Hello bursl,
Based off of what you have told me, it seems like the it is pretty likely to be menopause. Ovarian insufficiency is also a possibility, but unlikely. But only your doctor would know for sure. Let us know what your doctor says!
I have been doing this flushing for several years (the more I think about it, around 4). I can't seem to figure out what triggers them. I am not a smoker, well its been 15 years. I do find that when I drink occasionally that I do have "flare up's" more my nose and chest. I can also have them just sitting down doing nothing, etc. I have been going to the gym lately and I do turn red when exercising (face and hands) and normally get dizzy/light headed almost like vertigo quickly when using "motion" equipment; treadmill, elliptical, etc. I have heart palpitations more when I first wake up or stressed. I have trouble breathing all day, hard to catch a deep breath, almost a strain for air. My feet and hands are almost always cold, except when I have flare up's my hands are warm, never affects my feet. There are times that I often have to take a hot bath to warm my body. I am cold often. I am always tired, with 4 hours of sleep or 10 hours. After a bath I am always tired. I have headaches often, sharp stabs to both sides of the head but not at the same time. I have migraines only once or twice a month. My body/joints always ache, I feel like I'm getting the flu every day. No loose bowels or weight loss, more the opposite. I have not travelled any where in over a couple of years. I take a very low dose of Nortriptyline (10mg) and Zoloft (100mg). I just started the Zoloft in July when my mother passed away (from cancer, squamous cell carcinoma primary unknown). My diet is normal, eat meats maybe twice a week, usually ground turkey, chicken and occasionally beef. I do not eat fast food often. I eat fruits daily, normally apples, bananas, and melons. My menstrual cycle is not normal, I can go months before have a period however everything else has been going on prior to my menstrual cycle being irregular.
I have switched doctors, my previous doctor said its a vascular instability and left it at that. She didn't go any further with it. My current doctor is more open minded has has started with blood testing. I should hear from her Monday.
Thank you for answering my questions.
Hey bursl,
If you don't mind answering some questions, I can try to help you get a diagnosis for your issues you're having
1. How long have you had this flushing?
2. Is there anything that can exacerbate the flushing?
3. Do you think there are any simple reasons that cause the flushing?(For example, Stress, Anxiety, Exercise, Alcohol)
4. How's your past medical history?
5. What medications do you take?
6. What is your diet like?
7. Do you smoke cigarettes?
8. Do you drink moderate amounts of alcohol?
9. Have you traveled anywhere recently?
10. Carbon Monoxide poisoning possibility?(For example, inhaling too much combustion fumes provided from furnaces, charcoal, fireplaces, etc.)
11. Do you have symptoms such as an acne-like facial rash, episodic flushing of face, and an increase of skin temperature in response to heat from hot liquids, spicy food, alcohol, or the sun?
12. Do you have symptoms such as spontaneous bluish-red flushing, usually on face or neck, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea?
13. Do you have symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, tremor, palpitations, loose bowels, heat intolerance, muscle weakness, and weight loss?
14. Do you have symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, tinnitus, red eyes, and severe skin itchiness after hot bath or shower?
15. Do you have symptoms such as recurring, sudden, and intense anxiety, tremor, headache, sweating, and heart palpitations?
16. Do you have symptoms such as fever, headache, pain behind eyes, muscle and joint aches, red eyes, abdominal discomfort, and vomiting?
Thanks!! I should be hearing from my doctor Monday.
Many of the symptoms you're describing are consistent with estrogen dominance. You doc might be right
Many of the symptoms of perimenopause are not because of too little estrogen, but too much estrogen in relation to progesterone, which is likely low.
So have your doctor order tests to verify it and then ask for natural
progestrone cream, if this is the case, to help correct the imbalance.
Apply carefully in thin and thick areas of your skin, like wrists and thighs for example, so you have a fast and a slow delivery and do not repeat in same areas 2 consecutive days.
if you're not sleeping well, progesterone will help, but beware the first week, if have never taken progesterone before, it might feel rough and stormy, but then the calm will come after the storm lol! and you'll start feeling much better.
The stress will subside too and many of your other symptoms.
For the migraines you can do transdermal magnesium oil applications every other day and a trial of Co-Q10 supplementation, but you must buy the Ubiquinol Co-Q10 (not ubiquinone).
You may post again or message me if you need details, however, my suggestions are not intended to replace medical advice.
Best wishes.
Niko