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[Catlover67]

Anyone else developed this or found its got worse due to peri/menopause?

I've had this to varying degrees for at least 10 years and, looking back, I think that's when peri started.  It's got so much worse in the last few years, a combination of getting older and statistically more likely to get a fatal illness and the symptoms of peri as they are the same as many serious illnesses! I had CBT a few years ago which helped a bit but I slipped back into old ways after a while. I don't want to take ADs as I had a bad reaction to Sertraline which made my anxiety worse instead of better.

I have an appointment next week to discuss going on HRT as I can't take the symptoms anymore and wondered if that will help health anxiety too?

[Losingtheplot]

Hi Catlover67,

It is so difficult and I do sympathise. Peri throws so much of our health into chaos. I use HRT and also Ad's - although not for everyone. I have a history of anxiety/depression.

I have recently been diagnosed with prediabetes and feel that as I've turned 50 my health has been affected. Having said that unfortunately as we get older we are susceptible to more.

Its easier said than done when people.say not to worry and all we can try and do is eat in moderation, drink in moderation and do some exercise.

Mental health is exhausting and one I find the most difficult. Could you maybe revisit your CBT again if it has helped in the past?.

Are you getting any other symptoms e.g hot flushes, palpitations, brain fog?.

Just I think the Gp might be reluctant to prescribe HRT if your issue is the anxiety as they like to offer Ad's.

My hot flushes stopped with HRT but my anxiety and panic didnt.

I am now on an increased dose of HRT and early days but appears to be helping. Otherwise my GP was to change my Ad's as I am on the max dose.

[Catlover67]

Thank you. Yes  I do have peri symptoms - night sweats, brain fog, aching joints (although these seem better atm) as well as anxiety. I also have constant random spotting which I've posted about separately previously. This has been investigated and is benign so I'm not so worried about that from a Health Anxiety perspective, although it's very annoying and needs fixing. The GP is already willing to prescribe HRT, we just need a discussion on what type, although I've not told her how bad my health anxiety is but I plan to bring it up at the appointment.

[Losingtheplot]

Hopefully once you and your Gp have a discussion and you start HRT it helps you.

All the symptoms of peri/menopause are so debilitating and affect our lives greatly.

The HRT alone maybe enough. Generally  you are started on a low dose which happened to me and that time it was enough to help and control.my symptoms. Gps follow the NICE guidelines to give the dose 3 months before any changes are considered.

Ad's are a difficult one till you find the right one that suits.  HRT is what I have read should be offered first for the peri symptoms if doesn't help or can't be tolerated then Ad's.

Hope things settle for you and you find the right HRT for you x

[Catlover67]

Thanks. Will see what GP says. Really don't want ADs due to a bad experience previously.

[Losingtheplot]

Thanks. Will see what GP says. Really don't want ADs due to a bad experience previously.

I understand you not wanting Ad's and to be honest HRT should be offered first by GPs. Let me know how you get on x

[sheila99]

I had anxiety because of peri though it wasn't specifically healthy anxiety, gone completely with hrt hough it did take 3 months. If yours came with peri there's a good chance yours will go too. And imo far better to try hrt than ads.

[elle]

Anyone else developed this or found its got worse due to peri/menopause?

I've had this to varying degrees for at least 10 years and, looking back, I think that's when peri started.  It's got so much worse in the last few years, a combination of getting older and statistically more likely to get a fatal illness and the symptoms of peri as they are the same as many serious illnesses! I had CBT a few years ago which helped a bit but I slipped back into old ways after a while. I don't want to take ADs as I had a bad reaction to Sertraline which made my anxiety worse instead of better.

I have an appointment next week to discuss going on HRT as I can't take the symptoms anymore and wondered if that will help health anxiety too?

I'm sorry to hear this and completely sympathise. I also have health/death anxiety and it can be awful. Like others have said, peri can wreak havoc on us mentally and physically.

If you discuss HRT at your appt, maybe you could ask to get another course of CBT? If you're not comfortable with this, the NHS also have online cbt courses that your GP can instigate or refer you to. They can be very helpful for many people and give you back some control. As for AD's possibly the GP can make other suggestions. I'm on opiates for pain but there are other options for me and some I've reacted very badly to. I think patients are often given the cheapest ones first to see if they are tolerated, then others are offered if not suitable, but I've realised you need to keep going back/requesting alternatives. Don't settle if they aren't the best they could be..

For me, the biggest factor in dealing with health anxiety has been exercise and movement. I started fitness training a few years ago starting with very slow running and now do weights, gym, fitness classes etc, all very low intensity but I've seen a big improvement in my health and that helps calm me somewhat.

I hope things settle soon and you feel listened to at your appointment x

[Catlover67]

Thank you. I just had a light bulb moment and realised that my health anxiety ramped up significantly shortly after stopping the combined pill 5 years ago, along with my other symptoms so hopefully it's hormonal and HRT will help x

[Therese83]

Yes having never experienced anxiety before I noticed myself feeling anxious about the idea of me or my family members dying. Some other things too but mainly around death. HRT has entirely got rid of this for me so fingers crossed for you.