Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Not a Forum member? You can still subscribe to our Free Newsletter

media

Author Topic: Mood swings and anxiety..  (Read 1313 times)

SunnyB

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Mood swings and anxiety..
« on: May 30, 2022, 08:26:14 PM »

Evening ladies.. I'm wondering if anyone else experiences, or has experienced, rapid mood swings? I've noticed it seems to happen to me more regularly in the last few weeks. I'll be okay and going about my day and then out of nowhere I feel like I've hit rock bottom. It'll start with me feeling really tired, then irritable, and cross with everything, which then spirals into me feeling like everything is pointless, and I feel like I can't and don't want to cope with anything or anyone anymore. I then get really upset and cry because I feel so low and don't know how to lift myself out of this sorrowful state, before zoning out for a bit, kind of like in a bit of a daze, then half an hour or so later I'm fine again, until the next crash. To be honest it's a bit frightening because I've not experienced such erratic swings in mood like this before. Anxiety is the other thing, I end up feeling anxious over things I've never worried about before. In all honesty it just feels like I'm falling apart at the moment and it feels so confusing.
I'm not currently on any HRT, I'm waiting for a Mirena coil to be fitted (been on the waiting list since Jan 2022) for the progesterone part of HRT (and to hopefully control my heavy periods, which has been a lifelong thing for me), my GP said she will then add oestrogen to it.
If anyone has any tips on how to help with managing the mood swings etc in the meantime would be greatly appreciated  :)
Logged

ATB

  • Guest
Re: Mood swings and anxiety..
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2022, 09:13:39 PM »

Hi and I’m sorry you’re not feeling great. Have you spoken to your GP about the mood swings? I feel like you might benefit from seeing an endocrinologist, so that you can just make sure all of the hormones get covered and checked. It could be menopause related, it could also be cortisol/adrenal. I have had mood swings and anxiety related stuff during peri but probably not quite as up and down in one day as yourself. I’m sure you’ll get lots of good advice and support from others here soon, I’ve had lots of help here myself. Does exercise help you? You’ve probably addressed your diet and lifestyle anyway, but try to avoid stimulants like coffee and tea, sugar, focus on lots of whole foods, fruit and veg and even just regular walking would be a good thing while you feel like this, but any exercise you enjoy is good. I also like meditation and relaxation apps, starting your day with something like that. If you are feeling very frightened, please do discuss that with your GP as you don’t want to feel too unwell or scared too long, there may be other options they can discuss with you.
Logged

SunnyB

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: Mood swings and anxiety..
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2022, 09:38:56 PM »

Hi thanks for taking the time to reply  :)
I've spoken to my GP about the mood swings and have basically been told I can use the combined pill which may be of help until I have an appt for the Coil to be fitted, as it's all part of the menopause. I'm 47 so not keen on using the combined pill due to increased risk. I was referred for a blood test which came back normal, but this wasn't to check hormone levels or anything as GP informed me that it's apparent that I'm in the menopause.
I've always made time to exercise from a young age, and I enjoy doing weight workouts and yoga which give me a temporary lift. I make sure I go out for a walk and fresh air each day as again, it's something I enjoy doing and which also gives me a lift. I am struggle with irritable bowel syndrome and irritable bladder, so I am careful with my diet and make sure I get plenty of fruit, veg etc, and in the last few months I've cut out caffeine which has helped with the irritable bladder. I'm working on the mindfulness meditation with an app at the mo. I guess that's the really frustrating part, I'm doing all I can to manage my mood swings, but they seem to be getting the better of me at the moment  :(
Logged

ATB

  • Guest
Re: Mood swings and anxiety..
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2022, 05:09:30 AM »

I’m so sorry Sunny, it’s really tough. I know a lot of women on here have a similar issue and it can be really hard to understand these feelings. It really seems like you do everything you can to limit anxiety in your life, and to keep yourself healthy. Have you tried seeing a professional? I see a therapist for my anxiety and it’s helped so much.
It’s frustrating you haven’t been able to have a coil fitted yet. I don’t understand why something is important is taking so long.
Logged

Peana

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 83
Re: Mood swings and anxiety..
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2022, 07:23:20 AM »

Sorry that you're suffering SunnyB.  Reading about your experience of IBS I wondered if maybe you are having too much fruit and veg, and making things worse (I know this sounds counter intuitive!).  There is some info on here about FODMAP diets for IBS - I've never done it as it seems very daunting, but my IBS has been bad for a while now and am seriously considering it.  I'm reading a book called something like 'what every woman needs to know about her gut' by an Irish doctor and nutrionist (Barbara Ryan and Elaine McGowan), it's very interesting.  They've come up with a variation of FODMAP as a lot of their patients struggled to stick to it, so wanted to try to devise something more managable. 

I hope you manage to resolve this and your other issues before too much longer.  I know how horrid the rapid mood swings are, it feels like you've been hijacked and are a passive bystander to some beast that's taken over.  I've been trying CBT and mindfull self compassion, which has definitely helped, but can be hard at times.  I'm resisting anti-depressants as I don't want to add another drug into the mix, but maybe it's what I need to do (hoping to speak with GP soon)?  Good luck.
Logged