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[Dancinggirl]

Hi Lias and welcome to mm

Having read through your thread, I want to ask one or two questions before I offer any thoughts or advice:
How old are you?
When did the anxiety start?
Have you had low mood or anxiety previously?
What were your periods doing before you started HRT?
How is your general health?
You mentioned that you try to eat healthily but find this hard as you are in your own - do you have close friends and what kind of work do you do?

I have read many threads on this forum from women who have tried the Studd approach and it doesn't work for everyone. There is an alternative approach that involves shutting down your own hormones with a drug(Zoladex) and then giving a balanced dose of oestrogen and progesterone. There would also be other options e.g. have a Mirena fitted and then have oestrogen gel alongside as this might give a more consistent balance that might prevent the cyclical fluctuations that you believe effects your mood.
However, it will be trial and error and sometimes an AD/SSRI is sometimes needed alongside the HRT to truly help.
GPs are rarely clued up about HRT or any meno treatment so if your anxiety is truly down to hormonal issues then you do need to get your GP to refer you to a Gynaecologist in the NHS. It may take some months but is worth pursuing.
I firmly believe that all menopause symptoms, including low mood and anxiety, need to be handled with a range of strategies, as HRT alone cannot solve everything.
It wil involve a great deal of effort on your part to get things sorted and when you are feeling fragile mentally then this is very tough.
Make sure you write symptoms down each day, eat small meals regularly and try getting out for walks to the get the mind and body stimulated.
Don't just rely on hrt or drugs to make everything ok and try not to overthink everything - in my experience it's about finding your own way forward.  The meno does ‘mess with our heads' and it's horrid.
DG x

[Dancinggirl]

So sorry Daisydot if it came across in that way but Lisa later mentioned that she couldn't afford to see a specialist privately so I was suggesting she ask for a referral from the GP.
From her remarks I did not assume she was wanting to see someone privately and I'm afraid many women don't realise how expensive it is until they look into it. Maybe, if we do suggest a private specialist we should outline the cost involved. I am personally outraged that we often have to pay to get the appropriate treatment at all - 'Quality of life treatment' comes at great cost, as I well know.

Sorry again DG x

[Lisa1966]

Hi dg,I am nearly 52,and have suffered with anxiety and depression on and off for 26 years. The first time was dec 1991,after I came off the pill to try for a baby,I also didn't want to hold my baby for first few months,but I had a hard labour and a very bad infection after. My periods were getting few months apart before hrt. As far as I know my health is ok. This started about 3 years ago with loss of confidence,low self esteem,and panic attacks when in traffic.then last year bam complete break down,crippling anxiety 24/7,was suicidal for 8 months,couldn't be left on my own even for a few minutes,this was very hard on my family,I was also put on anti psychotic drugs which were really nasty and made it worse. This was completely different to any of the other times,but no one mentioned hormones,I have come to that conclusion myself,since doing a lot of research.i asked to go back on my trusted ads that had worked before. But my go doesn't have a clue,have tried 4 different hrts and am at my wits end.i am definitely worse mid cycle and period time,so angry and irritable.so this is why I was considering seeing a menopause specialist.

            Lisa x

[Lisa1966]

Daisydot xxxxx

[Daisydot]

Hi Dancing Girl thank you x

[Daisydot]

Lisa I hope things are easing off a bit for you this morning and your feeling better x

[Darlingbabs]

I have the same situation. Let me know if you find any relief. I can literally wake up on day 14 feeling like a different person...

[Lisa1966]

Hi daisydot not quite as irritable,buts legs are hurting,and very tired,been working all weekend and today,so at 2 o clock I'm going home for a granny nap lol.hope u r well.

        Lisa x

[Dancinggirl]

Goodness Lisa, what a tough time you have had. I think it is time you had more specialist advice so why not write down all you symptoms, past experience and questions and see your GP to ask for a referral. If you are close to London then you can probably be seen by Panay's team on the NHS or ask around for good recommendations in your area.
You are needing an holistic approach to truly find a balance and this is not easy. Keep us posted. DG x

[Lisa1966]

Thank you dg,I think I can stretch to see someone who costs £200 ish,but proff studd is £350,then with bloods £700,then with possible bone scan £950. That's what they told me when I rang to enquiry anyway. Daisydot saw someone in Leamington spa for a reasonable price,I'm thinking of enquiring there,plus it's not in London which is a bonus.

     Lisa x

[Annie0710]

Lisa firstly find out what blood tests are needed and get them done on nhs x

[Daisydot]

I've previously advised Lisa she doesn't have to go down that route I saw a private meno consultant nearer her area and nearer her budget I advised he will contact her gp with a letter of recommendation including a treatment plan,he will ask her gp if she can have certain requirements on nhs and not cost her uneccesssary fees he's a very fair minded man and is of the opinion it's not fair to be charged fees for a service you are entitled to on the nhs.He is also a leading consultant on the nhs himself.lisa now has the options that are available to her and can make informed choices as to which route she follows ie go private or wait till her gp appointment on the 12th June then ask for an nhs referral which as we are painfully aware takes months,at the present time she is suffering real anxiety over this and needs to be given time to process her thoughts and wishes.I don't think any of us can offer much more than this.

[Dancinggirl]

Lisa - where us your nearest city?
Daisydot's suggestion sounds good.
I saw a lovely gynae privately called Mr Warren in Norwich and it wasn't too expensive. He explained everthing so clearly and was very supportive. I think the first appointment was £250(you'd have to ring to find out if that has changed) and he wrote to my GP and told them what tests he wanted done and all his recommendations for prescriptions etc so I didn't have to pay for those.
There are other good specialists dotted about the country so it's worth doing a search before paying out BUT ask your GP for a referral as well as there may be a good gynae at your local hospital.
DG x

[Lisa1966]

Hi dg,I live in Northampton,49 mins from Leamington spa. Daisydot said it was £195 when she went. I had thought about a referral but my drs are penny pinching,clueless idiots,and I think it would take too long

    Lisa x

[Dancinggirl]

Lisa - Daiydots suggestion sounds good so do look into this option - a good recommendation is always the best way to go.
Do write everything down though - it can really help at any appointment.
DG x