Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Popmummy on October 16, 2020, 06:21:22 PM
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Hello
I’m new here. I’m 51 and know that I’m probably getting close to menopause. My periods have got further and further apart over the last 2 years and lighter too, although my last period after nothing for 3 months was heavier.
I don’t know if any of this is responsible for the awful anxiety I am feeling. I’ve always suffered, but for years I would experience a bout of anxiety and then feel fine inbetween. However since having my daughter 10 years ago my anxiety has gotten more regular and in the last 3 years it’s been awful. The focus is health anxiety and I am struggling to cope with the constant fear. I’ve had CBT, am on sertraline and now pregabalin but still I feel the same. I noticed that I will often have a very bad week of health anxiety before a period and always know when I’ve ovulated because my boobs are agony until I start bleeding. But even when I’m not due I’m anxious.
I’m not sure if the increased anxiety is related to my hormones but if it is and there’s something I can do about it I’d love some advice or thoughts.
Thank you
X
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Hi anxiety can certainly be hormonal.
You are a Mum too which won't help. Your daughter will be getting into her hormonal journey, she'll be wanting a little lee-way when coming home at night, exams to face: change of school etc.. Stresses for both of you.
MayB make a note of any symptom that you would like to ease. My periods waxed and waned. I was already on ADs and anti-anxiety medication and this is certainly 1 route if your menopause symptoms aren't bothersome. Some ladies require both HRT and medication.
Health anxiety may increase during peri too. It's The Change, does what it says on the tin ::)
Browse round. :welcomemm: if you think your anxiety is hormonal would you consider HRT which might be Trial and Error.
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Thank you for replying CLKD
I am happy to accept that I’m an anxious person, but these last few years have been awful. My daughter is in her first year of senior school and loving it. I work as a deputy head in a large school and am constantly busy, however, that’s always been the case, so no real change there.
I’ve got to the stage now where I would take HRT if it meant the unrelenting anxiety was calmed. The fact that I’m on an anti D and pregabalin, makes me wonder if it is hormonal. My mum had HRT and called them her ‘happy pills’! I worry about the link with bc, but I just want to feel happy again and not wake everyday with fear coursing through my body. I also worry because I know my doc surgery don’t seem to really give much over to hormones and when I’ve mentioned it in the past they have said that hormones could be an issue and they can always prescribe me HRT. Which seems a bit quick if that makes sense.
I will take a look around the site...
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Make notes? After all, HRT can ease symptoms and they don't have to be taken for ever. Some medications make anxiety symptoms worse initially. It does seem if you are worse pre-bleed that hormones are adding to symptoms.
I can't advise which HRT though .......... but ladies once they find a regime that helps, stays with it!
Do read the threads about bladder issues and Vaginal atrophy - forewarned is forearmed!
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My worst symptoms were anxiety and insomnia, on hrt and both have gone. Mine was a little different as I didn't have it until peri. Transdermal hrt is much safer than old oral types that most of the scary research was based on, it has a lower cancer risk than drinking, smoking or being overweight so you can mitigate the risk by keeping a healthy lifestyle. I decided quality of life was more important for me. I would suggest you have a chat with your gp.
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In my experience anxiety and depression have been by far the worst symptoms of menopause, and I never experienced either before peri so I'm sure it's hormones. Unfortunately, although the depression responds to high dose estrogen, it's proved impossible to find any hormonal solution to the anxiety so I've ended up on anti-depressants for that.
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Anxiety has been my main symptom. I have two daughters, 21 and 18. The last few years have been very tricky as I’ve found my anxiety has increased so much. I was getting to the point where it was affecting my relationship with them. I initially started on HRT two years ago (Elleste Duet) but found it made me worse. I came off it following GP advice but am now back on it (self researched) and am trying a different progesterone. I’ve now been on Femeston 1/10 for two months. I feel calmer, less anxious and generally able to function better. I also significantly reduced my caffeine intake and increase my exercise. I’m also in education so feel your pain! Might be worth giving HRT a go, I too have gone for quality of life.
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Many find the progesterone part of treatment difficult or impossible - it's not in the mind, it's hormones >:(. There are several regimes as well as methods of HRT delivery ........
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Hi I am 52 and suffering the most awful anxiety I was on patches right up to 100 Estraderm with no change now on zumenon 1 . I also have had the Coil in for over a year I can’t take much more . Can anyone suggest what to do thanks Gillian .
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Hi Gilly - put the name of the products into the search box on the Forum; make notes. You may find how others have coped with the results of the Estraderm etc..
As for anxiety, this can be eased by appropriate medication regardless of causation. Hormones may make it worse but I would suggest trying either a betablocka every night or an anti-anxiety medication for 5-7 days to see if this eases the feelings. Some keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress. I have an emergency medication for anxiety and also found Propranolol helped.
I have used Bachs rescue remedy throat spray too ........
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Hi I am 52 and suffering the most awful anxiety I was on patches right up to 100 Estraderm with no change now on zumenon 1 . I also have had the Coil in for over a year I can’t take much more . Can anyone suggest what to do thanks Gillian .
