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[lindyloo1965]

Hi all fellow menopausers, been to the menopause clinic today and saw a really lovely doctor, but although sympathetic she didn't really give much info on this aspect of the menopause, its just crushing me as it seems to be the most distressing aspect of my journey, feel like im going mad anxious about everything health kids house etc, and just seem to not be able to cope in general, how long does this last or is it forever, feeling very sad and just want it all to end

[CLKD]

Menopause doctor who doesn't realise that anxiety is 1 of the 1st symptoms to start 

What did she recommend?  HRT?  Some may help anxiety but if it is getting you down, ask your GP for an appropriate anti-anxiety medication.  Valium short term can really help, especially on an 'as necessary' basis.  I would take it the night B4 an event I was unable to get out of!

Propranolol every night can also help.  Time to talk to your GP?  Do you have a return appt. to the Meno Clinic?

[lindyloo1965]

I am on patches but i have taken tiblone in the past,  doctor wouldn't prescribe it for more than a year, but the NHS consultant has said i can take it up until i am 60 i am 56 at the moment, just hope this passes as cant stand it anymore the feelings of doom as so bloody real, feel total crap, also one tiny thing can send me over the edge like i just cant cope with anything its all too much, i used to be a go getter and was never scared of anything  but now im scared of my own shadow, please give me help will i ever be normal again.
Another appointment in six months time, it just seems so long to wit if i get no relief from the symptoms.

[CLKD]

6 months is far too long to wait.  If treatment is recommended we should be reviewed every month for at least 6 months!  MayB they are overwhelmed by appts..  Is your GP going to follow up?

Do ring your Nurse Practitioner or GP about a short course of anti-anxiety meds.. 

[lindyloo1965]

Thank you CLKD i think they are just overwhelmed with patients, i agree its far too long to wait whilst your dealing with anxiety, i will take your advice and phone docs in the morning, can i just ask does this anxiety last for ever or does it slowly diminish.

[Gnatty]

It won't last forever but it is an awful thing to go through. If you do a search on anxiety you will find there are a lot of us who really struggle on here while trying to get the right mix! When you get the right hrt it should make a real difference. You may too find that in the short term some other anti anxiety/ anti depressant will really help. There are other things that you may find helpful. A lot of people find magnesium supplements very calming, don't let yourself get hungry, so don't worry about dieting at the moment. Get outside as much as possible every day. Try listening to something soothing. I like Tara Brach s meditation podcasts. Keep a journal so you can look back and see progress/ things that help. Harley Street Emporium have just done a couple of videos on IGTV all about anxiety.
Keep talking to us! Tell us a bit more about what size patch you are on maybe so we can see if you are on a high or low dose.

[lindyloo1965]

Thanks Gnatty, im on a evorel .75 patch i think i probably should be on a stronger one but have now been changed to livial, i have been on that before and it helped with the sex drive with at least is something, i feel like i go off the deep end over small things and i actually know im doing it but just cant help myself, i feel totally changed by the menopause at the moment, just want to sit in a room by myself and sleep until its all over, i realise thats the wrong approach and i have to help myself to feel better and be proactive but i just am so down in the dumps its hard, its good news that it doesn't last forever it gives me hope.

[sheila99]

The NHS consultant needs to read the NICE guidelines, they no longer say you should stop at 60. And if you have symptoms on the 75 patch he should prescribe the 100. I have anxiety when my oestrogen is too low and it's so debitating. If you have low libido you could ask for testosterone. If your anxiety came with peri the treatment you need is oestrogen - although some people do need both. Is there anyone more informed you could see?

[lindyloo1965]

The NHS consultant needs to read the NICE guidelines, they no longer say you should stop at 60. And if you have symptoms on the 75 patch he should prescribe the 100. I have anxiety when my oestrogen is too low and it's so debitating. If you have low libido you could ask for testosterone. If your anxiety came with peri the treatment you need is oestrogen - although some people do need both. Is there anyone more informed you could see?

I still have some patches so i am going to cut one in half to up the dose so i will have one and a half patches on, as its interesting what you say about oestrogen, if i start taking the tiblone/livial that ups my sex drive, but its the anxiety that really affect me and the feeling of impending doom/ down feelings, thanks for your input its really useful

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on.

[lindyloo1965]

Let us know how you get on.

Will do CLKD going to put extra on mid week when i change patch, thank you for all your help.

[sheila99]

Transdermal is safer than oral, if she said you can't have tibolone (rather than all hrt) after 60 perhaps this is why. It has some male androgen effects too which will improve libido but you could have this with transdermal hrt if you have testosterone too. My anxiety has completely gone with the right dose of oestrogen though it did take 3 month,   hopefully yours will too. I've had to increase oestrogen twice because of a return of symptoms.