Hi Ladies, I am fairly new to this site although have read quite a few of your stories and can relate to many.
My main problem is anxiety & panic attacks, I suffered from this 25 years ago and was agoraphobic for 12 years, although I did get over the agoraphobia, I have always had general anxiety which I could live with. The last 3 years have probably been the best I have had, even managing to go on holiday, meant to be away again in 5 weeks but can't see that happening!
Long story short, periods been a bit erratic for past 3 years, started getting day time flushes last year, began taking evening primrose which seemed to stop them, had FSH levels checked last Sept, they were high end of normal, doc said this suggested peri. Since then other than periods being haywire and getting my words muddled, no other noticable symptoms, till 8 weeks ago when almost overnight, I couldn't stop crying, had panic attacks in the queue at shop, brain fog, racing heart, tiredness and terrible indigestion with acid reflux. Went to my GP who suggested it was menopause related and tested my FSH levels again, which came back normal. I am very against anti depressants as I had really bad experiences with them in the past, however he was insistent I needed to take something, out of desperation I gave in and took mirtazapine, well they did help lift my mood for 2 weeks, but then felt as bad as I was before taking them, GP said to keep taking them as they take 4-6 weeks for maximum benefit. I mentioned to him that my FSH levels were high last year, he said hmmm then agreed I was right, got them done again and they were 60 which he said confirms menopause! He said do you want HRT then, offering me premique, which have side effects including anxiety and depression! I have been taking 5mg diazepam, (which were also prescribed) just to be able to get out of the house and felt even worse (I read somewhere diazapam can increase mirtazapine side effects) I have been so light headed, shaking and on edge I asked to come off them, so have to half them for 2 weeks. I really am so desparate, and would really like to try natural remedies, I did get B6 on tuesday from GP but took 50mg for 2 days and wondered if they were contributing to me feeling worse, ie the shaking so haven't taken any more. Red clover and black cohosh are 2 things I have been looking at, but not sure about how effective they are. I know there's no magic pill that will cure everything, but I don't know how much longer I can go on this way!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.