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[TPB01]

Hello everyone, this is my first time on here and TBH I’ve felt quite nervous building myself up but I can see after reading posts the last week or so you’re all very nice and support each other.

Where do I start! My minds in turmoil…
From the beginning I guess and I hope that’s okay?
Im turning 51 next month but back when I was 34 I had a total hysterectomy due to painful periods and Endometriosis. It was advised to have the surgery and as long as the pain went I was happy. I was immediately given HRT following this and if I’m honest, I’ve sailed through all these years (or so I thought) being a busy mum with two young sons at the time, I carried on like we do.  I was trialed on different HRT tablets and patches. I honestly can’t remember the dose but I was okay. I eventually settled on patches for many years as taking a tablet each day sometimes would be missed.
I would attend the surgery yearly for a blood pressure check but I didn’t know much about hysterectomy /menopause/HRT and would leave the surgery just as confused. Looking through my NHS prescription app I can see back in 2020 I was taking Evorel 75 and changed my patches twice weekly. Like I said, I’ve always been fine. Then I remember couple years ago the GP mentioning mr reducing and I went to Evorel 25. Again all okay.
Last July I had my first panic attack away from home and couldn’t control my breathing and ended up in A&E which was all terrifying but I put it all down to celebrating my 50th maybe couple cocktails and I panicked not being near home. Due to this I thought I’d make some lifestyle changes and although just an occasional social drinker, I stopped completely . Exercising more. What was stupid of me at the time, I cut down my HRT to one patch weekly instead of two and I was only on Evorel 25. So a very minimal dose. In March this year we went away and the minute I entered the hotel room it all came flooding back from the previous year and wanted to go back home. My husband said to call the GP this time. I was told by the practice nurse who deals with menopause that this was due to menopause and immediately return to 2 patches weekly as I noticed I had itchy skin, dry eyes and generally feeling ‘off’ but I was ignoring all these signs for months.
May this year was horrendous and had another panic attack after the other at home and felt like I was loosing my mind. I was pacing up and down not sure what to do with myself. ‘Bad thought’ torturing myself every minute of the day going crazy. The GP doubled my dose to Evorel 50 and it took a few days but then returned to work and I had 2/3 good weeks and then it all hit me again this time heart palpitations/loosing my mind. The GP has given me Propranolol starting at 20mg 3 times daily but this has since increased to 30mg 3 times daily and signed me off work last week. Albeit the palpitations have stopped I still have the fear/anxiety especially in the mornings. Last couple days that nervous feeling although I’ve nothing to be worried about. I just don’t know what else to do. Is it my HRT? I’ve never suffered before with Anxiety and now it won’t go.
Sorry I’ve gone on and on. Just wondering if anybody else similar to myself. Having had the surgery too I’ve no idea what stage I’m at with the menopause. Thank you

[CLKD]

   now I'll read your thread ;-)

[CLKD]

Where do I start! My minds in turmoil…

From the beginning I guess and I hope that’s okay?  - absolutely OK  U R amongst friends now.


Im turning 51 next month   will there be  [in case I forget  ]


but back when I was 34 I had a total hysterectomy due to painful periods and Endometriosis. It was advised to have the surgery and as long as the pain went I was happy. I was immediately given HRT following this and if I’m honest, I’ve sailed through all these years (or so I thought) being a busy mum with two young sons at the time, I carried on like we do. 
..........  I can see back in 2020 I was taking Evorel 75 and changed my patches twice weekly. Like I said, I’ve always been fine. Then I remember couple years ago the GP mentioning mr reducing and I went to Evorel 25. Again all okay.


As hormone levels rise and fall many suffer higher levels of anxiety and/or panic attacks.  This WILL pass.  In the 1990s I believed that I would never leave the house again  .  These days I try not to plan too far ahead - spontaneous suits me much better.  Cortisol - the morning hormone - caused havoc for me from 3.30 a.m. till mid morning  .  My GP prescribed Propranolol - 80mg 3 times a day for 3 weeks, dropped down to 40mg twice a day then I cut myself to 20mg twice a day after about 3 years.  Due to background headaches.  OK for another couple of years, then stopped completely in 2020 and have been OK since.

[CLKD]

Many ladies find that they are unable to tolerate alcohol as well as some food stuffs as they reach peri-menopause: those years leading up to menopause [last bleed ever]: when we become aware of our bodies not behaving as 'usual'!  Why did U cut back on the patch if it was working?

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; skin, vagina, vulva, between the toes, scalp - 4 me it was itchy insteps every night when I removed socks, I would wake in the night with 1 ruff heel scratching the other ! I also found out that the repeated urine infection-type symptoms were due to vaginal atrophy and appropriate treatment is working for me.

Early morning anxiety would leave me terrified.  Propranolol really helped on a regular basis.  The brain doesn't need to 'be in a place' in order to generate anxiety; the flight/fight syndrome takes over which is why I now have an emergency pill to swallow. This either knocks me out or enables me.  I haven't required it for a couple of years, it does help that it's there!

I did find that relaxation therapy/deep breathing eased symptoms a little as does sleeping; sitting in a shaded spot in our garden planning the chores.  Listening to quiet music. 

Let us know how you get on. This too will pass.  Let the medication do it's work.

[Flossieteacake]

Hello TBolan1 and a warm welcome to the forum. You are very brave to join and post despite feeling anxious.

