Perimenopause/Menopause and shortness of breath/chest tightness/ Belching
Posted , 169 users are following.
Anyone have the symptoms of shortness of breath with chest tightness, (air hunger) with lots of belching after eating? If so please describe... And does it get better? Mine started like 3 weeks ago and it's awful feels like i can't get a deep enough breath.
I'm also experiencing food allergies/sensitivities also to soaps and flowers and different smells, all make me choke/ cough and feels like chest tightness. Never ever have I had asthma in my life but feels like it now! My anxiety/ panic attacks are bad, antibodies are high for rheumatoid arthritis, and hashimotos, just don't know how to deal with all these new symptoms that keep getting thrown at me other than to sit and cry, cry cry! Anyone else having similar issues??? Are these symptoms all consistent with the menopause change??
15 likes, 197 replies
lorraine21138 Gypsy014
Posted
Hello - I know the original post is 9 months old but I've found this thread and am so thankful. I was actually back at my GPs this week with shortness of breath that is frightening me. I've been put back on asthma medication which I haven't needed for many years but now I realise that this could all be connected to peri menopause. I'm 50 and have only had two periods this year so far - one normal in January then nothing for 6 weeks (before I was 25 days regular as clockwork). The next period was awful, incredibly heavy and flooding. Its 6 weeks plus since that one so I'm assuming my body is getting ready for another one which could explain the two day long headache, trouble breathing and generally feeling down and miserable, weak and wobbly. GP said my lungs were clear, heart fine. So lovely to get a bit of reassurance from ladies who are going through the same thing. Good luck to everyone - us women don't half have to put up with a lot, don't we?!
julianne20799 Gypsy014
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lisa43234 Gypsy014
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I had a total hysterectomy last year (age 37) and so far not one medical professional, including an alleged menopause doctor, have acknowledged shortness of breath as related to menopause or hrt. I’ve had bloods, X-ray and other scans for a query PE and an echo to check my heart out as I’ve had shortness of breath and palpitations for over a week now. Thankfully they were all negative.
I was in combined hrt post op for one year and recently converted to oestrogen only as a patch. My question is do you think it’s likely that my SOB and palpitations are related to low or high levels of oestrogen? My GP isn’t sure what to do so dropped me to half dose patches but I have a feeling from reading your stories that I may need more and this may actually be menopause symptoms I’m experiencing.
I feel rough as hell and exhausted by it all 😢
Much love, Lisa x
becca86016 lisa43234
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Gee, I’m not a doctor but my goodness, you had a hysterectomy before 40! Your body has gone through a total change, I would think for sure menopause, have you gone for a second opinion? Do you take any supplements daily? I thank God, haven’t had the shortness of breath in the past few months, very scary! I’m just getting anxiety certain times of the month. I believe my essential oils, breathing techniques, good nutrition are key. Keep us posted!
Gypsy014 lisa43234
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I know th
Musicgeekgrl Gypsy014
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Yep, Gypsy, I have these symptoms of belching after eating and even when not eating, and tons of air hunger and chest tightness. A few months ago I read where a doctor writing a journal entry found that menopausal women are now being diagnosed with asthma in droves, as well as being admitted into emergency rooms at an escalating rate. Like you, I can no longer stand the smell of strong soaps, Febreze trash bags, artificially scented candles, etc.
The worst thing is the asthma-like symptoms which appeared out of nowhere. For a few days I experienced shortness of breath and a sore throat so I saw my doc. He thought it was just tonsillitis with a touch of sinus infection and put me on antibiotics. Three days later I went back and then again three days after that. I received x-rays (showed mild pneumonia!), a corticosteroid shot, and an Rx for an inhaler. I got better, then worse again. For several weeks (3 or so, like you) I couldn't get a deep breath. Now, I'm stuck with what feels like permanent asthma but even after a CT scan of the chest with contrast no one can find anything wrong. I had blood work and though most of it was in the normal range, my RBC count was a tad low. I feel like that's partially from anemia and partially from the pneumonia.
