I sometimes have something similar that feels like all the muscles in my scalp are tensing up at the same time. It feels like my hair is standing up too. If you get a headache afterwards you need to see a doctor about it. But if it just goes away after a while, try getting a massage and tell them to massage your scalp, your face, neck and shoulders real good. When I get a massage, if I could get them to do just my head, shoulders and feet and skip everything in between that would be fine.

I have allergies so I always use a heating pad on the back of my neck at night.
I made mine with doubled fleece material, filled with rice and some dried herbs.
Funny, you would think it would make the hot flashes worsen, but for me it doesn't.

Hi, I have been suffering with strange head sensations for 6 years. It feels like a rising numbing head pressure that pulsates. Sometimes it is mild and sometimes it's all day long. It is scary and driving me nuts. I have had every test there is and there is no conclusion except every doctor said anxiety. I am in the middle of menopause and is has been awful. I take xanax to help. I feel sorry for you because I know how upsetting it is. Wish I could give you something positive.

hi lostnj, what you have sounds very like the feelings I'm having and I wanted to say that I typed my symptoms in to another site and there were several people on there who have all been told it is anxiety. I don't understand how this can be but having this thing has made me anxious! Mine started about a week after a car accident and my GP thinks its whiplash. I cant imagine having it for 6 years. I really feel for you. Strangley, this weekend we have had some fantastic weather in the UK and I have spent a lot of time relaxing and drinking and just chilling out and I didn't have any sensations at all for about 36 hours? go figure. Its still good to know I'm not the only person having this. Take care

Dear hun49, thank you for responding. I am sorry you are having these sensations. I actually have 5 bulging discs in my neck but still all docs thinknit is anxiety. Going to a new chiropractor on Wednesday who supposedly specializes in headrushes and etc. Will let you know. xoxoxo

lostnj, I have been considering visiting a chiropractor so I am curious to find out what he/she has to say. Also, meant to say that I have been having serious menopause symptoms for a couple of years too, but this is the strangest and most upsetting. Just last night was really bad and I seriously thought I was going to have to take myself to my local ER. Its making me really depressed. Hope something positive comes from you chiropractor. Take care.

OMG hun49 can't believe you said that about last night. I had such a panic attack yesteday and severe head pressure wanted to go to ER but did not did not want to frighten my kids 21, 18, and 16. I think it is so exhausting pretending to them that I am ok. Are you on HRT for menopause or any other meds . So glad I have connected to you. It helps to hear Im not alone in this . HOWEVER,PLEASE KNOW I FEEL TERRIBLE FOR YOU SINCE I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FOR SO LONG. I KEEP TELLING MYSELF ONE DAY AT A TIME.

hello again lostnj, I don't think I have panic attacks as such but I can't be sure. This head thing really is unbearable and like you I have kids (18 and 15), my husband is working away and I don't want them all to get scared, so, I too pretend I'm ok! I'm not on HRT cos it made my BP and cholesterol sky high and gave me migraine. I take vit b complex,vit E,magnesium and fish oil. I also recently started using a natural progesterone cream which is available on the web and is highly recommended. It has definately helped with some of my menopause symptoms. I also regularly take flax seed oil and ground flax seeds which help too. I decided a long time ago that I was going to have to help myself with all this nonsense, cos every doctor I have seen over the years tells me theres nothing wrong with me. I am so bored going back and forth to my GP with new symptoms. I was diagnosed 9 years ago with fibromyalgia though I'm still not sure the doctor at that time was right. I've been to herbalists,homeopaths and even a kinesiologist in all this time. Haven't yet been to a chiropractor, but as I said previously, I'm seriously considering it now. I keep thinking to myself that this can't possibly go on forever. I used to be the kind of person who was never at the doctor, never had a headache, worked out 4 or 5 times a week without fail......now I'm lucky if I can get myself out of bed in the morning to go to work and I'm in bed by 10.30 most nights. Sometimes, when I write this all down I cant believe I've put up with it for so long. I said to my husband quite recently, after a bout of uncontrolled tears, that I just want to run away to the middle of nowhere and scream at the top of my voice. I'm so frustrated. Luckily, my husband is really supportive and wishes he could do something to help me. Anyway, sorry for going on but as I'm sure you know, it sometimes just feels good to get it off your chest, especially to someone who has some idea what you're talking about. Hope you have a good weekend, take care.

