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[Nas]

Well it’s been a while since I posted. One year on oestrogel 3/4/5/6 pumps and I’m not absorbing. Started Estradot 75 yesterday, feels dreadful today. Anxiety through the roof, sad, achy, what’s the point mentality. But, driving
 Oh hell, driving is the worst. Had driving anxiety last year, still bloody got it! Now waiting for a cbd therapist to call me, as I’ve run out of ideas how to tackle it. Sweets, music, no music, talking, no talking, gum, breathing , propranolol, cbd, nothing works. What am I to do? Why is this happening? I just want to drive normally. These are short local drives which cause me huge stress. Beginning to think I have the beginnings of dementia or a brain tumor. I have sertraline in the kitchen, seriously thinking of taking it now! Anyone taking sertraline for anxiety ?? Maybe an inner ear issue ?

[CLKD]

Anxiety.

What does it say on the packet about driving whilst taking Sertraline?

I used to get anxiety because I was driving for 25 mins with no lay-bys.  No where to pull off.  Very few left turns to get off the main road.  I would feel ill by the time I got home.  I knew every farm gate-way on an 'in case' basis but would never have dared to drive back onto the road as it's so busy 

Have you thought about driving lessons?

[Nas]

I had thought about driving lessons. Can’t really afford right now. My plan, to drive as much as I can. Face the fear, fast bendy lanes, every day. Even if i make pointless journeys, I am determined to win. Been out twice today, two half hour journeys, exhausted. Don’t want to take sertraline really.

[CLKD]

After my appendix was removed I was told not to drive for 6 weeks.  By the end of 4.5 weeks I HAD to get in and drive otherwise I would never have got behind the wheel again.

Is there a farmer with a large field? or somewhere that you could put bollards/straw bales so that you can practice quietly?  My problem is reversing  . 

Pick times that are quiet?

[CLKD]

 . ......... especially if the fields are wet and muddy   

[Jane50]

Hi Nas,

Maybe the fact that you're not absorbing the oestrogen is the key. Low oestrogen affects brain function and as such will make driving very difficult as lots of concentration and multi-tasking required. I couldn't drive for 6 months - I just couldn't remember what I was supposed to do or where I was going! Quite scary.

I'm also on sertraline and have been for a fair few years but it did not touch the anxiety associated with hormone upheaval and only HRT has helped. Hopefully once you get your oestrogen levels sorted things will improve.

X

[charliegirl]

Hi Jane, did you mean low estrogen affects levels of seratonin in the brain?

[Nas]

Many thanks for your responses.
Rock, nothing that I can recall triggered the anxiety. December 2018, I drove normally. January 2019, wham, woke up in a panic about my 20 minute commute to work. Same month, a multitude of symptoms appeared out of no where. Struggled to drive on dual carriage ways, fast lanes, bendy roads. I just feel utter panic and out of control. It appears I haven’t been absorbing oestrogen for a year now. Despite upping the dose regularly . Now on the patch and hoping for a miracle as I need to drive regularly  and safely ( obviously) .

Jane, I feel sure low oestrogen is the issue. It’s too coincidental  that the driving issue should arrive the same time as all the other symptoms. I haven’t taken the sertraline yet, as I want to see how the patch goes first.

CLKD, think I will steer clear of the fields for now...although I will take it steady when have to drive 👍😀

Franny, I won’t lose hope. I did threaten to surrender my license the other day, but realized that would be a mistake as I could get better with the correct HRT. It’s just so hard. I’ve had to sing to myself, talk to myself and all sorts, just to drive 5 miles!!! 😔

Oh what a nightmare all of this is! 🙄

[Jane50]

Hi Charliegirl,

I haven't read anything about oestrogen having an effect on serotonin but I wouldn't put it past it! Seems to be able to affect most things...

Low oestrogen causes brain fog, memory and concentration problems. I couldn't finish a sentence or even read a book at my worst. Really thought I was getting dementia.

Nas - hope the patch starts helping you soon and yes it's a complete and utter nightmare! I can't even drink anymore as gives me immediate anxiety... So chocolate it is 

X

[Nas]

Tell me about it Jane!
I’ve diagnosed myself with dementia, a brain tumor, driving phobia and other weird and wonderful conditions in the past year. Oh please god let the patch do something, else I’m on for trouble ahead! 🙄🙄

[Baby]

Yes Jane oestrogen does have an affect on serotonin. I have always had a brilliant memory never had to write things down now my fridge is covered with post it notes. My hubby said the other day he was gonna take them down. We had a full on row about it. I cannot cope without my post it notes. X

[Emm225]

Sertraline...can be difficult to go onto (side effects) and come off.  If it works for you however it is brilliant.  Didn't work for me, although perhaps I should have given it longer but I felt so drunk with it I could barely walk straight and certainly wouldn't have driven.. I did read I thought that there are other anti deps which are now being prescribed for meno anxiety and flushes which work better.  I think the worst thing about the meno for me and others is the anxiety ...then the horrendous flushes.  Never ever thought would be this bad as I try to take care of my mental and physical health ...but it's uncontrollable for us isn't it and people don't always understand....

[Nas]

Emm th anxiety is by far the worst of the symptoms in my view.
I haven’t taken the sertraline as I want to see how the patch goes first. Can’t say I’m feeling much better on that right now, although it’s been 10 days only. So much trial and error involved!