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[KSB]

Does perimenopause depression lift? I have been suffering for almost a year. Last April I was away on a lovely family holiday which had to be cut short because out of the blue I woke up in the middle of the night feeling utterly terrified. What followed was severe anxiety that I could only describe as a feeling that I wanted to just run. It felt like torture utterly awful. I followed advice from a good friend who is a psychiatrist and started taking sertraline which eased the anxiety. I have combined this with HRT but I am struggling with extreme tiredness and mood dips at the same time every month. The HRT gives me a period it is a very low dose. I can not believe the year I have had and am desperately trying to eat well sleep well and exercise but it has been a living hell. Never thought I would feel like this at a time when I really felt I was finally content with my lot.

[KSB]

Thank you. Just to know this is "normal" is a comfort. On the good days I feel happy and content but the bad days are so hard to get through but I do all I can to help and don't sit and feel sorry for myself (although wallow days can be good too). I can only describe these episodes as feeling weird like nothing feels familiar and I'm not comfortable in my own skin. I can't concentrate and I just want to be home. I have 2 young children so I have to get on. I also have a career in the health service but have felt like I need a change there too I've lost interest!! Not like me at all! Need to think of the positives and go with it and ride the storm. Hope it eases soon. My sister was the exact same but has come out the other side. Fingers crossed!!!!

[Roseneath]

KSB. You are absolutely not alone with this and please know that is will shift. I woke terrified on holiday last Feb; shaking, panic, convinced I had diabetes for some reason, was ready to go down to reception and demand to be taken to hospital. I will have 2 or 3 weeks a month feeling pretty normal and able to do exercise, breathing etc - I think I've cracked it. Then every 8 weeks or so (now every month) I have a terrible week; feel old and scared and can't focus. I too have two young children and struggle to keep it together. The only tips I can give are eat little and often, try and get outside every day - even walk in the rain and distract yourself / keep busy. I tried HRT, CBT, self help NHS health anxiety course and am still on a low dose perindophril but to be honest nothing has worked when the ' bad' week comes - I think it is hormonal / chemical surges of who knows what. I have an un-opened pack of sertraline in my cupboard so interested to know how you get on with it.

[CLKD]

Do keep a check on your 'cycle'.  Make a diary of mood/food/symtpoms?  Some ladies find that they require an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety along with HRT.  There's no hard and fast rule as each lady is different.

HORMONES 

[Hurdity]

Hi KSB - if i haven't said so already then   

What was your cycle doing before you started HRT - were your periods irregular and you were missing some and have they become regular now since starting HRT? Also did you have the pre-menstrual anxiety before you started HRT as well? If your periods were already irregular and you were experiencing menopausal symptoms including anxiety then you should have been given HRT BEFORE thinking about anti-depressants. From what I gather there are few psychiatrists that will treat anxiety/depression with hormones!

Also if you are still experiencing pms symptoms monthly - part of this may be due to the type of HRT - what type and dose are you on? It may well be that you will benefit from an increased oestrogen dose (depending where in peri-menopause you are) as well as a different type of progestogen as some of these can cause more pms symptoms in some women.

Hopefully we can help you further....

Hurdity x

[Ella29]

Hello everybody. I want to advise the author of the post to consult her doctor about the hormonal background. You can see in
 this article, really everything that you describe is also signs not only of perimenopause, but also of low level of progesterone. You know, it's funny, but even men who are keen on bodybuilding use progesterone to improve their mood and overall well-being (this is something related to the ratio of progesterone and estrogen in the male body). The doctor advised me a vaginal cream based on progesterone. I wish you luck and will soon cope with this difficult period for any woman.

[KSB]

Hello thanks for replying to me. OK so I would say I have always had PMS had a short cycle every 3 and a half weeks. About 3 or 4 years ago my periods started getting really close together, then I was missing some. The longest I have gone is 6 months. I am on femaston 1/10. I have made a mood diary and can clearly see a pattern. The first week of oestregen only I feel more like myself. Into the 2nd week again oestregen only  when the period comes I feel up and down and "weird" quite low and negative. Could just stay home. The third week when I take oestregen and progesterone I perk up again and then the 4th week I'm back down again. Its Thursday to Thursday and  day 14 I can feel it coming. My husband says its like clockwork!!! I am 45. Thinking back these symptoms came creeping up and I didn't notice but I should have twigged!!! I am gutted I was so happy with my life. But I had been feeling increasingly agitated. Was very bloated and my private parts looked very puffy too....great!!!! I was also very itchy down there!!! I was abroad with my husband eating breakfast enjoying the view when a wave of panic came over me but still I didn't twig. My kids have been amazing. And my husband has the patience of a saint he is so supportive and loving. On the good days I think right I'm good I've cracked this I'm getting better. On the bad days I'm like this is me for life back to square one. I'm old, I'm ugly and I'm destined for the scrap heap!!! Socialising has become a heavy chore although I'm holding down my job but moving to the new hospital has been a nightmare...again I'm out my comfort zone!! I can tolerate the physical symptoms but the mental ones do make me feel like i will be in a straight jacket soon!!!! At the beginning of this I had over 30 symptoms glad to say they have subsided!!! Just the head to sort now!!!!! Mother nature what a bitch!!!!!! Keep thinking I need a new job a new focus but need to be in a better place first!!! Can I ask is there any support groups where people meet to chat in Dumfries??? Xx

[KSB]

Looking back on this post i look like I'm lying down to it. I've given up alcohol, sugar and drama from friends!!! I force myself to walk a couple of miles a day and I eat well. I have also started taking magnesium and vit b12. I am a lot better than I was last April when I felt like I'd been plugged in the anxiety was so bad and I couldn't get out the house!!! I won't go down without a fight!!!

[racjen]

The other thing that hasn't been mentioned in this thread  is low testosterone - also common in menopause and definitely implicated in depression and anxiety, plus a whole host of other symptoms. GPs aren't very clued up on this but worth asking to get your level checked.