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[CLKD]

It depends too on what the anxiety is based.  When it began.  When it overtakes me I can't function.  Jelly legs describes it really well!

[Nikki180515]

Hi all

Thank god for this forum as its so nice to hear about people going through what you are going through as you do begin to worry if you are really losing it!!

I had a total hysterectomy nearly a year and a half ago which through me into surgical menopause.  After a long journey of fighting to get the right medication - thanks to the info on this website I am on 2mg of sandrena gel and a pea sized amount of testosterone. 

I suffered from really bad anxiety - something I had never suffered from before - totally the opposite of me pre op! So definatly mine is hormonal.   

I thought I had overcome it, gave up my stressful job, did CBT which I found helped at the time.

Have just started a new job and wham bam the anxiety is back! Feeling unconfident, sick in the morning etc.  It's a similar job to what I was doing before but with a bit less responsibility.  Thought I was ready but obviously not! Fortunately this is a temporary position for 4 weeks, so have the option to get out if I felt I needed to!

Anxiety is not fun at all and can't seem to find anything to control it, am also in 20mg of fluoxetine, suppose I just have to ride it out!   Just wanted to say it's nice to not feel alone, thanks to this forum!

Thanks ladies and am sure we will get through our anxiety together.

Big hugs

Nikki xxxx

[samweller161]

Oh this describes me to a "T" !  Mornings are horrendous, I wake around 4.30 and then cannot get back to sleep.  Am totally exhausted by the evening and libido is through the floor .  I have an understanding husband but he can get fed up with it all, understandably.

The anxiety does improve as the day progresses and by evenings I feel practically "normal" again but it doesn't take much during the day to give me a chronic anxiety attack, due to being unconfident (and you would laugh if you knew the job I did).  I have been on HRT for nearly 2 years (Elleste Duet 1mg) and also take ADs which I cut down to 10mg from 20mg as I had been feeling fine for several months.  About 6 weeks ago, I started to feel slightly anxious again which has since escalated - I am back up to 20mg but it takes ages to kick in I have found.

Diet is very important ie, cut out sugar/fat/red meat/whatever works - try and do more exercise, don't read any rogue online medical sites and don't agree to anything that you feel would increase the anxiety issue. Easier said than done I know

CBT didn't really work for me either unfortunately

With each other, we will get through this !!

Hugs to everybody

xx

[Nikki180515]

Thanks Sam

Yes I am with you re morning anxiety I wake up too at that time and my no starts going!!

I was hoping testosterone would help with libido - it did for a few weeks then it wore off! Hubby very understanding too!  Soon as anxiety episode kicks in then Libido is non existent.

Am trying to address diet and exercise and finding 'me' time which is hard but no it's essential even if it's only for 20 mins.   

Anxiety goes away once I'm at my job it's just when I'm not there can't seem to switch off, but just hope it's because it's new and I'm learning the ropes!!

Take care

Nikki xxx

[dangermouse]

Anxiety can be physical and mental.

It's end result is elevated adrenaline/cortisol etc. which can be triggered by hormone fluctuations and/or fear.

We have the mechanism to alert us to danger (like if you see a car coming towards you out of the corner of your eye), the adrenaline makes us react quickly. Strong hormonal fluctuations can be registered as a danger by the brain as it's assuming something physical is going wrong.

Controlling the hormones, where possible, and therapy, distraction etc. can help us cope better with them as it's a very scary feeling. The same mechanism also happens when doing dangerous sports but in this instance it's to actually enjoy the adrenaline rush so perception is everything!

[Sue62]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and I know your comments were all posted over a year ago, but I wondered how you were all doing? I've been suffering with anxiety on and off since the age of 47 when I suppose I was peri, but I'm now two years post menopause and for the last year the anxiety has been with me almost permanently. I've been back on the antidepressants for a year, but they don't seem to have had the same good effect as before. I haven't tried HRT - my GP is reluctant to prescribe it to anyone at all. I've been seeing a psychotherapist for the last five months and jus5 recently I thought I was getting better, but wham, this weekend it hit me again and I feel back to square one. My experience has been exactly the same as most of you - waking early, then the churning of the adrenaline kicking in, shaking legs, tightness in the chest, tearfulness and just feeling scared all the time of nothing in particular. But by the evening it's completely gone and I feel ‘normal' again, until I wake up the next day and it all starts again. In fact I had to check that it wasn't me who'd written some of these posts and had just forgotten!