Hi hun49, I read your post and started to cry. Please write as often as you would like. I wish I could help you. This is the worst I have ever been. I feel like I am out of my mind. I really dont know if mine is the combination of menopause and bulging discs in my neck. Every doc I have seen all say something different andIve been to soooooo many. We went to our beach house this wkend and could not wait to come back home. I have been so off balance and lightheaded with the rising pulsating pressure al wkend bringing on the worst anxiety. My husband to is very supportive but I feel terrible for him to have to deal with this so long my heart breaks. We will be married 25 years this month and was suppose to celebrate in Italy, but I am not well enough. The HRT definitely helps with sleeping, nightsweats, and flashes. Ialso get Vitamin B12 shots once a month for energy. I to work out 5 days a week but lately it is very difficult I either have a panic attack or head pressure. Like I said I will let you know about chiropractor on Wednesday and also calling the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center in NYC tomorrow. Maybe they can further test my hormones. They vary all the time. Just had a d&c last month. After not having a period for 16 months I started bleeding very hard. Does it ever end. At least no cancer. Talk about going on. Hang in there my new friend maybe we can figure this out together.

Hi hun49 and all other sufferers of this strange head rush. Went to chiropractor yesterday. I was there for 3 hours. He checked me from head to toe and did x-rays even though I had my MRI films with me. He said that my neck is in such bad shape at the base of my skull he feels thats what is causing these sensations that the blood can not flow freely to the brain. Feels he can help with straightening out a very crooked bone. The muscles are pulled so tight around that area they were actually discolored in the x-ray. He spoke with me for 2 hours and I left there confused but a little hopeful. Don't understand why the last chiropractor I went to for 2 years could not see the same thing. He said he is currently treating 6 women for the same sympt oms of head pressure, anxiety, and panic. I would like to believe he could help but like I have said before been dealing with this for years and have been to gp monthly, gyno, shrinks, neurologists, acupuncture, massage therapist every week and so many tests in all New York Hospitals. Last night had so much anxiety, felt lightheaded, off-balance and so sad and depressed. Cried lik a baby to my husband from shear disgust and exhaustion. I dont want to believe that I'm going crazy due to menopause but it seems like I'm losing the battle against myself. Going next week to get hormones checked again. Sorry I'm such a downer but I will stick it out with this chiropractor. Head sensations not to bad today after first adjustment. Going back Friday, how is everyone else doing?

hello again lostnj, Your post was really interesting. I think this chiropractor sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I think you ought to keep seeing him and see what happens. I've had a week of ups and downs. Yesterday had a full day at work and felt absolutely awful. I don't know how I got through it. All day I had really bad sensations along with tension headaches and all the other crap. Today, unbelievably,almost nothing....how does this happen? I get the tears too when it all becomes too much. I usually feel a whole lot better after I get it out though. I tried to describe to someone recently how I'm feeling and this is it: I'm like a swan,all serene and calm on top of the water but underneath I'm paddling like hell!. I sometimes want to ask other women of my age how they are feeling, just random strangers in the street!. I look at these women and think, I want to be normal like you!! Do you think there are lots more women like us who are behaving normally but in actual fact they feel the same as we do? I hope you're feeling better today and please know I'm here and listening. Good luck with the chiropractor tomomrrow.Take care.

Good morning hun49, you actually made me laugh yesterday when I read your post. Yesterday I went out to lunch with my mother-in-law and started to have a panic attack I took a xanax and wanted to shout out in the restaurant, "Is anybody else having a panic attack here?" Honestly, I can't take it anymore. I use to be so normal and fun. I have to give you alot of credit that you can go to work and function. There is no way I would be able to work. I am glad you had a good day yesterday. But yes I know one day is good and then the next is bad. Mostly all my days are bad. Yes I will keep up with the chiropractor. I actually have another appointment today. I have an appointment with my gp doc on Monday and with my gyno on Tuesday. I am not going to give up without a fight. I sill feel somebody is missing something. I really do not want to go on an anti-depressant again. It made me feel worse but I don't want to keep taking xanax either but right now I don't have a choice. I need to function. I hope you have a good Friday. I know I said this before but I am so glad to have connected to you. You are such a strong woman. It must be hard that your husband travels so much and you are home alone with your children when the attacks come. When my husband travels, my mother-in-law comes and stays with me. Sometimes I feel so pathetic. I will keep you posted. Be well.