My guess is you might have some anxiety and acid reflux, which can cause shortness of breath. Also, hormones are widely known to cause changes in our sense of smell. As to the air and pain, the diaphragm pushes upward, pushing your stomach, its acids, and everything else up, too. So, you burp from that and/or from swallowing air during anxious moments.
The best thing I've tried is accepting my fate that it's menopause and doing breathing exercises. There are many out there on Google or YouTube so try several until you find the one you like. I'm new to this forum and just posted my story today, so keep looking around on here IF you are still having these problems a year later. And don't feel alone! You are not alone. Hugs.
Needtobreathe Musicgeekgrl
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Musicgeekgirl! You sound like me! I got sick in Feb 2016 with respiratory infection. Horrible cough. Would go away and come back. This went on for two to three months and had multiple antibiotics and albuterol. I was so sick. In that time my breathing was getting worse and the steroids were causing even more breathing difficulty. To the point of almost blacking out. Went to ER. Got chest x Ray and a lung test. All negative. All the meds tapped my adrenals and I started having pre menstral dysphoria. Talk about awful!!!! Felt like I didn't exist. Anyway, all that to say, I find great relief in seeing your post. I have so many symptoms of peri. Problem is I'm only 42 and this started over two years ago so if it is peri I'm on the early side. I've had so many tests and nothing comes up. I'm healthy but feel like garbage. Have no energy, don't sleep, and have four children to care for and love on.
Thank you for sharing your info. It's a huge help to me.
Peace😊
Lauraleye Gypsy014
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I'm entering the discussion late, but I have many of these same symptoms. In my case, it seems a lot like GERD. There's a lot of belching, a kind of painless spasm in the esophagus (and even sometimes in the muscles of my chest), and the most upsetting symptom is palpitations or skipped beats. I am in my late 40s and, though I'm not skipping periods yet, they are lasting a long time, with breaks in between. I honestly don't know whether these chest-centered symptoms are causing anxiety or whether it's the anxiety causing the symptoms. Either way, I feel like I'm losing my mind. It's good--but also sad--to know so many of us are in the same boat. I own several Perimenopause books, and none of them cover this stuff. What is wrong with the medical community that they haven't figured this out yet?
Eliaimee1970 Lauraleye
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omg you are describing me like right now !
Perilili Gypsy014
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Eliaimee1970 Gypsy014
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right now im just crying . im having pain on my shoulder joints and my chest get tight and my neck hurts like is tense ! i get weird sensations on my chest ! im sick of going to the emergency room i have so many ekg i cant count . invasive precidures and nothing everything normal !! MRI, CT, xrays, angiogram of the heart , from head , pelvis , shoulder , chest, legs im just feel my body is beyond stress !!! im getting ready to do a sleep/awake study for check for seizures, blockage in the neck, my blood work is unreal under normal limits
im just over it!
Lauraleye Eliaimee1970
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I'm so sorry--you're really under it right now. I know the feeling. All my tests are coming back normal, too, so I really am starting to think this is a hormonal fluctuation problem and that it will likely pass with time. In the meantime, I've started to try meditation--just to get some peace back in my life. A counselor friend suggested a free App. called "Insight Timer." There's loads of free meditations you can try on there, ranging from 1 minute in length to 30 minutes and up. I'm learning that--when I'm in the middle of a really tough time, I just sort of have to ride it out. But if I meditate first thing in the morning (or as soon as I can), or if I do some breathing exercises now and then when I have a minute, it seems to lessen my overall stress and make those really tough times come less often. I've also been reading the book Hope and Help for your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes. It's helping, too. Hang in there. Don't forget to breathe. I hope you feel better soon!
