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[daisie]

 hi,is there any of you ladies out there who suffer from anxiety with the menopause can tell me your symptoms and how you cope with it, thanks

[honeybun]

There are many if us suffer with anxiety and for me it's the very worse part of meno.
I think it affects us all in different ways but for me it's social anxiety. I panic in very busy places. I struggle to stand in a queue in a shop. I don't eat out any more. My driving is rubbish. Oh I could go on. It has impacted on my life in a big way as I used to be very capable and confident.
I have tried all sorts. More HRT, less HRT, different HRT. Herbal supplements, beta blockers, Diazepam and St John's Wort.
It's been going on for over a year now and is just a little better.
I take a Beta blocker in the morning, I use HRT and although you are not supposed to take St John's Wort I do because it does help me.

Not terribly cheery really but you are not alone.

Some of our ladies take AD's but I could not cope with them.

How does your anxiety affect you ?

Honeyb
X

[bev567901]

Daisie I do too. I started having meno symptoms in Feb. I am 50. I was so shocked I thought I would be a late menopauser no idea why. March started with palpitations & a bit panicky, nausea. My periods where so unpredictable, totally random. I could still do stuff though. Fast forward a few mths & I had been back & forth to docs with no help. I withdrew totally from friends etc, Couldn't do the usual seaside trips with the kids in August. I stopped working. By September I was so poorly with nausea I  felt like I was pregnant, I couldn't eat, sleep or go out. Mid Septmeber I had finally had a blood test & it didn't show meno. I came home & thought well what is wrong with me then? Had a bit of a crisis & was prescibed an AD (sertraline) diazepam & sleeping tablets.  I still feel like I need hormones. I had a period that finished last Sunday & today I have woken up with period pains.

I have to say though that I used to get nausea the day before my period & feel anxious & not sleep the night before one started all through my life. It was totally manageable though & I always found if I could control the pain it helped. I can't take strong pain killers now due to the other meds, I need to speak to the doc about this as I forgot last time. I made this decision myself to just take paracetomal for now, it seems sensible.

I hope this answers your question about anxiety. How am I coping though? Probably not well. I try to keep busy. I no longer go out. I think I just got so bad over 6 mths of docs not helping I got in a hole. I am digging!

Please tell us about yourself.  B x

[daisie]

hi honeybun,iv had anxiety for a while now been taking amitryptine for the past 4 years,doesnt seem to be doing anything at all now for me ,these past few days I have felt all my symptoms creeping back up on me yesterday I felt realy panicy shakey with the horrid fearful thoughts woke this morning in a state of panic apetite has gone feeling nausies week and drained x

[CLKD]

Firstly:    I had my first panic attack at aged 3 and anxiety has followed me everywhere.  But not continually as it did as I aged  .  I have in the past used Valium on an 'as necessary' basis, the night before an event and the morning before we travelled.  The GP eventually prescribed BetaBlockas which have been a Life saver.  The depression is controlled mostly by an anti-depressant and once I find a drug which suits, I have been lucky in that they last for years before my brain needs a boost.

Eating well will stop anxiety surges. Low blood sugar at this 'time' of Life can cause surges, caused by hormonal ups and downs.  When I am anxious though I can't eat  . 

I remember the deep fear on waking.    .......... I also have busy, worrying dreams when stressed.

Blood tests are notoriously unreliable to show where we are as hormone levels alter many times a day.  If your GP prescribes ADs then go with it if you can, because it will lift your mood and help ease the anxiety.  Then you can make a list and discuss your hormone requirements with your Practice Nurse.

[daisie]

 hi clkd,iv been taking the amitriptyline for 4 years now,they seem to have stopped working for me what ads are you taking,i know I need something like diazepam to calm the nerves down ,but the doctors here don't like giving them to you .I had a blood test a few months ago it showed my estrogen and progesterone was low,iv not been taking homones as my sister died of breast cancer at the age of 35 realy need something to ease these symptoms im going to ring the doctors now x

[honeybun]

I really hope they will give you the help you need.

There is lots of support here. I don't know what I would have done without my forum friends to help and reassure me along the way.

Just thought I would say.

