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[Spymamma]

Dear all,
I'm 57 years young and have suffered from physical symptoms of anxiety since becoming menopausal (although endometrial ablation has fuzzed exactly when this happened). Treated with antidepressants very successfully until the citalopram (and subsequent ssri tablets tried) suddenly began giving me total body sweats. Three showers a day and four changes of clothing. Mirtazapine was also then tried. Excellent until it reduced my pulse rate to 37 beats per minute. Of course, this knocked out the possibility of beta blockers too.
So I was withdrawn off the Mirtazapine and my lovely lady GP put me on Oestragel (1pump a day) and utrogestan 100mg a day orally. For three weeks I was really well. Then, just as it had during my two pregnancies, at three weeks the increased anxiety, crying and some depression hit me like a brick.
Back to my GP. She increased my oestragel to two pumps a day and is looking into my taking the utrogestan vaginally. I speak to her again on Thursday.
I have to admit to not taking my utrogestan for the last two days to see if it would help.
And, the morning is hell, the gel apply cation relieves my depression for about an hour, then it's back to crying on the sofa.
Do any of you have any advice or stories to help? I'm really not feeling at all well. I'm widowed, my children are far away or going through their own issues and my parents are frail. Thank you, ladies

[CLKD]

 

When did you last have a full blood count to include thyroid function and VitD levels?  Many do not get on with progesterone.  U may feel better using it vaginally or on a long length regime, where you will require regular womb scans to check the lining. 

It may take a few days for any HRT to leave the body.  What are your periods doing?

[Spymamma]

Cold thank you for replying. So lovely to hear from you. I've Found your other posts so reassuring.
I had full blood count, thyroid, liver, kidney function, blood glucose and ECG performed just before commencing hrt. All were normal but still awaiting the results of 24 hour ECG.
Haven't had period since endometrial ablation for spotting between periods.
With love
Anne

[CLKD]

If the blood tests are within normal limits it's probably the Utrogestan?


Let us know how you get on.  U could put the product names singly into the search box to see if any threads pop up, make notes.

[Spymamma]

CKLD (sorry about the auto correct in my earlier reply),
I think it's probably the utrogestan too. The similarity between now and both times I was pregnant are too compelling to be ignored.
Does anybody here have experience like this? And, if so, did they persevere? Did the anxiety/depression then get better? Or was it all a no go?
With thanks in anticipation x

[CLKD]

Hopefully someone with HRT knowledge will be along.

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Anne. I really am sorry to hear what you are going through. I became very depressed taking Utrogestan, even vaginally. This could be making your mood lower. I had to stop taking it as I could not cope with the severe depression.

I know you have tried citalopram and mirtazapine and these had bad side effects. I was wondering if trying a different anxiety medication may be an idea. There are lots more that could be tried.

Is it possible the citalopram was not making you sweat but you were having hot flashes?

Menopause can be so lonely especially if others are not going through it as they may not understand. It is good you have found the forum.

[Spymamma]

Dear Flossiecake (what a wonderful handle).
If I have to come off the Utrogestan, then I'm hoping to try Duloxetine.
I did consider that the sweats from the SSRI's were just hot flashes. But they went away within 48hrs of my stopping the tablets and didn't happen at all with the Mirtazapine. A slow heart rate of 37 beats per minute and a raised cholesterol level (another side effect of mirtazapine and no family or personal history of lipideamia) saw that one off. A big shame as both AD's worked well psychologically.
X fingers I can find my way out of this, as I feel my golden years (and my job) slipping away

[Flossieteacake]

Dear Flossiecake (what a wonderful handle).
If I have to come off the Utrogestan, then I'm hoping to try Duloxetine.
I did consider that the sweats from the SSRI's were just hot flashes. But they went away within 48hrs of my stopping the tablets and didn't happen at all with the Mirtazapine. A slow heart rate of 37 beats per minute and a raised cholesterol level (another side effect of mirtazapine and no family or personal history of lipideamia) saw that one off. A big shame as both AD's worked well psychologically.
X fingers I can find my way out of this, as I feel my golden years (and my job) slipping away

That makes sense. It must have been the medication as the hot flashes went away when you stopped it.

It can take time to find the right HRT.  Do not despair. I understand what you mean by things slipping away. There are still many more options for you and if your GP is at a loss then you can ask to see a menopause clinic.

You are not alone on here.

[Spymamma]

Thank you, Flossiecake c

[joziel]

Spymamma in the first instance, I'd take the utrogestan vaginally and see if that helps. For some people, they still get the systemic symptoms of low mood - but for many women, it really helps and they don't get the same side effects.

You won't know unless you try. 

[Spymamma]

Dearest Joziel,
Thank you for your reply. I'm certainly going to keep going for a while and hopefully my GP will come back to me with some resolution to my dilemma.
Haven't taken my progesterone for two nights and feel the depression is more confined to the mornings/early afternoons as a result.
(I also eat properly and exercise like a good girl)
Obviously I can't continue to omit my progesterone, but I hope that I may find a regime that works as my cholesterol has raised in recent months (God knows why) and my heart is doing funny things in my chest which does not bode well for future health.
To all of you who have replied to my plea, I send my most sincere thanks, topped off with a big c. ('c' is for 'cwtch'- the very best of Welsh hugs)

[joziel]

Well my heart is also doing very funny things in my chest at the moment and I'm waiting for a cardiology appointment to check it out - I think many of us have been there, if that helps at all - you're not alone there. Fortunately for most people it's nothing serious Stay positive

[Spymamma]

Thank you, Joziel and good luck

[Karen max]

Hi
I'm not much help regarding hrt as I'm struggling myself with the estrogel and 100mg Utrogestan.
Over last few few ive been using patches until they became unavailable reason I ended up on this present regime
My body seems to accept the Utrogestan ok-ish through the patch but definitely not the tablet, I've stopped using the tablet on Thursday as it's making me feel. Dry same as you, il call hrt clinic tomorrow as asked to put back on to patch as I believe the patches are now available..
Hopefully you feel better soon
Kaz X