Morning lostnj, how did you get on with the chiropractor on Friday? I had a quiet time of it over the weekend but today and yesterday my head thing has just gone mad. I'm thinking about going back to my gp just to make sure it isnt something else, eg brain tumour. I'm a great believer in intuition and I'm sure I don't have a brain tumour but still......Anyway, I need to find myself a chiropractor here in the UK cos my gp thinks my symptoms are caused by whiplash after a teenager drove into the back of me at traffic lights back in March. When I last saw him he said I just had to put up with it! I wonder if he would have the same advice for himself if he had to put up with this?

hun49 and lost nj... Your posts so reminds me of myself a few years back. Thankfully I found a young woman medical doctor who suggested putting me on a low dose of Fluoxetine (Prozac). She assured me my symptoms were menopausal and she found that many women experiencing these symptoms were helped with this drug. I would have never thought in a million years I needed anything like this. (I wasn't crazy, I just felt crazy!?) I was quite reluctant to start any kind of drug therapy such as this but was so disconnected and experienced terrible anxiety issues (heart palpitations, dizziness, nervousness)I gave in. Just after a couple weeks, I felt so much better. After a few months, she increased the dose which I have been on for the past four years. Menopause symptoms can be very debilitating physically, mentally and emotionally. Ask your doctor about trying something like this. Make sure he/she understands you are miserable. (That's why I chose a female doctor this time around. And, even though she is much younger than me, she seems to understand!) Good luck and I'll try to follow your progress.

Good morning hun49 and soinspired and whoever else suffers from head rushes and menopause. First off, Hun I was wondering if you ever had a MRI or catscan of the brain to rule out a tumor. If you have not and your gp won't send you you should find another doctor because I am sure if your current gp's wife or daughter presented with your sym m t oms he would send them and not tell them to live with it. Secondly, I am so sorry you had those bad days this week. I know more than anyone how scary and unnerving these sensations can be. Thank you soinspired for your post. I was actually on Lexapro for a year and it actually increased my panic. gained 20 lbs. awful nightmares, always exhausted, non-existent sex drive, etc. I went off in November. However, three of the docs I am seeing now suggested I try another anti-depressant. Hun went to the chiropractor 3 times since last week and going again today. Sensations a little better but having increased panic. Saturday night had panic attack for 3 hours. Had me so upset, fatigued, scared and disgusted. Monday another attack during the night. I layed in bed ad prayed so hard for God to help me through the night. I went to my gp doc Tuesday and him and I are at an empass. He wants me to start an anti=depressant and I don't want to. Told me to up the inderal to 3 pills a day (heart med) and increase xanax to 3 times a day both which I don't want to do. What I want is for someone to figure this hell out . I still believe someone is missing something. Also went to my gyno yesteday who I respect and like so much he has been my doc for 16 years. After pouring my heart out to him for an hour crying myself and bringing him to tears (believe it or not). He suggested I increase my estrogen and prometrium. He knows me so well and knew me when I was a normal woman who was fun, excited about life and was happy and functioning. I also told him about the specialist I found at Cornell Medical Center in NYC. He knows about the Doctor and said she is one of the best for treating menopause. He told me to definitely go and made copies of all my hormone tests, etc. He just wants me to feel better. Also went to shrink yesterday, he has started hypnotism on me because he feels there is something fro my past causing all of this panic and anxiety. My childhood was a very difficult one. My mom committed suicide, my brother is not wound to tight, and many other things have happened. However, I thought I dealt with my past and moved on. I have a wonderful husband and three great kids and a beautiful life. All I want is myself back. I feel I am fighting for my life and menopause is beating me down. I decided this week, I will not give up! I will keep looking for the answers we are all frantically looking for. Whatever I find out I will pass it on to all of you who are suffering. I will keep looking, I promise. Today is a new day and back to the chiropractor who swears he can cure me. LOL...

