Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: donnacrichton on June 25, 2014, 02:49:34 PM
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Hi going through a nightmare at the moment does anyone else get tingling sensations through head and body any tips how to ease this off. It always is worse at time of changing doses. :'(
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Hi donnacrichton,
:welcomemm:
Yes I get tingling hands and feet. Sometimes I have hot spots (and cold spots too) in my mouth, as well as gums and tongue. When my anxiety was at its worst, I had tingling cheeks, and temples, with the occasional electrical zap right between the eyebrows. It's really amazing the breadth of weird and scary symptoms our bodies can produce when our hormones are fluctuating wildly.
Reading the posts from others and realising I was not alone helped me to stop worrying as much.
:hug:
Galadriel x
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Thank you for the reply I have only found this site yesterday. Thought I was going mad docs said it was all in my head. Gynae have advised to go from 4 mg elleste solo to 3 so I know any change in my hormones make this symptom worse. I also feel it is made worse with anxiety. Doing relaxation, walking any other suggestions to try to keep anxiety at a minimum x
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donnacrichton - I've responded to you on another thread but you are asking about other strategies for coping with anxiety. I assume you have had CBT - if not then definitely ask your GP for this. My GP recommended 'Mindful Meditation' and I have been finding this really helpful. My GP recommended the book 'Mindfulness' which came with a lovely CD with all the sessions to practise.
Pleased to hear your Gynae recommended you drop your oestrogen dose to see effects - it's all about finding the right balance.
Good long power walks are fab though. DG x
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I have dreadful anxiety on/off at the moment due to health issues, and as soon as I feel that adrenalin start to kick in I start my breathing exercise and go for a walk to my favourite place, I do this everyday walk as fast as you can this releases the happy endorphins.
As often as necessary, I did three yesterday.
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I'm not on anything and one of my first symptoms was tingling down one side of my body and numbness... I truly thought I was having a stroke or something. I have never known such a wide range of weird symptoms for something so natural as the menopause.
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thank you for all replies it is appreciated. I do mindfulness and Cbt too helps but the tingling is about the only thing the distresses me can talk myself out of most anxiety great to know there is support. X
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Number 33 on the list donna http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/
Taz x
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having a reallly bad day with tears and burning skin. I was advised to reduce from 4mg elleste solo to 3mg. If no impovement to reduce to 2mg. Symptoms eased within 24hours with only mild symptoms until today. How long will it take for my system to get used to 3mg as now flushing and burning. Desperate for some relief :'(
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Hi was advised to drop from 4mg to 3mg elleste solo and had instant relief from agitation for 3 days then tears set in. Gynae then advised reduce it to 2mg from yesterday. Got up today to hell on fire hot flushes all day and very jittery I had asked if should wait at 3 mg to let body settle but said no. I am stuck as what to do now. Do I wait at 3 then try another drop next week? Will this make it easier or just prolong it.
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donnacrichton
Hurdity gave you a very good response on another thread. She is very knowledgable because she has a science background so gives very sensible advice.
Do read it again. We both think you would be better with a transdermal oestrogen - either patch or gel - as the delivery is better.
As you haven't tried Oestrogel I really think this would be a good thing to try as you would have more control over your dosage. I'm not sure how you are managing to get 3mg of oestrogen!?
Its really sounds to me as though you aren't letting your body adjust to the oestrogen levels or your own hormones are interfering with everything.
Keep a diary. DG x
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Thanks for reply I got on better on patches then tried tablet form which had been a disaster. Gynae said they may take me off everything which terrified me. Would gynae take offence if I suggest gel, it was mentioned at one of my appointments or a weekly patch. I feel like I am a nuisance every time I phone then wait 2 days fir a reply. I don't understand when I was on 2mg patch and having good & bad days I have gone onto tablets and worse than when I started :'(I would love to go back on transdermal x
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I've responded on another thread. TRansdermal is generally better. I think you are still all over the place with your hormones as you've tried so many options. Perhaps go back to the estradot patches if you have some and see how it is over next 4-6 weeks - keep a daily diary. If you get fluctuations in your meno symptoms then it is probably your own hormones kicking in and out and causing problems.