 

[leony]

Same here wasn't till they stopped the HRT abruptly after breast cancer scare that mine appeared went back on it but never been the same since. Family circumstances changed deaths in family and OH diagnosed with PTSD just hit a brick wall now on Diazepam Prozac and HRT must rattle when i walk, now seeing a Phychiaritist (sp) had to give up job i loved hate crowds takes me all my time to get out and mix with people. Stand on the outside looking in now lost loads of weight feel as though people are staring at me stupid isn't it. Going on holiday soon and dreading it but have to pluck up the courage for OH sake.

[daisie]

hi honeybun and leony just phoned the surgery got appointment with the nurse at 5-45 finished up crying down the phone , she says it sounds like anxiety,i told her the amitriptyline is not working, so shes going to sort something out ill let you know what I finish up with x

[Kathleen]

Hello daisie.
I'm another member who has suffered with anxiety. Since my periods stopped three years ago I've had a few extreme episodes and on each occasion my GP has been able to prescribe something to help.
Wishing you well and keep posting. You are not alone in this believe me.
Take care.
K.

[daisie]

Hi Kathleen thanks for posting,what meds did they offer you to help get through it,symptoms I'm having seem to be more severe at the moment ,cannot pull myself round x

[daisie]

Daisie I do too. I started having meno symptoms in Feb. I am 50. I was so shocked I thought I would be a late menopauser no idea why. March started with palpitations & a bit panicky, nausea. My periods where so unpredictable, totally random. I could still do stuff though. Fast forward a few mths & I had been back & forth to docs with no help. I withdrew totally from friends etc, Couldn't do the usual seaside trips with the kids in August. I stopped working. By September I was so poorly with nausea I  felt like I was pregnant, I couldn't eat, sleep or go out. Mid Septmeber I had finally had a blood test & it didn't show meno. I came home & thought well what is wrong with me then? Had a bit of a crisis & was prescibed an AD (sertraline) diazepam & sleeping tablets.  I still feel like I need hormones. I had a period that finished last Sunday & today I have woken up with period pains.

I have to say though that I used to get nausea the day before my period & feel anxious & not sleep the night before one started all through my life. It was totally manageable though & I always found if I could control the pain it helped. I can't take strong pain killers now due to the other meds, I need to speak to the doc about this as I forgot last time. I made this decision myself to just take paracetomal for now, it seems sensible.

I hope this answers your question about anxiety. How am I coping though? Probably not well. I try to keep busy. I no longer go out. I think I just got so bad over 6 mths of docs not helping I got in a hole. I am digging!

Please tell us about yourself.  B x
[/quotehi bev,yes I can say your symptoms are the same as mine,I also feel I'm in a dark hole and can't pull myself out of it I just don't feel like going any where] don't even feel like going to the doctors but I must make the effort this to me must be one of the worst symptoms of the menopause,when you think the anxiety is over ,it tends to creep back up then hits you like a ton of bricks x

[CLKD]

I take 5mg Cipralex morning and evening plus a 40mg Betablocka at night.  If necessary I add the Betablocka in the morning.   When really grounded with anxiety my GP is able to prescribe an 'emergency' only medication for short term use.  Valium worked for me and you might suggest that you have that for 5 days to even out your anxiety.  Then ask for it on an as necessary basis, used thus, not many people become addicted. 

Rescue Remedy can help too.

[daisie]

Hi clkd',I do take a beta blocka,have done for years for my blood pressure, has cipralex got a different name Iv heard of citarolapram ,think I will ask for Valium for short term ,would not give it me before said it was addictive,so gave me amttriptyline ,Iv been hooked on them for over. 4 years now but they never said anything about being hooked on them how I feel at the moment I will try anything x

[CLKD]

Amitriptalyne (sp) is given for many different medical problems. I was given it for neuralgia and it made not a bit of difference  .

If you are not feeling any benefit then you need to speak with your GP about weaning off.  Cipralex is similar to Citalopran ........... Explain that you are aware of the apparent dangers of Valium and other quick fix anxiety relievers but that you will be careful and if they work on an 'as required basis' then you will know how to be more in control.

It was when I thought I couldn't have any more 'emergency' medication that my anxiety levels rose to uncontrollable