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[Bradenton69]

HI there

I haven't posted much on this site but avidly read the information and advice.

I am still arguing with myself weather or not to start HRT but things are def getting worse.

More and more I am now starting to get panic attacks.  At first I thought there were anxiety attacks but after researching it appear to be more panic. I was out on Saturday night with friends at the Theatre and had a full blown attack which lasted close to 40 minutes and I thought I was going to pass out (again).  Work is a struggle and feel so weak in my personality to be feeling this when I am normally such a strong person.

Has anyone else been affected this way.  I am at my wits end what to do and don't know what to do.  Feel between this and black moods I am all over the place.

[aspie65]

My anxiety sky rocketed in the last few years thanks to my pesky hormones.  I needed to be on HRT (tried to come off it at one point and was shocked as to how much it was keeping me sane).  Don't fear HRT, read up on it and you will see how safe it is these days.

[AngsanaBlossom]

Hi Braden

Over the past 2 years I have developed really bad anxiety and had panic attacks. I feel the same way as you. I have had lots of hard times in my life and never had anxiety or panic feelings like this. My GP says it is my hormones but it is difficult for me to fully acknowledge this. Many people have told me I am a very strong person and pretty tough and ballsy so being in a panic seems really alien to me.

My worst panic is when I am closed in or what I call "cornered". So for example, the worst times are when I get my hair cut and coloured or I have to go on a plane. If I have to sit there and can't leave, I start to panic. I have beta blockers to pop when I have these 2 situations. I have also felt this when I have arranged to meet someone for lunch or coffee, but this has passed. I have also felt it at traffic lights and when I had to drive on a motorway for 4 hours. I consider myself quite a fearless person and this has had a real knock to my confidence. The other night I had a panic attack in the middle of the night. My husband has gone away for a week and I am here alone with my children and I felt panicked about not having backup and the week seemed like an eternity.

I am 5 weeks into HRT. The other day I thought to myself "I've got this and I feel great" but the last 2 days I have felt terrible. I can quite honestly say that I have have endured many ups and downs in my life, my GP even said I have had a lot of trauma in my life, but the menopause may be the one to break my spirit.

[CLKD]

My anxiety bubbles away in the background.  I do get more better days than for years.  But it can turn into panic within seconds, I feel queasy, my thighs go weak, then my calves, then I'm curled up in a ball.

What's to lose?

[Bradenton69]

Thank you for taking the time in responding and most of all your honesty.

I do fear HRT and pesky side effects 

This started about a year ago but was very few and far between and mostly when I got onto a plane to travel, but is now more frequent and happened a couple of times on holiday last month but Saturday was the worst.  Basically I thought I was going to faint and my heart was racing so fast, back neck sweating and cold sweats.  Same happened last night in the car when we were going out as I thought it might happen again.  I am breathing my way through it but I am so scared that I actually do faint (this has happened on a plane before).

I am back at Docs in couple of weeks and have a follow up appoint with Gyno week after that for my problems with PCOS.

[Roseneath]

Bradonton69. All I can say is that it will pass. Whatever regime I have been on; Mindfullness, exercise, improved diet the ' fear' waxes and wains in Peri.   I can have a good 6 weeks when I think I'm over it then a bad few days or a bad week. I tried HRT but for me it ramped my anxiety right up to a whole new level of mania.  It may be in the future I give it another go. For some people it helps.  I have read so much but don't think for me there is a magic bullet on the anxiety during Peri unfortunately. What works for one doesn't for another. Things can improve then you have a dip again. I now put a smiley face on the wall calendar 3 days away and tell myself by then things will have improved. Until then I try and breathe, focus on the here and now, drink lots of water, get fresh air. You are not alone with this.

[CLKD]

Have you considered an 'as necessary' anti-anxiety tablet?  To use when panic over-takes?  Mine usually takes about 20-40 mins. to kick in.  The effects last well.  Knowing that I have them to hand, I can go out and about more easily.

[AngsanaBlossom]

I second CLKD's "as necessary" anti-anxiety tablets. I have a packet of Propranolol off my GP. People use them for all kinds of things and are most popular with people doing presentations to calm them beforehand. They slow your heartbeat down a couple of beats so you don't reach the fight or flight level. 

