Print

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

[GrapesOfWrath]

I have just started HRT last month. I'm 42 and have been suffering from crippling anxiety and acid reflux since September 2016 when all the other Peri Menopause fun kicked in. The thing is, the anxiety, acid reflux and esophagus spasming only come around ovulation and peak right before Aunt Flow visits. I was given HRT  Estradiol 0.0375 mg patch Progesterone Micronized 200 MG two weeks/100 MG two weeks. My OBGYN did not do any blood work because she felt at this early my levels would be going up and down so an accurate reading would be hard. This was late Febuary 2017. At first I felt great. The 200 MG progesterone calmed me almost instantly. The two weeks I was on 100 MG progesterone I didn't feel as good, but still better than I had in months. Three days before my cycle the anxiety hit like a brick and the acid reflux/esophagus spasming lasted for two days without relief. I was in the ER twice and they couldn't stop it. Only Bentyl gave me some relief. Then, just as before the HRT I had the usual intrusive thoughts with horrible anxiety. I feel almost suicidal at this time.  Then suddenly my mind snapped back. I then noticed my period had appeared. About nine hours later the spasms and reflux stopped abruptly.
Has anyone had this happen? I just got a new doctor who is checking my hormone levels and sending me to about three specialists. I just hit the ovulation mark and I had the same symptoms for a couple of days, only less severe.
I'm quite scared.
 

[CLKD]

The OBGYN is quite correct.  Mine won't do hormone blood tests either because symptoms should be enough to begin treatment.  Due to hormones altering all the while throughout 24 hours unless the blood is drawn at the 'correct' time of the month, they may not show a true reading  .

What type of 'specialists' is your doctor - is that a GP? - sending you to and for what symptoms?  Do take a list of worries to each appt., as well as keeping a mood/food/symptom diary to charge progress.  Certainly I had various PMT symptoms which stopped once the bleed began.  This time of Life is known as The Change for many reasons  .

Did you have suicidal thoughts during your menstruating years?  I would get depressed.  Very tearful which would stop once the bleed began.  R these feelings something you can live with as you know that they pass once you begin bleeding?  If not you need to discuss these with your GP.  I have beta-blockas to ease the anxiety surges as well as an emergency 'as necessary' tablet for when the anxiety floors me.

I found that not taking medication too close to bed time helped ease reflux.  Even a drink of tea can cause it ....... sleeping with lots of pillows is necessary occasionally.

[GrapesOfWrath]

My GP is sending me to an OBGYN specialist, a Gastroenterologist and a cardiologist. He says I will probably end up having a hysterectomy since my condition has gone down the road to PMDD. The only time I had any sort of anxiety or suicidal thoughts is when my thyroid went hyper active in my teens. It was taken care of with meds and I haven't had anything like this happen until now.
Hence my screen name Grapes Of Wrath. It's what I call my ovaries these days.

[Tempest]

Bless your heart, Grapes!

I had a terrible time in perimenopause too.

Reading your posts, it seems you are having a great deal of the same problems as one of our regular posters here, GypsyRoseLee. Go and check out her posts - I'm sure she'd be happy to chat to you too.

Welcome to MM, and please know that you're not alone and will find a lot of warmth and support here from the other ladies.

Hugs,

Tempest xxxxx

[GrapesOfWrath]

Thank you, ladies! My doctor never thought peri menopause could be the issue until I told him what I learned from this board and others. You helped me even when I was just a lurker looking for information months ago. I shudder to think what may have happened to me if I didn't use what I learned online to advocate for my health.
I do have a couple of questions:
Why the hideous acid reflux and esophagus spasms at the beginning of ovulation and a few days before my period? I have never suffered with this until September and it got worse when I started the HRT.
Also, if I have a hysterectomy is it wise to leave the ovaries? I know this is a question that will ultimately be answered by a doctor. I am just curious as to what the women who have had one experienced.

Thank you all!

[Tempest]

I would say definitely, DEFINITELY keep your ovaries if they are healthy. If I could have kept mine, I would! Surgically induced menopause is very tough - I'm not going to lie! 

I have no clue about the oesophagitis I'm afraid but I DID have a very nasty episode of gastritis during peri (before my oopherectomy, obviously). It's a very common thing during all this menopause milarky - oh the joys!!! xxxx

[ancient runner]

gastritis is the pits. Have had two or three awful bouts in the past 18 months - have had hiatus hernia about 10 years though so that pre dated peri. Feel for you. 40mg omeprazole helped last time.