Don't be frightened of coming off everything - I had an early menopause(I was in my mid 30s) and after trying loads of different HRTs I eventually I went to a private meno clinic where they made me take a break from HRT for one month - then they did blood tests etc. and confirmed where I was in my menopause. I was then put on Oestrogel with progesterone tablets(the Mirena wasn't available then) and everything was so much better. I started with just one pump per day of oestrogel and then increased the dose as I progressed into my menopause.
I think a reassessment would be really good for you.
DG x
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Thank you this has been ongoing but was best on patches. If i was to start patches I have no idea how much was on 2mg then 4 mg estradot. Did a daily diary for 2 months a d nobody even looked at them. Would I start on 3 or 4 got enough until next weekend.He had mentioned a weekly patch but not got an appointment until August.Sorry so many questions but really desperate x
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donnacrichton - the Estradot patches come in quite a few different strengths (low, medium and high) but the strengths are in 'mcg' not 'mg'. You cannot compare the amount of oestrogen in the pills to the amount of oestrogen in the patches because the delivery is very different. If you look at 'HRT Preparations' under the green headings to the left of this screen and then click on Estrogens you will see all the differents types and strengths of oestrogen.
Here is the link: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php
If you don't have many Estradot patches left then I wouldn't change over before discussing it with you doctor. The diary is not necessarily for the doctors benefit, it is for you to look back at how you felt over the weeks on certain treatments so you can tell the doctors exactly how you were at a particularly stage.
If you have an appointment with the gynae in August I think your best course of action right now is to stick with what you are taking at the moment - either 3mg or 2mg in pill form - don't keep switching back and forth - give your body a chance to adjust and for you to see how the hormones are effecting you.
Before you go for the appointment write out all the symptoms you are getting and all the questions you want to ask.
I think you have got yourself so stressed out with all this you are finding it difficult to work out what is for the best. Tell us a bit about your life, do you have children to look after, do you have a stressful job etc?
If you are desperate(you do sound very stressed), then you really ought to see your GP a.s.a.p. as sometimes they can be more objective about you as a person rather than a specialist who is just looking at one aspect. Your GP could possibly prescribe a different patch or the Oestrogel for you to try.
DG x
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Thanks I have got my knickers in a knot. The full thing of not being in control scares me as had a breakdown of anxiety three years ago with symptoms of menopause but was told was too young for nearly a year. I will start a diary again. Thankfully on holiday from work for 6 weeks. I seem to need between 3/4 in pills.I will contact my GP like the idea of gel as my own hormones are fluctuating. I am lucky already got my kids .Thanks for replies got my head straight I think x
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It can be so overwhelming and until your find the HRT level that works for you it can be distressing.
I assume you have oestrogen pills that are 1mg each so this is how you can change your dose. Maybe stick with 3mg for a while and see how you go.
The advantage of the Oestrogel is that you can apply it either morning or evening or divide the applications into two and use some morning and some evening so you get a consistent dose. If you do try Oestrogel I'd use one pump in the morning and one pump at bedtime - make sure it has dried for at least 10mins before getting dressed or putting night clothes on. See how you are for a week or two. If you are still getting too many flushes then increase by half a pump morning and evening for another couple of weeks. You can increase to a maximum of 2 pumps twice daily. I never needed more than 2 pumps per day but everyone is different. DG x
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Hi thanks so much for a reply had really rough day. Started 3.5 last night as 3 seemed not enough going to start diary and hope things settle over next few days. I really appreciate all the replies it's a scary lonely place.x
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I'm just interested to know how you are taking your oestrogen. You say you are going to try 3.5mg? Are you cutting pills in half?
Are you getting any relief from symptoms e.g. flushes, night sweats etc. ? When you say you are having a rough day, what kind of symptoms are you having? The weather is incredibly humid at the moment and no amount of HRT will prevent feeling really hot and sweaty right now!!! You sound so low? I still think you are experimenting with dosage so much it must be very difficult to know what is really working.
