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[Vicky81]

Hi All,

Just to see if you could put some ease to my anxiety ridden brain lol!

Just to note fist off that i am now on Oestrgel (4 pumps), Testosterone and Progesterone (haven't started this yet) (from DR Studd clinic) only just 3 weeks in.

This bad/social anxiety thing started in September/October time I’d say out of nowhere - However, I now and again have  a rage at my partner and blame moving flats saying "if i hadn't moved there i wouldn't be like this!" (as I never settled in this flat for some reason) even though I have since moved and all is peaceful there (from December)

But the other night, we both sat down and did a timeline of events because I was saying I am not sure if the previous flat caused this, or hormones! Just need reassurance I guess that i am deffo on the correct track here. I went Private to Dr Stud clinic and said it sounds peri. therefore was given the Oestrogel and testim.

So here goes -

I moved in 15th June, all ok, all excited, I chose the place, all ornaments out…the lot!

Mum and step dad came down, went out drinking, socialising. The timeline we had said that  me and him were still going out, pubs, staying in hotels, London, Funfairs (yes I am a child!)

So from 15th June – 22nd August all was going great (apart from not sleeping too well with it being a new place, and me loving the previous studio flat I had come from) and was still doing my second job at the bookies, so my life was all still busy and the same.

So all in all, the timeline says I was fine for 2 months and 7 days before all the heath anxiety started! that’s how it all kicked off, I got up one morning and thought I had a bigger tummy bloat than normal, well that was it…google galore! I thought I had cancer, the lot. Various visits to the GP in tears, numerous examinations, even A&E a few times! Head scan, blood tests, chest X-Ray – all clear and I still didn’t believe them all. (mad I know and have never been this way in my life)

Then, the full blown anxiety came…waking up with dread, fear/crying to my partner/felt scared of EVERYTHING, even the noise traffic on the high street made me flinch and jump and this is something that has stayed with me. Didn’t want to go outside (which is still present now). Tears, and white hot rage! Really bad rage to my partner. Then I was so out of character at my mums, and when my mum visited, was hostile/teary (AGAIN, OUT OF CHARACTER)

Current symptoms - night sweats/bad temper/ tiredness/low mood/crying easily - although this seems to have not been too bad the last 7 days and ANXIETY - THIS IS THE WORST ONE.

I’m also on Sertraline 50mg (6 weeks now) and this is my 4th Antidepressant - have been the same on all 4, so no big difference at all.

So sorry for the long message, but was kind of hoping you could actually shed light if this IS HORMONAL because i am desperate for my life back, especially my social life.  therefore am I on the right track with the HRT gel and testosterone?  (or was this all caused by the move into the old flat) as I say I was in there 2 months/7 days and was absolutely fine, socialising the lot.

Hoping you can help,

Vicky x

[VanillaLover]

Hi Vicky

Sorry to hear you’re feeling bad! It sounds from what you have said that you certainly have peri etc kicking in. How old are you and what are your periods doing? Do you notice any pattern of your symptoms throughout your cycle?

I have had the same experience with social anxiety. I have had intense CBT (on the NHS) for the past few months which has helped me so much. I still get the anxious thoughts sometimes but have techniques to stop it spiralling into low mood and affecting my life. The problem is still there underneath though.

I would also say that you need the full three months to get the full benefit of HRT especially with anxiety type symptoms. So keep on.

[CLKD]

Well testosterone causes rages in men  and I can't understand why you have been prescribed the complete combination without trialling the Oestrogen and Progesterone - you still have your womb?

...... and breath.  Prior to each period I would rage at anything: an issue that would be absolutely fine for days would suddenly become the End of the World!  Once the bleed began the rage would go away.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress. 

Also you've lived on adrenaline for weeks due to the moving experience.  Now that hormone has gone back to 'normal' so you are bound to feel down, similar to when we return from a holiday?  All that laundry etc...........

Do print off 'hints for husbands', read and hand over to everyone who visits your household.  Hormones can cause intense sudden alterations in mood.  Dr Kathleen Dalton did a lot of studies, you may like to look at the NAPS web-site.  Eating little and often 24/7 can help, it saved my Life .

4 me anxiety is in the gut: once that muscle below the belly button tenses, I'm lost 

[Kathleen]

Hello Vicky81

Your experiences sound entirely hormonal to me! So many of us on this site have similar stories to tell about sudden symptoms, irrational thoughts and out of character behaviour and how many of us also moved flats at the time?!

