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[Lori]

 Hi, to start on a positive note so glad I have found this site and know that I am not going crazy and not alone in this !  My GP actually pointed me in the direction of the site. 

I'm 49 and until twelve months ago was a reasonably sane woman but over the last twelve months or so I've had symptoms ranging from hot flashes, irregular periods lasting for 8-12 days or so, acute anxiety, confusion, dizziness, mood swings .. and the list goes on I am sure there are many of you who know exactly how I feel out there.  I am coping with the various symptoms including the hot flashes reasonably well BUT the nausea and anxiety that accompany them is the worst thing ever     can anyone help by suggesting how to deal with them other than my GP's suggestion of anti anxiety medication ? 

I do have a healthy diet and get regular exercise, and before this all started to get worse, could adopt breathing and relaxing techniques (the ones I used when giving birth three times very successfully) ... I think I would rather go through pregnancy and labour again rather than this that's how bad I feel at the minute 

I am trying to deal with this perfectly natural phase of my life in a positive way but when you are wide awake in a sweaty panic in the middle of the night or just going about your daily routine and it strikes without warning, it's a vicious cycle that's creating more anxiety when you find yourself just waiting for the next one to come along.

Sorry to whine ladies but I'm at the end of my tether and any suggestions would be very welcome 

[Claireylou]

Hi Lori welcome to the forum

I too suffer with the bad anxiety and nausea and have found that Rescue Remedy is brill. It's made by Bach's and you can buy it in most supermarkets and chemists. It's made from all natural ingredients too which is a bonus. 

Another amazing lady on here, CLKD, has suggested grazing to avoid nausea and keep your blood sugar levels up. If you do a search on grazing you'll find her posts. It's certainly started to help me.

I hope you get some answers, this site is like a big fluffy blanket 

Best wishes,

Claire xxx

[Kathleen]

Hello Lori.
Just wanted to welcome you to the forum and to let you know you are not alone in what you are experiencing. Anxiety is very common at this time and many ladies take a Beta Blocker called Propronalol which does help, I know because I take it when necessary.

There will be lots of good advice coming your way from this site so stay tuned! 
Take care.
K.

[Lori]

Thanks ladies I'll give that a go.  It's a help knowing that it's "normal", that others are experiencing the same, and it's lovely that people care enough to take the time to respond  xx 

[Hurdity]

Hi lori

   from me too.

Menopause may be natural and the unpleasant symptoms "normal" - but that doesn't mean to say we should put up with them. Many of us will spend a third of our lives in an oestrogen deficient state - which is what happens at menopause and beyond.

Have you thought of HRT? Much better than taking specific meds for the symptoms, when you can help alleviate many of them through hormone replacement.

Have a read of as much information you can on this site - through the menu on the left and then if you want any further specific help then do ask again.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things though to give yourself the best possible chance ie good diet and exercise.

I am 60 and have been on HRT ever since I found the flushes became unbearable at almost 54. The mood swings are inevitable to some extent becuase the hormones fluctuate widely at this time but HRt can even these out to some extent.

There is a great article on what happens during the peri-menopause here:

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[Meg]

Dear Lori

Please visit here and know that you are not alone.  Everyone posts very good suggestions.  The nausea is awful and it is a symptom with menopause.  HRT, as Hurdity said, can help but you need a good doctor to work with you and it takes careful consideration.  GP's dont always seem to have the time or the expertise.  Maybe you have a menopause clinic, although sadly not everyone does.  I asked my GP for stemetil, (prochlorazapine) to help with nausea and I have taken travel sickness tablets called Avomine.  The anxiety/panic is also horrible and I also asked for propranolol which I have taken when needed at 40 mg or even tried taking half a tab.  It does seem to take it down a bit but not instantly.   Wish I could be of more help, I dont know how women work full time if they suffer with the nausea etc.  I manage part-time, couple of days a week and then have the home and family to look after.  Talk about being tested.  Nobody warns you about it, probably dont want to scare you but to me it's much much worse that puberty, at least then you were growing into womanhood.

Hugs from Meg