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[zelda]

Like most of your ladies I am really suffering from anxiety badly.  I take Femeston 1/10 and my doc has increased my Citaophram to 30mg per day but I am not seeing any real improvement so wondering if I should go down the road of asking for Beta Blockers instead? would appreciate your thoughts.

[littleminnie]

Just a thought, have you ever taken vitamin b6. I find it really good, and I believe it is really beneficial if you take HRT.
X

[kes]

I have tried just about every anti anxiety drug there is, and beta blockers are pants for this purpose, IMO, but I know some people swear by them.  They make your heart beat steady and slow, so are good for palpitations, but that's about it -  they never had an effect on my state of mind at all.   The only thing that has an instant effect on anxiety are benzodiazepines such as diazepam (valium) and doctors won't prescribe them any more because they are so addictive.

Some ADs are good for anxiety, but it varies from person to person how much so.  I found Seroxat quite good (paroxetine), but you have to take it for 6 weeks to see an effect - as for most SSRI's.

[CLKD]

Aren't we all different!  Seroxat almost killed me  .......... other ADs have been fine, helping to quell the depression.  Some have the ability to help with anxiety.  I take a beta-blocka 40mg at night.  They are designed to slow down the heart rate and to stop that awful surge of adrenalin.  Some people get extra hyped up when taking them.  Fortunately they work for me.  They stop the awful surge which leads to acute nausea and fear.

Rescue Remedy can help too.  Yoga and relaxation therapy are useful for some.

[Hurdity]

zelda - how about increasing your HRT?  You may benefit from trying 2/10. Not sure what age you are and where in meno but that might do the trick and better for you than becoming too dependent on high doses of ADs if possible. Does the anxiety get worse at a particular point in your cycle and do you feel better in the first part of the pack especially just after the bleed?

Hurdity x

[Dyan]

Hi Zelda,
I am on my 5th week of taking the AD Mirtazapine 15mg at night and I'm feeling really good.
I was really bad with anxiety 5 weeks ago and my GP put me on these.
From day one they started to work on the anxiety.
They made me feel calmer.
To start I did have that hangover effect in the mornings,but this soon passed as the medication got in.
At the end of the first week I was feeling better than I was.
The second much more.
The third week I was almost back to myself.

I know we are all different and meds can react differently but I'm so pleased that these worked for me and I feel quick too.

[kes]

I agree mirtazapine are in many ways a good option, with the added benefit they are the only "new generation" AD that do not have sexual side effects (delayed or absent orgasm).  However, the down side is that for most people they make you gobble like a hog - the desire to eat is almost overwhelming and most people put on weight whilst on them.  They are VERY good for help with sleeping - in fact when you first start taking them you might find you want to sleep all day.

[CLKD]

Perhaps people eat more as they begin to feel well again?  I know that my appetite went completely when I was very ill with anxiety.  I can't believe that, other than steroids, ADs will make people eat uncontrollably?

[Limpy]

Recently started Amitriptyline.
One of the side effects listed is "increased appetite leading to weight gain"
I am aware of being hungrier - I just don't eat more...   

[zelda]

I did increase my dose to 2/10 but that made no difference whatsoever to my anxiety unfortunately.... I wonder if Citaphram are similiar to mirtazapine?

[Lucky Stone]

Blimey, I'm off to the doc's - I don't like food at all now  maybe this would help??

[kes]

Perhaps people eat more as they begin to feel well again?  I know that my appetite went completely when I was very ill with anxiety.  I can't believe that, other than steroids, ADs will make people eat uncontrollably?

I don't think I am the only person to notice this effect of mirtazapine - lots of my friends with depression say the same.   Other ADs are not like this - yes, you may eat more as you feel better but mirtazapine definitely has the side effect of increasing the appetite markedly.  If you google "mirtazapine weight gain" you will see a lot of people find this.

[bramble]

When I was suffering badly with anxiety my weight dropped to just over 7 stone. Not good when I am 5'5". Doctor put me on Mirtazipine specifically to increase my weight. And it worked. A definite side effect.

Bramble

[cox1058]

I've been on beta blockers for years for anxiety - I don't know if they helped me or not but did help the terrible migraines I had and keep my blood pressure regulated. I've had a problem again with anxiety and panic attacks since starting the menopause 2 years ago and finding it difficult to cope - wonder how bad I would have been without the beta blockers. I was given anti depressants about 18 months ago but had to stop them as they made me feel sick all the time and triggered a gallstone attack. Dr won't give me HRT as she said there are too many risk factors. I can't remember the last time I felt well and hate that this is taking over my life. So fearful of going out, can't go shopping, can't eat out - sometimes I just wonder what the point is as I really feel I exist but don't live. This is like a punishment for no crime .........

[CLKD]

Cox1058 : Your Dr needs to qualify why she is against HRT.  Is there a medical reason for your not taking treatment or is she anti.?  Quality of Life is preferable to quantity sometimes.