So far, I have seen 4 different cardiologists, 3 of which are electrophysiologists who specialize in arrhythmias. I have had every test under the sun. I even wore a portable heart monitor for a month. I do not have A-fib, I have "ventricular tachycardia" and PVC's -- they have seen it on the monitor so they know exactly what the abnormal rhythm is. When I ask why it is happening, they say that some people are born with abnormal pathways in the heart that can get irritated and misfire, especially when exposed to things like caffeine, adrenaline (from exercise or stress) and hormonal changes. I have had bouts of palpitations on and off since I was in my 20s, but each time, cutting back on the caffeine fixed them. This was the first time I've had the VT as well as the palps, and while cutting back on caffeine helped a lot, it hasn't made them totally go away -- and like I said, they seem to be related to my menstrual cycle. So I'm guessing that if I was prone to palpitations my whole life because of some inborn tendency of my heart, menopause may be rough going for me....which is why I would consider the HRT, even though I am normally very anti-hormone meds in general (like I said, I've never even taken the pill). I did see the endocrinologist for a thyroid workup after one of my thyroid numbers came back abnormal. But apparently, it wasn't an important number because they tell me my thyroid is fine -- all the important numbers like TSH and T3 and T4 are right in normal range. I do have an appointment with a second endocrinologist in a couple weeks -- I made it a few months ago (she was out on maternity leave) before I saw the first endocrinologist and I figure it can't hurt to get another opinion on both the thyroid and the menopause stuff. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, and for the links. I will spend some time checking out those sites today and see if there's something I can try supplement-wise that might help before I go the HRT route. Please keep the feedback coming if you have any experience with any of this -- supplements, HRT, or menopause in general. I am so not ready for this, LOL!

My gosh. I thought I was the only one in the world, and here you all are! I'm 55. I had an hysterectomy when I was 41 and my ovaries removed at 43. I have been on estrogen only HRT since I was 44 with no issues. I had a normal mammogram six months ago. I started taking methotrexate for arthritis six months ago and my extremely sore and swollen breasts seemed to start when I moved to the higher doses of that drug. I even had some evidence of lactation from my right breast. My GP ordered hormone tests and they all came back in the normal range except SHBG which is a protein that binds to sex hormones to carry them around in the blood stream. I also had a mammogram which showed enlarged ducts with some debris. (My boobs are trashed after breast-feeding five kids but nothing they did is anything on this pain and tenderness.) I missed a couple of doses of methotrexate (taken weekly) and my breast pain seemed to start to diminish. I also stopped my HRT because I was so desperate for some relief. After a month, the pain has substantially subsided but I still have a residual tingly burn and they haven decreased much in size. I am yet to have repeat hormone tests or a repeat mammogram. I will try the flaxseed recommended above and post anything else that changes.

Hi Christine, Yes! Nausea quite often. My Dr said the same. I am 58 and had a hysterectomy when I was 45. I am on Bio hormones which have not helped much. Still experiencing extreme fatigue, sweating not just at night, hot flashes, insomnia etc. It's been about 5 years now and it's been debilitating. What's worse is the nausea comes and goes. I felt better for about 6 months and then the nausea hit again! I notice I feel extremely flushed..sometimes start sweating and the nausea hits. Other times it is just constant. I try to eat hoping it will quell the nausea but to no avail. It's all very frustrating. The inconsistencies are the worst. I often cancel plans because I'm having an especially bad day. It's frustrating and I'm realizing this might be my new normal unfortunately. You are not alone with the nausea though!

So I stayed on the pill until from 16 to about 55. I went off and immediately kicked into full-blown Menopause. I said, "Screw this!" and went onto HRT. Whew. This summer, my prescription expired and being on vacation, I again said, "Screw it." At 61, I was pretty confident I'd be through it. Well, I am to a degree. I still get this flashes, that although are intense, are also short-lived. How long should I probably plan to have this continue? I had really hoped I'd gone through Menopause while on the pill and my body just wouldn't notice, but no such luck. Thanks for your info.