What's the history of your anxiety? Did it start with peri? Or when your coil was inserted? If it coincided with either you can act accordingly. Of course anxiety can have many causes so it may not be meno related
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When I had my second child 27 years ago I had severe postnatal depression and anxiety. A year ago I started getting horrendous periods and anxiety and the coil was fitted this past few months anxiety never leaves me I am tearful and feel desperate I don’t know if hrt is not working or making me worse I’m feeling so so low .
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@sheila99 I had severe postnatal depression after my second child and anxiety. A year ago I had very heavy periods and anxiety and the coil was fitted about 6 months ago anxiety got really bad and doc put me on patches starting at low dose and went right up to 100 no change so now on tablet and zumenon and doc is going to take coil out. I’m desperate and feeling awful .
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I would ring the surgery this afternoon and ask for 'valium' - it can ease anxiety so that we see the wood for the trees. My GP prescribed 10mg tablets 3 times a day for 3 days, then 5mg for twice a day for 3 days then as necessary. It can become addictive but once I had began to calm down, it never crossed my mind to take another pill 'in case'.
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@sheila99 I had severe postnatal depression after my second child and anxiety. A year ago I had very heavy periods and anxiety and the coil was fitted about 6 months ago anxiety got really bad and doc put me on patches starting at low dose and went right up to 100 no change so now on tablet and zumenon and doc is going to take coil out. I’m desperate and feeling awful .
I had horrendous and unrelenting anxiety which started at menopause, couldn't find any hormonal treatment that made any difference, and the relentlessness of it made me more and more depressed. Although I believe my anxiety is entirely hormonal, I've ended up on anti-depressants simply because they're the only thing that makes any difference, and I'm fed up with trying endless different types of HRT.
I disagree with CLKD about valium - it is extremely addictive, you very very quickly develop a tolerance to it and it's not a solution in this situation. You need to talk to your doctor about anti-depressants - they are also a prescribed treatment for anxiety and some are more suitable than others. You might have to try a few to find one that suits you but if you can it will make all the difference - I finally have my life back.
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We have to agree to disagree racjen ............... GPs are more aware of addictive qualities and for short term use, there shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise the drug would be withdrawn from the market. I have never found an AD that helps anxiety and I've been through a few since 1988.
By taking a dedicated anti-anxiety medication under supervision one can get almost instant relief. ADs can be Trial and Error and very demoralising if they don't give relief as they can take 3-4 months to work.
Let us know what you decide?
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Hi
I felt I should respond, not with a specific remedy, just to let you know your not alone at all.
I never really thought I had anxiety but with hindsight I feel I did and have. I thought it was work stress and maybe it was a mixture of both stress and anxiety and they're possibly linked.
I had my youngest child 11 years ago when I was 40, and I feel.i started the Meno journey when he was around 5. Altho I had no idea that's what it was all.about at that time. I thought it was because I was older I felt it more . Again only hindsight puts the pieces together.
The last 3-4 years have been almost like a dream, emotional, anxiety, depressing 100% awful. My periods have become sperodic and breast so sore near my period time.that I feel like I'm breast feeding again and am way overdue a feed. 🙁. It's been quite the journey and i will be so relieved when it's finished.
Am now bit more balanced emotionally on hrt and sertraline.
Feeling more like I used to but feel also like I've been on some sort of 3 year elite forces training camp emotionally. Have aches and pains in places I'd never thought about.
Working and life balance ok.
I suffered a lot from feeling like a failure in areas of my life and then that led to self pity so I've tried refocussing on the good things I've done not the failures I feel I'm responsible for. Have 2 lovely sons and am so very blessed with them and a supportive husband 💖 but the journey we go on in the menopause is a lonely one.
There is a light there at the end, look hard enough and you can see it 🙂
Love and regards to all.x
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:thankyou:
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We have to agree to disagree racjen ............... GPs are more aware of addictive qualities and for short term use, there shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise the drug would be withdrawn from the market. I have never found an AD that helps anxiety and I've been through a few since 1988.
By taking a dedicated anti-anxiety medication under supervision one can get almost instant relief. ADs can be Trial and Error and very demoralising if they don't give relief as they can take 3-4 months to work.
Let us know what you decide?
The trouble is, benzodiazepenes are only a short-term solution, so unless Gillycoco has a longer term strategy in place she'll be no further forward. And once you experience the amazing almost instant relief you get from valium it's very hard to resist keeping on taking it, even though it's not a good idea. I know you've been able to resist, but the internet is awash with people's stories about how they've been addicted to benzos for years, they no longer have any effect because they've developed a tolerance, but they can't get off them. Better not to go down that route imo x
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I would ring the surgery this afternoon and ask for 'valium' - it can ease anxiety so that we see the wood for the trees. My GP prescribed 10mg tablets 3 times a day for 3 days, then 5mg for twice a day for 3 days then as necessary. It can become addictive but once I had began to calm down, it never crossed my mind to take another pill 'in case'.
hi clkd my doctor will not give me any more valium ,i foud that taking them helps with my anxiety but will not give me anymore i cant understand it they say theyr addictive so are antidpresants but they hand them out like smarties its rediculous they are seeing me going without something that helps me x daisie
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@sheila99 I had severe postnatal depression after my second child and anxiety. A year ago I had very heavy periods and anxiety and the coil was fitted about 6 months ago anxiety got really bad and doc put me on patches starting at low dose and went right up to 100 no change so now on tablet and zumenon and doc is going to take coil out. I’m desperate and feeling awful .
