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[Pauline67]

Hello Ladies

Firstly I would like to say thankyou to everyone on this forum, it has helped me so much.

Just a little about myself, Im 54 and i think about 3 years into Post Menopause.  Ive been coping ok with it all until about 2 months ago, when it hit me really hard.  I was on holiday in Spain and woke up feeling like i was going to die, Hot flushes, little sleep, heartburn, nausea, tummy problems, dizzyness, couldnt face anything to eat, palps and the dreaded anxiety.  As there was a heatwave in spain I put it down to maybe i had caught heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

after arriving back home I still felt ill and went to the doctors.  After telling her my symptoms she gave me Omeprazole which after 2 weeks on it, didnt really help apart from i could eat a few things.

Scrawling the internet i found your forum and realised that my symptoms where menopausal.

I didnt want to go on HRT (to scared to at the time plus wanted to try non medication) so i purchased Vitabiotics Menopace plus.  Ive been on these for 1 month now and the hot flushes seemed to calmed down a little (2 a day) Im sleeping about 5/6 hours waking up about twice in the night, i have a fan on constantly through the night, but the Anxiety is terrible.

Anything can set me off, if i get heartburn, when i wake up, bad news on tv.  Ive had blood tests for the usual diabetes, liver etc and all fine and ECG ok as well.

I try and focus my mind on other things like puzzles, reading etc but the anxiety soon comes back again.  I dont feel like going out shopping and spend alot of the time in the bedroom trying to relax with breathing exercises.

I have another doctors appointment in 2 weeks and this is where I would like your advise...

As my Anxiety is the main problem followed by heartburn and loss of hair (bad) would you suggest I go on HRT or Anti-anxiety Tablets??

I feel my life isnt my own anymore and I want it back.

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Pauline. A warm welcome to the forum. If the anxiety is hormonal then HRT would address this. If you have anxiety generally then anxiety medication would be helpful. Some find both together helps.

With HRT, many people are afraid to try it. If it helps, you can always stop it if it does not agree with you.

I can understand what you mean about life not being your own any more. It is a horrid feeling. You will find much support on here.

[Pauline67]

Hello Flossieteacake 

I wasnt a Anxious person prior to Menopause in fact i was pretty chilled out, I had maybe had a few Anxious moments in my life but who hasnt.  so I think it is Hormonal.

[Cara999]

Hello Pauline and welcome.

I was scared to try HRT like you, but I have, mainly for VA but I was alo suffering with anxiety which I never did before. I was panicking over silly things like a dog biting me while I was out walking!! Sounds crazy I know. I was previously a very chilled person. I'm only 6 weeks in but I am feeling slightly better already. My sleep has so much improved I'm doing 10 hours some nights. You could try and see how you feel, you can always stop at any point xxxx

[CLKD]

Morning.  HRT can take a while to kick in and may need a hike occasionally, depending on what the hormone levels are up to.

MayB keep a mood/food/symptom diary and decide which symptom you would like to ease.  How was your anxiety during your menstruating years, was there a pattern?  Ovaries can still pump out oestrogen so one can feel 'off' ...........

Cara999 - what regime has helped?

Browse round. Make notes.  Vaginal atrophy can be treated with localised application of 'ovestin' or 'vagifem'.  When oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

Let us know how you get on.

[Pauline67]

Morning.  HRT can take a while to kick in and may need a hike occasionally, depending on what the hormone levels are up to.

MayB keep a mood/food/symptom diary and decide which symptom you would like to ease.  How was your anxiety during your menstruating years, was there a pattern?  Ovaries can still pump out oestrogen so one can feel 'off' ...........

Cara999 - what regime has helped?

Browse round. Make notes.  Vaginal atrophy can be treated with localised application of 'ovestin' or 'vagifem'.  When oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

Let us know how you get on.

Hello CLKD

Ive been keeping a diary for a few weeks now as i read on the forum that it could be a good idea .  The main symptom is Anxiety it can kick in at any time theres nothing i can see that triggers it.  Peri menopause i cant remember me having any of the symptoms apart from the hot flushes.

[CLKD]

Anxiety can be caused by hormone upheaval.  However, a course of treatment might allow U to C the wood for the trees, some require anti-anxiety meds as well as HRT. 

[Diamonds and pearls 53]

Hello Pauline, please don't be scared to try hrt, to me your symptoms sound as though they are hormonal so no harm in giving hrt a try. It is very safe so there's need need to be fearful.  Have a chat with your G.P and  describe your symptoms, there is no need to turn straight to anti anxiety meds if you were not an anxious person beforehand. Hopefully you will get relief fairly quickly with hrt, after all you are merely replacing the hormones that are depleted during menopause.

[jillydoll]

Hiya. 🙋🏼‍♀️

Yes, I totally agree with the others.
My anxiety was through the roof, hrt sorted it for me.
I declined antidepressants, as I knew it was hormones doing it.
It’s your call, so good luck, let us know how your getting on.
Jdxx

[Cara999]

CKLD - I started elleste duet tablets, mainly to try and help VA alongside Vagifem and although only 6 weeks in I'm feeling more calmer, less anxious and sleep has definitely improved xxx

[Pauline67]

Thanks everyone for your replies 
I will let you know how i get on. xx

[Pauline67]

Update..

Well off i went to the doctors yesterday, full of anxiety and nearly backed out but i sat there in the waiting room and tried to relax.  Didnt help when the doctor was running late but when i finally got to see her WOW what a fantastic doctor, she seemed to know everything about Menopause. She tested my blood pressure which yes was a little high, and asked me to give her 5 days readings at home where i would be more relaxed. I had all my questions ready for her and she answered them all .  I told her what HRT i would like to try and she agreed with me and gave me 3 months of Evorel Cont (50).  They have to order them in so have to pick them up on Thursday. She told me to see how the patch works for me and if i still have anxiety then she will look into something else to maybe give me.

As i was on vitabiotics menopace plus im thinking of stopping these (too big to swallow) and going onto another supplement, that has Vit D, Vit B12 and Magnesium in them, Can anyone recommend any good ones to try?

[Flossieteacake]

Update..

Well off i went to the doctors yesterday, full of anxiety and nearly backed out but i sat there in the waiting room and tried to relax.  Didnt help when the doctor was running late but when i finally got to see her WOW what a fantastic doctor, she seemed to know everything about Menopause. She tested my blood pressure which yes was a little high, and asked me to give her 5 days readings at home where i would be more relaxed. I had all my questions ready for her and she answered them all .  I told her what HRT i would like to try and she agreed with me and gave me 3 months of Evorel Cont (50).  They have to order them in so have to pick them up on Thursday. She told me to see how the patch works for me and if i still have anxiety then she will look into something else to maybe give me.

As i was on vitabiotics menopace plus im thinking of stopping these (too big to swallow) and going onto another supplement, that has Vit D, Vit B12 and Magnesium in them, Can anyone recommend any good ones to try?

I am so pleased to hear the doctor was nice and you are feeling a bit better after your appointment.

I try to take supplements separately to ensure I get full doses. If a pill is too big to swallow then you can always cut them in half with a tablet cutter.

[ange63]

Thanks everyone for your replies 
I will let you know how i get on. xx

Hi Pauline 67, just wondering how you have got on with the HRT..... have things gone well. 

[Pauline67]

Hi Ange63

I've now been on HRT for 1 month now and most of symptoms have gone or reduced, apart from the sickness which is sometimes all day and the shoulder and back pains, I'm hoping that these will reduce when I've been on HRT longer. I will try and give it another 2 months and see.