Heart Palpitations and huge anxiety issues

[Blueskyhappy]

Hello all x
Am I alone in this ? I am 46 and have become consumed by anxiety accompanied by heart palpitations constantly. Brain fog is terrible and I'm starting to feel like I've lost my mind.
I feel like never socialising, down in the dumps, can't look forward to anything... I mean how miserable is that !???
I have just started on HRT patches but am wondering if I should try something for the anxiety... has anyone else experienced this and found a solution?

Yes I've experienced all that and then some!

I have tried lots of things for the anxiety: I got meds from a Medical Herbalist, I meditate and I engage in self talk. I tell myself that the palpitations are just peri related and they will pass and nothing to worry about (I did have an ecg to check).
Incidentally, metabolising carbs often gives me palpitations not to mention night sweats and brain fog. Keto stopped all 3.

I had those symptoms, currently on HRT tablets which have really helped. Maybe patches aren’t strong enough?

Have you had a blood test to rule anything else out?

I had these symptoms and they've stopped now.
I changed my diet (little to no caffeine, more veggies, little sugar) and stepped up exercise and meditation. I managed without HRT.

Anxiety causes palpitations.
I had palpitations caused by low ferritin, which was caused by heavy periods. What are your periods like, have you had your iron checked ?
So, did you have anxiety before the peri menopause symptoms, or is it part of it ?

Give your HRT time to work - it's not an overnight 'cure'.
You need to allow 3 months to see major improvement, but should feel better in 2-4 weeks.

Palpitations and anxiety are key peri symptoms.

HRT is the first line treatment, so you really don't need anything else yet, or possibly at all.

You could try non-med things like some apps- like Headspace, and other meditation/ mindfulness apps.

Hello could have written this myself a few months back
I started taking regular Vit D (was a shielder) and that has massively helped with a lot of my peri symptoms. Still have some brain fog but now occasionally, can still get anxious, but feels more in line with periods rather than constantly ... anyway, for various reasons haven’t yet approached the GP for HRT Just yet as it all feels slightly more manageable, but I hope yours starts kicking in soon.

I could have written your post @Blueskyhappy. I feel exactly the same. Insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, a feeling like adrenaline is coursing through my body.
I'm waiting to start HRT (GP wants to run some blood tests to rule a few things out first) and hope that will help.
In the meantime, I've cut right back on caffeine (just one cup first thing), I'm drinking more chamomile tea, I'm trying to run or walk when I'm feeling really jittery, and I'm taking valerian at night.

I’ve had some mega palpitations too
But mine get so much worse if I am doing the 5:2 diet
That’s odd that Keto helps

I had this a couple of years ago, combined with a nasty flare up of costochondritis. I had nearly 3 months of tests which all proclaimed I had no cardiac issues, so I addressed my diet and well-being.

I walk 5 miles a day, make sure I take Floradix daily, and really watch my carb intake as that often gives me a pounding heart. I can't have HRT due to having cervical cancer in my 20s, and I've been fine.

Thanks for all your replies !
I have low iron so maybe should get that checked again, I have very light periods and they are regular still.
Will def give the HRT longer to work and the vit D sounds like a good idea . I exercise 5 times a week but could probably eat more veg ect.
It just I worry that if it does not calm down I will not be safe at work especially the brain fog amd anxiety about making a mistake. I used to be really confident and now feel worried about everything 🤔🤔

Have you had your thyroid checked? If not please get it checked.

That’s interesting about the vit D

I have exactly the same symptoms as you it’s awful. I’ve cut out alcohol and caffeine and increased my exercise but none of that has helped significantly. I also started HRT a few days ago. Can I ask what dose of oestrogen you’ve been prescribed. I’m on 25 and am worried it’s not enough.

HRT really helped me but it’s not instant. I also had to try a couple of different ones.

I’m much more like the old me now I’m on it.

Hi ladies.
So thought I'd give an update. I found the hrt patches started to help me but kept falling off as I exercise s lot. I now taking femoston 10 my daily which is tablet form and I have to say I feel probably 70% better. The anxiety has really calmed and the palpitations! Amazing best thing I ever did was get the HRT. I'm also taking vitamin D.

Thanks for all your advice xx

Interesting about vitamin D OP as I was also taking this up to spring. My jitters have become quite apparent over the last few weeks which I put down to other life stresses but I am now realising it is more likely to be peri. Going to go back and try the vitamin D again to see if it helps.

Glad Femeston 1/10 working. I am on day 5 of this...

Can I ask about the forms of exercise that work for you for anxiety and palpitations? Do I need to try something cardiovascular and energetic on the joints like running, or could I try something lower impact like yoga? Or walking? I’ve stopped caffeine already.

Throw everything you can at it in terms of supporting your general health and wellbeing. Drink plenty of water, take vitamin D and a probiotic, eat lots of fruit and veg, cut down on processed foods, booze, caffeine and carbs, get as much exercise as you can manage, some of it preferably outdoors.

Sounds like a tall order but even if you only manage to do some of those things some of the time it should help. For me the ones that make the most difference are more exercise and less carbs and booze.

@RoyalMush - what works best for me is a very brisk, hilly dog walk (40 mins, fast enoughto raise heart rate and begin to sweat a bit) and a short (15-20 mins) yoga or weights session as close to every day as I can manage. I only fairly recently started swapping the weights in for every other yoga session and for some reason they make me feel great! I used to run, and I still sometimes do Parkrun on a Saturday, but if I run too often my knees start to complain .

If I have a really busy week or two like tye last couple of weeks and my exercise and food habits go out of the window, I massively notice the difference in terms of sleep, mood and how I feel physically- which serves as a reminder of why I shpuld stick at it!

Thank you Lazylinguist you inspired me to go for a walk after work today and I feel a bit more relaxed for doing it.

Good work @RoyalMush! I started back on my usual routine today (fast walk and weights, healthier food choices) after a couple of weeks of less vigorous walks, no yoga/weights, a fair bit of booze and overindulgence with food. I already feel more like myself! Brain fog clearing, stomach happier, more relaxed.