Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Dee46]

Hi

I am relatively new on here, was put on Citalopram end Dec 2015 after thinking I was having a breakdown, have been on 30mg for 4.5 months & still feeling pretty rubbish, I still get palpitations, although had an ECG last week & all was normal, my head always feels like it is going to explode & I want to just run away from it all, feeling sick & horrible taste in mouth, is really running me down now, I have blood tests next week to see if I am in peri, but not holding my breathe as to these showing anything, got the doctors the following week to discuss tests, I have been telling doctors for months now could this be the peri & they keep saying are you sure you are not depressed!! I am now considering going private as I am fed up with all this.

Just wondered if anyone can help as to if these symptoms could be hormonal, my AD or just anxiety which I have never suffered until I got put on these blasted AD's, would like to come off them really as they have made everything worse for me.

Any advice would be good

Thanks

[warwick01]

Hi Dee 46

Doctors always push AD's I wonder how many women take them when really HRT could be a better option. However for some AD are the correct treatment. Unfortunately I suffered a really bad reaction to them.

How old are you? I started getting meno symptoms around 49 but anxiety only started age 54sh. Currently it's horrendous feels like I'm having a breakdown

I suggest you see a private Gyne (make sure they specialise in menopause) I have seen 2 which were clueless.

Tell us a bit more about your symptoms and I'm sure you will get some good advice on here

Wx

[Dee46]

Please see my first post as that explains everything, I am hoping to get HRT, I am 46 but as per usual all I get from doctors is you are too young!!! Looking back I think I have been getting meno symptoms for 4 to 5 years.

warwick01 can I ask what reaction you had to the AD? I certainly feel I have been put on an adventure to see if I cracked & believe me I certainly feel like I am losing it!! It is awful to feel you are having a breakdown so I know how you feel.

I am looking at seeing Imogen Shaw she is a gynocologist & specialises in menopause.

[MIS71MUM]

Hi Dee46

I'm 45 and feel exactly the same as you.  I'm on an AD and have started HRT about 10 weeks ago.  Started my AD in October last year.  I've sat at work today with a foggy head and struggling to concentrate, and have no idea if it's the AD, Anxiety, HRT or my brain!  It made me feel quite fed up as I worried I will always be like this and how would/could I hold down a job.

The thing is with AD's, you do get a lot of side effects even after being on them for a while.  Citalopram is supposed to be one of the better ones for peri/menopause from the comments on this site.

No answer I'm afraid - but I know how you feel.

[Dee46]

Mis71Mum

I am glad I am not alone then feeling like this, everyday I wake up anxious still, with at foggy head, I drive to work & feel like I could take myself off on a road trip & not come back as I am just not me, I get panic attacks several times a day too, I feel really ill & like you wonder if I will ever get better. Which HRT are you on?

Should I still feel like I want to run away from everything 6 months after being on them, I just feel like I am going crazy & do not know which way to turn, it is awful feeling like this everyday, I know we all want a quick fix but I was getting light headed a year ago & then when the doctor put me on Sertraline I just went off my head, that was what started all this anxiety.

I thought life began at 40 not went downhill!!!!

[warwick01]

Dee46

I really feel for you. I suffered bad reaction from Sssrs only took one and spent all night shaking, vomiting and hallucination's....... I was so ill.

I have all the symptoms you describe, trying to deal with it my self although it's a struggle especially going out. I live in hope at 57 things will improve soon.

This site will support you and find a good Gyne.

Feel free to pm me if you need more support or a chat. One thing I have learned through this journey ladies around me say they have no problems. Is it people just don't want to share how they feel?

[Hurdity]

Hi Dee46

I can see why you need blood tests to confirm peri in your case as you've been on the mini pill. Mostly doctors should go by your cycle and your symptoms at your age.

I might have suggested this before but you could just switch to a CCP such as Qlaira which give contraception, but the oestrogen is estradiol - the same as in HRT, and there are only 2 tablet free days so you are taking extra oestrogen for the whole month. If you took this there would be no need for blood tests as it is used a contraceptive anyway.

It is listed here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/contra2.php

HRT type estrogen containing pill

A new combined pill, Qlaira is now available which contains natural estradiol valerate as the estrogen component, rather than the synthetic estrogen ethinylestradiol. Ethinylestradiol is the usual component of the combined pill whereas estradiol valerate is an HRT type estrogen. This is a useful option for women in the perimenopause when it should control menopausal symptoms while providing contraception and good control of bleeding.

Just to emphasise that if you took this you would not need to think about HRT - as you would be getting enough oestrogen, and you can take it until age 50 (I think that's the cut-off).

Hurdity  x

[MIS71MUM]

Hi Dee
I take evorel sequi which is a 50 mg patch. Have previously been on Femoston 1/10.
I sometimes feel like taking myself away for a few months/years until this all blows over.
For me I had anxiety before starting ad's which did affect my everyday life but when I started on ad's, strangely enough sertraline, they sent my anxiety through the roof. I was even scared of the dark, thinking, being alone. It was awful, after a week my blood pressure went to 166/126 so I had to stop them abrubtly. That's when the physical anxiety started too. I had also been off HRT at that point for 2 months which I believe contributed to the whole anxiety thing too.
I'd definitely give HRT or the pill that Hurdity recommends a try as you shouldn't be feeling that bad on an AD.