[lovesflorida]

Hi Sue 62! Ditto to the above! I'm 54 this year and no bleeds for 4 years but prior to that suffered terrible heavy bleeding, anxiety and depression! Have held off the HRT route until last week when I just cdnt cope with it all anymore! Hot flushes caused panic attacks and anxiety - also terrible mood swings and made my IBS even worse than normal- so after having a mini meltdown in work on Wednesday I booked an emergency GP appointment for Friday and she's put me on Femiston 0.5 / 2.5 conti ! Early days yet but feel a little calmer already ! Have a chat with your GP again re the HRT - especially if you are suffering with other symptoms ! Hope this helps 😊

[wendi1465]

hi all i'm 53 been in postmenopause for 5yrs, no hrt,anxiety is getting worse doc put me on amitryptaline 25mg to be taken at night   feeling low all the time have health anxiety to which is'nt helping matters anyone else feeling this way 

[CLKD]

Change your GP Pronto Sue62!  Browse round the 'treatment' section above.  Make notes.  GPs are not there to play god, there are NICE guidelines and would they tell men that medication etc. is not prescribed?

Maybe ask your local Pharmacist which surgery in your area supports HRT? 

Appropriate medication for appropriate conditions?  i.e. anti-anxiety to ease symptoms?  HRT can help and some ladies need both.

[Annie0710]

Hi ladies

I commented on this thread in the early days having suffered low mood and social anxiety at the same time Peri was diagnosed

I am a little better these days, more interest in things, I even look forward to quite a few social events (depending on the company!) a little more confidence and have gained the ability to ‘sometimes' talk myself out of anxious moments

What I take now that is different to my original post on here is:

Changed to oestrogel
Testosterone
Vit D
Magnesium - about 4 times a week
10mg amitriptyline for nerve pain in my back

My guess is that testosterone was my missing link, although I do think vitD lifts my mood along with the T

Hope you are all ok x

[CLKD]

I was intubated as a pre-baby within hours.  So had hands around my face forcing tubes down my gullet.  Of course I don't remember but that early response remained  .  So no amount of CBT has worked for me .......... I HATED being watched because my Mum would nit pick if I didn't do things quickly enough or in the way that she would do them.  I never learned to cook as she found it quicker to do it herself!!!!  I tried to hide it too .........

[KSB]

I posted on here about my anxiety but have never given in to it. I asked myself OK so what am I anxious about? Sometimes it was stuff that would make even the strongest person anxious but mostly it was about being scared of having a panic attack. It was a bit like saying what if I go out today and get run over. I was afraid of something that might never happen anxiety itself. You really can control it and once you don't give it any power it really does diminish. You have the power ladies you really do. Relax, go with it and if all else fails try acupuncture it has been amazing. The menopause is our bodies doing what it is supposed to do. Believe me I couldn't get out the house last year but I won't let it beat me. Baby steps and challenges one day at a time and knowing you are not alone helps so much. Taking ADs is not giving in or weakness because if you were diabetic you would take insulin. So many people afraid to take them but they are there for a reason to do a job. This phase won't last forever go with it and you will come out the other side stronger and a better version of yourself I promise. Believe in the power of your own mind to feel better, take HRT and look after yourself and remember you are normal X

[CLKD]

May have worked for you [should that be 'might' have] but 4 me it doesn't work.  When anxiety over takes me, without the emergency medication I wouldn't be here.  4 me it's sudden.  Instant; feel sick, dizzy, weak legs ......... I know how anxiety works i.e. fight/flight response ...... but the physicality takes over.

[Scotdownunder]

After almost nine months on Duavive the head effects have been getting worse in the last month or so.
Just had a panic attack that lasted all weekend, feeling sick, tight chest, lump in throat, close to tears. I finally lost it with one of my teenage sons at tea time Sunday, burst into sobbing tears which temporarily relieved it. Having brain gaps in conversations and unable to think straight, have stalled the manual car twice in the last week, even though it's the normal one for me to drive, lost my phone, keys, asked same questions more than once etc. Work is becoming more difficult and I am just being honest with them. Off to GP tomorrow morning, to see if there is anything else I can do...or whether I just refer myself back to Consultant Endocrinologist, lock myself up or become a hermit...the latter sounds quite attractive at the moment!