Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[0132sarah]

hi all I haven't felt myself for the past year, been prescribed oestrogel, I have mirena coil. admit I stopped the gel which didn't help, but I couldn't work out if I was coming or going.

anyway its got so severe, its got to a point where it feels like post natal depression. I had it severely nearly put in mother and baby unit. anxiety through the roof, daily long by the hours panic attacks. cant leave the house, just me and my daughter. it feels like its back minus the intrusive thoughts, it just gets to a point I want to scream so bad, everything is so intense and overwhelming, im not coping at all. im guilt ridden my daughter (12 years old) has to live with me like this.
several times ive been in touch with surgery and a CPN. was prescribed antipsychotics but between the surgery and chemist they've been messing it up and only had 2 nights worth. yes they helped me immensely for the 2 nights. I did feel very heavy and groggy day after taking them. but I know they help, im using the gel again too. I genuinely cannot live like this. im aware the the surgery and chemist or should I just say ohs are under major strain ,but if things don't soon settle I am literally going to lose it. I never imagined I would have to feel like this again, it was the most scariest feeling ever. knowing I am solely responsible for a child. I feel like I am here for her, I don't recognise my self no more.

is it just me that has got to this point or are there any others that are really  struggling, I already have chronic fatigue, I don't have any joy in life apart from when I am able to chat in a relaxed manner with my daughter. she has pms and returned to school, this has given me chance to get myself together by time she gets back from school. I feel like in need to hire a cleaner, everything is building up. It hurts to know my child has to live like this, I cant bare the thought of being without her, yet she deserves so much more. ive suffered with bad anxiety since my mid 20's. when I had post natal depression, I was hugely supported by the surgery and mental health team, with what I would call my ruby team of women. they were there for me, her father left me for someone else at the time. I almost feel like I have to scream at the surgery to listen to me now compared to before, but not too much or could be sectioned! I just want to be back on track and enjoy life with my daughter. sorry for the ramble, cant sleep as no meds to help and really on edge. know ive been through post natal depression which is the worst horror ever, so I know I can get through this, im just having real hard time.

[Perinowpost]

Hi 0132Sarah

So sorry for your troubles. First of all you are not alone, there are ladies in here who have had similar experiences to you and are very knowledgeable and I’m sure will help you.

Secondly, have you always had mental health issues or was it just triggered by post natal depression? I ask because it may affect how you deal with it.

Check out professor John Studd’s website. He makes the connection between menopause and mental health and treating it with hormones (particularly supplementing oestrogen, the feel good hormone). I have to say if you symptoms are  being impacted by meno then the mirena coil is really not a good idea. Check out Denise Welsh’s story, she has hers removed because of the negative impact it had on her mood/anxiety.

If you’ve always had mental health issues you may need an anti depressant alongside your hrt. Also please get yourself a good CPN who can support you in this journey.

You don’t say whereabouts you are in menopause. But one thing is for sure hormones are precursors to our moods and if you’re particularly sensitive this time of life can be challenging. That said there is loads you can do and as you rightly point out you owe it to your daughter to get the best help possible. Keep talking xx

[CLKD]

Morning. I can't add anything to Perinowpost's lovely response other than when in trouble, I found MIND Charity really supportive.

Your GP could of course refer you to an psychiatrist for over-all treatment.  When you had PND were you admitted, did U have a Consultant at that time?  (sorry haven't read all your thread)

Dr Kathleen Dalton did a lot of research on pre-menstrual syndrome (NAPS) so might be worth having a lookC at the website too.

Let us know how you get on! 

[Minusminnie]

If you have had previous support from a mental health team your GP might refer you back so that you get some support now.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/social-care-and-your-rights/how-to-access-mental-health-services/

I don't quite understand why you have been given 2 nights worth of antipsychotic.

Personally i think if you have had a previous mental health problem going into menopause that you should be able to tap straight back into mental health services who then advise a GP. 

[Carinda]

Hiyer. I'm not understanding the 2 nights of 'antipsychotic' medication either, what was it you were prescribed ?

Yes, I understand where you are coming from I was hospitalised with postnatal psychosis, anxiety and depression for 6 months following the birth of my daughter (all hormonal in origin). Yes, I had exactly the same feelings at times in perimenopause, but I would say they were shorter-lived and self-resolving after a week or two here and there, with a return at a later date depending on hormone swings. During later peri I was put on tamoxifen for BCancer, and within 6 weeks was removed from it as the changes in my mood and behaviour were so extreme that the consultant agreed it was too risky.

I'm in meno (I think you are too) and would definitely say I feel at the mercy of my hormonal instability - it is hard to describe to other people, but its as if you have been injected with something that is making you think and feel a certain way, something outside of your control that is not actually how you want to be/feel (I sense the desperation in you saying 'I just want to be get on with things and be here/happy with my daughter). Maybe this makes no sense ? but - it doesn't feel like an anxiety or depression for any reason, it feels like its being 'done' to you and all the usual anxiety/depression skills that work at other times don't seem to for hormonal instability and the sensitivity you are clearly feeling to them. Some women, unfortunately, are incredibly sensitive to hormonal changes, and the results can be extreme.

So....what to do.....I can't take hrt (despite being told in earlier life that well balance hrt would be a must for me), but I think you can......but it sounds as if you've got into a bit of a problem with that too. Maybe its not GP hrt intervention you need but a far more expert person to really assess and help find what is right for you. There are other ladies here who know loads about accessing specialists HRT assistance, I know nothing about that for obvious reasons but Perinowpost has come up with some other suggestions on that front. Ask directly, for support back to a mental health team - I know the resources are currently under great pressure but you are in a crisis and need to know someone is around for you.

I'm sorry to not be able to be more help, but I do understand and wanted you to know that you aren't alone no matter how large the struggle feels at time. Challenging times from hormonal change are truly awful to deal with, but I pin my hopes to stability being on the cards at some point

[CLKD]

tamoxifen in 1995 almost killed me  - it is supposed to suppress oestrogen .  However, as I have stated elsewhere, it accentuated taste and smell.  I was unable to eat at all and after 4 weeks I stopped it.  Still here >wave< ......

[Marchlove]

Hiya,

Sorry to hear you are feeling truly awful.

My immediate thought was the Mirena coil, so I had a little look on line and came across this.

https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/mirena-iud-postpartum-study-138981/

Basically it’s says that the Mirena coil is strongly contradicted in people with postpartum depression and as you have had this in the past, I’d say that you should seriously think about having it removed.

It would be good if you could get an urgent referral to a menopause clinic so that you can properly look into alternatives going forward.

I imagine you do feel like screaming at the surgery but as you say probably not a good idea!  But you must be very very firm with them that they have got to help you get this sorted.
I know this will not be easy but for the sake of yourself and your daughter you have to take a firm stand.
My suggestion would be to speak to the practice manager at surgery and explain as calmly as you can that you are at the end of your tether and you are not getting the appropriate treatment or care.

You must have enormous courage to have lived through all of this before so I do hope you will be able to find that courage again now.

Let us know how you get on.

Big hugs to you xx