Hey there! I'm a 54 year old living in Colorado in the US, but I was born in Solihull UK and came to the US in 2000. I find the British medical discussions so much more comforting, down to earth and straight to the point than the US stuff. As we well know, the medical system here is crazy and expensive and to top it all I don't have any medical insurance atm. I've been experiencing symptoms for about 3 years that have gradually ramped up until this past Saturday when I had what I believe now was a panic attack in a restaurant that got me in the ER. Dizziness in the past 2 weeks culminated in that and I still don't feel better really.
My prior symptoms were hot flashes here and there, but not intrusive, anxiety and health anxiety, palpitations,, breast pain and swelling that is SO uncomfortable, fairly irregular periods, and rage. Enough to affect the quality of my life and couple that with I've been home for almost 3 years now. I work from home part time. I lost my Mom in the UK in 2021 and wasn't able to get back for the funeral or help my brother clear out her house.
But now I'm a wreck, I'm crawling out of my skin. I don't like this lack of control. I'm barely functioning. My husband is a truck driver and is gone Monday through Friday, he's trying but I'm not sure he's taking me really seriously, especially since I've come to the conclusion that it's anxiety and a panic attack.
Now I'm experiencing waves of adrenaline, less intense but waves of panic and anxiety and I'm freaking out.
The ER visit showed everything as normal, by the time I was hooked up to everything, my heart rate, blood pressure etc was fine. My blood tests were fine. Thyroid fine. They told me to follow up with a Cardiologist for a possible Holter monitor and to follow up with a regular doc. All of this is going to cost $$, I dread to think what the ER bill will be.
A friend in the UK messaged me privately after my husband had posted on Facebook that I was in the ER. She had gone through similar and hers was low estrogen. She's now on HRT and it's helping. This is what sparked this whole thing for me. I knew menopause was a challenge, but geez, this is awful.
Anyway, it's been a comfort reading this forum and finding support. Thank you for being here.