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[LW44]

just a thought... do you think we have hormonal low mood - then because of past history with pnd etc... we sort of worry/draw ourselves into depression? obsess and panic over it ? also im the same. felt low over the years due to pmt but could brush it off so to speak because i knew why.. and when.. but when my periods became unpredictable and moods aswell - i panicked ... xx

[LW44]

well i didnt take the oestrogen last night... will see how i go and discuss with consultant in a few weeks... feel nervous.. x

[Briony]

just a thought... do you think we have hormonal low mood - then because of past history with pnd etc... we sort of worry/draw ourselves into depression? obsess and panic over it ? also im the same. felt low over the years due to pmt but could brush it off so to speak because i knew why.. and when.. but when my periods became unpredictable and moods aswell - i panicked ... xx

Know what you mean, but I am not sure as I have never given birth, nor have a number of my friends, yet we all seem to have this sudden and intense low mood/emptiness/impending doom since hitting our 40s.ADs (taken for pain) did not help, yet within months, hormonal treatment has.

[LW44]

yes woman who havent given birth suffer with hormones aswell.. just thought because suffered before i may have huge fear of it..which is making it worse..i didnt take the oestrogen last night....x

[Briony]

Whereabouts in meno are you? Have you had any blood tests? Is there any way you can get an earlier apt with specialist? Seems awful that you have to wait so long.  Even on 1mg, if your estrogen is low and you're younger, you could still be experiencing low estrogen symptoms? I think that's what happened to me - I mistook it as signs of too much estrogen. Needed double the dose, for five months +,  to feel better and may well up it again to 3mg if I switch to the pill. Seven weeks is really not a long time to try it.

Are your moods more flat and down or overly alert, jittery and anxious? I think both high and low estrogen can affect mood, but high tends to be a more 'activated' stress, if that makes sense? I had one day of it when I started HRT and it was weird. Really jittery and on edge. Felt odd and noticeably different to my previous down mood. Can't win in this game, can we?!!

But I must add that if it just feels wrong to continue, then you've definitely done the right thing. Don't want to sound like I am saying keep with the estrogen. It's all trial and error and what works for one won't necessarily work for someone else. You shouldn't be persuaded by anyone but yourself! Remember, whatever you decide, there are people here who'll listen and support.  Big hugs x

[LW44]

thanks briony :-)  i am 44 and about 18 months ago my periods went irregular for a few months, hot flushes, mood dips. had tests said cysts (which dispersed) and botderline peri..all went back to normal. so left it at that..then this april missing period.. flushes and moodcswings again.. then normal.. then missing or late... had more tests..hormone levels came back abnormal... dr said not really bad but not normal either.. started hrt.. then saw consultant.. at work informally.. my mood is flat and tearful.. which then turns to agigtation as wont budge.. before started hrt was very anxious rather than low.... im in two minds whether to just carry on with it... x

[Briony]

So similar to me . I was 40 when this all started, 43 now. Have you got a supportive doc? If so, maybe he/she could request an earlier appointment. Does your consultant do telephone consultations? Don't forget, if you do have a long wait, for £25, you could also email Dr Currie on this website. She was brilliant  - I got a reply back within days. Others speak high;y of her too.
x

[LW44]

No dr not good at all... I am going to try and ring consultant tonight as know he has a clinic at work (I work in private healthcare so have insurance).  I think I will continue with the 1mg oestrogen.. Can only help..?  Xx

[Briony]

At your age, if your estrogen is low, you would probably benefit from it? In the longer term, maybe a different route would be better for you? (There don't seem to be many who struggle with Utro vaginally, for example, and perhaps you could combine that with a gel, so your'e more in control of the dose?
If you do want some support, do consider emailing Dr Currie. She really helped me - gave me three possible options/recommendations, two of which I'd not considered. x

PS Moving doc was best thing I ever did. I literally stalked local surgeries til I found the one I knew was right for me. All the docs there are DRCOG trained, which reassured me (at least they had some interest in women's issues which is more than can be said for my previous GP!).

[Briony]

PPS This thread may be of interest too - http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,28810.0.html

[LW44]

Thanks briony

The mire a not an option because of progesterone intolerance but will def be discussing all other options at my appointment as cannot stay on oestrogen only indefinitely.. Think consultant wanted my oestrogen levels to level out and then we move on from there... Luckily I have the health insurance through my job so get a half hour appointment !  My sis called round before and put things into perspective... Pointed out I look well I'm eating sleeping ,going out.. Yes I don't feel myself and yes have fear... But nowhere to the extent I was years ago ... It's hormonal and I need to accept this and not have fear I will be in the bad place I was a long time ago.. Will def take oestrogen tonight.. Xx

[Briony]

Good luck - at least this way, you will be able to give consultant sustained feedback re taking it x

[GypsyRoseLee]

LW44 my consultant told me that thanks to my previous history of pretty bad PMS and having had PND I was much more likely to suffer with anxiety/mood swings during peri menopause.

Infact she ignored my blood tests and just diagnosed me on my previous history of PMS and PND (plus my cycle had suddenly become shorter and my periods much lighter).

[LW44]

Yes that's what consultant thought when I told him my history.. Said was drop in oestrogen after birth.. And more I think about it the more it makes sense... Hence continuing on the oestrogen .. And take from there x

[Briony]

Had a long talk with my mum about this last week. She suffered with awful PND (I didn't know this before now) and started having peri symptoms at 42 (I do remember her having terrible headaches but being the  unsympathetic teenager that I was, I doubt I ever gave her any sympathy). I had no hormonal issues - not even PMT - before I had a miscarriage. And then .... bam. I guess we must be particularly susceptible to any form of fluctuations?

I still think progesterone plays as much a role in this as oestrogen. Isn't PND as much due to the sudden drop in progesterone?