Help strange head surges, faint feeling and feel rubbish

[Cbpoppy]

So 5 weeks ago out of the blue I started getting these strange head rush type feelings, not very nice. Went to doctors had bloods all ok. Mini ecg was ok. All vital checks ok. Then I started having these every day here and there until one night I woke frantically with pins and needles, head rushes and very scared. Thought I'd faint. Called 111. Didnt go to A&E. Next day more tingles / rushes in head and then another attack really awful that lasted ages, woke me from sleep. Still ongoing and very scary. Doctors have no idea and been lots. Had more bloods and nothing showing up. Got mri Tuesday. Going crazy and scares me at night. Also notice horrible sensations when try nodding off. Feel tired, worried & at a loss.. Anyone experience anything like this? Seems neurological but dont know?

@Sc00byDont I had a phlebotomist full bloods at home which was a huge insight and my b12 was actually really high as I'd been supplementing for over a year as was lowish originally. Iron levels good. No anemia. My hormones showed good also although I realise its hard with them. I'm 44 this week for ages purposes

@chickenbeak I'm 44 this week so definitely falling in the peri margin. I had hormones tested and they came bk ok although I do think maybe the progesterone could of been higher..

@blacc
How do you describe yours? How often? Etc

There's a definite pattern, a few days before my period is due, then sometimes around what I presume is ovulation time. It's a definite reaction to drop or surge in hormones. It starts with a feeling in my head that I can't quite describe, intense fear maybe that something is just not right, then will lead to my stomach flipping over, feel like my throat is closing, then palpitations sometimes finishes with a hot flush but not always. Whole episide lasts a couple of minutes, sometimes feel drained/foggy headed afterwards sometimes. It was at its worst when my periods became irregular at the start of peri. I feel like I'm at the tail end of it now and it's less frequent, it started around 43 and I'm now 50 😩 I was on HRT for 3 years and it did help, in fact I remember it stopping these adrenaline rushes completely for a while so maybe worth a try.

You have neck issues. That could be causing compression especially when prone. I'm confused about your oxygen levels though. Can you keep a diary date time duration and level

When I've come of anti depressents in the past I've had brain zaps and vertigo. A lot like you describe. This was Venlafaxin, so an SSRI, so amitriptyline might not do this as it's a different class. However, I was tapering and the doctor dismissed it. I had to taper even more slowly, took me 6 months in total or it was unbearable. Doctor claimed it wasn't possible. Hundreds of people on the Mind chat forum said they'd also experienced it.

@toadinthebucket I've only just started tapering down the meds because of the problem. The doctor said could be long term effects which may or may not be true to what's been happening so as my hubby said I've gotta try as I'll never know to rule it out. I only started 4 nights ago so going very slow as you say I've done an ssri before and the feelings can be awful if not tapering slow..
Least I'll be on nothing then & can see how i go xx

Brain zaps? Especially just as falling asleep? Early sign of perimenopause for me.

Like a little electric shock has gone through your head. It sort of builds, like an orgasm, but over like half a second, then "pow".

I don't get them half as much now, in my 50s. Once I found out they were not dangerous I didn't find them particularly distressing.

Electric Shock Sensation During Menopause | Winona https://share.google/TbCVERzZAIGjsJNVY

Me too, and I've heard it from friends. Dreadful zaps and washing machine head.

Would BP meds cause this?

Sounds very like how I felt with Long Covid.

Thank you so much all you lovely ladies for taking the time to reply to me it really means alot.
Interesting listening to peoples input and experiences.
The peri situation is a hard one as some months I think peri creeping in then some months ok, although I do have the hrt gel & progesterone pessaries which i was going to start then this started so didn't want to add to the mix. I believe coming off or at least cutting right down on the amitriptyline will be a good thing. I do have neck pain alot but again the amitriptyline masks this and migranes alot so I wouldnt know. Amitriptyline was a winner when they prescribed it as it helps migraine, neck pain, promotes sleep & also helps with anxiety. Like everything though started on 10mg & went upto 30mg last year. Interesting the lady above mentioned the orgasm head rush feeling as youre definitely correct. That full surge of adrenaline but when they kept coming over and over and feeling faint for hours thats what got me worried to ring 111 and go to the doctors. Before this is was getting a few surges a day. Pins & needles too and ringing in the ears is another component. My blood pressure is fine, heart rate etc and this comes in waves of being ok and not but we'll see how things go especially with cutting the meds down & yes I'll definitely start the hrt. I think my anxiety is definitely a peri thing too. I've had balance issues for 18 months which makes me think peri too thats why hrt was suggested this year.
Great community on here

My first ever menopause symptom was a hot flush in a taxi - I can remember it vividly.
I had a surge from my neck in to my head and thought I was having a stroke - I felt all fizzy in my head and distant from reality. I was wondering if I'd be ok for the few minutes ride home. It was only later that I recognised what it was.
Hesitated to post though as no other symptoms as you have had

I describe it as intense but very short dizzy spell - I can be walking round a supermarket and it will come on, I keep walking, still feeling very dizzy, then just before I panic and start thinking I may pass out, it goes. Same when falling asleep, I can be lying down and the intense dizzy feeling come in, then goes again. I would say it happens most days. Been to the doctors numerous times but they really don’t seem to know what to do with me. Also. I’m have recently been getting lots of pins and needles in my legs and hands. Was thinking of speaking to the doctors again, but, honestly don’t think I can cope with being treated although I’m imagining it!

Had something very similar a few years ago. Came on a month or so after having covid. I had given birth a month before I got covid. Horrible feeling, very scary. Went to the GP a lot, all sorts of cardiac tests and monitoring. Nothing was ever found. Eventually, and after having done lots of reading, I somewhat assumed it was long covid or perimenopause, or likely a combination of both (low estrogen). Went on HRT (aged 45 at the time) and slowly got better until it disappeared. Currently having covid again and experiencing similar feelings in my head - not as bad as last time though.

Covid dysregulates the nervous system and can put it into fight or flight mode permanently.

So if you get a strange feeling, the brain immediately notices it as a threat and tries to protect you. Each time you have that feeling it gets worse as the brain tries to protect you more and more.

Its a horrible vicious circle.

I had this post covid for 10 months - started3 days after getting covid - it felt somewhat like the light headed feeling you can get with flu and felt I would feint - I then got weird pins and needles multiple times a day , feet, fingers and a buzzing in my lower legs and an odd finger- line I had a Duracell battery in - plus everything went loud and bright - I ended up at the GP having a load of bloods and A&E twice in a week - it was incredibly frightening - it took 10 months in my case to go , clearly covid did a complete number on my neuro system - what helped for me was deep wim hof breathing - half an hour a day on bed, light stretching , magnesium spray on my feet ( that helped the pins and needles a lot) upped my vit D levels and initially when I was incredibly anxious ( and I’m not an anxious person) Hospiral registrar put me on very low dose beta blockers -

How are you getting on @Cbpoppy ? When they did you blood tests did they check your folate? I’m just wondering as you said your B12 is high (how high?) and this can cause a folate deficiency. A folate deficiency could cause your symptoms

What caused your neck issues, @Cbpoppy?

There a thing called cervico-cranial instability that can cause some similar symptoms- worth a google.