Print

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

[Londonbeans]

At 52 I was told that I was menopausal after a blood test when my Contraception implant had run out and needed to be replaced. Of course I just had it removed instead. Now 6 months on things are starting to get me down.
I have a stressful job and usually thrive on the challenge, but things have really been getting to me lately. I have always thought of myself as a strong individual, but the slightest bit of pressure I can't cope. I linked this to my menopausal state, and wondered if I needed some sort of hormone replacement.
I visited my doctor today and he prescribed Sertraline 50mg, I was not happy that they are anti-depressants but want my old self back and am happy to try them. I will be making changes in my job too, but this will not happen immediately and I need to be in a positive state of mind to get the best results all round.
Please advise me of if Sertraline has helped you?

[dahliagirl]

If you want to try hrt, I would go back and see someone else and ask for that.

Do you have any hot flushes/night sweats?

[CLKD]

   did your GP discuss HRT options too?  Did you present depressed rather than menopausal?  Some ADs can ease other symptoms as well as depression so should not be dismissed out of hand.  Some ladies find keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful.

I do wish that GPs would discuss in depth the pros and cons of HRT as well as any benefits that ADs can offer!

[walking the dog]

Hello londonbeans

You really should be offered hrt for menopausal symptoms before ADs
I use hrt and I'm also on sertraline which does help with my anxiety but hasn't helped with menopausal physical symptoms.

[MicheleMaBelle]

hi Londonbeans- I eventually tried Setraline ( same as you, stressful job, maybe a bit older when I first went to GP ) Was told that I needed ADs. wasn't convinced so went down the herbal route for a year and after this eventually succumbed and took Setraline. I didn't get on with them at all. Constantly shaking and started having hallucinations. Not good at all so was told to come off them. Next choice was a type that could cause heart problems and failing that, good old fashioned sedation. Go back to your doc- HRT should be offered as the first line of defence in peri and menopausal women x

[Upsadaisy]

Hi

I've been on sertraline for 3 years...it gave me my life back.
The side effects at the beginning were really hard but without it I wouldn't have been able to function as I had hideous anxiety and panic attacks to such an extent I thought I was dying....I'm now on hrt to help with hot flushes and night sweats

[walking the dog]

Your story's similar to mine upsadaisy, hope your keeping well on the combination

[Upsadaisy]

Hi walking the dog....I wouldn't give up my sertraline for anything....and I've told my gp that ...I cannot go back to that black hole ever again..sertraline literally has been my life saver. I think unless you've suffered from anxiety it's impossible to understand just how truly awful it is...the hrt is helping with hot flushes but I'm struggling a bit with the progesterone part so I'm looking at maybe changing ( currently on evorel sequi)

[walking the dog]

I struggled with progesterone too , just had hysterectomy so now don't need it. The sertraline took my pms from 10 days to 1'and I have been in a much better place . Good to hear a positive story upsadaisy

[CLKD]

Lots of ladies have difficulty with the progesterone days  . 

[Sally66]

Hi Londonbeams

I'm in the same situation. Really stressful job which has become very difficult now I'm in menopause, especially my PMS which has become very severe/unmanageable now. My GP offered Sertraline or HRT but seemed to think Sertraline would be better as PMS was the worst symptom.

I took one at night, as instructed, and woke up three hours later shivering and shaking with my teeth chattering non-stop. I then started pacing up and down my flat, muttering oh God, oh God. I think I just had a full on proper panic attack. I had to phone in sick for the following two days.

I know for some people they work well and that it's important to press regardless of the side effects, but I'm afraid I just couldn't take them. Hope they work for you but I think you'll just have to jump in and hope for the best!

I'm going back to see the doctor about HRT, though am not sure they'll do anything about the debilitating PMS I've got now I'm 50 ...

[peri]

This subject has been much debated on this forum if anyone cares to do a search.  NICE guidelines advise  GP's should be offering hrt as a first line approach for menopausal or peri menopausal symptoms.  For an uneducated GP take the NICE guidelines with you to back up your argument.  Hrt protects bones and heart as well as dealing with hot flushes and low mood, but how would anyone find out if it works for them if they're fobbed off with anti-depressants.  Don't get me wrong I believe there is a place for anti-d's when all else fails or for people who have suffered long term anxiety and depression, but we must be clear they're not really addressing lack of oestrogen and it's debilitating effects and I worry that while they're being given out like smarties lot's of women are being failed x

[CLKD]

Sally - some meds cause agitation, which is what you seem to be describing.  Ativan is particularly known for it  .  I remember walking for miles with my Dad as he couldn't settle to anything 

[babyjane]

If it was possible to wind the clock back, with the knowledge I now have from this forum, I think I would probably have persevered harder when I was given some HRT to try about 10 years ago.  However the effects were horrible and I didn't have the support.  I have a long history of anxiety and moderate depression and have been taking an AD for the last 15 months.  I would probably have needed them eventually anyway but I sometimes wonder how things would have panned out if I had been supported with the HRT and the difference it could have made but I will never know.

 I am glad medical attitudes to HRT have changed but I am too far down the post meno road now to go upsetting the apple cart and I am reasonably ok as I am and have great support from members of this forum (you know who you are and thank you).

[breeze]

I know it really helps some people, but I had a really bad reaction after only one tablet.

Everyone is different so you won't know unless you try.