I had horrendous and unrelenting anxiety which started at menopause, couldn't find any hormonal treatment that made any difference, and the relentlessness of it made me more and more depressed. Although I believe my anxiety is entirely hormonal, I've ended up on anti-depressants simply because they're the only thing that makes any difference, and I'm fed up with trying endless different types of HRT.
I disagree with CLKD about valium - it is extremely addictive, you very very quickly develop a tolerance to it and it's not a solution in this situation. You need to talk to your doctor about anti-depressants - they are also a prescribed treatment for anxiety and some are more suitable than others. You might have to try a few to find one that suits you but if you can it will make all the difference - I finally have my life back.
hi could you tell me which antidepressant you taking iv tried a few with no luck
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What does your GP suggest daisie? There are some drugs that can ease anxiety and betablockas certainly helped me. Modern Anti-depressant medications are not addictive, some can be stopped immediately others need weaning off.
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What does your GP suggest daisie? There are some drugs that can ease anxiety and betablockas certainly helped me. Modern Anti-depressant medications are not addictive, some can be stopped immediately others need weaning off.
he gave me venlafaxine but the sickness was do bad so I stopped it in been on amitriptyline for years came off them but the anxiety now is bad doc gave me a small dose sometime back it helped me but won't give me anymore the SSRIs make me feel awful I'll have to buy off line IV asked a couple of doctors now they will not prescribe to me x
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Ask for a referral to a Psychiatrist? No one should have to suffer anxiety when 'valium' etc. are known to work - were you taking over and above your prescription? MayB sit down and go through your notes with the GP and ask what validation he has in not easing your anxiety? My GP and I did this when I was first ill so that he was able to chart whether I was over using. A blanket 'no' doesn't help anyone!
Do NOT Buy off-line because the drug may not be kosher, i.e. it may have non-active ingredients. I found Bach 'rescue remedy' useful too.
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Yes I'm under a psychiatrist I told her it's only the valium that helps me but she would not prescribe them neither when I was prescribed some it was a 2mg tablet only gave me a months worth I'm having telephone apointment on the 11th of November what should I explane to her cause they won't listen to me x
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Hi Daisie, I'm on Duloxetine which is an SNRI. I've tried a huge number of ADs and either had terrible side effects or no result at all from all the others. I'm taking this one in combination with Quetiapine, which is an anti-psychotic which has mood stabilising and anti-anxiety qualities, and I think has prevented a reaction like the previous ones. This was all prescribed by a psychiatrist in the psychiatric hospital I ended up in for 5 weeks, after taking an overdose 7 weeks ago. So things had to get really bad to find a truly effective treatment.
Valium(diazepam) is addictive in a very different way from ADs (and as CLKD says, many ADs now aren't addicitive anyway). The problem with all benzodiazepenes is that if you take them regularly you very quickly develop a tolerance to them, so you have to keep on increasing the dose to get the same effect. I've been on diazepam for 3 years now - initially like you I took it to get rid of the awful anxiety and it was supposed to be a temporary measure while we found a long-term solution. But that didn't happen, so I carried on taking it and now, 3 years later, I'm on 10mg a day which has no effect whatsoever in easing the anxiety, but if I don't take it I'll get awful withdrawal symptoms. So it becomes a sort of trap, and long term use of these drugs can have a whole list of unpleasant side-effects like depression, anxiety, sleep problems, confusion etc. You won't find a doctor willing to prescribe them as anything other than a very short term measure.
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hi racjen,thanks for your comment.yes its all a farce trying to find what suits you ,i was put on duloxatine some time ago but had same reaction to them its the nausea that effects me bad i cant stand it im running out of ideas the only one iv been able to tolerate is amitriptyline doctor put me on that when i had a break down 12 years ago i didnt feel sick on that iv been coming off that one it didnt do much for my depression it helped with sleep thats bout all iv never heard of the other med you are taking the quetiapine is that doing you good its all trial and error i suppose i would be greaful if the doctor would just prescribe valium just for emergencies like when i go on apointments i get nervous when going to places like that ill have a good chat on the 11th of this month when i get a phone call apointment from the psychiatrist x
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Let us know how you get on. When I was floored by anxiety I would sit in the surgery waiting room so that they could see how ill I was :-\. Being dismissed without support makes it worse for me somehow :'(
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i will clkd ,,i remember when i was a kid when my mother took me to doctors i would come out feeling good but now i come out feling worse than when i went in you get your hopes up on the thought they are going to give you a miracle cure then to come out of surgery feeling disapointed cause theres not one just hope theres something fingers crossed x
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Hi daisie, yes as I said quetiapine is a different class of drug, not an anti-depressant but an anti-psychotic. In all my years of trying to find an AD I could tolerate no-one ever mentioned this particular treatment possibility, but it's not that unusual (and there are a number of other similar anti-psychotics which can be used alongside anti-depressants). Your psychiatrist will certainly know about it if you mention it to her/him. Good because it helps with sleep too.
