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[Fiona1968]

Hi

I am 55 years old and about 10 years post menopausal.

Thankfully, I have never had to deal with the common symptoms of menopause (hot flushes, night sweats) but about 3 months ago I started suffering from anxiety and occasional panic attacks which are having a big impact on my day to day life both at work and socially. I have never had anxiety prior to this.

Should I be speaking to my GP about an anti-depressant or HRT?

Any advice from ladies in the same situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Fi

[CLKD]

After that long without a period I would ask for an anti-anxiety medication.   Some ADs can ease anxiety but it might be Trial and Error, same with HRT. 

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use. What triggers the anxiety? 

[Fiona1968]

Thank you for your reply.

The anxiety/panic attacks come out of the blue. I can be sitting having a coffee with a pal and it hits me or I can be at work and for no reason I need to escape

[CLKD]

Oh I've left full shopping trollies in supermarkets or left DH shopping as I dash to the car   

How is your diet overall as low blood sugar dips can cause anxiety surges.  I was advised by NAPS to eat every 3 hours, 24/7. 

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Fiona and welcome. I am sorry to hear you are struggling with anxiety. It is such a horrid condition. CLKD has given you great advice. I think you would find an anti anxiety medication very helpful.

[Fiona1968]

I had one of those abandoning grocery moments last weekend

My overall diet is good but when I feel nauseous I don’t eat the same quantity as I would normally..

I have a telephone consultation with a GP at the start of February and I will ask about an anti depressant.

[Fiona1968]

Hello Fiona and welcome. I am sorry to hear you are struggling with anxiety. It is such a horrid condition. CLKD has given you great advice. I think you would find an anti anxiety medication very helpful.

I will see how I get on with the GP at the start of February.

Thanks

[CLKD]

Fiona - that's me all over!

I suggest that you begin to graze, trying to eat B4 the body requires energy.  My go-to snacks are: mixed fruits/nuts; bananas; cream crackers; ginger biscuits; chicken curry with rice; pancakes - mix can be kept in the fridge for a couple of day ready to use immediately 1 feels hungry, even if it's not a meal time.  Important to listen to my body! 

Anti-anxiety for easing panics etc.
Anti-depressant if 1 is depressed: not low, but can't get out of bed depressed.  Some can ease anxiety.
My GP gave me Valium many years ago on an 'as necessary' basis - the evening prior to an event that I was unable to get out of
I also had Propranolol every night which really did help ease those early morning anxiety surges

Let us know how you get on. 

[Fiona1968]

I love my ginger biscuits and I always have a stash of raisins in my bag

Thank you so much for your advice and I will keep you posted.

[CLKD]

 

[Kathleen]

Hello Fiona 1968 and welcome to the forum.

Your description of sudden and unexpected anxiety sounds very familiar to me and I am sure to many other ladies as well.  My trusty meno book talks about these sudden changes and how feelings of panic can arise with little provocation.

For these reasons I believe that hormones are the culprit but of course anti depressants may be helpful as well.

Hopefully your GP will be able to help you and please let us know how you get on with your appointment.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

[Fiona1968]

Hello Fiona 1968 and welcome to the forum.

Your description of sudden and unexpected anxiety sounds very familiar to me and I am sure to many other ladies as well.  My trusty meno book talks about these sudden changes and how feelings of panic can arise with little provocation.

For these reasons I believe that hormones are the culprit but of course anti depressants may be helpful as well.

Hopefully your GP will be able to help you and please let us know how you get on with your appointment.


Wishing you well and take care.

K.

Thank you Kathleen.

I am also going to try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to see if it helps with the anxiety.

Fiona

[CLKD]

Relaxation therapy can help too ........  stretching and relaxing the muscle groups from toes up the body.  I never get further than the knees 

Singing .......... makes us breathe correctly, my music teacher told me when I was 11 that not many people actually breathe as we are built to!

[Kathleen]

Hello again Fiona1968


I understand that CBT Therapy can be offered by a GP and I believe other ladies have tried it for their meno symptoms.

I hope it goes well and please keep us updated.

Take care.

K.

[Fiona1968]

Relaxation therapy can help too ........  stretching and relaxing the muscle groups from toes up the body.  I never get further than the knees 

Singing .......... makes us breathe correctly, my music teacher told me when I was 11 that not many people actually breathe as we are built to!

I do Pilates which helps me physically and mentally..