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[LW44]

Hi Grl

Been reading yr thread with interest, i take a low dose anti d. have done for most of time since had pnd.. hate to think where i would be now in peri without it.. although increased it as was only taking every other day until a few months ago.. i can relate to everything you say , our anxiety is very very similar... i dont believe its depression as such, yes fluctuating hormones cause low mood, and this is what i think kicks the anxiety in... its like " oh no here we go again" and then its gets a grip... even just one day without anx gives me a massive lift and confidence boosts .. a few days on the run and im in a pit of despair.. i think the anti d will help with the anx and it turn lift mood.. then look at hrt.. just my opinion.. but like me you'll get there... and one day will will have at least 24hrs without thinking how were feeling... bliss :-)  i cant bloody wait xx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Thanks LW44. Like you, I had PND too and I very much doubt that's a coincidence, don't you? How I have felt these last two years is just how PND made me feel all those years ago (just grateful I don't have a baby to take care if this time).

It's a very peculiar, irrational and agitated type of anxiety. I can't bear to just sit and watch TV or look at a magazine. I have to be 'doing'. Then just as you say, you feel so low too because it's so awful feeling like that. And it just spirals around in your mind that you are ill again, and what if it doesn't go away this time.

Having said that I made a full recovery from PND. I stopped taking the ADs after about 3 years. Though I think it took about another year after that until I felt 100% myself again? But I had been fine and medication free for nearly 10 years before all this peri menopause marlarky started.

I think I probably need an AD to stabilise me fairly quickly (in weeks as opposed to the several months HRT can take) because I am just panicking myself into a worse state everytime the anxiety and low mood reappears.

How long has it been since you had PND?

[CLKD]

"what if it doesn't go away or what if I never feel well again" ……… I remember that so well 

BUT! I did improve.  Give the ADs time to work 

[LW44]

hi grl

I def think its connected.. been told as much by my consultant.. i have zero anxiety before i had children.. my first child i lost late in pregnancy and my problems started from there... had my next child who is now 15 :-) and suffered " classic" pnd..v. depressed but think stemmed from having her so soon after first child and not recovered from the grief.. was well for about 3 years.. then had my son who is 10 :-)  that time it was a very anxious pnd.. panicing no bond... convinced id get phycosis.. started anti again.. well within 6 months... then completely fine until he was 5.. then anxious depression again.. this time caused by abusive controlling husband.. started with pa... then spirralled that i was "ill" again... awful.. started anti d again.. then left husband and home with children and a suitcase..set up home and met my soulmate :-)  who i am due to marry next year !  again well for 5 years... then periods. started going haywire snd hot flushes and felt my mood dropping slightly at points and anx increasing..this went on for about 12 months.. but was managing it and mainly felt "well" till one day out of blue had pa , not full blown just overwhelming feelings.. started takinh anti d everyday.. still low dose and was confirmed peri... after numerous blood tests.. my god you asked how long i been on anti d and you got my life story lol.. still struggling..especially when period due.. but got an amazing fiance and two gorgeous kids and if i didnt have "this" a lovely simple life.. which i was i get so sad sometimes that i just want to cry and scream at "it" to sod off.. i also have a morbid fear of depression which feeds the anxiety... but like we have both said.. beat if before.. beat it again !! xx

[CLKD]

LW44  -  ADs have improved over the years too 

[LW44]

they certainly have... i was given seroxat  the first time... they were awful and awful to come off..i dont have a problem taking them if they make me able to cope better, same with the hrt !

[BrightLight]

This is such a useful thread, discussing the interplay between anxiety/depression and hormone imbalance - it's such a tricky one.  I too feel my anxiety has increased peri symptoms, that treating the anxiety has helped, rather than do it the other way around.

GRL - interestingly, like you, my issues only surfaced AFTER the stressfull period had ended, I had a clear road ahead and wham! I guess for me it was a type of burn out.  My sister suffered terrible PND around 4 years ago and actually ended up coming back from Australia with her baby for me to help her - she eventually took AD's and anxiety medication and it got her out of a tricky place.  I think she took the AD's for under a year but has used the anxiety medication on and off ever since, although very very rarely now.  She gets very anxious if she thinks it is all 'coming back' - if she has a poor nights sleep or an off day, she is very much better though.

There is a lot of misunderstanding around mental health I feel and couple that with perimenopause and I think it is hard to unpick it all and find a Dr that understands the interplay, it sounds as if you have a good GP and specialist for menopause.  All very  positive, I do hope you feel a sustained change soon x

[babyjane]

I find this thread very helpful as I have recently started medication for anxiety and depression.  I didn't even realise I was suffering with depression until the medication started to work.  I think mine has been bubbling away under the surface for the majority of my life and last year it reached a place where it broke free and I became aware of it.  I think my ADs need tweaking as it is early days but I have already felt the difference.  I wish I had faced it sooner and accepted help instead of trying to remain 'strong'.

I send my best wishes to you all 

[CLKD]

Seroxat made me angry  so I had to stop it.