DG x
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Hi I think you are right too many changes in panic. Symptoms are burning skin all over and thumping heart with tingling in the scalp. I am using tablet form and am using 3.5 and cutting a 1 mg. Went to 3 but was worse. Was hoping to stick with that and see how system settles. I do panic a bit now but do anxiety ma management and mindfulness. I know my symptoms are hormonal now and not psychological but still scary. Love having this site as you know people are in the same position and have more experience than visiting my GP If I had a runny nose be would still say it's anxiety lol
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When anxiety takes over we go into 'not thinking straight' mode. I had to make a list each evening of what I needed to do and when I took my medication. Ticking off as the day went by helped me to see what I had achieved. It also focussed me a bit.
I can feel anxiety rattling this morning ……… no real reason :-\ other than I've altered my medication recently.
The body doesn't reach it's stage suddenly so it will take a while to absorb any changes in diet, exercise, medication etc.. "Rome wasn't built in a day …….. "
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Wise words CLKD. Being patient is really not easy. I do think we rush around and act on impulse so much of the time it's very difficult to be objective.
donnacrichton - is the burning skin a hot flush - do you break out in sweats? I think it is very easy to just blame hormones for everything when sometimes there are other issues at play. Please don't forget that your own fluctuating hormones may be influencing how you are feeling, so I'm afraid upping from 3 to 3.5 mg may not help that much. Have you tried taking 2 mg in the evening and 1mg in the morning? Perhaps spreading the dose may help better so you get fewer peeks and troughs?
As I mentioned before, I found I got strange symptoms when I increased the oestrogen level - I felt terribly hot and panicky - it was clearly too much. Finding the right amount can take time and will change as your own hormones drop or your body adapts.
Also, have you had your thyroid function checked as this can also give similar symptoms? DG x
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Hi sorry for keep on posting but looking for more advice. I have been sticking to 3.5 mg Elesste solo for 4 days I know this is a tiny piece of time butI am having thumping heart, tingling skin & head, flushes and sore chest. I know too little estrogen is flushes and too much is tender breasts. Is this just my body adjusting to the dose.
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Hi sorry hadn't seen previous post and I have had my thyroid checked and us fine. I definitely have anxiety issues also and work on that daily. I have separate flushes and burning skin. Some hours of the day feel completely normal then all hell breaks loose again. I have changed my diet lost a stone & half also walking 5 miles a day. Now this part is embarrassing but some hours out the day have the strongest sexual urges I have ever felt.Tried to explain this to go and looked at me like lucky you. It is not a comfortable feeling x
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Regards the sexual erges is it your head wanting sex, or you have the feeling down below but don't want sex. If the later look up PGAD.
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It seems to me that you are getting too much oestrogen all at once. I would try taking 2mg in the morning and 1mg at night or the other way round. Give your body a steady supply of oestrogen and stick with this regime for at least a month to see how you feel. DG x
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Its the feeling but don't want anything near me. My gynae today has said cut to two milligrams I am terrified and have a Holliday in 10 days feel like I can only go with their advice x
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Try taking 1mg in the morning and 1mg in the evening and see how you feel in a week. This is still quite a high dose and I think you are experiencing a reaction to too high a dose of oestrogen. You are playing around with your dosage so much your body doesn't know where it is. Let things settle. DG x
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Thank you for everyone's support really need it. I feel all over the place was better off on 2mg patches with odd hot flush so they kept upping the dose. I know it's irrational but terrified x
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Hi sorry a bit slow what's PGAD dropped to two milligrams and my back is burning with shocks in the head. I know its a big drop from 3.5 to 2 mg how long before my system would take to settle x
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I'd give it at least 3-4 weeks. You're own hormones will probably still be giving spikes so I think you must expect your symptoms to fluctuate as well. Without giving things time to settle you won't ever find a balance. DG x
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Feeling much better already gynae said reduce to 2 mg. Only 2 days in & a lot of symptoms eased. Got all fingers crossed x
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Hi today has been really rough feeling skin burning and anxiety. I am doing relaxation and CBT. When dropping from 4mg to 2mg I felt a relief as if I had been on too much estrogen. I have been taking 1mg at night and then 1mg in the morning. Should I stick with this or take the 2mg at night?
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Please, please, please don't keep changing your dosage - stick with 1mg in the morning and 1mg at night - this will give you a steady dose. It may not be the HRT that is causing the burning etc. - your own hormones may have done a surge. If your anxiety is caused by hormones then it will take some time for this to settle. Many ladies find they still get anxiety on HRT particularly if they have a history of anxiety and depression - this is why many need some ADs alongside HRT.
