Hi Catherinet, Thank you for replying. What you're saying makes perfect sense to me. You wouldn't be in the medical field, would you? ;) I have been trying to rule out what else could cause these feelings, and had questioned my doctor about the aneurysm possibility a few months ago. After examining me, he quickly dismissed it. I do have complicating issues, such as being on Prednisone (a steroid) for 6 years due to polymyositis (an autoimmune disease). Since that has improved, I've been trying to taper off the Prednisone, and this is where it gets messy. My adrenal glands have been "asleep" as the prednisone took over all this time. So now that I've begun perimenopause, there is no "back up" system to support hormones and stress. To make matters worse, Prednisone also affects the hypothalamus---the hypothalamus controls all the hormones and regulates menopause--- it's a vicious circle. Like I said, this ("heartbeat feeling in unusual places") started the same time my period stopped. Not only is it scary, it makes it hard to sleep. My heartrate is normal(around 78bpm)while this is happening. It stays a few weeks, varying in intensity, then seems to ease off. I hadn't really noticed it again until about 10 days ago. But I got my period yesterday for the first time in 7 months. Having said all that, I think I see a connection here. Another thing that happens along with this... frequent urination. Then that passes too after about a week or so. Makes me wonder if this is a decrease in vasopressin or something, as my adrenal glands are compromised. I feel irritable and uncomfortable in my own skin, if that makes sense. You asked what supplements I am taking. I just began flaxseed oil. Could it be a deficiency in magnesium? Are there any others also on Prednisone and going through menopause dealing with anything similar?

dee, yes hypothyroidism does have some symptoms that are very similar to perimenopausal symptoms. I'm almost 53 and my doctor says my hormone levels are not yet showing any signs of approaching menopause, so I keep thinking it's thyroid disease! But my thyroid levels are always normal, so it's frustrating to think "gee, imagine how much worse I'll feel when I become menopausal, or if I do get thryroid disease. My mother and all my sisters have thyroid disease, so I think I'm going to ask my doctor to do more specific blood tests, because I've heard you can have certain thyroid antibodies that cause symptoms, while still maintaining a normal thyroid level. Hope you'll feel better once your thyroid medication kicks in.

Hello everyone, I too have been experiencing all of the above and have spent countless hours and days worrying and scouring the internet for answers. I was overjoyed to stumble upon you all here and learn that I am not alone or losing my mind. A little info about me.... I am a 45 year old woman who started peri & menopause early!! I started at age 38/39 and had no clue what on earth was going on with me. The usual menopausal symptoms were downright awful but like the rest of you, I suffered through the whole time thinking “ok new symptom, dying again of some mysterious illness or I seriously need my head checked.” Fast forward.... I had my last menstrual cycle right after my 44th birthday (so over a year now) and I have to say the menopausal symptoms have lessened overall thankfully. Then SUDDENLY, about 2 months ago, just when I thought the worst was behind me, my body introduces to me, a new scary “oh no I’m dying again” symptom. THE ARMPIT ACHE!! I had just finished my routine physical, pap, mammogram, breast ultrasound, had bloodwork and urine tests done as well.... all came back normal. I was so relieved!!! However, my armpit ache started right after that, within a few days, which threw me for a loop. I thought ok maybe I strained a muscle working out?? Maybe I’m feeling after effects from the Mammogram “trauma”??? No clue and of course, panic starts to set in!! Over the course of 2 weeks, the ache in my armpit (right side for me) became an ache in the right shoulder, ache in my right breast and some days the ache even extended all the way down my right arm. It really is terrifying and consuming when you don’t know what’s going on or why and the Doctors can’t find anything either. So I started experimenting with different things to hopefully find a remedy or at least some peace of mind. Fast forward again..... long story short.... I accidentally stumbled upon a video on YouTube regarding Magnesium deficiency and it’s symptoms and I thought hmmmm, could it be my issue?? So I started taking Magnesium supplements and within 24 hours, my armpit ache started to disappear!! I have been taking the Magnesium faithfully every day for a few weeks now and I can say the ache is 95% gone and most days I don’t even remember having it at all. I don’t know if it’s merely a coincidence or if the magnesium really helped but I felt compelled to share my findings with you all in the hopes that it may help you as well. Side note, I had just started taking other supplements approx 2 weeks before the aching started so I thought perhaps they too may have been the culprit so I stopped taking them completely. (Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin C). 1 week later, I started Magnesium which I had never taken before!! Just to clarify. Together, we will get through this. Anita

I just want to say that NONE OF US are alone or crazy. My story is long... PMS started as a young teen and I had no idea what was going on. It eventually led to self-medicating, then to a slow and painful lifestyle of extreme addiction. Going on three years sober I'm grateful that I am now able to feel and understand my body to some degree. However (in a nutshell) since I hit my 40s - I'm now 42- the PMS has WORSENED. Not only the familiar severe anxiety that I have struggled with since a young teen but this horrible nausea that persists for up to two and a half weeks out of every month. I just started a birth control pill about a month ago and I'm praying that it works. I wish there would be more medical attention given to women's bodies and hormones and potential relief for some of the symptoms that are so debilitating. I have so many great things to be thankful for but I still don't feel like I can function at 100%, at least the hundred percent that I expect of myself! Thanks for listening. BTW I feel solid spiritually and I have a very healthy diet and exercise routine. Those help, I KNOW!! Any encouragement or suggestions welcome️