Menopause Discussion > Personal Experiences

Fine without HRT, depressed with it - side effects query

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Emmia49:
Hi!

Yes, HRT CAN cause anxiety and depression.

I' ve never ever had depression or anxiety in my life. I was a healthy and happy woman when terrible nights sweats began and horrible insomnia was keeping me up all night.

I tried 3 types of HRT and they all made my situation worse. Estrogen caused chemical anxiety through the roof and progesterone made me completely depressed.

Last year I was bed ridden for months waiting for HRT to finally work and...oh, how dissapointed I was. I' ve tried everything every way, but enough is enough!

All I wanted was to die.... it was horrible!

I'm independent, educated, successfull and sporty woman and I' ve lost so many of my precious time trialing HRT.

In my opinion it's not a normal thing to spend so many months trying to find the right type and dose of HRT. DO WE REALLY HAVE TO SUFFER ALl OF THIS?

If men would have to go through menopause ,believe me, there would be a perfect drug availabe in a minute!

So, here I'm almost one year away from HRT nihgtmare and I'm ok. Not great, but ok. I reluctantly started AD mirtazapine 30mg and I function.

HRT is not for every woman and that should be ok. After trialing some time, there should be a line when we can say: well, HRT is just not for me.

I'm so thankfull to all the lovely ladies on this forum for their knowledge and their big heart. Without them I don't know where I'd be today.

Bless you all!

Emma

Kathleen:
Hello ladies

Emma -  I completely understand your situation, HRT has never lived up to its billing for me and for the second time I am taking a break from it to see where I am naturally.

There seems to be a number of women who need help adjusting to a change of hormones but for whatever reason HRT isn't the answer.

I hope you continue to improve and please keep us updated.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

CLKD:
 :thankyou: Emma

Until each lady is prescribed a treatment that suits her personal symptoms, it will remain difficult to treat successfully.  For many HRT helps, but it isn't a 'cure' for what is rising and falling of hormones at 'the change'. 

I know that I've been lucky.  However having been on ADs of some form, plus anti-anxiety medication, I believe in hindsight that my dreadful symptoms of nausea were peri-menopause of which I. knew nothing.  4 me The Change was losing periods and a few hot flushes and many medics still believe this.

nellipope - what do you plan to do?  Let us know how you get on.

nellipope:
Thank you so much for all your really postive, supportive and heartfelt replies.

You've actually lifted a huge weight off me, just knowing that I am not alone.

Sheila, I think I will speak with my GP on Monday, about progesterone alternatives. But I am leaning towards stopping, and looking into lifestyle changes, and see if there is anything else they can offer for the joint pain.

I have never felt so depressed, I feel a level of pointlessness to life on HRT.

I stopped my progresterone two nights ago, and already feel a little clearer, and lighter, not hugely but enough. I would be due to start again on the 3rd of July, so will keep monitoring. Interestingly I didn't find HRT helped very much with hot flushes, or brain fog, in fact, brain fog became worse.

Emma, thank you for sharing, I certainly share your frustration. There is also a ridiculous amount of pressure to go on HRT, which I know is a God send for many, but the world of medicine has a long way to go in getting this right! There are many contradictory research papers on safety, effectiveness, it's a minefield. Men would have this nailed if it were their burden to carry. I am sick and tired of celebrities sharing their positive experiences of it, when in fact it doesn't work for many. Plus I feel the world of private medicine has different remits.

I have a medical prescription for CBD / THC, the THC will knock you out at night, but it does help with pain. The CBD has helped with my anxiety, and I function well with it. If anyone else has any positive experiences of alternative, differing medications I would love to hear about it.

I tried turmeric but it did nothing! I can recommend Vitamin D.

CLKD:
It may take a few days for your mood to lift until U feel comfortable, that's often the worst part of depression.  I have both clinical [situational] and organic.  Although 'experts' won't recognise the split I know how I feel.

Let us know how you get on.  There's no reason to continue any medication that causes deep depression. 

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