Dear Lostnj... You sound like you are at your rope's end and my heart goes out to you. My doctor has me visit her every three months to see how I am doing on the Fluoxetine. She has said more than once that there are other drugs besides this that we could try. Also, keep in mind, sometimes you have to be on a drug for a few months to stabilize yourself. Thankfully you have an understanding husband and good life. I'm constantly telling myself if this is all I have to deal with and not cancer, not heart disease, etc., then I will deal with it. Do you exercise? My doctor always brings this up and encourages me to walk, walk, walk like you mean it! I know she's right as I do feel really good after a 2 mile walk. Hopefully this will pass for you. I am 58 and have been going thru this for quite awhile but I feel as though I'm getting better too. Also, we are empty nesters and both work so I have very little stress in my life. Do take care and I'll try to keep in touch.

dear lostnj, ....if you're chiropractor cures you I'll be on the first plane to NYC....and I HATE flying!!!lol. I'll pay you're menopause specialist a visit at the same time cos there aren't any in the UK. (if there is,my GP's keeping it a secret). Your post sounds so like me. I too have a fantastic husband, who would dearly love to have the woman he married back again. And I want to be normal again too! I'm sure that eventually, with the help of forums like this, we will find the answers we all need.Take care.

Dear soinspired, thank you for your concern and post. Yes, I do go to the gym 5 days a week. I almost lost all the weight I gained on Lexapro. I did try that med for 15 months and it was awful. I have been thinking about trying a different anti-depressant but don't really want to. Too many side-effects. I am 49 and started menopause 6 years ago and thats when all my symptoms started. I never had any anxiety, panic, or head rushes prior to then. I know I sound so pathetic and desperate but some days are just that bad. I'll tell you something, I started with this new chiropractor 2 weeks ago and already see a difference in my neck pain (5 bulging discs) and the head rushes are about 65% better and let me tell you they were unbearable the last year. This chiropractor told me he has worked with all sorts of people with emotional problems, split personalities, panic and anxiety disorders and had so much success. I have to believe he can help me. I need to believe! He came highly recommended so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. He also said anxiety and panic will intensify until things start to fall in place. (blood flow, bones, muscles etc.) I am so glad you are feeling better. I hope one day I can say the same. It would be great you would keep in touch and thanks.

Dear hun49, How are you today. If this chiropractor cures me I will personally meet you ay the airport and drive you there myself. I have to say headrushes are alot better although panic and anxiety are increased but he said that would happen until things start to gel, blood starts flowing right, etc. I am trying to stay positive and believe in it. I did have panic attack yesterday but only lasted 15 minutes. Then I did a meditation video and slept like a baby. I firmly believe my symptoms are truly menopausal because it all started 6 years ago the day I missed my first period, got my first headrush and had first panic attack. I know the psychologist thinks differently so I will continue therapy with him just in case he's right LOL. I am going to tryand get a sooner appt with menopause specialist. Right now appt is July 17 hoping someone cancels. Keep in touch and sending positive thoughts to you to end the week. Have a concert to go to tonight just hope I don't get an attack there. Hugs to you!

hi lostnj, how are you? I've been feeling ok this week until today. I was working all day today and suddenly late on I was having really bad pains and pressure in my head. I felt dizzy and off balance and thought I was going to throw up. I don't know how I managed to finish my shift. Has the chiropractor managed to make you feel better. I hope so. I have had a really stressful week cos my cat was killed on Wednesday and I think thats contributed to how I'm feeling today.I think I need to meditate like you do. I'm off on holiday next friday so I'm hoping I won't have any problems while I'm away. Have you managed to get an appointment with the menopause specialist? Hope you managed to get through the concert.Take care x

Hi hun49, sorry I haven't responded sooner but our modom was down and we were waiting for a new one to arrive. I believe you are leaving for holiday today. I was so sorry to read about the passing of your cat, I'm sure it was very upsetting to you and your family. I hope your holiday is fun and you feel semi-normal. The other day must have been scary for you these off-balance and head-pressure attacks are awful. Now for my up-date: Still continuing with chiropractor. H e seems like the only doctor making sense He had me start with a complex vitamin B powder and said it would help my body recover faster from panic attacks since my feet and hands have been going numb and my legs very weak. I have not been able to go to the gym. He said I need t trust him and be patient since this has been going on for 6 years. I went to the hormone specialist on Tuesday and she basically told me she wanted to refer me to a psychiatrist. I went nuts. I was so angry. After pleading my case she took more blood and told me to call her on Friday. might have to go see an endocronologist to check my adrenal gland function To say I was so disappointed is an understatement. My nerves are shot Was at my shrink today and chiropractor again tomorrow. We go on vacation June 30 not even looking forward to it I'm too exhausted from all of this. Also hormone specialist added that menopause never ends!!!!!!!! Complete waste of time and $. I'll keep in touch. Take care!.

dear lostnj,
this is my first visit back since coming home from my holiday. I hope you enjoyed your holiday and didn't have any problems. I had to write to let you know that during my holiday, which was 10 days long,I didn't have one headache or odd sensation or head pressure. Absolutely nothing! I felt totally relaxed and didn't watch tv or use my phone once or go online. However, I returned to work yesterday and within an hour I had a headache and one or two other things that were happening before. I have now had to admit to myself that my head symptoms may after all be related to stress and anxiety and not menopause. I obviously can't spend the next few years permanantly on holiday but I need to find a way of coping with stress on a daily basis. How did you start meditation cos I think that might be something I have to start doing. I was thinking maybe a hypnotherapist might be able to help with relaxation techniques. Hope you're well.

