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[Tulip123]

For a few years, I have been having problems with anxiety and was taking 50mg of setraline and I was managing fine with no major issues. More recently however, I started having waves of anger rages and getting mad over things that are either irrational or happened years ago and are irrelevant.

My husband said he couldn't cope and recently I was away overnight and felt worse as I was on my own. I was getting so angry about irrational things (eg things from my husband's past before he met me and suddenly feeling like I can't trust him). Nothing has happened to cause the mistrust but I can't shake off the negative thoughts. Anyway, once I drove home, my husband had called the police to ask them to take me to A&E (we didn't think this was menopause at this point) as he didn't think I'd go voluntarily. The police didn't turn up but told him not to let me back into the house as he said I was aggressive. So when I arrived home, my in-laws were in my house with my husband and they locked me out of my house.

I went to hospital by myself and was highly distressed by this point. I eventually got assessed by the mental health team and they suggested having the FSH test as they thought I was peri-menopausal. As I was still on the contraceptive pill, I was still having regular periods. They therefore said I was not to be admitted to hospital and that I should go to my GP. The police had said I could not return to my house at all that night so I was more distressed as I have no friends or family in the area and faced spending the night in my car and this was already 1am by this point. I then contacted my husband to tell him this and he said I should just come home.

So then I went to my GP, had to come off the pill and then got an FSH test. My result was 47ul and he said over 30 meant I had reached the menopause. Due to the anger rages etc, he prescribed HRT. I have been taking it for almost a week and it's not made any difference so far. I have Novofem tablets and as well as still feeling angry about certain thoughts and still having negative thoughts, I have also got insomnia. I am not sure if the insomnia is linked to the menopause or caused by the anxiety and stress of everything that has happened recently. I am normally a very independent person. I regularly go hiking alone, I've travelled to many countries alone for work and leisure and it doesn't bother me. After all this, I have not left the house. I have lost my self-confidence and feel very fragile.

I still take setraline and also propanolol (up to 3 @40mg per day) for anxiety. I am on a waiting list for CBT therapy.

I have another GP appointment on Friday. I'm not sure if I should be asking for a stronger dose or for something else to help with the negative thoughts and insomnia. The whole episode with the police telling my relatives to lock me out of my house has set me back too.

[Minusminnie]

Hi Tulip123
Others will be along to advise re Novofem but you do need to give the HRT time to work.  3months or so.

Would it be an idea to ask the GP on Friday for a short term stronger sleeping pill to try ?  Sleep is so important for your mental health. 

There is a thread on here with Information for Husbands.  I hope that he is prepared to learn and support you.  Even though he called the police it sounds like he wants to help you but just doesn't know what to do.

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2458.0.html

[Flossieteacake]

Helo Tulip. Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to read of what you are going through. You need a lot of support right now and you have come to the right place.

MInusminnie is right. HRT takes longer then a week to work. Her idea of a stronger sleeping pill is a very good one.

Many women experience the intense rage you describe so you are not alone there. It must have been so traumatic to have the police called and also be told you cannot go home. It sounds like the mental health team were helpful and thought of menopause.

I just looked up novofem and read it is given to women who have not had a period for at least 6 months. You said you are having periods so I am not sure if this one is suitable for you. I wonder if your GP knows much about HRT. It may be an idea to ask if there is a GP at the practice who is more knowledgeable in this.

I can imagine how overwhelmed you are feeling. Once your hormones are more stable I think you will feel much better. It can take time but in the meantime please use this forum for support.

[Tulip123]

Thanks  - Yes because I've been on the pill I've still been having periods so I am wondering if the GP was just going off the FSH levels to decide to prescribe Novofem. In any case, I can ask all these questions on Friday. My surgery also has an HRT nurse which should be helpful too.

Helo Tulip. Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to read of what you are going through. You need a lot of support right now and you have come to the right place.

MInusminnie is right. HRT takes longer then a week to work. Her idea of a stronger sleeping pill is a very good one.