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I have tried relaxation tapes [remember those ::)] but found it difficult to sit down long enough a) without falling asleep which suited :cat48:] or b) not being agitated so that I couldn't sit down. Rescue Remedy mouth spray - used and I never thought 'will this work' I simply got on. Sleep also helped. Some find yoga and swimming useful.
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I literally could have written this post myself. I actually came to look on the forum because my period is due and I feel awful. Full of anxiety and panic worrying about my health. I have recently had more blood tests done and they have all come back normal. I ended up in a and e last month, had lots of tests etc done and it was confirmed to be just a panic attack.
I have suffered anxiety and panic throughout my adult life but this time just cant seem to get control of it. I dont think the pandemic is helping. I am 55 and have missed a few periods and they are becoming less regular and light. This time I have had awful stomach and leg pains, its horrible.....I tried sertraline which I have used in the past and its worked but this time, its made me feel worse......I feel rubbish most days and constantly worry about myself or the kids not being well......I am just not myself anymore.....so so horrible....
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You sound like me I cannot tolerate side effects from most antidepressants I will give it a mention when I get my telephone appointment x
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Cadburys - be just a panic attack. nothing is 'only' or 'just', these feelings are debilitating. Often caused by hormonal upheaval :hug:
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My GP prescribes as necessary. I haven't seen a Psychiatrist since 1991 when she visited at home.
How R U feeling today?
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hi rockhopper ,clkd,i had a call back from doctors friday she gave me citlolapram to try but there it goes again another ssri medication that makes me feel worse i took one yesterday dont feel like im here today dont doctors understand when you have severe anxiety you need something to work on you in a few minutes not a few weeks iv got my phone appointment from psychiatrist on wednesday ill ask her again for an anti anxiety med if shes not willing to help me what is the point of them even talking to you.its so frustrating x
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Cadbury’s I’ve been on sertraline for 3 days now taking half the dose 25mg as really struggling with health anxiety it’s constant all day & waking me in the night. I’ve had a really nauseas upset stomach feeling & just feel yuk? Is this a normal side effect, will it pass? Feel a bit jittery too also my teeth have started aching? Currently on 6th week of Evorel sequin which hasn’t really made difference to my peri symptoms yet help! :'(
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NICE guidance provides recommendations on pharmacological therapies for anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines are associated with tolerance and dependence, and antipsychotics are associated with a number of adverse effects. Therefore they should not be used routinely to treat anxiety disorders.
Here is the statement on benzodiazepines CLKD you are wrong advising people to ring their GP requesting “Valium”, they will not prescribe them. Your GP might prescribe them to you because you insist and you may have a long history of benzodiazepine dependency? Or that the psychiatrist back in the day prescribed them for you in then, sounds like you may need an outpatient review. You most certainly wouldn’t get a prescription for diazepam now in 2020 from the mental health teams just ringing up. I know I work in one
Rockhopper xxx
i understand what you saying about the bensodiazepines i was put on amitriptyline 12 years ago i was hooked on them i tried coming off them a few times the withdrawl was terrible had to go back on them again the antidepressant effect stopped working for me but this time im fighting it and started the citalopram yesterday what i dont understand is when you are ill with anxiety you do need a quick fix to get you on your feet i find going out sometimes is hard cause of agrophobia fetched on through anxiety i would only use the valium in emergencies not constantly every day x
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daisie - some of the new ADs do make a person feel spaced out so it is worth continuing, when did you take it? Maybe begin earlier so that you sleep off any fuzziness, it's a bit trial and error. What dose have you been prescribed? Do you wake to see how you feel, I certainly do when given something new ::). So it's playing on my mind even when I don't realise it.
I still wake slightly hung over but it's better than the depression that kept me bed bound. The hung over feeling disappears once I've eaten and moved around ;-). Some ADs do help anxiety but I have to take something that works immediately on top of the nightly ADs. I had a betablocka for many years which helped ease the early morning anxiety surges. My GP and I discuss my medical history regularly and we can see that I haven't ever required more than he has prescribed. The Surgery has a Policy of treating as necessary with regular updated appts. to allow guidance when appropriate.
Some find Sertaline really helpful . The reason that I was unable to continue with many medications in the 1990s was due to nausea which was impossible to overcome. We were down to the last possible available AD at the time, fortunately it worked for 8-9 years B4 my brain got used to it. By then new ADs were on the market and I've had no problems adjusting since. The brain is an organ that requires support. Out of sight etc..
Often people mistake addiction for withdrawal symptoms. Under supervision there shouldn't be problems though it can be tuff! been there etc.. People do not become addicted to ADs but as the body/brain readjusts symptoms can be difficult. Once I realised that my feelings didn't become worse after 36 hours, I wasn't as worried: the "I will never get better I will have to go back on it" brain scenario went. Phew! GPs have access to smaller amounts of some drugs that are usually prescribe specifically for these circumstances.
Currently many patients have to ring to request medications as GPs still aren't open for business, despite what Matt Hancock would have the public believe :-\.