One of the benefits of this forum is that we learn that we are not alone with the distressing aspects of the menopause, it is the one thing we all have in common.

If I were you I would continue with the HRT in the knowledge that it will help you feel more like your old self.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.
 

[Vicky81]

VanillaLover - thank you so much. i am 41 just turned and my periods have only just started to go from every 28 days, to say 32/33 days. The blood flow is lighter on some, then others, heavier and longer (7 days instead of 4).

CLKD - was given Testim as its good for low energy and mood ....i have noticed a difference in my tiredness with it so il keep going. Plus i have always kept a mood dairy for weeks now, thankyou so much x

Kathleen - Thank you so much too, your advice is reassuring to me as i hate all this anxiety. I will keep on with my gels xx

[CLKD]

Also - nowt is 'only' or 'just' anything ;-).  If we need to ask then 'just' doesn't come into the question ..........

[Vicky81]

Sorry CLKD - not sure what you meant on last reply? (yes i am fuzzy brained)

[ATB]

Yes does sound familiar, I’ve had anxiety through this and it quietened down after HRT but came back with a vengeance recently as estrogen too high. It’s frightening isn’t it? Truly the worst. Great you keep a detailed diary. Try not to be hard on yourself and talk with those around you so they understand you can’t help it and can help you through it. My husband has been so good for me during anxiety, really good at listening to what causes it to spiral and avoiding those things. There are lots of things that help, even if it is actually hormones you can still help yourself. There are great apps, and I use headspace YouTube videos to help me sleep and have if I wake up in a panic attack. I have magnesium glycinate I think it is, the one starting with g! It’s good for sleeping and anxiety and I feel like it’s helped me. Also, don’t let yourself get too hungry! That makes me worse. Exercise can help a lot, even during an attack it can help to walk around, skip, do something to release the surge. But all the while you are working towards good hormone balance which will ultimately be what resolves this. I’m starting CBT again soon, so I can recommend that.

[VanillaLover]

Hi, sorry don’t know how to reply to a PM but I currently have Evorel 50 patch (and utrogestan on a cycle.). I found it started to help with anxiety but not until after  the full three months. I would like to try a higher dose though as I’m still suffering to be honest.

[JoannFran]

Hi Vicky81

So sorry you are going through this.  It truly sucks.  I'm having the same at the moment.  For the past 6 months I have literally turned into an anxious wreck.  I've always been a worrier and prone to overthinking but this is like nothing I've ever experienced before.  It's almost a physical feeling in my stomach.    I've also had numerous tests done because I was convinced something was very very wrong with me (still have a little niggling that they've missed something).  I'm 46 (47 soon) so definitely thing it's hormonal.  I've read that health anxiety can be a big factor in peri.   I would keep going with the HRT.  Have read that anxiety can be one of the last symptoms to go and dosage might need tweaking.  Make sure you eat well so that your blood sugar stays balanced.  Meditate if you can or at least try to find time to relax (easier said than done, I know)!  And I agree Magnesium Glycinate is great.  I take 3 capsules with dinner.  Anyway, just to let you know you're not alone.  Big hugs xx

[CLKD]

'just anxiety' - nothing is 'just' everything is for a reason.  'simply' anxiety ?

[Vicky81]

Joannfran- thanks so much....which HRT are you on? X

[Vicky81]

ATB- thank you so much- will looking into that magnesium! Anxiety is such the worst for me ...I used to be so sociable ....I can't remember the last time I went out... I hope HRT worked for you or is working for you?, xxx

[JoannFran]

Hi Vicky

I'm not on any HRT at the moment.  I started on estrogel but it was at the time when I was going through lots of tests on my heart and adrenal glands and I don't think it was the right time as I 'thought' it made my anxiety worse, but looking back it hasn't improved since stopping so I definitely didn't give it long enough and wish I'd persevered.

Hope you feel better soon.  Definitely speak to your dr if things don't improve after 3 months as your dose might need changing xx

[ATB]

Thanks for asking, it is mostly working for me although I’m reducing dosage since my anxiety came back and I gained some tummy weight. I only just increased it in December but I think the testosterone started kicking in and my estrogen is just too high, high in my blood work too. Feel so much better than I have in years in general. The anxiety is just such a pain! I had some other medical appointments which made it all worse as I just hate anything health related now. Years of wondering and fretting over what’s wrong with me has contributed a lot to this anxiety!