Hot Flashes or Panic Attacks

Q: I am going through "The Change", but my hot flashes are more like panic attacks with tightness in my chest. I am seeing a medical doctor and getting checked out ( thyroid, mamagram, etc) to make sure it is not something else.

Any advice?

Thank You, G.

 

A: Hello G.,

In the absence of something needing more serious attention, I would look in a few directions. First the change of menopause can be a stress on the adrenals. This can make us more prone to anxiety related reactions, such as what you are describing. Some experience this in the form of hives or other allergic reactions.

Along with stress reducing lifestyle choices, breathing, thoughts, meditation and exercise or movement, Nettle leaf infusions can help nourish the adrenals to help them function more optimally and keep you more even keel.

Another herb that comes to mind is Motherwort. The tincture is a wonderful heart tonic (you can read about this in Heart Healthy Lifestyle). It is also helpful for calm (see also Achieve Instant Calm). AND Susun Weed writes about it in New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, in her section on hot flashes:

Motherwort tincture has something for every woman, menopausal ones especially. A dose of 5-30 drops, repeated as needed, relieves stress, eases anxiety, cools hot flashes, stops palpitations, increases vaginal lubrication, steadies the mind, and strengthens the heart.

My personal experience, along with experience talking with others, is that low levels of minerals can lead us to mild arrythmias or tachychardia. The latter being fast heartbeat which can cause a pressure feeling in the chest. Menopause can take much reserve from the body, as it is a change, so this time needs extra care with a mineral rich diet as well as aids to help us properly assimilate the minerals we do ingest. You can read more on minerals.

Finally two more articles you may find helpful -
Healthy Menopoasual Years the Wise Woman Way
Kundalini Meditation

Please let me know if I can help further :)

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Comments

[Nicole]

I'l second all that, nettle and motherwort are 2 of my best friends right now. In March, the palpitations/panic attacks were so bad, I ended up in the ER to make sure it wasn't a heart attack. My blood pressure was up then,too. After deciding a diuretic was not addressing any likely causes, I started taking motherwort tincture, saw an herbalist and got some other supplement recommendations, then started the nettle on my own a few weeks later for some extra magnesium in non-pill form. My blood pressure normalized within a month and has stayed down. Palpitations have not been a problem, on the rare occasion that I have a slight one, a half dropper of motherwort takes care of it. As a side benefit from the nettles, my allergies are hardly noticable this fall.