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[Brownie]

Hi ladies
Just looking for the wealth of your knowledge.

I have been on vaginal estrogen for roughly 2 + a half years now. I have also been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. I use the estrogen nightly now however have found when I am anxious or in flare from either atrophy or IC I get very anxious + in addition sends me running to the loo all the time.

Im not on full HRT but realise it could help my anxiety but would it help frequent urination too ?

I am going to see an anxiety counsellor on Wed + back to my GP on Thu, I already take amitriptyline for IC + didn't really want to take another pill for anxiety + another pill for OAB.
Any help would be appreciated 🙏

[CLKD]

....... and breath.

How often are you using the oestrogen for the VA?   Nightly may be of benefit.

Who gave you the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis?  Does the amitriptyline ease symptoms at all?

Anxiety can cause repeated need to urinate.  When I'm coming down from a panic attack which can last days/hours, I need to P in quantity every 10 mins for maybe 5-6 hours. 

Do U believe that your anxiety is caused by hormonal upheaval?  If not, a dedicated anti-anxiety medication is the way to go - some ADs can ease anxiety.  Maybe make a list of your worries to take to your next appt.?

Let us know.

[CLKD]

Why have you got several threads on this?   

[Brownie]

Sorry for posting several times, I kept getting messages saying error, apologies.
Yeah I'm on vaginal estrogen nightly.
I was never really anxious till turned 50 + got diagnosis of low estrogen. I went private + got cystoscopy which I was told had inflamed bladder.
I take normally 20mg amitriptyline+ does help. Just when the anxiety strikes the urinary issues are a nightmare !!!

[CLKD]

It's anxiety = constant need to P!  When I have these feelings I swallow 2 Nurofen 3 times a day to ease the nip as the urine flow stops.

Keep up with the VA treatment nightly.  Have U tried relaxation techniques to help with anxiety?  Or exercise, is there a particular time when it is worse. 4 me it's early mornings  . How is your diet overall?

[Brownie]

I will get on the Nurofen now.
I need to do relaxation/pelvic stretches as have tight pelvic floor too + can't do kegels as that's supposed to irritate IC too 🙈
The OAB really all day but during night not as bad as I have the amitriptyline.
I put 2 stone on over lockdown which I am struggling to get off. I am a member of the gym + try to go as much as I can when I feel ok.

[Bindi]

Clkd can i ask just out of curiosisty your qualifications or what you are on for meno wise..what are or were your reasons for joining MM hun..just curious ..everyone else seems to say and i know you obviously have been on for years hun and have said ..but as novices to theses situations..And MM im just asking.

[CLKD]

U can ask.

Experiences.  Shared free of charge.

Bindi - Why do U ask ............   

Ekgirl - I use relaxation from toes upwards.  The idea being to stretch toes, relax: move up to the next muscle group - stretch, relax.  I never get further than my thighs B4 I drop off to sleep.  What else are U doing to shed the weight gained?  Gym may build muscle which might give a false impression 

[Brownie]

Probably not much re weight at moment although I do try to have healthy/protein fuelled diet. Feel once i can try + stop the anxiety etc can concentrate more on good things.
As I said the amitriptyline I'm on for the IC helps sleep too thankfully.

[sheila99]

My anxiety was caused by low oestrogen, it was cured by hrt. Of course there are other non meno related causes too. Where are you in your meno journey? And is anxiety a long standing issue or did it come or get worse with peri? If it did hrt is more likely help. I'm not sure about the urge to wee, I think it's more likely to be cystitis or VA though of course systemic oestrogen can also help va. Digestive issues can also be oestrogen related. Have a look at the 'advice for husbands' pinned post, there are many other symptoms which help you decide. It may help to think of hrt as replacing the hormones you no longer produce yourself (Major design flaw) rather than medication.

[Brownie]

So I am post menopause, think I skipped peri, I just kept going to GP as thought I had UTI + was during lockdown so they just kept throwing me antibiotics until one Dr examined me + realised due to low estrogen. Then when I was still not getting any better I went private for cystoscopy/hysteroscopy+ that was when IC was diagnosed. Things have been up + down but better when I've been using estrogen nightly.
I think I have been more anxious in my 50s but more just about health issues not every little thing.
Ps I also have slight bladder prolapse + tight pelvic floor, who would be a woman !!!

[sheila99]

Personal choice but if it was me I would try it as I think it's likely to help. Sometimes it will help a prolapse too. I think a prolapse can also bring on the urge to wee? If you find it doesn't help you can always stop. I think you can ask to see a pelvic floor specialist (not sure the term is correct, perhaps a search would bring something up).

[Minusminnie]

I have been on vaginal estrogen for roughly 2 + a half years now. I have also been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. I use the estrogen nightly now however have found when I am anxious or in flare from either atrophy or IC I get very anxious + in addition sends me running to the loo all the time.

What type of vaginal estrogen are you using ?  (of Ovestin and Vagifem the latter is a stronger and different type)

I will get on the Nurofen now.
I need to do relaxation/pelvic stretches as have tight pelvic floor too + can't do kegels as that's supposed to irritate IC too 🙈
The OAB really all day but during night not as bad as I have the amitriptyline.
I put 2 stone on over lockdown which I am struggling to get off. I am a member of the gym + try to go as much as I can when I feel ok.

Ps I also have slight bladder prolapse + tight pelvic floor, who would be a woman !!!

It sounds like you have seen a Womens Heath Physio to have your pelvic floor assessed and advised of the correct excercises.

Are you careful as to what you are doing in the gym as if you have a bladder prolapse things like lifting weights will not help it.

[Brownie]

Yeah seen pelvic floor therapist, so weak + tight pelvic floor !!!
I do mainly classes at gym so watch what I do.
I'm on estriol (old gynest) tried vagifem but didn't agree with me.

[Minusminnie]

Is your Estriol 0.01% as in Gynest ?  Ovestin is 0.1% estriol and may help you more if you cannot use Vagifem. You can get it on prescription (or buy it at a cost).