Have you tried rescue remedy pastilles or mouth spray as well? Deep breathing once in bed at night.
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daisie - some of the new ADs do make a person feel spaced out so it is worth continuing, when did you take it? Maybe begin earlier so that you sleep off any fuzziness, it's a bit trial and error. What dose have you been prescribed? Do you wake to see how you feel, I certainly do when given something new ::). So it's playing on my mind even when I don't realise it.
I still wake slightly hung over but it's better than the depression that kept me bed bound. The hung over feeling disappears once I've eaten and moved around ;-). Some ADs do help anxiety but I have to take something that works immediately on top of the nightly ADs. I had a betablocka for many years which helped ease the early morning anxiety surges. My GP and I discuss my medical history regularly and we can see that I haven't ever required more than he has prescribed. The Surgery has a Policy of treating as necessary with regular updated appts. to allow guidance when appropriate.
Some find Sertaline really helpful . The reason that I was unable to continue with many medications in the 1990s was due to nausea which was impossible to overcome. We were down to the last possible available AD at the time, fortunately it worked for 8-9 years B4 my brain got used to it. By then new ADs were on the market and I've had no problems adjusting since. The brain is an organ that requires support. Out of sight etc..
Often people mistake addiction for withdrawal symptoms. Under supervision there shouldn't be problems though it can be tuff! been there etc.. People do not become addicted to ADs but as the body/brain readjusts symptoms can be difficult. Once I realised that my feelings didn't become worse after 36 hours, I wasn't as worried: the "I will never get better I will have to go back on it" brain scenario went. Phew! GPs have access to smaller amounts of some drugs that are usually prescribe specifically for these circumstances.
Currently many patients have to ring to request medications as GPs still aren't open for business, despite what Matt Hancock would have the public believe :-\.
Have you tried rescue remedy pastilles or mouth spray as well? Deep breathing once in bed at night.
hi ckld this will be my 3rd day on citalopram i havent felt the nausea yet but i have felt a bit more depressed and the anxiety a bit higher but it does say that on the side effects, its hard to give it more time when the side effects are like the illness you want to cure no i havent tried the rescue remedies yet but worth a try ill wait and see how i get on with the citalopram i tried sertraline i got terrible nausea with that theres no end to this feeling misserable .thathung over feeling is what i got with the amitriptyline every morning but the feeling i have now is a horrible depressed feeling when i wake x
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Just throwing my two penny worth in....having suffered from severe anxiety on and off for the last 20 years or so, and particularly bad HA during and after meno, I know how dreadful it is. I have used Valium short term in the past when I had the most caring and understanding GP (now very sadly retired) who realised that when somebody comes into the surgery almost on their knees with anxiety and who literally can’t function with it, to send someone off with a prescription for ADs which aren’t going to kick in for at least a month, two weeks prescription for Valium works wonders and will not become addictive whilst sorting out and helping to cope with the side effect start up symptoms of the ADs. It’s cruel to leave people in such a state, especially when there isn’t instant access to decent mental health support anywhere. My friend’s GP has just given her a month’s prescription because he knows she won’t abuse them and it’s just to tide her over a very bad few months.
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Tnx Justjules - my GP works on what is in front of him rather than what might work in 2-3 weeks/months.
daisie - I don't know why some meds make us feel worse initially :-\ ........... it was hard for me to get over, I found pottering in the kitchen/garden helped as I knew it would improve a bit by mid-morning. If I didn't feel better I would go to bed with 2 cats and a dog and doze.
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Just throwing my two penny worth in....having suffered from severe anxiety on and off for the last 20 years or so, and particularly bad HA during and after meno, I know how dreadful it is. I have used Valium short term in the past when I had the most caring and understanding GP (now very sadly retired) who realised that when somebody comes into the surgery almost on their knees with anxiety and who literally can’t function with it, to send someone off with a prescription for ADs which aren’t going to kick in for at least a month, two weeks prescription for Valium works wonders and will not become addictive whilst sorting out and helping to cope with the side effect start up symptoms of the ADs. It’s cruel to leave people in such a state, especially when there isn’t instant access to decent mental health support anywhere. My friend’s GP has just given her a month’s prescription because he knows she won’t abuse them and it’s just to tide her over a very bad few months.
hi justjuels you are so right what you say it is cruel to let you suffer especially when the side effects from ads make you worse im onto my 3rd day of citalopram im going to ask the psychatrist again if she will let me have valium like i said i only need it for emergencies the anxiety is crippling me at the moment i just hate adding to the problem when side effects are just as bad x
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Keep on with the AD if possible :-\.
When I was last full of anxiety : July 2015 : I crawled into the surgery in absolute terror :'( and the GP fitted me in. I haven't needed the anti-anxiety medication for almost 2 years other than on 1 occasion in March. In fact the medication may well be out of date ::)
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Birdy, I fully understand that Valium is totally addictive but I don’t know anyone who has become dependant or addicted to them when prescribed for short term use I.e for the first fortnight, when prescribed ADs to counter effect the dreadful side effects when starting to take them. Unless you’re very lucky and you don’t get any.
They have their place from time to time. I would never have been able to fly without them (prescribed by the GP) and deprived the family of many holidays abroad for quite a number of years because of my fear.