Welcome home hun49 I'm so glad you had a wonderful, relaxing holiday. It's nice to have a break from all the symptoms. Relaxation is a great medicine. I actually purchased a meditation DVD online and thats what I use. Now to up-date you on my life. The menopause specialist turned out to be a waste of time. She called me with blood results and told me I was in Estrogen overload and needed to go off my HRT immediately (when I was in her office she told me I needed a shrink or had a tumor on my adrenal gland) make up your mind already. She told me she wanted me to start nuvo-ring which I didn't know what that was. i looked it up on line all I saw was law suits pending from so many deaths associated with it. I called my regular gyno he said not to go off HRT and to go to his office he would re-run hormone panel and other tests. (yes I was confused and scared) His blood work showed my Estrogen dropped 300 in 5 days. Also tested me for Lupos and Cushings Disease both came back nornal. Meanwhile the last month, my hair started falling out, losing weight, weakness in my legs, and total fatigue. Ongoing anxiety an panic (wonder why)! Gyno sent me to Endocronologist yesterday. He needs to run all different bloodwork but I need to go off my inderal (heart med) for a week so it does not interfere with blood results. Told me to cut my dose in half for 5 days and then stop it completely or 7 days and go for blood and then go back to see him Aug 2. Well, I have to call my gp to ask if I can go off this medication. I feel like I am on this crazy merry-go-round. Something is wrong but I don't know who to trust and what to do. At least the chiropractor is helping with headrushes thats one positive. I'm sorry this was such a long post but wanted to up-date you. Please stay well and don't work so hard. Terri

Hi Hun49, wondering how you are feeling haven't heard from you in a while. Hope all is well. I'm a mess hope to get some answers Thursday, meeting with the endocronologist they took 11 vials of blood last week maybe some answers! Talk soon. Terri

hello lostnj, sorry I haven't been back to you sooner. I had a bit of a health scare in the past 2 weeks which wasn't menopause related. I had to see a dermatologist to rule out skin cancer and believe me I was a wreck. I had to wait 10 days for the appointment! Anyway, the good news is it wasn't melanoma and I shall live to put up with menopause for several more years, lol. So hows everything with you. Have you seen the endocrinologist?. I hope you've got some answers. Take care.

I am so glad I found this forum! I've been experiencing these same things for over a week now and I thought I was having a stroke or something. The fear of not knowing what's going on just makes it worse. Panic attacks, depression, and a crushing tiredness and inability to do anything goes along with it. I would feel better for a day or so, then wake up the next morning with my head all fuzzy and swimmy again. I feel sure that menopause is behind what I'm feeling-I'm 49 and I've been skipping periods for a year now. This is the first time I've skipped two in a row, though. My prayers are with all of you ladies and I ask for yours, too. I think I'm going to print this page and take it to my very compassionate female GP and see what she says. I'll let you all know if I come up with any help.

Hi hun49, I'm glad to hear you got good news from the dermatologist. Very scary not knowing. Unfortunately, endocrinologist found nothing except for high potassium and hormone fluctuation which we all know. What is happening to me since all these symptoms started so long ago my nerves are shot and I mean literally. I have the internal tremors so often and anxiety 24 / 7 . I gave up on the medical field for now. I am going to the psychologist once a week to work on my past, went to see a spiritual healer which was enlightening an comforting, and started with a new acupuncturist to see if he can cam down my nerves, and give me some energy back. I get through the days the best I can but don't do much. This is a terrible way to live. I keep fighting with all the docs not to take an anti-depressant since the last time it made me feel worse. So many side-effects but I might have no choice. Keep feeing well. I'll keep you posted. Take care, Terri

Hi elljane, I wish I could give you some positive feedback on this whole situation but if you read through all the posts you will see I have been through it all, had so many tests, seen every kind of doc only to find out menopause has unleashed its nasty self on me and is causing hell on my central nervous system. Although if you have not gone for any tests on your brain, I would just to rule out any tumors. (God for bid) just for peace of mind. I feel very bad for you I am 49 too and have been dealing with so much for 6 years. If you and or your
Doc should come up with anything , yes please pass it on. I will pray for you and thanks for your prayers. Hang in there, one day at a time.

