Ladies...palpitations?

[Alphabetsoup]

Hi Ladies...

Anyone else get palpitations during PMS?? I've noticed the last several months that I get them about 1-2 weeks before the whole period thing. In April it was REALLY bad for about 24 hours (like every 30 seconds - 2 minutes). I went to the GP the next day and they did an EKG and there wasn't anything showing. My cardiologist isn't concerned but says it must be in my head (I really HATE that answer!)

I'm just wondering if it is something other women experience?

 

[mnrose]

I developed benign heart palpitations in my mid-40's...part of the fun of perimenopause. However, to get to the answer that they were benign, it took quite a few visits with my doctor, and a Holter (not sure if the spelling is correct on that) monitor, which I wore for 24 hours. I also had a series of tests done in the cardiologists office. Based on all that information, they were able to determine that they were completely harmless, and that my heart was actually quite strong and functioning just fine.

Until a cardiologist actually sees them on a monitor, it's impossible to tell what's going on. Have you pushed your doctor for more testing?

I would also add (not knowing how old you are) that palpitations are a relatively common occurrence in women as they approach menopause. They are thought to be hormonally related (per the book The Wisdom of Menopause), but no one really knows.

 

[LizEN]

Do you drink more caffeine during PMS? I have palpitations triggered by stimulants (caffeine, cold medicine, sometimes chocolate) and had a habit of increasing intake to relieve PMS symptoms.

I have had the palps checked several times and have always been told not to worry about them but to avoid triggers because it could become an issue when I get older.

So sorry you were told it was in your head. Wonder if they would have told a man the same thing. So many doctors still have that "women's hysteria" view. I think that's why those with MS (a largely women's disease) can take so long to get a diagnosis.

OK, I'm starting to rant now!

Good luck, don't worry and insist on a real answer that you are satisfied with from your practitioner.

 

[Alphabetsoup]

I had a holter monitor for about 6 weeks 2 years ago and of course the little blighters didn't show up during that time!

I'm booked in for a stress test as just a precautionary thing. I've had a chest MRI, several EKG's over the years and all that... My gyno says I'm not in peri-menopause yet, but I've got PCOS which screws with my hormones something fierce. We're trying to get things regulated after the January miscarriage (so we can try again soon!!).

The palpitations aren't 'bad' tonight, just annoying...a minor one about every 5-15 minutes. My palpitations are more like a premature beat (which is what the cardiologist said they were 2 years ago), but they get annoying -- especially late at night.

Anyway...thanks for the input... it is nice to know that I'm not alone with these silly things, benign or not!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Have you had your thyroid levels checked? When mine are off, I always get palpitations. Also, mine are a sign of stress and I need to up my tranquilizer when they get really bad.

 

[Alphabetsoup]

@Tinker....thanks for that. Yes, I get my thyroid levels checked regularly as I have several nodules they are keeping and eye on, but they always say my levels are fine -- although when I look at the numbers they look borderline. So -- no treatment since it is all 'subclinical'.

*lol* The whole thyroid thing ticks me off because the 'normal' levels were decided in the 50-60's using young (18-30) MEN...they have really NO idea what is 'normal' for a mid-30's woman!! *grrrrrr* Doctors tick me off so much these days.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

A couple of years ago, I saw the cardiologist for my heart palpitations. He looked at the results of my holter monitor and his EKG, and decided that I might have a hole in my heart. The heart ultrasound was inconclusive. He said to come back in 5 years. I'm hoping the palpitations were menopause-related although I'm not in it yet.