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Author Topic: Confused again.  (Read 836 times)

debbyx

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Confused again.
« on: September 17, 2025, 04:53:20 PM »

Hi Everyone

It’s me again.   Sorry to do another post I have done so many recently as I am so confused. 

From previous posts I am 63 and post menopause about 7 years.  I had no issues at all  and thought I was so lucky then at Christmas I have gone down hill

Doctors keep telling me my issues are not menopause related and offered Anti depressants, which I haven’t taken , I have all the usual symptoms, hot flushes aches pains etc but the past month the anxiety and panic are through the roof , I just can not cope any more. 

I actually managed to speak to a lady doctor who specialises in woman’s health and she agreed I could go on the patches
Then I had a call from my own GP last week and said they shouldn’t have been prescribed to me with out having blood test first as I haven’t had any done for couple of years.   I am so confused ! 

My main issue now is the panic and anxiety as soon as I wake up I cry as I can not go through another day  today I have cried non stop this is now the 3rd day running.   Panic just hits me out of nowhere, I literally can not do any thing. 

I do not feel ill and I am eating normally but just totally warn out and exhausted
My legs feel like jelly.  What is happening to me.  I feel a total failure and just want to be me again.   Are others like this ,  I feel I am going mad.   Part of me just wants to stay in bed tomorrow and not even try to get though the day

I will ring tomorrow for bloods to me done
But just confused as why all doctors have different opinions.

I have no other Heath issues and was so active until Christmas now I struggle to put my bins out. 
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Mary G

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2025, 07:26:25 PM »

It sounds perfectly normal to me. Menopause symptoms can suddenly get worse years after your last period.  To give you an example, I'm 64 and about 18 years post menopause but a couple of years ago my brainstem auras suddenly made a reappearance.  They are caused by low oestrogen (which is why I never had them during my reproductive years) and I've been taking HRT since the onset of the menopause but my levels must have tanked even further.  So I've doubled my dose to two pumps of Oestrogel and so far so good - I don't want to tempt fate. 

I've also changed from propranolol (beta blocker) to verapamil (calcium channel blocker) which has been a great success.  I had to work all this out for myself without any input from the medical professional which is appalling.  Not even my hormonal migraine specialist suggested my self prescribed remedy.  Having done a lot of research, I discovered propranolol is the wrong medication for brainstem auras and I should have been prescribed verapamil and a higher dose of oestrogen years ago.  Several doctors told me to reduce my oestrogen dose which was extremely bad advice.

I would keep going with the patches and have the blood tests but it sounds like your GP is going to try to pin your symptoms on something else which will no doubt be wrong.

Have you listened to any of Dr Louise Newson's podcasts?  You ready should because she is the voice of reason and I think you will find her very knowledgeable and reassuring.

The menopause never ends unless you replace your hormones but you do need to adjust your dose from time to time and it's usually upwards.



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dangermouse

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2025, 01:23:05 PM »

Hey, how many days are you now since stopping the Diazepam?
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debbyx

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2025, 03:31:13 PM »

Hi Dangermouse

I have stopped taking it slowly even though I was not taking a large amount
This morning I took maybe not even a quarter of a 5mg. 

My day today has been so bad I just can not cope any more.   I think I have panicked all day.  Hot flushes too.  I just feel warn out. 

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Fianna

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2025, 04:20:57 PM »

Debbiex this sounds classic menopause symptoms, it's horrid isn't it? Push to continue the HRT for a trial at least to see if it helps.  I've been stuff with anxiety for a few years ow and only recently, after 2 years of trying different hrt regimes has it improved. Good luck x
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CLKD

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2025, 08:21:10 AM »

So why not take the ' valium'  :-\ ........... which is for high levels of anxiety/panic attacks.  I wouldn't be here without using it in the 1990s.  'a quarter' of 5mg won't give anything more than placebo effect: nowt wrong with that but a lot of tablets are fillers/packaging with a measured amount of active ingredient.  It may mean that after cutting the active ingredient becomes lost in the 'dust'.

Also some ADs help with anxiety so if a patient presents with that as the main symptom, that is what the GP will prescribe for. 

Try not to overthink what to/not take.  That allows the fight/flight response to kick in .........

Been there.  For many years. 

GPs insist on blood tests but in reality, these are in the main , reliably un-reliable and 1 GP should not challenge a partner in the Practice. It's not ethical. They should discuss between themselves and treat the patient on symptoms!  "I've sought advice from colleagues and between us we think that 4 U ........ "

If U continue with this thread rather than opening new ones it helps for me to scan back so that I don't repeat myself, many of us have brain fog during hormonal upheavals so may find it difficult to keep up ........ mayB read through the responses on your threads and make notes?  So that U can C what has been suggested, discard what isn't appropriate right  now and use what should be helping.

Do U keep a. mood/food/symptom diary - I can't remember whether I may have mentioned this: it helps see if there is a pattern.  It also reminds us that there better days!

