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.

1,907 Members
4,054 Posts
0 Online
Women's Health
/ Menopause Support Group

Woke Up in a Panic/Adrenaline Surge?

BouncyHouse
BouncyHouse

Is this the same thing as hot flashes? I've had a lot of trouble sleeping in recent weeks. I seem to sleep quite lightly, and toss and turn a lot. Last night, though, I was dreaming about something intense, and woke up suddenly, feeling like my blood pressure was through the roof, or an adrenaline kick, or something that seemed like it could turn into a full-blown panic attack if I didn't calm down. I tried breathing steadily and calmly, but then started to get that tingly feeling that can come before a panic attack and wondered if I was having a heart attack or something. My heart rate wasn't elevated, definitely not pounding, but a terrible anxiety was there that it could start to! Then I became irrational: My left arm had been uncovered by the blanket and was cold to the touch. I started thinking it was part of some kind of heart problem coming on...I mean good grief...I only fear that this is just the beginning, too...


Is this what these hot flashes really are? Will they be different for everyone?


I'm currently on Dienogest (Visanne), a very low dose progestin for adenomyosis, and have been since about 2012. Do you think adding some evening primrose oil might help any of this?


Thanks so much in advance to anyone who might be able to help or share your experiences!! 

bandgeek4life
bandgeek4life
Holy moley, I was just coming to post because almost this EXACT thing happened to me last night. I was awoken from a dead sleep only about an hour after I went to bed. I felt like my arms were on fire and my heart was pounding through my chest. I jumped up and grabbed my phone because I was a second away from calling 911 figuring i was having a heart attack (I live alone FYI). Well, it subsided in about 2-3 minutes, and I thought "oh crap, was that my first REAL hot flash?" But.... I didn't sweat at all, it never got to my head or face, it was just the arms and the super fast heart. I googled "hot flash without sweating" and there's not a lot about it, but I"m kinda convinced that's what I had...

I currently don't take any supplements or anything, I"m 48 and still regular, but boy every day/week/cycle has been an adventure for about 6 months now. Not sure if I helped you at all, just wanted you to know you're not alone.
casey1231
casey1231
Hi there...I am 50 and started having insane adrenaline surges like you are experiencing a few years ago. To complicate matters I have a history of anxiety with some depression and have been on a low dose (10 mg) of paxil for about 18 years. Waking with burning skin and intense anxiety along with the adrenaline surges has brought me to the edge several times in the last few years...it seems to wax and wane in how long it lasts. Last spring my doc added on a very low dose of a tricyclic antidepressant called nortriptyline (10 mg), to help with neuropathic pain, migraines, etc. Low doses of TCAs are often used for that. That seems to help a bit and my mornings don't seem as intense at the moment, although I know it could come back as I am still ovulating regularly with no end in sight! The MOST important thing to remember is that you are not going insane, it is normal for many women who are at this time of life, and how you react to it can largely determine if it passes or morphs into a bigger problem fueled by thought-driven anxiety on top of the hormonal changes. Avoiding caffeine (although seriously difficult) supposedly helps, along with staying well hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and doing self care like yoga, deep breathing, etc. This is an incredibly challenging time of life and thankfully we can share the journey with others and know we are not alone!! Good luck everyone.
kittyflyer
kittyflyer
Wow! This happened to me about 3 weeks ago as well! It started with waking up in the early hours of the morning and not being able to get back to sleep...feeling tired throughout the day but not being able to nap because just before I fall asleep, my body would jolt awake. I have been diagnosed with anxiety when I was younger so I'm thinking it is a combination of hormones and that I'm sensitive to anxiety.
I do agree with the previous posts that you are not alone...and the suggestions that casey1231 offered are definitely good ones. Take care!
Karen-Hamilton
Karen-Hamilton
Oh my! I woke up at 3 am, extremely dizzy, and I felt like my body was literally on fire. Lasted quite awhile too. I have been taking a low dose of Paxil for,about 10 years now and it does help with anxiety. I usually do not have many hot flashes, but this one about sent me over the edge!