Electric shocks

Recently I noticed random electrical shocks going through my body. I felt it in my arm, in my chest and once in my leg. These all happened at different times but it was undeniable. It was not the feeling I would get if my arm had fallen asleep. It was a sudden, stop me in my tracks, electrical surge type of feeling that passed just as quickly as it came on.

My first thought was “am I having a heart attack?” I was not. But it was enough to make me pay attention, take a trip to the doctor and start asking questions.

My medical team ran all the necessary tests—EKG, etc. and ensured me everything was okay. But I wondered could this have to do with menopause?

Here’s a little bit of what I learned from menopausenow.com.

“Feeling electrical impulses in the body can be a symptom of anxiety, a sign of nerve damage, or a result of hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects or chronic medical conditions. It can feel like a sudden zap, tremor, vibration or jolt in various body parts. The causes and solutions for this sensation may vary depending on the individual case.”

AHA!

The menopause transition is so much more than periods ending and hot flashes! I was likely experiencing this given my sudden entry into menopause. Here’s a little more from the same website:

“During menopause, hormonal fluctuations have a direct effect on the nervous system. Changing levels of estrogen…can affect the nerve tissue, potentially causing women to feel sensations of electric shocks. Some researchers postulate that misfiring of the neurons in the nervous system may be responsible for feeling electrical shocks during menopause.”

As with everything, if you are experiencing any changes that are new, foreign, scary or shocking, call or message your doctor. Taking time to ask questions and follow-up with an appointment is the best self care there is. Be well!