Dear all, I have follwed your conversation for a month now with much interest & hope for a magic word that will wipe all that I feel away. I am 44 yrs old and being going thru menopause now for about 2 yrs. I didnt know what was going on @ 1st. It started with chest pains, fear and dread of dying & flying which I never had. I have travelled all over the world and used to "live in airplanes' but now the thought of flying send me into a panic.
I have visited the ER at least 10 times in the past 2 yrs. Had MRI w/wout contrast of any & everything. Worn halter monitor, endoscopy/colonscopy to rule out why I also feel faint, dizzy, heavy headed.
I saw a menopause checklist some where on the web & out of the 35, I have experienced all and some including burning tongue but the worst is this "FUNNY HEAVY HEAD AND STIFF NECK" feeling. I used to love wearing highhell shoes, now it feel like am swaying or falling over if I wear one. Also sometimes when i move/turn sharply, i feel like a shoo fly. THAT is the scariest feeling of all & its increasing my fear of insanity or doom.
I have caved in to taking Prempro X 2 months now just to see if I can feel better enough to think right & rule out insanity but while it has reduced some of the night sweats/hot flash, internal tremor: the funny head feeling is still there and my chest pain is back. Plus of the 28 days on each packet, I bleed from day 10 thru 21!! My MD says to give the RX time to work but I see clearly listed that one of the 'signs of serious side effect'i s unusual virginal bleeding.
PLEASE ANY OF YOU LADIES WITH ADVICE similar experince with prempro, referal to an MD or know about alternative therapy especailly in the NY area SHOULD HELP ME.
BTW] Anyone heard of womantowoman website. I stumbled on it while goggling menopause and they seem to offer a package of nutrients/food/phone advice on balancing your hormone. Has anyone tried any of the green living and does it work. MAy I add that I have since this started cut out processed food, all starch, caffine, soda and check my sugar levels every other day. I have increased intake of veggies and friuts like never before in my life.
It like I dont know who I am anymore & am losing valable time that I should be spending with my 4 children and husband in MD's offices.

Dear nknwaeze, Wow. So sorry to hear you ar e feeling so poorly. I know exactly what you are saying. When I wear heals I feel very off-balanced and have to sit down. If I move to fast I get lightheaded too. I use vivelle-dot estrogen patch and take prometrium 100 mg each night. Yes it has helped with flashes, night sweats, etc. but not with panic, anxiety, lightheadedness and about 50 other strange symptoms including extreme fatigue. I too had every test imaginable, have seen so many different docs, countless blood taken, monitors worn for heart and brain, etc, I 'm sure you get the picture. Just started with acupuncturist who says he will help me. I will let you know if he does. For now hang in there I'm searching like mad for some answers that will make life bearable for all of us who suffers.

Thanks lostnj. I went to the store today after reading of the benefits of soy and faxseed oil and let myself back into my home with my elbow cos my hands were filled with tons of supplements, oat with flaxseed, ginger etc. Must have spent close to $100. Am I going nuts? Dont know but am detemined to keep trying.
What is so disheartening is that AM YET TO READ OF ANYONES "SUCCESS" story. So when does this get better. I have nothing to look up to but I know that GOD is incharge and he makes all things possible so lets Keep each other in prayers.
Is the vivelle-dot estrogen patch an Rx?
Has anyone heard of a menopause support group meeting up physically like AA or OA where people can share coping skills and local referrals. I Live in Long Island NY incase anyone knows anything out here.
lostnj, cant wait to see how your acupuncturist appt went, good luck.

Dear nknwaeze, No you are definitely not nuts. You need to try whatever you can to see what will work for you. I went as far as to go to a spiritual healer. At least I left there with some peace of mind. Yes the patch is a Rx. I don't take supplements because I have a bad stomach and they bother me. I tried a B complex powder and a Calcium complex powder and they increased anxiety so much I had to stop taking them. Acupuncture went well I think. My body is so exhausted and nerves are so shot it will take some time. I like him though he has 35 years experience. I live in NJ and wish there was a group but cannot find one. I'll tell you, 6 years ago I was so healthy, normal, energetic mother and wife now I have no clue. I'm glad at least we can chat with each other and other very nice women I have posted with. You are not alone trust me. Good luck with your supplements and let me know how you are doing. Keep praying.

