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[Jane50]

Hi all,

Over the last couple of weeks I've begun waking suddenly with a start accompanied by anxiety symptoms.

I've just spent ages reading posts on this and from what I can gather it seems to be caused by imbalance of hormones.

Has anyone managed to effectively change their HRT and got relief?

At the mo I'm on 5 pumps of oestrogel and 200mg utro vaginally. I'm due to switch to the Mirena beginning of Oct. Has anyone found changing their progesterone has helped with morning cortisol surges??

Or do I need to change oestrogen too as I'm also still getting night sweats..  Is the oestrogel no longer as effective as I have read morning surges can be a response to low oestrogen?? ... I feel 5 pumps is a lot to still be having symptoms..

Anyone managed to get these surges under control? It's a truly horrible way to wake up in the morning.

X

[CLKD]

Those early morning cortisol surges are dreadful, I would wake terrified.  I was prescribed a beta blocka.

[Jane50]

Thanks for replying CLKD.

I have a stash of propranolol for palpitations ( which have now gone on their own). Tempted to take one later before bed to see if it helps but just feel my HRT isn't right for me yet as I've got other meno symptoms too.
 Anyone changed their HRT and eradicated cortisol surges?

[Uptick]

Hi Jane, it's not just cortisol, it's also adrenaline causing this distressful morning anxiety and it appears that oestrogen fluctuations can trigger their release. If you're still perimenopausal the fluctuations might not be overridden by low dose HRT, but 5 pumps seems a lot of gel, so maybe you're not absorbing it? Have you thought about trying patches?

I find this website very helpful https://manchesteranxietyhelp.co.uk/adrenalin-and-cortisol-in-anxiety-disorders/

[Jane50]

Thank you so much for replying Uptick and thank you for the link. I've had anxiety and panic attacks at various stages of my life and before I started HRT. This is purely in the morning and wakes me so suddenly and I get adrenaline rushes but it doesn't develop into a panic attack. This is a new peri symptom, and here's me thinking I'd had them all 

Yes from what I've read it does seem to be triggered by low oestrogen but I'm a bit concerned about switching to the Mirena AND changing oestrogen. And what to switch to?? I started out on Elleste duet patches around 2 years ago and they worked great for about 6 months. Seems to be similar pattern with the gel...

Maybe I need to get a referral to a Menopause Clinic. I was been treated by gynae at hospital but they seem to have discharged me  .....

I know everyone is different but I was hoping someone might have got these surges under control with HRT...

[CLKD]

Get thee to a menopause clinic ;-) then let us know!