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Author Topic: Any suggestions???  (Read 2686 times)

Ana48

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Any suggestions???
« on: February 05, 2015, 03:53:25 PM »

Hi everyone!  I'm Now 56 years old (almost 57) and the end of this month will be a year since my last period. For the past 8 years or so,I've been going through a lot of anxiety. I must admit that HRT did help, but I'm too old to go through that route again. At the moment, I'm on 20 mgs of Cipralex, about 250 micrograms of Xanax x 3 daily and 7.5 mgs of Zopiclone at night to help me sleep. I also take Evening Primrose Oil. I don't like the idea of taking Xanax! My question is this: could you please suggest any other remedies I could take for the meno which would help to lessen the anxiety? Thanks! I look forward to your replies!

Ana
« Last Edit: February 05, 2015, 03:56:53 PM by Ana48 »
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Rowan

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Re: Any suggestions???
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2015, 04:19:33 PM »

This only a suggestion Ana18 but if you are using zopiclone each night, this could be causing your anxiety it does seem to calm at first though but can cause mood changes, anxiety and restlessness as well as memory problems.

As you are on anti depressant and anti anxiety drug too this maybe too much. I don't feel qualified to offer other suggestions.

I think you must see your doctor for advice.
 
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Winterose

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Re: Any suggestions???
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2015, 04:33:29 PM »

Dear Ana

I think you need to reassess with a physician as Silverlady suggests , lots of pills when there must be a better way - was HRT a problem for you?
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Ana48

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Re: Any suggestions???
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2015, 04:33:46 PM »

Silverlady, thanks for your advice! As a matter of fact, I am going through memory problems but then I thought that was another meno symptom. :) last week, I went to see my GP re my concern over taking too many anti-anxiety meds, but she did not give much importance to it. Perhaps, I should see someone who specialises more on this. Thanks again!
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Hurdity

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Re: Any suggestions???
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2015, 04:54:24 PM »

Hi Ana48

You are definitely not too old to start/re-start HRT (and I wonder who told you you were!) - in fact  as you are becoming post-menopausal it will be much easier to have a consistent dose and so much better than all those anti-anxiety medications - which you feel are too many.

I'm not sure what HRT you took in the past and for how long - or why you stopped but there are methods that are gentle on the system such as transdermal oestrogen and bioidentical progesterone, which should almost eliminate the anxiety if it had a hormonal basis, and if there is no medical reason why you should not take it.

I didn't start HRT until I was almost 54 and I am still taking it now age 61 - not sure how long I will continue to do so but definitely for the immediate future due to still workin albeit part-time.

Do re-consider if you are able and we can help you with this if you decide to try again.

Hurdity x
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bramble

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Re: Any suggestions???
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2015, 05:24:37 PM »

HRT did not help my anxiety and that was one thing I was most wary of when I stopped HRT - that my anxiety would ramp up. It didn't fortunately. When my crippling anxiety struck at the start of my menopause journey, I was given HRT and it certainly did not help the anxiety. I think another chat with your doctors should be the way to go. Perhaps a combination of medication and some form of counselling might help.

Bramble
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