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[Lisab]

Hi all, I’ve been perimenopausal since I turned 40, so 2 years now, I’ve really struggled with anxiety, panic and a complete lack of self confidence. I finally saw someone at the Newson clinic after battling with my gp. I’m now on oestrogel, androfeme and cyclogest. Everything had been going great and was feeling a lot more like me and positive for a change but then a few weeks ago my androme delivery went missing and I ended up not having any for 6 days. Within 2 days I felt so tired, my limbs felt like lead and started to feel overwhelmed again. I upped my oestrogel to 5 pumps to try and help and also in this time my progesterone switched to Utrogestan from cyclogest. After just one dose I couldn’t stop crying the next day, I only had it for 3 days as had such an emotional response that I went back on cyclogest. I lowered oestrogel back to 4 pumps and am now 2 weeks back on androfeme. However I feel it’s started a spiral that now won’t stop and feel I’m in a black hole of depression. I feel I am grieving almost with the amount I am crying, I have no control of it and even cried in work meetings. I feel so panicked, am doubting ever single decision I’ve ever made and there feels no end in sight. Do you think this has to do with the altering of my HRT and stopping the androfeme or maybe it’s just a coincidence and I’m seriously depressed . I’m not sure which way to turn. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Lisa and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear how low you are feeling. For me, any slight change in HRT has a huge impact on my mental health so I can understand why you are finding you feel this way after what happened.

I know it feels awful now but it will pass. It sounds like it was missing the andromfeme that caused this. Once it all settles down again I am sure you will feel much better.

Why did you switch the progesterone? Changing that can also take time for your body to adjust.

I am so pleased you found this forum as you will always find support here.

[CLKD]

WHOOOA and breathe. 

Hormonal upheaval can play havoc with our mental health.  How were you during your menstruating years?  I would sob the night B4 a bleed began even if a period wasn't due.  Do U have a history of depression ?  If so and if you don't feel 'better' within the next couple of weeks, I would seriously consider asking for appropriate medication along-side the HRT.  Some require both.  Some use both then wean off the AD once they feel more stable. 

It doesn't take much to upset the balance during peri when hormones can alter the replacement regime and progesterone certainly affects many women.  Was was it switched?

Also, it can take a few weeks for the brain and body to realise it's being helped.  R U able to practice deep breathing to calm the overall effects of upheaval, I find that if I do stretching exercises in bed: starting at the toes: stretch, hold, relax: I rarely get further than my knees  B4 I feel better.  Singing can help as it regulates our breathing.

How is your diet overall?  I suffered with depression and anxiety for many years and believed that I would never feel well.  Let us know how you get on.

[Lisab]

Hello Lisa and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear how low you are feeling. For me, any slight change in HRT has a huge impact on my mental health so I can understand why you are finding you feel this way after what happened.

I know it feels awful now but it will pass. It sounds like it was missing the andromfeme that caused this. Once it all settles down again I am sure you will feel much better.

Why did you switch the progesterone? Changing that can also take time for your body to adjust.

I am so pleased you found this forum as you will always find support here.

Thank you - how long do you think it should take to settle down, it’s been over 2 weeks now?

I was originally prescribed utrogestan but it was out of stock so I was put on cyclogest. I’m usually really sensitive to progesterone but fine with cyclogest. When utrogestan came back in stock they said to try that but going to stick with cyclogest now I think after the way it made me feel initially.

[Lisab]

WHOOOA and breathe. 

Hormonal upheaval can play havoc with our mental health.  How were you during your menstruating years?  I would sob the night B4 a bleed began even if a period wasn't due.  Do U have a history of depression ?  If so and if you don't feel 'better' within the next couple of weeks, I would seriously consider asking for appropriate medication along-side the HRT.  Some require both.  Some use both then wean off the AD once they feel more stable. 

It doesn't take much to upset the balance during peri when hormones can alter the replacement regime and progesterone certainly affects many women.  Was was it switched?

Also, it can take a few weeks for the brain and body to realise it's being helped.  R U able to practice deep breathing to calm the overall effects of upheaval, I find that if I do stretching exercises in bed: starting at the toes: stretch, hold, relax: I rarely get further than my knees  B4 I feel better.  Singing can help as it regulates our breathing.

How is your diet overall?  I suffered with depression and anxiety for many years and believed that I would never feel well.  Let us know how you get on.

Thank you - life feels a lot at the moment! I am still having periods but have always had pmt and been sensitive to hormones, was never able to tolerate the pill and have PCOS. The only time I have cried like this though is after losing my dad. I wouldn’t say I’ve been depressed but have had low mood over the years. This anxiety though has made me withdraw from social situation and just withdraw into myself. I have been so much better over the last few months but this seems to have kicked off a downwards spiral 😢

[CLKD]

Give the cyclogest time to kick in, if this what suits you.

Be kind to yourself.  Don't worry about not interacting until your hormone levels have settled a bit.  If U had a broken leg or 'flu? 

[Dawn3129]

I'm struggling too, not long on duloxetine and upped hrt but I feel the Dr's and nurses don't really know much about menopause and how it affects our mental health.
Meanwhile there's thousands of women suffering x

[CLKD]

Dawn: get a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic, either via the NHS or privately.  There are waiting lists.  Also see if there is a GP interested in womens health at your Surgery, I found out recently that there is a GP locally ;-)

[Dawn3129]

I've asked about a dedicated clinic and am on the waiting list.
There isn't a Dr who knows mors about it my Dr said they were woefully ubdertrained in anything to do with menopause and he's learning from his patients every day. That to me is so sad so my anxiety continues .
That's just in Aberdeenshire not sure what the rest of the country is like x

[CLKD]

Hi from the Midlands to over the Border!  MayB point your GP practice to MM Forum?  Do let your Practice Manager know about us, every day is a learning curve and if the GPs are willing to listen and take on board, that has to be a bonus.

[Dawn3129]

Hubby is from Brum! Yes I will tell him and my practice manager. Its been a lifetime of people blowing off my anxiety so since I was 4 - I'm 46 and then meno on top of that!! My anxiety is thru the roof x

[CLKD]

  to you both

[Dawn3129]