My anxiety has always been worse in the. morning, i.e. pre going to school, exams., driving test, travelling; as my commitments get finished as the day goes on, I'm a different person. I have learned never to agree to anything in the evenings because by morning I'll be a nervous wreck.  Nausea, unable to eat, crying ........

Eating little and often has helped me too especially having a biscuit by the bed 4 when I wake in the night.  4 me it stops that awful 'what if' lurch as I wake  :-\ if that makes sense.

I believe that HRT may take a bit of Trial and Error in the 1st 3/4 months and if your GPs aren't consistent, there are dedicated clinics which have waiting lists. 

Who do U have at home to support you and reinforce that U aren't going mad, it's hormonal upheavals?



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dangermouse

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2025, 05:32:29 PM »

We are all different but my mum continued to have extreme panic even on tiny amounts of Diazepam. I checked with Chat GPT as it was so extreme and it confirmed that 5 days after final tiny piece is when the true withdrawal starts and it took about 2 weeks after that to all just stop. It was all caused by the Diazepam sending her stress hormones up and down and it fooled the doctors in hospital as they were convinced she was having extreme anxiety from over worrying.

I had to literally fight them to stop them giving her more (as we were about 7 days off by then). Finally they listened and put on record that she must not have Diazepam and she was back to herself about a week later.

The need for the benzo can trick the brain, even worse than opiates, and that is one of the reasons it should not be prescribed for more than 2 weeks in total. Once frequent use kicks in, even with tiny amounts, every few days, the addiction kicks in.
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dangermouse

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2025, 05:39:36 PM »

Some parts that helped us from ChatGPT:

Diazepam has:
   •   A long half-life (up to 48 hours in older people; even longer when including its active metabolite nordiazepam, which can linger up to 10–14 days).
   •   So withdrawal symptoms can be delayed and prolonged—especially if doses were irregular or stopped abruptly after semi-regular use.

What to Expect (Typical Withdrawal Timeline):

Days 1–5
Symptoms may still feel “delayed” or fluctuate—muscle tension, emotional upset, agitation, sleep issues

Days 5–10
Withdrawal tends to peak here, especially if there was inconsistent use

Days 10–21
Gradual easing of symptoms for many, but can last longer in sensitive individuals or older adults

>3 weeks
If still unwell, consider supporting the nervous system with safer alternatives (see below)

Emotional & Physical Symptoms (Common in Diazepam Withdrawal)
   •   Muscle tightness or spasms (especially back and neck)
   •   Feeling tearful or emotionally overwhelmed
   •   Restless sleep or vivid dreams
   •   Pins and needles or buzzing in limbs
   •   Heightened sensitivity to noise, light, smells



✅ What You Can Do Now

1. Don’t panic if symptoms are still strong at Day 5–10
   •   Diazepam withdrawal is slow to ramp up and slow to leave, especially after “as-needed” use.
   •   Emotional and muscular symptoms are often the last to ease.

2. Support her nervous system gently
   •   Magnesium glycinate or Epsom salt baths – reduces spasms, calms the nervous system
   •   Chamomile or lemon balm tea – can soothe anxiety without sedation
   •   Gentle movement – short walks or light stretching help “reset” muscle tone

3. Avoid
   •   Caffeine or alcohol
   •   Anything that spikes cortisol (e.g. stress, skipping meals)
   •   Sudden changes in sleeping pills or painkillers

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CLKD

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2025, 08:25:33 AM »

Interesting  :thankyou:

Personally I didn't suffer withdrawal on an 'as necessary' use of Valium although I did need to wean off one AD [can't remember the name] which took 9 weeks. 


debbbyx - how R U this morning?
« Last Edit: September 22, 2025, 08:27:32 AM by CLKD »
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debbyx

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2025, 11:06:40 AM »

Thanks Dangermouse

That is so helpful. 

I really do think it’s the Valium  that has caused  the panic attacks to spiral out of control.
As looking back I was not this bad before taking them.  Yesterday I took the smallest bit possible and today I have taken none ,   I am very shaky and wobbly today put trying to work through it. 


I will give it a few days and start the patches. 
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debbyx

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2025, 04:43:20 PM »

I had two good days and it felt great ,  did normal things with energy such a nice feeling , but unfortunately today I am back to my normal nervous anxious state  so have spent most of the day in tears again.  I have not had a Valium for 3 days. It has been hard not to take one today  as normally as soon as I feel panicky I would take a quarter of one but I am determined to get off of them .

Not sure weather to leave it a few days for the Valium to get out of my system after reading Dangermouse brilliant advice or to just start the patches now. 



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CLKD

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2025, 06:45:30 PM »

A quarter of how much ?
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debbyx

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #12 on: Today at 05:13:26 AM »

Just 5mg
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CLKD

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Re: Confused again.
« Reply #13 on: Today at 05:57:27 PM »

5mg should help ease anxiety.  Taken sensibly patients don't become addicted.

How has today been?
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