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Keep on with the AD if possible :-\.
When I was last full of anxiety : July 2015 : I crawled into the surgery in absolute terror :'( and the GP fitted me in. I haven't needed the anti-anxiety medication for almost 2 years other than on 1 occasion in March. In fact the medication may well be out of date ::)
feeling crap this morning wondering weather to continue taking them mornings are the worst time for me cant see as theres going to be any relief with this medication im so sensitive to this sort cant wait for my phone call appointment on wednesday can i ask you ckld which med you are taking x
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Escitalopram 10mg at night and 5mg in the morning. Never any problems with this. Do you improve in the day at all?
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Escitalopram 10mg at night and 5mg in the morning. Never any problems with this. Do you improve in the day at all?
i do notice a slight lift in the late afternoon i feel more relaxed as night time aproaches then i wake up back to feeling awful again im going to carry on with citalopram for now im onto my 5th day see what happens x
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That's good. My worst time is between 3.30 and 11.00 a.m. As the day goes by I begin to feel a lot better and by evening I'm a different person ::) but come the morning. I no longer say 'yes' to anything after 11.30 a.m. as I know by morning I'll be unable to cope.
Have you felt any worse this last couple of days?
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That's good. My worst time is between 3.30 and 11.00 a.m. As the day goes by I begin to feel a lot better and by evening I'm a different person ::) but come the morning. I no longer say 'yes' to anything after 11.30 a.m. as I know by morning I'll be unable to cope.
Have you felt any worse this last couple of days?
we both sound the same i hate that morning feeling but the hope on that is we know it will lift through the day x
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:hug:
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:thankyou:
:hug:
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I started taking diazepam as a short term measure, while we tried to find a longer term solution ie an AD that I could tolerate. 3 years later I'm still taking it, 10mg a day, it has no effect on my anxiety because of the tolerance I've built up, but I can't stop taking it because of the withdrawal symptoms. All this because it proved impossible to find anything long term that helped, so I just ended up taking it long term. I'm now on a drug regime that seems to be working so will start the long process of tapering off diazepam but be warned, this is what can happen....
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I have an emergency medication for anxiety and also found Propranolol helped.
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What is the emergency medication called if you don't me asking? ::)
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I don't mind but others will slam me ........... ;D. According to those I'm not allowed to ask my GP for 'valium' etc.. Like anyone knows my medical history or is in contact with my GP.
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I don't mind but others will slam me ........... ;D. According to those I'm not allowed to ask my GP for 'valium' etc.. Like anyone knows my medical history or is in contact with my GP.
hi ckld i had my call from the psychiatrist yesterday told her how bad the side effects were affecting me with the ssris told her it didnt make sence to give me medication thats making me feel worse and adding to my awful sympyoms of anxiety i told her the only thing that ever works for me is valium iknow my own body for what suits me and what doesnt they are the only meds that have worked for me in my experience so shes emailed my doctor to prescribe me some for me it helps when i need to go on appointments and so on.my daughter works in a mental health hospital the valium are still prescribed to patients for severe anxiety peoblems that medication has been a life saver for many people whos crippled with anxiety so to be told it shouldnt be prescribed is wrong at the moment i need it iv been addicted to amitriptyline for 12 years it stopped working for me but couldnt come off it cause my body went into horrible withdrawl so to me the antidepressants are not a good drug when comming off them .thats my experience x
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Tnx for the update. Well done on asking the question and well done on the Psychiatrist for listening. As I have stated my GP and I discuss regularly my medication requirements, we go through my drug history on screen together and he knows that I use what I require, that there is no dependancy. I'm due for a call today from the Pharmacist attached to our Surgery for an update.
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Tnx for the update. Well done on asking the question and well done on the Psychiatrist for listening. As I have stated my GP and I discuss regularly my medication requirements, we go through my drug history on screen together and he knows that I use what I require, that there is no dependancy. I'm due for a call today from the Pharmacist attached to our Surgery for an update.
no one should have an opinion of there own to tell you what you should or shouldnt take if you are working with your doctor its your choice whats best for you i only need valium for emergencies not to take every day x
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It was the same for me - really helped prior to events that I was unable to get out of. The last time I needed my emergency med was apart from 1 tablet this year: and I can't remember what for ::) : was 2 years ago. My GP has asked what I feel about stopping all my medication and we then discuss how much a waste that would be after all the hard work that he and my husband have put into keeping me alive ;-).
I am also aware that should I begin to need 'more' that I would hi-tail it to talk to my GP. Im the 1980s it took 3 years 2 find a regime that worked for me so I am loathe to alter much. DH and I have a Life together again.
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It was the same for me - really helped prior to events that I was unable to get out of. The last time I needed my emergency med was apart from 1 tablet this year: and I can't remember what for ::) : was 2 years ago. My GP has asked what I feel about stopping all my medication and we then discuss how much a waste that would be after all the hard work that he and my husband have put into keeping me alive ;-).
