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[Mindfulmoomins]

Nas, you are not alone. Thinking of you today.

Antidepressants scare me too despite being on them. They have, however, in the past been one of a variety of really useful tools that have helped enormously.

I understand the fear but if you are still struggling in the future and feel like you want to try a low dose of one we are all here to support you.

I read somewhere that 25% of women age 45-55 are on antidepressants. Clearly their is something about our hormones that disrupts the mood chemicals at this stage in our lives.

Xxx

[Suzysheep]

I don’t know if this article will help anyone… but it seems sudden withdrawal of hormones can cause similar withdrawal symptoms as coming off drugs etc. That really explains the anxiety, flushes, depression etc.

https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/24/4/523/2424552

It can also explain why changing hormone doses would cause such effects.

It certainly explains why my stopping HRT cold turkey has made such an awful impact on my mental health.

[EllaAurora]

I don’t know if this article will help anyone… but it seems sudden withdrawal of hormones can cause similar withdrawal symptoms as coming off drugs etc. That really explains the anxiety, flushes, depression etc.

https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/24/4/523/2424552

It can also explain why changing hormone doses would cause such effects.

It certainly explains why my stopping HRT cold turkey has made such an awful impact on my mental health.

Thank you Suzy for sharing, will read this article with high interest. I have somewhat similar experience, I didn't come off HRT, but had a big drop in my own hormones last spring, and I've not been the same afterwards. At that point I was only on 1 pump oestrogel and it wasn't enough to cover for the loss of oestrogen, which triggered heavy symptoms. Still on my way to find the right amount of oestrogen to balance.

[EllaAurora]

Ella, I identify so much with everything you have said.

I too feel scared of being alone but that’s not really me. I’m an introvert who loves the peacefulness of being alone in the house.

I too long to feel at peace with my thoughts too.

5 am waking isn’t me either. I loooove my sleep. Apparently, there’s a book called something like ‘The 5am club’ about the benefits of rising early. I am not convinced! I guess if it’s a choice it feels different.

Are you working? I am off work due to my symptoms which is both a help and contributes to everything.

I think it’s ok to feel sorry for yourself. You are a human and you are not feeling good. It’s natural to feel sorry about that and wish it was different right now.

I hope you have a peaceful evening too. Thinking of you xx

Thanks so much for your kind words! It means a lot to feel the support during this hard time and to just know there is someone, somewhere, who will understand what I'm going through.

I'm fortunate in that I've been able to continue working from home all through the difficult months. I don't think I would have managed normal work at the office, but from home its been ok and a much welcomed distraction. There has of course been days when I've wished I could just stay in bed in the morning, but having to get up and use my brain has given at least some sense of normalcy during all the weirdness.

Would you have a chance to return to work in a part time or working from home manner?

[Floo36]

We have to keep trying to get the balance right when our symptoms are so severe.  Keep posting with updates and hopefully some good news.  Im looking forward to someday be able to work, go out to see friends, go on holiday again, sleep again and feel well and normal again. 

[Mindfulmoomins]

I would love to go back to work but it’s quite hard to do my job (as a therapist) and unfair on the people I see if I’m not able to be there for them and feel robust.

I work part time so as soon as I feel more like me I shall return.

It’s so dispiriting being off from a role I love.

I have emailed the meno clinic again asking for a proper appointment next week. It’s over 4 weeks since increasing oestrogel and fluoxetine and I feel empty and sad and just distract myself as best I can all day.

I want my quality of life back.

It is so reassuring not to feel alone and to have this support xx

[EllaAurora]

I would love to go back to work but it’s quite hard to do my job (as a therapist) and unfair on the people I see if I’m not able to be there for them and feel robust.

I work part time so as soon as I feel more like me I shall return.

It’s so dispiriting being off from a role I love.

I have emailed the meno clinic again asking for a proper appointment next week. It’s over 4 weeks since increasing oestrogel and fluoxetine and I feel empty and sad and just distract myself as best I can all day.

I want my quality of life back.

It is so reassuring not to feel alone and to have this support xx

In that profession certainly you must be in good health yourself. Hopefully you can soon get there!

Sounds good that you asked for the appointment again with meno clinic. 4 weeks is not a long time, but one would assume seeing at least some, even if minor, improvement in this time. Maybe you'll need to change the way oestrogen is delivered in your system if transdermal is not helping despite high dose? It's so tiring process trying to find the right dose. I'm having a slightly better day today and keeping up hope it would be a sign of moving towards better balance with HRT, but it could also just be my own hormones lifting in the background (in which case it'll be worse quite soon when approaching mid cycle). I do wish this peri would soon pass, as it seems impossible to find the balance when own system is constantly fluctuating. 

[Nas]

Thanks mindful,
Tough day today.
I nearly quit my job, as tired, irritable and finding it hard to function. I work in a school and had to do covid testing training. Oh my word, I was rubbish. Way too fast and pressured for my brain to cope with!

Menopause is taking way too much from me 😥

[Sazzle42115]

Hey Nas
I work in a school role too in admin and I looked terrible compared to all my bright eyed refreshed colleagues....I've spent the summer hoping my AD would kick in. Woke at 4am both INSET mornings..... it's such a grind I've done 2 days and I'm absolutely shattered. Hard to work when you feel like this but not being in) being signed off is tricky too. I had a week off last term to get my sleep back on track with low dose Mirtazapine I was really honest about how I was feeling,hard when you're normally so efficient. I still don't feel great now on 3 sprays of Lenzetto. Working, teenager starting 6th form and trying to keep on top of housework, etc is very hard. Hopefully we will feel some relief soon xxx

[Nas]

Sazzle, it sounds like you and me are in a similar boat. Day 2 of INSET and im also exhausted! 3.5 hours of intensive safeguarding training, then Covid training. Ive also got a teen starting college and a house to deal with.

Im done in!

100 patch not doing much right now.
Lenzetto is my next 'go to' Hrt.

[Mindfulmoomins]

Oh wow, working in a school is so full on. It’s so hard when Meno symptoms make everything feel harder. I feel for you both.

I hope you have a relaxing evening with some nourishment of some sort xxx

[Nas]

Thanks mindful
I so wish I could find a home based job now. I find being out the house for 8.30am each day, really hard when I haven’t slept etc.

Sorry to hijack your thread. I do hope you begin to feel better over time. It’s a very tough journey and I  completely underestimated how hard it would be to cope with severe symptoms and work etc

Here’s hoping you will be back doing the job you love and enjoy very soon.
🌸🤞

[Mindfulmoomins]

Please don’t feel you have hijacked the thread. I am so glad you and the others are here. It’s our thread.

I totally agree, the symptoms are exhausting so working on top is very difficult xx

[Flan747]

Hi all! Just jumping in to say I too am exhausted by it all! I had my Newson clinic appt yesterday and have added testosterone as she believes that is the missing link! Really hoping she is right! Good luck to everyone!

[Mindfulmoomins]

Thanks Flan, I believe testogel helped me 4 years ago hen I was starting out on trying to get the right HRT. Good luck xx