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[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

Please forgive me but I need to offload. I had a perfectly enjoyable afternoon with a friend but as soon as it was over I felt the awful anxiety again.

My horrible emotional symptoms just go on and on.  Every day I am on a rollercoaster ride and I don't really know if it's entirely hormonal or now some sort of mental health problem.

I am using one sachet of Sandrena gel and 100mg of Utrogestan orally but just how much help this is I don't know. Lately I have noticed more episodes of vaginal dryness, waking at 4 am and not getting back to sleep and  some slight daytime flushes. The trouble is I don't want to increase HRT, in fact I'd rather not be on it at all anymore but at the same time I want to feel better.

I have been prescribed Pregabalin to calm my nervous system but apparently I may not feel the benefit for a few weeks. My meno nurse says this is now offered as a treatment for the menopause so this may be an option for other ladies.

I have a lot of family issues to deal with at the moment and I just want to ignore it all.

Apologies for the rant ladies, I just needed to get that off my chest.

Thank you for reading and I plan a very early night tonight to see if that helps. Fingers crossed.

Wishing you all well and take care.

K.

[Sunriser]

Sorry that you’re feeling like this but I’m going through something similar. Yes I have life issues going on that are stressful but the anxiety levels are almost uncontrollable.
I hope you’re feeling a bit better?
I can’t take any meds but the GP prescribed an anti depressant.
I am back doing meditation but still the anxiety gets to me (running to the loo).

[Mary G]

Kathleen, I'm so sorry to hear that, you really do seem to be struggling to find the right combination of medication.

The Pregabalin sounds well worth it try.  It's on the list of migraine preventatives my specialist recommends but I haven't tried it yet because I'm convinced I just need to increase my oestrogen dose which is working very well so far.

I'm 63, am I right in thinking we are a similar age?  I made the classic mistake of thinking that because I am about 15 years post menopause I had bottomed out, everything would settle down and I could just keep going on one pump of Oestrogel forever but I was wrong.  It turned out that one pump was not enough and it caused my migraines to resurface.  Is it possible you could be in a similar situation?  My oestrogen blood levels were about 270 pmol which I thought was an acceptable maintenance dose but apparently not.  According to Bombshell on here, it's rock bottom. 

If the Pregabalin doesn't cut through, I really think you need a complete rethink on your medication because there seems to be a missing link.  Low oestrogen has a profound affect on the brain and in my case it's migraines but in your case it's mood swings and anxiety.  In other words, it's probably the same cause (lack of serotonin, dopamine etc) with a different manifestation.  Very often just increasing your oestrogen is not enough and you have to add in other medication but it's got to be the right type at the right dose.  Just getting one part of your medication wrong can throw everything off course.

What is your current blood oestrogen level?  Is your blood pressure stable because that can't affect the brain.  There is so much to unravel and it's complex stuff.

I hope that gives you some ideas

[Booblet]

Hi,
I'm so sorry your going through this awful debilitating Anxiety. What stood out to me was Ustrogestron.
I am 65 yrs old.

Like you I was taking Sandrina gel with Ustrogestron. The gel was fine - but I had awful side effects with Ustrogestron. Which, apparently is quite common. My Anxiety levels increased.

I suffer from terrible allergies- my allergen levels are very, very high.

I have been prescribed Evorel Conti patches - I couldn't take any for one wk and I felt a lot better with my Anxiety.

I haven't stopped taking them but I'm seeing Menopause Nurse in 2weeks for possible reduction or something else.

How long have you taking Pregabalin? You will feel better soon once it kicks in, I'm sure.

I know Anxiety can be horrendous  - and, when possibly intensified by Menopause medication (like it has for me) and seemingly for you - its awful.

But, you are doing something about it: Regarding vaginally dryness you can get medication from your GP or Menopause Nurse. But make sure you get the one that works.

In the meantime- do something for you that will make you feel a bit better - I know how hard it is just to leave the house or get out of bed, but if you can do one passive thing you will feel better and in more control
X

[bombsh3ll]

I know it can be hard to access a psychologist and in reality this often means paying privately, but if it is an option for anyone struggling with excessive anxiety that is impacting your quality of life it can be well worth having even just a few sessions with a good psychologist.

This can help you develop strategies tailored to your own individual needs to manage anxiety and panic over the long term either without drug treatment or with less than would otherwise be taken.

Pregabalin absolutely is helpful for some individuals however it is not without its own set of risks and side effects so I would try it only after having exhausted all other options and becoming sufficiently well informed about potential issues such as difficulty coming off it.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

Booblet.  I have decided to try to reduce the Utrogestan to see if it helps. If my anxiety and fatigue decrease then I will at least know what to blame!

bombsh3ll -  I didn't want to take Pregabalin, especially as I am already on an anti depressant but the psychiatrist I saw had no knowledge of menopause or HRT so psyche meds were their only suggestion. I realise that a psychologist would have a different approach though.

I am thinking that I might come off Sandrena gel and Utrogestan but perhaps ask for topical oestrogen instead. My dryness symptoms increased the last time I took a break from full HRT but, as I am post meno, a little topical treatment might be all that I need. With any luck I won't have a repeat of the other meno symptoms that returned last time,  fingers crossed!

Thank you both for responding ladies, your thoughts are much appreciated and I will keep the forum updated.

K.

[Kathleen]

Me again ladies.

Mary G -  Sorry I missed your reply.

I take your point about oestrogen levels and other meds. I started Pregabalin at al ow dose in October and I have gradually increased as prescribed.  I have now been using 200mg per day since January and I honestly don't know if I feel any better.

I don't know my oestrogen levels though my nurse did say 200 pmol/L would be a target to aim for. At my last appointment I asked to be released but she said it wasn't necessary!

I just don't seem to be making much headway. It's been fifteen years since my last period and I didn't have any problems until I became post meno. I'm so very tired of it all.

Thanks again for your post and I wish you well.

K.