Gypsy014 Eliaimee1970
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Hi, eliaimee, and to all other ladies out there still reading my post,and replying..I do hope everyone is feeling much better these days, and at least learning to cope with all these awful symptoms! Its been over a year since posting this one, and I must say symptoms with the difficulty breathing have definitely eased up for me, its not so constant and scary anymore... However its absolutely still with me, and as a matter of fact was with me bad yesterday, but I'm learning my triggers, and learning to avoid certain things, and yesterdays trigger for me was apple spice house air freshener that was sprayed, I walked into it and that was it for the rest of the day, I was short breath, I felt like my waist from my pants were to tight and restricting my breathing and chest was tight and just couldn't get that deep breath! But I managed, and it eased up quite a bit since yesterday.. Also I don't get my periods anymore because I had a hysterectomy years ago, but still have my ovaries.. I will be 48 soon and have been experiencing the most horrendous symptoms since I was 43 all starting with frozen shoulder joint pain, which slowly symptoms got worse and when I turned 45 felt like I was kicked out of no where wth the worst symptoms of them all, dizziness, wavey blurry vision anxiety that no body should ever have to go thru, off balance like I was walking sideways, migraines, night sweats cold hot shakey no stamina weak jelly legs low blood sugar sensitivities to foods smells lights noises, my gosh the list can just go on and on..oh and agoraphobia where I couldn't leave my house to go anywhere far, or be in even the grocery stores with all the lights and people, I would panic sweat get weak legs and just have to leave and try again later that day or evening..I had no idea what was happening to me the depression loneliness and just plain scared I wasnt going to make it filled me up and consumed me every single day..and since I had no periods I really have no way of knowing where I'm at in my journey, other than to write my daily symptoms down , which is what I started to do, and that was my life saver that and reading that all of you are going through the same exact symptoms, made me realize it's just my hormones or lack of them.. I would have never imagined, hey I'm so dizzy today I'm walking sideways , and it would come on the 6th of every month, then would leave after 3 or 4 days, only to return on the 6th day the following month!! I started to see my patterns, and that really really helped.. Id say from my age of 45 to 47 symptoms were off the charts bad, but have slowly eased up, to where they don't feel so overwhelming and constant, they are cycling themselves into a pattern that I hope one day just fades away! For good .. Better days are ahead ladies! Keep reminding yourselves this when your days are dark and bad..
Gypsy014
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Also forgot to say that yesterday, while having my short of breath episode, (from air freshener) triggering it, it was the 18th, and I checked my daily symptoms journal, and I was short of breath on the 17, 18, and 19th day of last month too, so this too is a symptom and absolutely cycles itself, every month!
Guest Eliaimee1970
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Hi Eliaimee, I was right were you are last year at this time. July, Spent my birthday getting an endoscopy. Then, a colonoscopy. August, I woke up with pain, sweating and heart palps...called the ambulance that time...seriously thought I was dying in front of my kids... my dad died young of heart attack and I had a panic attack. October, brain MRI to check for MS. Raced off to ER on Thanksgiving night because of severe exhaustion and appetite loss...I laid around like a dead fish. Last December I spent 4 nights in the hospital for chest pressure and palps ...every heart test, even a heart catheter. End of Dec...back to the ER severe headache and vomiting...CT scan and Lumbar puncture...diagnosed with sinus infection. I had been complaining of head pressure to my former dr and she told me I was depressed! I dropped her ass!
No more of that! Do you know what the true meaning of insanity is? ...Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result! That was me...I was so scared and ran myself into the ditch with worry.
Like Gypsy mentioned...Some of those awful things have cycled out but, when they come back...I flip through my notes and calm down. I ask myself if I have felt whatever I am feeling before...the answer is always yes. Currently, I am suffering from vertigo and migraines along with the regular peri crap...for me the absolute worst thing...preventing me from working...or even walking straight some days! The migraine med is helping a bit. My dr referred me to a neurologist...I said no thanks, been there, done that! Instead I am going to a vestibular neuro in the city that I researched.
I am so sorry you feel this way. It is not fair! All is can tell you is speak up for yourself. Get any test that you need to if it puts your mind at ease. Do not be afraid to try something to make yourself better. If a dr is not hearing you, find another one. I am only 41 and I am getting clobbered now with symptoms. However, this Thanksgiving, I am going to stuff myself silly! Take good care!
Guest Gypsy014
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Hi Gypsy! I just read this post twice. Just wanted to say thank you for writing it. I am wobbling all over the place lately. Migraines a bit calmer with the amityrpyline. Cannot start my BCP...no period since end of Aug. It really makes me wonder if within the next couple of years I will be in menopause. Only time will tell!