I have had one packet of 24 that I have used in a whole year. If I know I am going to be really stressed about getting on a plane I will take 2 an hour and a half before I get on it or a couple before a 3-hour hair appointment. I used to be more anxious in other situations but knowing they are in my bag (I cut a strip of 4 and put in my purse) and knowing I can get them out has actually stopped me from using them because I know they work. I had to go on a small boat recently and I was awake all night in a panic that I would wreck it for everyone by having an attack and making them go back to harbour. I took a couple and had the most amazing day on the boat. Also get a bottle of rescue remedy as that also works.

[Taz2]

I am the same but I've been on HRT for ten years and I'm afraid it hasn't made any difference to that side of things. I'm currently investigating hypnotherapy as a friend has had good results with this for her own panic disorder.

Have you been prescribed an anti depressant aimed at reducing panic as well as the beta blockers? My son has had brilliant results from Citalopram.

Taz x

[SueLW]

I have had panic in theatres.  Which is bonkers because I've been working in theatres since I was 14, behind stage, on stage and eventually running one.  But very early in peri, before I even thought about menopause, I went to see a production in a big theatre and we were sitting in the middle of the row about half-way up the rake.  Suddenly, before the show started, I was off.  Fearing I would fall forward, faint, make a scene.  It was a single act play too, no interval!  From then on I started asking people if we could sit at the ends of rows so I could get out, but I would use the excuse of my long legs.  I always carried a Rescue Remedy with me too and as someone else said, it worked.  I think it works because we think it will work.  There is nothing rational about such fears. 

It's much better now I'm older.  I will go to the ballet with friends and sit in the middle of rows high up in the balcony and be fine.  But it was horrible while it lasted.  I ended up not being able to go out unless my husband was there to hang onto.

[AngsanaBlossom]

I sit at the end of rows too. 

[CLKD]

Sitting on the end no longer works for me  .  We bought tickets for 'end of row' the last time we went and there was a PILLAR in the way  so I couldn't get out anyway.  It was 'Black Mambarzo ....... ' can't remember the correct name but the bass beat went through me a bit. Panic set in .......

Although I am aware of the fight or flight response and that this reaction is natural it doesn't stop the panic attack taking over. 

[CLKD]

I had it for years. I would set off for town but half way there panic would set in.  Sometimes I was able to shop, others I left DH to finish whilst I dashed to the car.    .......... it was never 'what if I panic' but it was a sensation of sudden panic.  Eventually I tried rescue remedy mouth spray which helps.

Also being hungry would impact so driving home from work I would feel really ill and it was made worse because there simply isn't anywhere to pull over in the whole 5 miles!

[Bradenton69]

I have had panic in theatres.  Which is bonkers because I've been working in theatres since I was 14, behind stage, on stage and eventually running one.  But very early in peri, before I even thought about menopause, I went to see a production in a big theatre and we were sitting in the middle of the row about half-way up the rake.  Suddenly, before the show started, I was off.  Fearing I would fall forward, faint, make a scene.  It was a single act play too, no interval!  From then on I started asking people if we could sit at the ends of rows so I could get out, but I would use the excuse of my long legs.  I always carried a Rescue Remedy with me too and as someone else said, it worked.  I think it works because we think it will work.  There is nothing rational about such fears. 

It's much better now I'm older.  I will go to the ballet with friends and sit in the middle of rows high up in the balcony and be fine.  But it was horrible while it lasted.  I ended up not being able to go out unless my husband was there to hang onto.

This was literally me on Saturday night!!!  So much so we are going  to another play in a few months time and I have asked my husband to book an aisle seat for me.  Feel so pathetic.

Thank you everyone.  I am at Docs and hospital in a few weeks.  Feel not so alone now!!! or mad !!

[paisley]

I can so relate. Panic is awful. I won't fly unless I really have to. I hate the waves of panic when waiting to get on the plane & when I am on I want to get off again. I used to love flying. My OH can't understand it at all. Lots of things cause me panic now which never used to.