From reading your post I feel it was the unknowledgeable GP suggesting you reduce the HRT that caused all this. HRT can be taken for life and you sound like you were doing well on the 75. How frustrating you were asked to reduce your HRT without any good reason.

Your hormones are likely to be all over the place due to the HRT changes. It is terrible you were not given any support after having a hysterectomy. Perhaps once your body is used to the 50 in time you can go back to taking 75 and see if this helps with the anxiety. Often in anxiety that is hormonal related, finding the right dose of HRT can be a huge help.

[TPB01]

Thank you for your quick reply 
I thought that too that my hormones must be all over the place with the changes and now Propanolol added to the mix. My hubby thinks that I’m hard on myself and these things take time but as you know us women are inpatient and have things to do. It’s been a real scary couple months and feeling like I’ve lost my mind is terrifying.
I certainly didn’t get the support after the hysterectomy and my knowledge on the subject wasn’t good either or what lied ahead with menopause.
Finding the right dose is crucial

[SarahT]

And just a huge hello from me too.

As you say everyone on here is lovely and so supportive and willing to advise and share. Never think you are going on too much please.
Your symptoms and feelings are very real and ladies here will understand. Anxiety is a very common part of menopause sadly,  you will find a lot of information on here.
Nice to have you here, it took me a while to feel brave enough to write in and am so glad to be here myself.  In my first list it was because I thought I was going mad.... We're not, but we are working through huge changes. Do be kind to yourself. Your husband sounds very supportive, that's so wonderful.

X

[CLKD]

Propranolol won't interfere with hormones.  It's to calm the reflexes of anxiety. 

Let us know how you get on.  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom dairy of use - diary even  ; I may have said already [we have a thread 'doing stupid things' too as well as 'there's a strange woman in my house' for a giggle]

[TPB01]

Thank you CLKD 
Happy advanced Birthday to you too!!
Alcohol is a real no go for me and looking back before all this there were signs it was affecting more than normal. I can’t see ever returning.
I reduced the HRT because I got the breast cancer talk from the GP and he terrified me as I’d been taking HRT for over 10 years I think at the time and a few ahead of me still to go. I was stupid to do it and I wonder if that’s got me here? 

Relaxation music does help me and herbal Twinings teas (calm/sleep) and walking.
I couldn’t get through each day if it wasn’t for my husband. He’s read up on everything and very supportive
Thank you for replying.

[DottyD68]

Hi TBolan01,

Hello and welcome.

You've already had great advice from the others. My pennysworth is that I had never suffered with anxiety or panic attacks until recently so definitely menopausal. I am 55 next month and been peri-menopausal for the past 8-9 years with a huge catalogue of symptoms that I wasn't aware of appearing, disappearing then re-appearing over the years. The anxiety floored me initially however now I know what it is I can handle it better "most of the time". It will pass. I just have to make some adjustments to my social life etc so I don't find myself overwhelmed or over-stimulated. Having to do that in itself makes me low as I used to be a confident, bubbly, sociable, spontaneous person and say yes to everything and now I think all my friends and associates think I'm wierd when I decline some invitations (even though I am very open and try to explain).

You are lucky to have a supportive husband. I do too and that's a huge help. And don't be too hard on yourself.

Sending lots of good wishes x

[CLKD]

Your GP needs his/her head putting down a toilet and the flush pulled.  .     About 20 times .

Right, got that off my chest.  Quality of Life Girls, Quality of Life. 

[Keep On Swimming]

Hi TBolan01,

Welcome to this wonderful, safe, supportive place!

I'm really sorry to hear what you've been going through. I don't know much about HRT yet, so I can't give you any advice, but I was in a bad way with anxiety (night time "big dippers" - sweats/tachycardia/anxiety/insomnia and I would waken feeling terrified all over). The only thing that helped was swimming but it was even hard to get to the pool, it was hard to function. Anyway, I am back on oestrogen gel since beg April and it's pure magic - anxiety and low mood gone! Sleeping well too.

I really hope you get back to feeling well again soon.

All the best.
xxx

[TPB01]

Wow that’s amazing Keep on Swimming!
I long to hear the words from myself that the anxiety and occasional low mood disappeared!!
The beta blockers has helped my palpitations but that feeling of anxiety does still make an appearance and I need to work on that. Some good tips on here.
I have managed to go the gym last week and did think about swimming actually.  I’m getting daily heart flutters? Weird feeling actually and come from nowhere.
I’m keen to increase my HRT to Evorel 75 from 50 but I’ve only been on this dose since early May, so reading on here, it’s probably too soon? My HRT doses have been all over over last 12 months so I think I need to wait a little longer?
I’ve a GP telephone appointment tomorrow so I might highlight it anyhow.
I’ve had 2 lots of bloods done over this couple months and although Oestrogen was slightly low, GP wasn’t concerned .
I just want to be normal again!!

[CLKD]

Hormonal blood tests are reliably un-reliable 

Make a list of your worries ready for the appt..  As for increasing the patch, little steps: not every night initially to allow the body to adjust?

It's The Change - we need to accept that our bodies won't be 'as previously' , that these feelings do pass. 

[TPB01]

Thank you CLKD and I’ve the notepad and pen out as we speak.

I need to give time for this Evorel 50 to kick in as it’s not been long on it.

Quick question, I’ve been taking a multi nutrient supplement from Health & Her (peri menopause) for last couple weeks as highly recommended from a friend and good reviews. Anyone on here been taking this alongside HRT?

I did check with my GP beforehand but a flippant reply as all okay to take but not sure he was listening properly!