It's 12:29 am and I cant sleep despite the fact that I had a full work day, made dinner and is physically tired.
I am having another new symptom today--tingly feet, warm legs and a funny ache that makes me want to rub my hands up/down my legs. Almost like my legs are going to sleep but the sole of my feet are stepping on pins & needles!
I added Ginger and Omega 3 supplement to my daily vits intake today.
I started to feel sorry for myself and sadden by how my body feels and reacts. Cried a little but had remind myself that NOW IS NOT FOREVER, This too shall come to pass. Will call my GYN to ask if the odd feet/legs is a sideeffect of the Prempro am taking: have 3 tablets to go on my 2nd 28 day pack.
Thanks for listening lostnj.

Dear nknwaeze, Always here to listen. I think it is a good idea to call your GYN also it could be the added supplements you started. Probably you should add one supplement at a time just to see how you feel. i know how scary it is to have such odd sensations through your body. I know for me, I pay such close attention to how I am feeling I can't even tell what is normal and what is not. Crying is okay it is a good release. I've cried many a tear in 6 years and I know there will be many more. I believe there is a reason for everything and what does not kill us will make us a stronger person. Menopause is a true test of that. We must have faith in ourselves that we will get through this one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. I give you credit that you work full time and then come home and take care of your family when you feel so badly. I worked part-time as a private cook for an executive out of my home and I had to give it up because I can't function some days. Please let me know what doc says and I hope you feel better xoxo

hello girls, please bare with me, as i also suffer from this horrid head sensation, feel very scared when driving, i feel i am going a bit senile at times. hard to concentrate, never knowing when it will happen next.
my heart goes out to you all, wish i could wave a magic wand and make it go away.
i am taking a drug called livial, decided to come of it and try a nother drug called clonidine, this is a blood pressure drug, not worked, thought i try homeopathy. not worked. this last 6 weeks has been the worse. as symptoms have come back with a vengence. long story short am back on livial and waiting for them to kick in.
it is so good to know i am not alone. thank you for taking time to read this.

Thanks lostnj. Feeling a bit better today, not working today and promised myself I'll stay in bed until 9am which I did. Thank God the kids are so cooperative with me on days like this! I am blessed.
I work full time cos i cant afford not to but am also glad for my job because if I didnt have it, there will be no break from this torture 24/7. When am @ work, i sometimes forget about the symptoms + we're all women where I work so I can share some issues once in a while.
I spoke with me GYN Dr. about the warm legs feeling. He says its most likely not from the Prempro but If it makes me feel better, I should D/C the Prempro and see if the symptom stops and "we may have to consider Zoloft". I am not satisfied with that answer because it indicated that he thinks its all in my head. The conversation was over in 1 min and he didnt even ask/suggest I do any tests or come into his office. What about how to manage the other symptoms that may come back!!
So I called up my OB/Gyn NP from 8 yrs ago. Lovely lady and very actively knowledgable + willing to try new ideas. She had linked me on the the IVF institute in Virginia for sex selection and was a great resource. Dont know why I didnt think of her earlier. She called right back, listened intensely and promised to ask colleages that are more experienced than her in this area for local referral or other alternatives to Prempro. Recommended that i stay in it at least until she gets me to a safe hand for less traumatic transition. I'm listening to her rather than my GYn, she makes more sense to me right now so I'll wait for her call back..
Suzanne56, feel better and wishing you best of luck. Why did you get off livial, did it have bad sideefects?

oh yes, last few weeks have been horrendous, waiting for livial to kick in again.
came off livial as doctors makig us aware of breast cancer, have been on livial for around 5 years.
touch wood the symptoms, are decreasing at the moment. but i am taking each day as it comes.
thanks for your concern, it helps to share this horrid change of life.

Dear all,
Just to update and seek more answers. I didnt hear from my NP (see post of 8/13) yet but I saw a ND for a consult last week. That is a doctor of natural medicine. He did some "checking of my pulse on both hands" and said that while my male self is inbalance & strong, my female self is weak and suffering. He recommended 1/2 teaspoons of progesterone cream 2xday. I'm yet to fill the Rx.
Does anyone have a similar experience and what was the outcome?

