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[pinkmarshmallow]

I’m in the middle of awfulness.  My HRT gel and progesterone tablets have just been doubled.  I’m struggling with night sweats, migraines (always been prone to them) horrid anxiety (new ADs started last week) and can just about function.  I’m trying to give myself time to adjust so staying at home but worried that all these feelings just won’t stop.  Can anyone give me hope as I’m feeling so low?

[CLKD]

HRT can be trial and error especially if your own hormones kick in.  Any problems with the HRT at all?

Do U still have periods?  Anxiety should be treated with appropriate anti-anxiety medication, some ADs might help ....... which has been prescribed?  A short course of 'valium' could help, a small dose 3 times a day for a week to give your flight/fight responses time to relax.  I had beta-blockas for several years which eased the early morning anxiety surges when 'cortisol' woke me. 

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress.  Do you have access to a garden, sitting in the sunshine can help top up VitD levels.  When did U last have a full blood count for VitD., thyroid function and iron levels?

Let us know how you get on.

[sheila99]

It got better for me but it doesn't happen overnight. My anxiety and insomnia took 3 months with little improvement for the first month. What dose are you on? Do you take progesterone daily or on a cycle?

[pinkmarshmallow]

Thanks CLKD and sheila99 for replying.  I’m on 2mg of Sandrena gel and a cycle of progesterone (days 15-28).  This will be my 2nd month on this.  I had been on Novofem HRT tabs but migraines were occurring more.  I’m back on Citalopram again as I do have history of low mood and I’m in that at the moment. 
My husband is supportive but its difficult.   I do need to get out but just not feeling it.   I’ve another dr’s appointment in 6 weeks time - I hope I feel better by then!

[CLKD]

"do need ...... "  try to remember that the body doesn't get where it is suddenly, so it all take a while to respond to the HRT.  There is a ' hints for husbands' on the Forum: print out and hand over ;-).

Let us know how you get on.  Love the name by the way 

[sheila99]

If you still have flushes you need more oestrogen. Flushes are usually the first to go normally within a couple of weeks. Testosterone helped my low mood but usually has to be prescribed by a specialist once your oestrogen dose is optimum. If your libido is low (mine was zero) it may be worth considering in the future.

[Gladys]

Hi I’m sad to say my symptoms have come bk

[sheila99]

That isn't unusual. As your own  oestrogen wanes you may need a higher dose. I've increased twice because symptoms returned.

[pinkmarshmallow]

Hi everyone.  Hope you got through Christmas ok.  I think that I need to up my Sandrena estrogen again from 2mg to 3mg as back having more hot flushes in the early hours until around 10am and anxiety surges are still horrible.  Citalopram I’m sure has helped keeping me more balanced within myself but I’m still struggling with motivation. 
Propranalol - I think is helping but unsure.  Still struggling with overthinking things - aarrrgh 🙄.

[sheila99]

I hope the increase in gel helps.

[CLKD]

We can over think until we realise that the medication is helping.  It may take a while.  Don't be so hard on yourself!  Let the medication do it's work, I so remember how panicked I would get when my ADs didn't seem to be working.  My GP reassured me a lot!

[pinkmarshmallow]

Another month on and still feel the same.  Spoke to Dr last week and she wasn’t for upping the Sandrena gel (even though I’m experiencing hot flushes still from 4am to 10am) and advised me to keep taking the Propranalol as and when I felt the surges of anxiety (up to 3 times a day).  Then to E-Consult her in a few weeks to update her.  If things unchanged she would be thinking of changing Citalopram.  Unsure why not the HRT.

I hate waking up to the ‘sinking feeling’ every day and motivation is still rubbish.  I’m trying to look after a post op dog with crate rest for a month plus another dog (needs daily walks, which I’m struggling with) and general anxiety with Uni kids and life itself.   I’m so hoping to write a positive post soon 

[sheila99]

If your gp can't or won't help you can ask for a referral to a menopause clinic. I think 2ng sandrena is equivalent to 2 pumps gel? So there is plenty of scope to increase.

[pinkmarshmallow]

Sheila99 - Yes, I think I will.  I’ll fill out the E-consult form again and ask if I can be referred to a specialist.   Thanks x