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[Poppy]

Hi ladies, can anyone relate to this so I just don’t feel so alone with these horrible symptoms. I’m struggling with anxiety & with it comes dizziness/faintness/off balance, nausea  as well as a host of other symptoms. I try to keep going through it all, I work part time, make time for meditation, listening to audio stories/ music etc. so why today the one time in the year when I make my Christmas cake ( which I love doing) part way through I had a huge anxiety attack, felt weak as if I was going to collapse, started to sway, dizziness, shaking, I ended up just bursting into tears. Its just left me feeling WHY? WHAT BROUGHT THIS ON? I now feel exhausted and my balance is so off, lm light headed & feel so sick. Even the things you enjoy doing can be a struggle. What am I doing wrong!!!   😥 I can’t take HRT, I take maximum strength Propanol & the antidepressant Fluxitine. Xx

[CLKD]

Probably didn't eat at the 'right' time?

It's awful.  I don't feel excitement as it turns into high anxiety.   .   What is maximum Propranolol?  Initially I was prescribed 80mg 3 times a day for several weeks, followed by 40mg twice a day. I dropped myself down to 20mg twice a day B4 stopping in 2020. 

If we go into panic mode we breath incorrectly = light headed feelings and off balance.  Some people find that breathing into a brown paper bag helps  .  Relaxation, yoga, deep breathing ........


You aren't doing anything 'wrong'.  Why can't you take HRT? 

[Flossieteacake]

Poppy, I am so sorry to hear you have had such a bad anxiety attack. How are you feeling now? I am not sure quite why menopause seems to make us anxious and it is very distressing. I too have anxiety for no apparent reason. Would it help to remind yourself that it will pass? You are doing all you can and everything that is right for you. Tell yourself 'I am anxious but this will pass.'. If it helps then you can always come on here for somebody to chat to.

How lovely you are making your Christmas cake. I can imagine the wonderful smells in your kitchen.

[Taz2]

Hi Poppy. How long have you been on fluoxetine? I ask because your symptoms of nausea and feeling off balance are just how I feel when using an SSRI.

Taz x

[Floo36]

I also experience those symptoms which for me are low and fluctuations in Estrogen.  It is really frightening as it can happen without warning and there’s nothing really you can do to stop it and just wait for it to pass.

[CLKD]

Many years ago a therapist told me that anxiety can't sustain itself for more than 40 mins..  I walked out of the session and never returned.  My longest panic attack was 5 hours 
 

Is there any worse time that it affects you?

[discogirl]

hi poppy

i too suffer horrific anxiety.

eating the right types of food help as does eating little and often.

your definately not on your own. its truly awful xxxx

[Poppy]

Thank you all so much for replying to my post earlier with words of comfort & advice. Days like today are just so overwhelming & I have just felt very out of control. I’m now more settled but only because I’m exhausted & drained. Tomorrow is another day & I’m hoping for a better one.
CLKD, I have been on 80mg x2 a day (160mg)of Propanol for the last 22 years. I am told this is the maximum that can be given for anxiety & for the length of time I’ve been on it. I can’t take HRT due to a history of breast cancer & blood clots within my family. I’ve also got fybroids which although I’ve been post menopause for 3 years my lining grows & I start bleeding every now & again & I have to get it removed, going on HRT would encourage this even more.
Taz2, I was on Citalipram for 22 years up until a year ago when my GP put me on Fluxetine instead, he said this antidepressant would help with my hot flushes as well.
Thank you all once again, 😘

[CLKD]

It mayB that your brain is used to the medication, after 22 years - why has your GP encouraged you to stay on the same meds.?   I found that after 4-5 years ADs would stop working as well, however: I've been on the current regime for several years and feel stable. I also have an emergency pill 4 when anxiety hits.

The brain can also become used to being on high alert.  Which has an ongoing effect of fight/flight response = weariness.  Although I know that this is 'natural', I can never over ride once it kicks in.