perimenopause and anxiety

eli · Newbie Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 3

I am 44 years old. Two years ago I had emergency surgery to remove a ruptured ovary. Fortunately I was able to keep my uterus and other ovary. I was unsure of how this loss would affect my cycle or hormones. I have not been the most regular with my cycles to begin with ( they only came every other month until I was in my mid thirties.) But, they did indeed continue every month and still do ( The duration of my period was also very irregular .. very brief or extended - throughout my history - so I cannot use these as an indicator of menopause.) With that brief history: A few months after surgery I began having what I call anxiety attacks ... heart palpitations, rolling stomach, nausea, almost like the feeling you get on a roller coaster ... these attacks would come upon awakening in the morning and would last for 30-40 minutes a couple of times a week. This has been going on for about 18 months or better now and they are getting worse. I have this EVERY morning now , even after I have a nap. My sleep is no longer what it used to be ... it is often interrupted with the onset of one of these attacks. I often feel these symptoms just below the surface throughout the day now. I have also developed an emotional state similar to early pregnancy only more profound. I cry at the drop of a hat. My biggest concern however is the anxiety as this is daily now and can last for as long as TWO hours before I calm down enough to function. My questions are: Could these be symptoms of perimenopause? Could the loss of the ovary have anything to do with it? If I am in a menopausal state are there medications for these anxiety symptoms? Would hormone replacement therapy help these attacks? And my biggest question ... Is there a TEST to determine if I am entering menopause?

perimenopause and anxiety

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