I am also aware that should I begin to need 'more' that I would hi-tail it to talk to my GP. Im the 1980s it took 3 years 2 find a regime that worked for me so I am loathe to alter much. DH and I have a Life together again.
thats good you keep doing whats right for you if its giving you the quality of life carry on with it ,i still havent got an antidepressant sorted yet the citalopram makes me feel awful feel like my system has been poisoned thats the only way i can phrase it the amitriptiline was the only one i could tolerate made me drowsy in the morning had a better sleep it never made me feel sick like the ssris do but the anxiety never went away iv still got them i take one now and again just to give me a good nights sleep i dont take them on a regular basis anymore x
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I hated that nausea when beginning new ADs. Emitophobia made many impossible to continue with :-\
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I hated that nausea when beginning new ADs. Emitophobia made many impossible to continue with :-\
same here :'(
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Morning daisie >wave<
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no one should have an opinion of there own to tell you what you should or shouldnt take if you are working with your doctor its your choice whats best for you i only need valium for emergencies not to take every day x
I’m not sure anyone has told CLKD what she should or shouldn’t take daisie there’s been a misunderstanding along the way and if you’ve taken my posts out of context then please accept my apologies
I have clearly posted that others shouldn’t post advising that they request diazepam/Valium from their GP as NICE guidelines state etc etc
I hope you have a good w/e and your anxiety is alleviated with the Valium
Rockhopper xxx
thank you .i can only speak for myself and my experiences the anxiety is too severe for me valium is the only one that stops it.when it gets bad.iv tried different antidepressants through time with not much help from them xx
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Morning daisie >wave<
morning ckld :tulips:
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Daisie I was about to ask you if amitriptyline makes you dopey but I see you mention that it does in the morning. It makes me groggy and muddle headed all day. I only take about about one a week as it helps me sleep, prescribed them to try to help with the aches and pains in my joints caused by hormone blockers. My body has no hormones! Also take zopiclone sleeping tablets but was told not to take them for more than too consecutive nights as they're addictive. I never take more than two a week. Fortunately I don't seem to have an addictive personality. I've never been on any AD's so can't comment on those.
hi Teresa ,yes same with me I was hooked on amitriptyline for 12 years could not get off them I tried many times but withdrawal was so bad so finished up back on them till I decided again to come off I faught through it this time I cannot tolerate SSRIs antidepressants I can say now I'm no longer hooked on amitriptyline i went down to a small dose of 35mg for a while I only take them now when I know I need a good night sleep I'm waiting for a prescription for valium but only for emergencies if I need appointments cause I suffer bad with anxiety when going on them I can't understand being prescribed meds to help you sleep only for 2 nights doesn't make sense to me how you going to cope with sleep after the two nights I'm same as you no homones I had a total hysterectomy 5 years ago not on hrt I never got that sorted out I'm still waiting for a miracle cure at 65 🥺
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I managed my sleeping problems by using prescribed medication: can't remember which : for 3 nights to make sure that I got good quality sleep. Knowing that I would feel better really helped. Used intermittently meant that I felt rested and gradually broke the pattern of not sleeping .... I found the bottle in the safe last year: not used since the 1990s.
I have taken anti-histamines in the past when I need a good night's sleep. Of 'Kwells' the anti-sickness medication, don't know whether it's made these days. Accepting that some nights are broken helped me as well as being able to sleep in the day; usually when I am watching something I have wanted to see ::)
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As an aside I swallowed a peritone for allergic rhinitis last night and still feel comfortably weary :-). Expect to doze through MogoGP ::)
Does anyone wake in the night to see whether the medication has worked ? :-\ ::)
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If I've had a run of really bad nights and desperately need sleep I take phenergan - it's an anti-histamine available over the counter. I find it works really well, but better not to take it too often because, like so many of these things, its effect will lessen over time as your body develops tolerance to it. It's also worth saying that all of these sleeping aids - anti-histamines, zopiclone etc. will only help you get to sleep, not stay asleep, so they're not much help if your problem is anything other than falling asleep.
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since being properly menopausal when i was age 60,back in march,the suicidal thoughts upon wakin, the extreme anxiety,guilt reg dead daughter. The traumatic,abusive childhood i had+the toxic so -called friends i had, its all i think about. I very occasionally, perhaps 1or 2 times a week take a 2mg diazepam to get me to sleep.Ive had them
prescibed for 14 years since daughter gone +doc obviously knows i dont get addicted +keeps prescibing.
I drink to excess 2 or 3 nights per week (NOT! on same night i take diaz,that would probably kill me)+ I must
stay alive for my son s sake, despite those morbid thoughts when i awake ams.I cant take HRT as recently had
breast surgery for early cancer , masectomy +implant. Was prescibed Lofepramine one year ago but still
not started taking them as states clearly on packet NO ALCOHOL. I could take the tabs +give up alc for few weeks
till my body got used to the lofepramine I suppose ,then gradually introduce a beer. When i used to
take citalapram 14 years ago +not for long i think maybe 6 months as I m concerned about side effects,
the lady doc at the time says "yes its ok to drink whilst taking them, just means you get drunk more quicker!!"
Im still amazed she said that. ive never driven, walk places, but Ive been scared to cross at zebra crossings,
,my partner nearly got hit couple times on them. Even the light controlled crossings, ive seen cars go through the red
light +not stop, i stand there in fear, waiting for others to join me +cross or i walk much further +cross
near an island in middle of road. Im scared of men especially younger ones knowing what they capable of.