Ladies, How are you all today? I'm feeling much better, thanks and I hope I can bring you some hope, too.
Since my last post, I've had a rough time. I can honestly say I have been through as dark a valley as I've ever been in before. I have definitely used this to get closer to my Lord and there is at least that.
My doctor put me on blood pressure meds because mine was 185/90, but it was both a cause and effect thing, I think. Other that that, she found nothing. No fluid in the ears, no infection, and all my blood work came back normal. Good news bad news there, right? The good news is your levels are normal. The bad news is YOUR LEVELS ARE NORMAL, SO NOW WHAT?? It's not thyroid, it's not female hormones, anemia, infection, etc. etc. She gave me antibiotics anyway at my insistence, because I was convinced I might have a closed dental infection which could help explain all of this, right? Yeah, so today, I went to the dentist for just x rays. Guess what they showed? NOTHING. Seriously?? I told him about all this stuff; he said, "Nothing's impossible, but I don't see anything at all here which would cause dizziness or the full head feeling." He gave me more antibiotics (just in case) and off I went, home to cry in despair. Did I mention that I quit a 25 year smoking habit the day I got the blood pressure meds? Yep, I felt so bad and was so convinced I was having a stroke that I just put 'em down. My husband then found stuff on the internet to suggest strongly that I was having major withdrawal from that, on top of everything else. Whee.
Anyway, the second Dr.I saw at a clinic here in my little town suggested I might have had a virus, which I dismissed at first, but after I got over my crying fit after the dentist today, I started searching online more. I hadn't been doing much of that; it tends to cause anxiety, doesn't it? :)

I found this: http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-65960.html
Doesn't this sound like what we've been experiencing?? It feels right to me. I'm not saying there's not other stuff involved, too. I do think so. But I also think that for me, at least, this is a partial answer at least. There's a link from there to a page of vertigo-type exercises to do; other than that, it's just wait until you get over it. I'm feeling much better, but it has been a month and I'm still not "normal" yet. I no longer want to eat a bullet, though, and that's more than wonderful.
I hope this turns the light on at the end of the tunnel for some of you guys. I sure appreciated all your posts here. It always helps when you know someone understands.

To all ladies suffering with menopausal symptoms,

It has been a long time since my last post but I wanted to share some positive news. After suffering horribly for 6 years with every symptom imaginable and then some almost having a nervous breakdown over the summer. I decided enough was enough and switched from estrogen patch to bio-identical hormone pellets. My first insertion was October 14 and then had booster pellets inserted November 14. Miraculously, head rushes, panic and anxiety attacks, fatigue, sadness, brain fog, depression, lack of libido, (need I go on) 75% better. I feel like an almost normal woman (the girl I use to be). Now, after going to endless doctors and having soooooo many tests with the results always the same go on anti-depressants nothing is wrong but change of life. Finally, I said enough is enough I am not crazy someone is missing something. My husband and I researched like crazy and decided to to to a doctor to have testing done for bio-identical hormone therapy. Well after my labs came back the doctor said my estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone was at zero and my FSH level was 67 off the charts he said he had never seen such awful blood results and said most people would have not even been able to get out of bed. I knew it! I knew I wasn't crazy. Well the moral of this story, trust in yourself, believe in yourself, nobody knows how you feel better than yourself. You owe it to yourself to find answers. It will take a couple of more insertions to get hormone where they should be but I will get there. Then watch out. I am so excited to be feeling so much better so is my husband, family, and friends. I'm enjoying life again and so can all of you.

Terri

I can't believe other people are experiencing the exact same problems as I've been for about the past 10 years. From the head pressure, feeling like my head/neck will explode to dizziness, off balance (not passing out), heart palpitations. Feeling like I could fall over at any moment but never do. I've been through all kinds of tests from cardiologist, ENT doctors, neurologists. CATscans, MRIs, heart tests - all came back fine. All the doctors chalk it up to anxiety (which I have - who wouldn't this point) but I really think it's menopause related. No one seems to have too much information on menopause and symptoms it may cause. There's a list but that doesn't really tell you all that women experience. I think most doctors think i'm nuts but this many women complaining about similar issues cannot be all crazy. At times I think maybe I'm going crazy but then I read the similar posts on menopause forums and I think we all can't be crazy, it must be menopause.