it's just a feeling, and a feeling won't kill me or hurt me"
and deep SLOW breathing works wonders , there is a physical reason and it is very amazing how it works ..if you do not know how , look it up , how to breathe through a panic attack or how to breathe to calm. The bad feelings come from too much adrenaline, cortizol if you are hyperventilation ,which happens when you are scared from a strange feeling. (esp, in the chest)
proper breathing can get rid of the feeling so fast , in a couple minutes ...kind of amazing.
trust me I lived with panic and hot flash for years and made an idiot of myself many times. I used to go nowhere without a spray bottle of water and a wet washcloth for my face.
Did I say I'm happy it's over ? lol

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