I put on my ok face before i go to work,fortunatly only work with 1 person. Crowds scare me, noise also.
i cant retire ,pension age gone up past 60 otherwise i be happy to shut myself away,order online
shopping, +not go anywhere. People that had good childhoods, non toxic friends, have got all their children alive,
etc yet they complain about trivia, their kids,etc, I used to hear all that at my cleaning job, i felt like screaming at the women,be grateful for what you v got! thank goodness for covid as i lost that job because of the shut down.
ive read somewhere the traumatic past can come back to haunt your thoughts during meno. noone here has
been through what I have?no one can help x
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You have been through trauma that will continue to be problematic due to circumstances beyond your control. I would suggest in the first instance CRUSE - also there will be support groups for relatives of those taken by violence and there are groups for survivors of suicide, since the internet more and more access is there for people in similar situations. It's sourcing those groups that can become tiring.
Could you ask to speak to a support officer in your local Police Station? In recent years they have had more training and now have specialist officers, who may then be able to suggest a support group close to where you live. No one should have to continue alone as you seem to be.
Samaritans or a gay hot-line may also be a way to finding the support that you could access. :bighug:
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So sorry for all you are going through and gave been through Funnell. Good advice from CLKD above. Sometimes we all need a bit of outside help. I do hope things improve for you.
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Hi,. CLKD +,Marge, thanks for advice but I think a bit of a misunderstanding from CLKD.Im not gay!never been! I've got a male partner who I met
shortly after loss of daughter. I say I don't like men meaning as I get older +feel more vulnerable I'm nervous being amongst male strangers.
Obviously not all men are the same,I've got a son, an ex partner, brothers, my current partner, male neighbours, none of them would be like
some of the men I +daughter encountered in past. I was feeling real hormonal when I typed that last post.Would st John's wort help me,I wander? Murder support online groups help as does compassionate friends,so I know I'm not alone. So many parents suffering but as I tried to explain
since the menopause ,everything seems different, more difficult. I thought I was doing ok until it started. I just didn't realise it would affect me so much, yet I've
spoken to some women who seem to have had no problems with Meno, it s just so unfair!
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I wasn't suggesting that you are gay funnell - sorry. :-[
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Avalon, what a wonderful post! thanks so much for trying to understand. Problem is
some men seem ok to start with but when women live with
them or marry, they can change so drastically. Just a suggestion but maybe let the trades man know you are interested but only as a friend?At age 10 onwards I witnessed domestic
violence towards mum+to a lesser extent toward
me +my several siblings. I heard at night + saw things no child should have to +lay upstairs in
bed at night +wander if mum would be alive when i came down in am. was 16 before I managed to leave home
but I encountered rapists, but also a few nice boyfriends. +my current partner is wonderful. but all these
news stories each wk reg mens violence scare me. anything bad can happen anywhere. I think iv been through too much in life+menopause is bringing it all back. anyway anyone reckon taking st johns wort will help anxiety, depression? THANKS again Avalon for your kind words.x
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Hello, i know this is an old post so you may not get this, but i read your initial post and i could have written it myself.
I am 46, also had CBT and on sertraline but have had crippling anxiety since i was 40 (nothing before that at all).
Felt amazing mentally whilst i was pregnant with my son at 41.
I could swear its caused by hormones but i've never had any Dr do anything other than dole out AD's.
Anyway just wanted to say hi and let you know i'm in the same (rocky) boat!
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Beaniehat - maybe keep a mood/food/symptom diary ? to chart the ups and downs.
If you have anxiety then you need to consider appropriate HRT which can ease symptoms. Take the diary to your Nurse Practitioner after 3 months and discuss it with her and ask for appropriate HRT. Some ladies need it along with appropriate anti-anxiety meds.. Let us know how you get on.
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Hello Beaniehat
I missed your post as I’d not checked for ages. I lost my mum in March so things have been pretty difficult.
Sorry you’re feeling the same. How are you now?
My symptoms are still the same and I am still considering HRT. I’ve paid for an email with Dr Currie so hoping that will help me decide. I guess if I try HRT for a few months and it works, I will have my answer.
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Not sure if it's meno related but since it started I get accosted by anxious thoughts on a morning when dozing if I wake too early to get up.
Sometimes these thoughts prompt me to check things and I discover real problems like things I should have done but forgot or never thought to.
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When someone mentions 'I didn't have anxiety before peri so it's hormonal' makes me think that hormones only cause trouble in the menopause. This is not necessarily true becaause hormones can also be problematic during our reproductive years and cause this symptom. If a woman had anxiety before peri it does not necessarily mean that she has a psychological problem as it could well have been her hormones playing up.
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If the anxiety is not due to a major anxiety disorder but is purely hormonal, can episodes occur on a daily basis?
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Yes, I don't see why not - we still have such a poor understanding of the way hormones work. My anxiety started in peri, so presumably my hormones were all over the place, in fact a single blood test said they were fine. But maybe somehow it resets the system so you're always in fight or flight mode.....