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[TropicalVon69]

Morning ladies, I'm having an awful few days during period with depression, difficult to think anything positive, foggy head and pain, prickling anxiety, palpatations and constant sinking feelings, so tired, trying to get myself out of the house to feel better ....really strugglng just now.... I tried elleste duet hrt for 3 months but honestly didn't take all the progesterone out of fear and felt angry on the oestrogen....I take busy b multi vit, vit e,magnesium, calcium, fish oil, vit d, vit c and zinc and iron shops....also tried citalopram last year for 6 weeks and made me feel psychotic to be honest....so scared to try another anti depressant......any suggestions?.....feeling desperate....have gynae appt next week.....also had blood pressure taken the other day at a mobile unit and was. 174/113....had it taken again at docsthenext day, down a bit but still v high.....have appt to have it taken again next week......scared, never had high blood pressure before all of this peri stuff.....please help xxx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi Tropical

I recognise all the symptoms you describe, very much so.

I tried all the vitamins and supplements. Cut out sugar and caffeine. But nothing really worked.

For the last 16 days I have been wearing  Estradot 25mg patch, and took Utrogestan for 12 days (started my HRT mid cycle). Like you I was really scared about taking the Utro because I'd heard all the scare stories about progesterones etc.

But in fact it was absolutely fine. No side effects. I stopped taking the Utro 2 days ago and I am now just waiting for my first bleed.

Utrogestan is bioidentical to your own progestone, so is least likely to cause upsets. Maybe you could speak to your doctor about trying a separate patch and Utro?

But really HRT isn't going to work properly for you, unless you take it properly. If you didn't take enough progestone over the 3 months you were on HRT then you might have ended up with too much oestrogen which is just as bad for you as too little.

[TropicalVon69]

Thanks for your advice Gypsy Rose.......I know I should have taken prog properly, just was terrified to feel an worse....I had been thinking of asking for patch tbh so hopefully gynae will consider it next week......just want to be an involved and engaged parent again and feel some kind of normality as we all do.....so glad your patches are working out for you....brilliant, must be a huge relief :-) xxx

[honeybun]

As you are not on HRT at the moment you could try St John's Wort. It does take a wee while to kick in but it can be very helpful.
Another member also spoke about B vitamins especially B3.

Not everyone can take HRT, but there are other ways to feel better.

There are a couple of good websites too. No More Panic and The Glasgow Steps.

I found them both helpful when my anxiety was very bad.
Should also say, check with a pharmacist as your BP is high before you take any supplement.

Honeyb
x

[TropicalVon69]

OK thanks honeybun....I have been on no more panic website and found it helpful too....going to see gynae first before trying anything else to see what she suggests.....how are you getting through this?

[honeybun]

Slowly   

I think I'm a bit more accepting of things now and rather than every day being a battle I try to go with the flow.
HRT, for me is helpful up to a point but is never going to be perfect. As few things in life are I just try and make the best of what I have got.
I'm on half a patch now as I really don't want to be on HRT forever which I know makes some forum members through up there hands in despair. Personal choice.


I really hope you can get to feel better soon. 


Honeyb
x

[notgivingin]

Hi tropicalvon, like many I know exactly how you feel. Like my forum name i intend not to give in  but this is really hard!  I have just started missing periods but have been having lots of other menopausal issues for a while. I have been to see a medical herbalist and I have to say its helping , I do think natural products are good for natural occurances in our bodies . I used herbal medicine for a gynae complaint that wouldnt improve using ordinary medication so turned to herbalism and I was cured within
2 months . A lot of people swerve alternative therapies thinking its all airy fairy. I would seriously consider looking into it, feeling
depressed is horrible and to date I have not touched anti depressants despite some hairy things happening in my world - bereavements and personal setbacks. I felt a depressed mood coming and couldnt function that well but since I have been taking
my herbal mix I have begun to pick up. Theres something quite empowering about not taking anti - D's I think. Of course its all a personal preference but just thought id share.  Still a moany grumpy woman though !!

[SueRoe]

You have my sympathy. I have nothing new to add, I'm afraid, other than to say try to keep reminding yourself that the way you feel today is temporary. I know from experience that when you're in the middle of feeling so low it's hard to see beyond the next hour and you just want "the old me" back again. I find the old stand-bys of rest; warmth; easy TV; a new book or magazine; good (low sugar) food and as much daylight (outside, not through the window) helped. Big hug.

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi Tropical

Glad to help. I do understand feeling terrified about progestones possibly making you feel even worse. The first night I took the Utro I didn't sleep a wink. I had worked myself up into such a state over what effect it might have on me. If you do a quick search on here, you might find my thread as it was only 2 weeks ago! But people were so lovely and understanding, and they gave me the courage to carry on taking it.

The only thing it did was make me feel nicely sleepy again later in the evenings. But this was a blessing because I'd been struggling with very poor quality sleep up until then, and had almost got phobic about not being able to drop off to sleep. You should have seen my traipsing up to bed every night clutching my Kalms, lavender oil, relaxation tape, face mask  Soon as I started on the Utro I haven't needed any of that.

Some women still don't tolerate Utrogestan well, but the majority are fine with it because it's the closest match to our own progestone. Identical in fact 

It's definitely worth just trialling a patch with separate Utro for a few months? You can even absorb the Utro vaginally, which further reduces the risk of any side effects (I didn't though).

You will most likely be very pleasantly surprised. My consultant was hesitant over how I would react to the progestone part of my HRT cycle because of my history of PMS, PND and I didn't tolerate the Mirena coil well. But, really it's been fine.

Good luck. And keep us posted 

[TropicalVon69]

Thanks so much for all of your replies.......I am feeling a bit less depressed and now angry lol...at pretty much everything..actually so much may have to take quart of diazepam.....angry at just everything esdp my kids......on my own and just struggling......God help us... ....Notgiving  in I have thought of a herbal consultation and acupuncture to help, thanks for your input, glad it is helping you, had sepia homeopathic med and seems to help a little.....may see herbalist yet but will consult with gynae next week...thanks gypsyrose.....I think I will ask gynae for patch n see how it goes.....surely can only get better.....what a hellish times its been......hope you're all having a decent  morning xxx

[jedigirl]

Tropical
You have my sympathy, I have been in this position myself, it's scary not to be in control.
I think taking some diazepam is a good idea to break the cycle of anxiety you are feeling and give yourself a break.
Good luck xx

[notgivingin]

ooh I know the anger so well too, the energy we loose in anger is counterproductive too - did you get bad PMT at all?  When I was in my 20's and 30's I had it so bad for 2 wks a month. I wonder if theres a connection.

I also am on my own but have grown up kids one is at uni  - although they are young adults its still tough being everything to everyone and I am sure this also fuels the fire.

Although I mentioned I was seeing a herbalist, its actually Phytotherapy a modern form of herbalism, it applies scientific research and the highest professional standards to the practise of herbal medicine and think its safer . My practitioner did a 4 year degree in the subject at Uni so I feel confident in her competence.

Good luck with the gynae next wk. Let me know how its goes. keep on trucking - as we do! xx ps/ im a big fan of rescue remedy too -gets me through those really tough moments!

[TropicalVon69]

Thanks again ladies......feeling better this morning  .......thoughts are to take my 9 year old girl swimming....may be good for both of us and just hoping seeing gynae next week will be productive in helping me feel better....trying to keep my thoughts positive .......hugs to you all xxxx