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[Lostit]

My worst symptom has been anxiety. It's the way it causes all manner of thoughts and panics and the way it affects your whole body to the point of not knowing what is a genuine health concern or what is 'just' anxiety! I don't  understand why I could probably bungee jump but find it hard to go shopping at times. It's getting better, or at least I am better at dealing with it but takes up a great deal of my energy just pushing through it. My gp didn't even know it was a symptom of menopause 😣another dr at a menopause clinic suggested that it was probably not caused by the menopause as I am post menopause and I had very few symptoms in peri. I was wondering how it affects other ladies and how they deal with the medics who make them feel like hypochondriacs in need of psychiatric help😞

[Annie0710]

I've developed social anxiety during menopause.  I'm at least 2 years post meno and it's eased a tad since changing my hrt but I've never suffered this up until menopause and I've never told a gp as I wanted to explore an hrt that would cure it seeing as though lack of hotmones has caused it, however, I might talk with them for some extra help x

[CLKD]

Nothing is 'just' anxiety.  It's a natural response of flight or face, caused by an adrenaline rush to fuel the parts that need to flee or fight  .  4 me it's mis-intepreted which then = panic attacks  .

It can certainly be caused by the menopause, after all it's all hormonal.  It's how to calm the sensations once they begin, I have to take an emergency pill.  Others find yoga/swimming/cycling/walking/relaxation ........ we have threads on most things here - helpful.

[[email protected]]

Hi yes I suffer with this and am 4-5 years post. Some days worse than others. I have to tell myself it's all part of my journey my body is going through with the menopause. You are not alone lots of ladies suffer this as plenty people will tell you take care xxx 

[CLKD]

I try not to take on too many commitments and never say 'yes' to anything after 5.00 p.m. as by then I feel better  - however, next morning my anxiety can surge out of control.

[Kathleen]

Hello Lostit.

I am amazed that your GP didn't think that anxiety was a symptom of the menopause, it's top of the list in my trusty meno book! Plus the chapter on emotional symptoms mentions that the centres in the brain that control a sense of well-being, a positive state of mind and a feeling of control and tranquility are affected by the absence of oestrogen. It also states that sleep interrupted by night sweats leaves people irritable and anxious and of course people who are tired are often irritable and anxious! Yet again members of the medical profession have demonstrated an appalling lack of knowledge about this time in our lives, no wonder we struggle to be taken seriously.

As you may have gathered anxiety is my worst symptom as well and I'm struggling at the moment so you have my sympathy.

Sorry I can't be of more help but sending hugs and best wishes to you.

K.

[Anjia]

Anxiety has been my worst symptom through this meno journey I am post meno now and find its not as bad as in peri but never really leaves.I have just changed my HRT to tibelone and hoping it will help a bit as estrogen only dident help at all and I have never taken AD always been afraid to.

[Lostit]

Thank you for your replies. I didn't know anxiety was a meno symptom until it hit me. I was totally unprepared for it and I thought I was mad. It didn't help when my gp said "I don't know why you're getting worse" when looking back I now know my hormones had crashed out. He has never suggested that any of my symptoms are menopausal.  This site has been a godsend. Why are GPS not required to read this site? As a good deal of their patients are women you might think it would be a good idea 😄Then they might have a few more light bulb moments and be more sympathetic to the menopausal patient. Hugs to everyone on the journey😍

[Samade]

my worst symptom is anxiety. I can almost feel the hormones change and my mood and agitation change. despite my age(47 when first started peri) It just never occurred to me! Now I know, I've been actively discussing it with friends and colleagues and realise just how little people talk about it.

[Annie0710]

I didn't even know the word peri menopause until I was diagnosed, you could've knocked me down with a feather when they said everything was due to peri x

[Susannah]

Hi Lostit
I really struggle with anxiety now (aged 49) more than I have at any other point in my life.  After a lengthy absence from my work to deal with frightening issues with bleeding and hospital trips (total hospital phobic here) I found myself shattered beyond belief and was afraid to leave the house unaccompanied for some months.  It's still a struggle despite CBT and Mindfulness one to one and group therapy and at best I push through the working day avoiding as many stressors as I can!  But I know I'm not doing my job to my best ability and that really saddens me.  I'm not on any HRT and have little to do with my GP surgery now as I know they'll push anti depressants given previous history of anxiety (which always coincided with physical medical problems and the fears I have about hospital appointments, etc.)  Just keep hoping things will improve using the CBT and mindfulness practices and that this grotty phase will pass.  I'm glad I found this website too as I don't feel so isolated with these issues now.

[CLKD]

Susannah - medication is designed to help!   I fought against anti-depressants but once I realised that by taking a low maintenance dose we have a Life again ........ and ADs don't need to be taken for ever ........ you may find that you need medication along with the CBT.  I used to dread going to Hospital appt.s until I worked in a Hospital  .  Some ADs can ease anxiety as can Beta-blockas, some use Rescue Remedy/yoga/swimming etc. to ease symptoms.

Has the bleeding been controlled? 

[Susannah]

Thanks CKLD

The bleeding eventually stopped with 30 days of norethisterone 5mg x3 per day.  It brought its downsides too but so glad to not bleed every time I stood up.   Five weeks back at work and my bleeding pattern is acting up again after a few months of near normality. I was told my problems were likely down to a dysfunctional uterus which I think means hormonal imbalance/peri but I reckon stress has a huge amount to do with it too.

I'm not against medication although I did have a bad reaction to an AD I took years ago and can't remember its name so worry I'll have the same again - I've changed medical surgeries since then and
my notes seem to be incomplete.  I also took BBs for over two years about a decade ago and I grew to depend on them although they only ever took the physical symptoms away not the anxious thoughts swirling around my brain. 
I know we need to help ourselves as much as we can so will keep reading and trying to find something to help.  Thanks 😊

[CLKD]

I thought that BBs are non-addictive  ........ I feel slightly hung-over when I miss a dose/2 and they can be weaned off in about a week.  I had a bad reaction to an AD - had to stop it after 3 days! then my GP found one that suits )phew(.

4 me anxiety is physical.  First.  Then the brain begins whirring .......... awful.  Fortunately I have an emergency tablet to swallow, I know that it works when necessary so I don't need to take any more than one.  It sorts the anxiety enough for me to relax.

Talk about Trial and Error though at a time of Life when we should be getting on!

[Brummig]

I have anxiety issues anyway, but am finding menopause is bringing new and lovely things! Some of the old ones have subsided, but that's partly because I think I have learnt to deal with them better/ accept them for what they are. But now there are new things- some very vivid anxiety dreams (including one where I was at work and my colleagues were being brutally honest about all my shortcomings and pretty nasty) so I woke up really grumpy with them all and it took me a couple of hours to stop being grumpy with them because of a dream!) I have had some panic attacks, and sudden overwhelming anxiety that can almost stop me in my tracks, and about things that would never have bothered me particularly, e.g. I cannot go through the airlock style door system at my gym, even the thought of going in brings tears!