"Rollercoaster Recovery" - the sequel!

You may recall a couple of weeks ago I was having troubles with my bladder - someone here asked if I had a UTI, and I replied big and bold that "No, indeed, I had not UTI". Within hours I developed symptoms and spend a week on antibiotics.

So, today I write my Rollercoaster Post and in there I ask about my PMS/Menopause symptoms, because I don't seem to get any and am wondering if my ovary is asleep.

So here is what happened about four hours ago. I am sitting in my living room watching TV and notice that I'm starting to feel somewhat dizzy.

Within two minutes I felt I was going to die, I swear! I couldn't hardly move, I was gasping for breath, and I had the worst spell of tachycardia (fast heartbeat) I've ever had. I'm not prone to being a drama queen, but I really thought my heart was going to pop out. Then I broke into a sweat like I've never experienced either. I literally could feel the sweat beads rising on my scalp. Within a couple of minutes my t-shirt was soaked, and I half way crawled to the bed and laid down. The only good thing about all these things happening is that pain was NOT involved, otherwise I would have called 911.

My hubby came home within like five minutes of this starting and when he first came home I couldn't hardly talk intelligently to him. Its like I was on some type of brain-lag.

Within about ten minutes it slowly started getting better and I've been sleeping like a brick ever since.

I just got up and feel drained, and thought I'd ask you sisters to see if this was a hot flash? I can't recall ever hearing that you'll have breathing difficulties or a fast heartbeat.

Anyway, again I would like to ask for some input. I am stumped as to what this could be.

PS: I'm off all medications, so that could be it.

Thanks so much.

DNA

Wow! I hope you are feeling better now! Have you been having any leg pain or swelling in your calves? Not meaning to scare you but sometimes traveling blood clots can cause similar symptoms...tachycardia, shortness of breath... but I know some women really have a tough time with hot flashes too...You may want to touch base with your dr.

Hope your feeling better now!

I have to say that that sounds just like my first hot flashes with one exception...mine were followed by profound insomnia, not sleeping like a brick.
Still, I would say that if it happens again, a call to the doc is in order!
Take care

My hot flashes cause me to have to sit down or lie down also. They are horried. I feel like I'm smuthering and become so hot I have to cool down someway, with a cold compress or putting my face up to the air conditioner.

I feel wiped out to.... afterwards.

What you've described is not like any hot flash I've ever had. My hot flashes feel like when you open the door to a hot oven, only it feels like it's coming from the inside. I never had dizziness, problems breathing, difficulty speaking, or rapid heartbeat. I would advise you to bring this to the attention of your doctor as soon as possible. In fact, it might be a good idea to call the Emergency Room tonight and speak to the dr. on call. Let us know what the dr. tells you.

I would have to agree that this does not sound like a typical hot flash. What worried me most when reading your post was the fact that it took about 10 minutes before you could talk coherently. Add this fact to the dizziness and tachycardia, and it sounds more like a stroke or mini stroke (TIA, Transient Ischemic Attack) than a hot flash. You should give your doctor a call tomorrow no matter what and at least let him know what's going on. Even if he tells you it's nothing, at least you've passed on the information, and if something more serious happens, there's a trail (if you were unconscious and couldn't tell people that it happened before, this is where it comes in handy to make sure there is a record of it somehwere).

If this happens again, I would seek immediate medical attention. Call your doc and find out what he wants done, otherwise go immediately to the doctor, urgent care center, or emergency room. Menopause may cause hot flashes and what I like to call "brain farts," but you should not lose complete control of your brain like that...sounds too much like a TIA.

Good luck, and please keep us posted!

Maria

I've been pretty lucky with the hot flashes. I've pretty much only had mild ones, but on occasion I've had an intense one which does cause my head to get intensely hot from the inside out, and causes my eyes to blur up and makes me pretty darned goofy in the head for some time. I don't break out into the full blown sweat, but some women do! Afterwards I'm intensely wiped out!!

I've read where some women going through menopause, with the drop in estrogen do get some intense heart palpitations with their hot flashes.

However..
I'd err on the side of caution here and have yourself evaluated for heart or stroke risks. The TIA is "transient ischemic attack" and they pretty much have to do the CT scan while it's happening, or you'll not likely see residual damage in the brain after it passes. But it's good to get a baseline CT of the head, so if/when another comes, then you can compare.
My DH went through something similar - he lost feeling in his hand, and could not verbalize words, only mush came out!! It was terrifying! However, they classified his as an "atypical" migraine (he progressed to a severe headache and nausea).

Strange stuff - I'd feel safer if I got something like that checked out!

Best of luck to you!!

Shoozie

Could also be a panic attack.
Regardless, it would be best to bring this episode to your Dr's attention.

stay well
diana