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[wynwrights]

Hello all. Before I introduce myself, I'd just like to say what a great resource this forum is. It's been really helpful to read what others are going through, as well as to harvest various hints and tips as to what can be done to alleviate bothersome symptoms. Thanks for all of it!

Background: I'm 49, and *think* I have been in peri since around 2021: my periods had definitely gotten really heavy during that year, with a couple of episodes of flooding, and  I recall that PMS had really ramped up. My mood was horrible the week or so before my period. Then, in early 2022 I missed two, maybe 3 periods in a row -- I did a couple of pregnancy tests, which seems ludicrous now! -- and, for the rest of that year, I seem to recall PMT worsening and bleeds lengthening. Last year, I lost a lot of weight, which may have something to do with the fact that PMT got dramatically better; that said, my periods got really irregular, with between 45-60 days between the majority of them (I should have kept a proper note). Now, I'm having a period after almost 90 days without and, for the last couple of months, my anxiety has been off the charts; it's AWFUL. I really feel like I'm going to go mad, and have that terrible doom laden sense that this will never get better. The adrenaline surges are an absolute delight  . Currently, aside from some vaginal and skin dryness (about to start a vaginal estrogen cream), this anxiety is my primary symptom; so far, I've only had some very mild night sweats, and otherwise that's been about it. (The anxiety is enough, that said.) I see a menopause practitioner in a couple of week, and am hoping HRT will be prescribed; I have also just started on Prozac to see if this quells the anxiety somewhat. I have PTSD, which isn't helping matters, and my mum died a couple of months back; we were estranged, but it's still been a huge shock to the system.

Thanks, midlife! Please keep it all crossed for me that I'm getting towards the magic menopause marker. For a while there, I was hoping to keep my periods for as long as possible, but this anxiety is making me anxious (!) to be at a more hormonally-stable place. It really is rotten.

[jaypo]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Anxiety and low mood was the worst for me too, I didn't go the HRT route and it wasn't easy,still,even now aged 60 I still get some symptoms but not nearly so bad. That's great you're seeing a specialist as Drs really don't know much when it comes to meno.
Sorry about your mum, I understand,even though estranged,it must've been a shock, I was estranged from my sister when she died and it still threw me.
Anyway,hope you get the help you need and start to feel a bit better 

[CLKD]

 

The Change - does what it says on the tin: and some  . Browse round. Make notes.  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary helpful.

My periods waxed and waned for several years.  Then disappeared ........ fortunately apart from a lot of itching : due to low oestrogen : and occasionally flushing after my bath across my shoulders, other than VA I've been lucky.

Anxiety can ramp up as hormone levels rise and fall.  An appropriate medication may help - depending on badly it is affecting your daily living.  Prozac may take a few weeks to kick in so don't panic!  I have used 'Bachs' flower rescue remedy mouth spray, betablocka, Valium ......... R U Stateside?

R there organisations in your area to discuss the ins and outs of your estrangement.  ? 

[sheila99]

Anxiety and insomnia were my worst meno symptoms, both cured by hrt. IMO for anxiety that's caused by oestrogen deficiency it's better to replace the oestrogen than to use ADs.

[CLKD]

However: as we are aware it can take months to find an HRT regime that works, so short-term anti-anxiety medication may be a life saver.

wainwrights - let us know how y ou get on.  [C what my spell check keeps doing  ]