Many women experience the intense rage you describe so you are not alone there. It must have been so traumatic to have the police called and also be told you cannot go home. It sounds like the mental health team were helpful and thought of menopause.

I just looked up novofem and read it is given to women who have not had a period for at least 6 months. You said you are having periods so I am not sure if this one is suitable for you. I wonder if your GP knows much about HRT. It may be an idea to ask if there is a GP at the practice who is more knowledgeable in this.

I can imagine how overwhelmed you are feeling. Once your hormones are more stable I think you will feel much better. It can take time but in the meantime please use this forum for support.

[Tulip123]

Thanks, I will show him the link you sent me. I definitely need something for the sleeping issues. I feel terrible today and now I have to work. I have a few days off from Thursday and am seeing the GP on Friday so hopefully I can sort something for my sleep before I am back at work next week.

Hi Tulip123
Others will be along to advise re Novofem but you do need to give the HRT time to work.  3months or so.

Would it be an idea to ask the GP on Friday for a short term stronger sleeping pill to try ?  Sleep is so important for your mental health. 

There is a thread on here with Information for Husbands.  I hope that he is prepared to learn and support you.  Even though he called the police it sounds like he wants to help you but just doesn't know what to do.

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2458.0.html

[Flossieteacake]

I hope today goes okay. It is good you have tomorrow off.

[CLKD]

Dr Kathleen Dalton did a lot of work on pre-menstrual rages.  She represented girls in Court who had murdered their mothers to explain the effects of hormonal upheaval.

Some women become a danger to themselves due to the sudden rage that occurs.  I could be fine about issues for weeks, then suddenly that issue would be HUGE and I would crack!!  I was capable of kicking doors, throwing items - though never anything of value - until the bleed began. 

Pre-menstrual syndrome begins in the 10-14 days B4 period begins.  Once the flow is stable those PMT symptoms disappear due to the different hormone taking over.  It has been discovered that eating regularly can ease those sudden rage periods - that is, ever 3 hours every day, even at night is 1 goes across to the bathroom and back.  I was advised to eat a good diet with carbohydrates as well as having biscuits/fruits and nuts to hand.  bananas are particularly useful.

Take a list of worries to your appt..  Try not to feel rushed by the Dr. 

U R probably in peri-menopause as you continue with periods.  Menopause proper is the last bleed.  Ever.  We are advised to count from the 1st month without a period to see how they wax and wane.  1 can go months without a period then Mother Nature throws a curved ball and it all begins to be regular.  Again.  So, we count from the 1st month without period.  Mine waxed and waned for several years until I realised that I had missed several months !  Yipee.

Let us know how you get on. 

[jillydoll]

Your not alone.
I too had terrible rages. Over the simplest of things.
I also had thoughts from things that happened from years back, it was torment. My OH crashed the car whilst I was ‘going mad’ once whilst we were going somewhere. I’d caused him so much distress and distraction.
All this from someone whose so passive, and laid back, i was the total opposite.
Took a while for the hrt to calm everything down, but as time went on, the rages stopped and the moods, ect…improved.
Can’t offer any advice really except stick with the hrt. It doesn’t work over night.
Deep breaths, wishing you well, good luck, let us know how your getting on.

Jd xx

[Tulip123]

Thanks. I have now been on HRT for 3 weeks and I'm feeling a lot better. I'm not back to myself 100% yet but the anger rages and palpitations have stopped. I'm also taking Menopace supplements. I'm able to sleep again but still having nightmares on some nights, not as bad as before. I'm more able to function normally during the day. My self-confidence has still not come back yet. I was very independent before all this. I'd travelled all over the world on my own. Just before I started HRT, I felt too unconfident to even just leave the house on my own! I'm starting to gradually get this back by going out for errands and appointments and from there I will build up to day trips and overnight stays again and hopefully within a few months, my confidence will have recovered.

[CLKD]

   4 the update.  Little steps .........