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[CLKD]

 

[SarahT]

Hiya Madbast,

Whichever way you decide to go to get the essential help and supporting need, just saying I understand, I wish you well and as with everyone who struggles and needs some support, I hope you all know how much people genuinely do care about you. It's bloody rough sometimes.
May not physically know you  madbast, but I send a huge hug your way.

Xx

[Melp]

Hi, I am turning 50 this year. I had my first anxiety attack in Nov 2022 which lasted a month, the worst thing I've ever experienced, didn't know what was going on so that's when I threw in the towel and asked to go on HRT patches. You name it I've had every menopausal system there is going but I've been on HRT coming up to 3 months now and has done wonders for me. I would give the patches more time but if the anxiety is still bad my friend was prescribed Sertraline for anxiety which helped her for 10 years. Not saying anti depressants are good for everyone so good idea to speak to your GP first. Hope this was helpful 😊

[Annie1210]

Hello there,

I am new to this site and wanted to let you know you're not alone. I too am really struggling with crippling anxiety, I have tried lots of holistic remedies (ashwagandha and St johns wort) as well as wellbeing strategies but something more is needed and I'm considering going back down the hrt route as this for me is not sustainable. Please keep in touch as to how you're getting on its good to know we're not alone in all this.

[SarahT]

Hi Annie 1210,

I too tried different routes to cope, I stupidly felt taking hrt was 'cheating', that I wasnt strong enough to cope. Before  I came across this forum, like many, I was so ignorant of peri and menopause, my friends and female   family all seemed to sail through menopause.... I had no idea of the differences of each individuals severity of this hormonal change.

I went without anything at all, then the anxiety and mood swings  got so bad I went for an anti depressant, Sertraline, as well as being referred for CBT. Both of these helped for a while but then the hormones kind of took over and knocked me to the ground, I just could not continue, and I decided to speak to a good gp, and I went into hrt.

It was not all plain sailing as many of you here testify. But now, six months in, after needing to change a couple of bits of my hrt regime, I am getting better, I can cope, am off the anti depressants and have found my own ways to cope with the debilitating mind fog and some techniques to help with the anxiety.
I know I will undoubtedly have many ups and downs, I still do, and I may need my hrt tweaked (supply issues being a huge one here), but yes, 100% agree with you that it is vital to know you are not alone.

Madbast, please let us know how you are doing... Having been there and may be there again myself, I worry for you and always always appreciate the help and advice of everyone on this forum,  even  just a message saying, sorry, it can be crap but we understand
 

[Stella2]

Hello MadBast,
I feel for you, I have also been suffering for a long time. Would you consider a talking therapy such as counselling or CBT? That definitely helped me, I feel that antidepressants were just masking the issue. Although the lack of hormones in menopause can contribute to anxiety, I find that also, as we mature, we have to face our issues as they start coming up in different forms. I had to take a good look deeper inside to understand more about myself. CBT and counselling have given me tools to deal with moments of panic and also to realise that I have to start taking good care of myself as nobody else will.
I am sure that many ladies find HRT or/and antidepressants enough to help with their mh issues, but for me, the talking therapy was needed and a big change of lifestyle and the way I treat and care for myself.
I got therapy through the NHS, it's worth talking to the GP, however, waiting lists can be long. if you can fund sessions yourself there are many therapists around and many are now offering online sessions too.
In the meantime, there are also good anxiety resources online and some really good guided meditations for relaxation.
Wishing you all the best x