Be patient and allow your body to adjust - don't expect a quick fix. DG x
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Thank you really appreciate the help x
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Hi today has been really rough feeling skin burning and anxiety. I am doing relaxation and CBT. When dropping from 4mg to 2mg I felt a relief as if I had been on too much estrogen. I have been taking 1mg at night and then 1mg in the morning. Should I stick with this or take the 2mg at night?
Gosh, I've been following your posts and really feel for you. This is why I've been so reluctant to try HRT because of this very thing you are experiencing. I still have bad days but not bad enough to take HRT (at the moment) - I guess if my symptoms were really bad I'd give it a go. I have problems with vaginal dryness and twitching - I haven't had a period in 7 months but my body is changing again so I'm guessing my body is pushing for a period. Had migraine aura, anxiety and depression last week so I know my body is up to its old tricks again. I'm having my hormones tested again soon so I'll take it from there, but I'm not sure I fancy messing around too much with my body if it causes problems like you're having. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and hope you get to feel better very soon!
Jess :tulips2:
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Thanks the support on here has been great when feeling desperate. Things settling a bit ( fingers crossed again lol). I have stuck to 1mg morning & night. Boobs are throbbing but sticking to dose. Have a feeling we have been upping dose looking fir relief. Good luck great website and support and more knowledge than my GP x
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hi things been settling ok been on weeks holiday which went quite well. Unfortunately was about 6 hours late taking a dose two days ago. Been a difficult few days. Can a delay in dose cause effect this quickly? Was nearly feeling normal & anxiety had got much better x
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6 hours really shouldn't make much difference. I expect your own hormones have done a spike or dip. Keep positive. Dg x
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Thanks still struggling tingling in head bad. Trying to keep positive with CBT had relief for nearly a week which was amazing
Gynaecology has said to switch back to patches after 4 weeks if not good. Small glimmer of hope makes me wonder like you say would just cause more problems. Would really appreciate your thoughts x
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Can't remember if you have tried Oestrogel with a separate progesterone e.g.Utrogestan. Oestrogel can be good because you can adjust the dosage easily and because it is trans dermal it is often better absorbed.
If you preferred being on the patches(which are transdermal) then maybe this is the way to go. Perhaps try some low dose ADs alongside for a while to see if that improves things. Many women need both HRT and ADs and do very well.
DG x
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Haven't tried the gel but have marina fitted. Was on patches and worked great for 7 weeks then symptoms came back. Scared if keep changing won't know. When I dropped pills from 4 mg to 2 mg bleeding stopped for 1 week buthas restarted and heavy. Sore breasts have now eased off and had a great week but bleeding and anxiety back. Already on amatriptyliine and they though tingling in the skin & head could have been nerves firing. Really appreciate your help. Transdermal has been the only thing that instantly helped x
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To me it all sounds as though your own hormones are fluctuating - so sometimes the amount of oestrogen is good and then at other times it's too much and you start bleeding. Keep going on the slightly lower dose for the next 4 weeks till you see the doctor again and then perhaps go back to the patches which you say were generally better. I'm afraid HRT can't guarantee to help all meno symptoms - only when your own oestrogen level has bottomed out will you be able to stick to an amount that gives you consistency. Many women find they only get a certain amount of relief from symptoms but are happy to have less flushes etc. Personally I doubt you can fully control anxiety with HRT alone unless it is entirely hormone related. DG x
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Thank you it feels like they fluctuate hourly. Anxiety also can disappear as quick as it arrives. Hot flushes arrived again with tingling scalp. Would it be easier to control with gel or will it cause further fluctuations as adjusting it? Thank you so much cor your help. Been bleeding for 3 years and running out of coping strategies x
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I am baffled that the doctors don't seem to be able to control the bleeding - the Mirena should have sorted that so this is very strange. Constant bleeding must be making you anaemic - I hope you take iron. You shouldn't be getting hourly fluctuations and I think there must be other factors at play with your symptoms.
Definitely write down all your questions when you next see the doctor e.g.:
Why am I still bleeding all the time?
Why am I still getting so many flushes?
Why am I still suffering with bad anxiety?
Why do I get this tingling sensation?
Am I on the right ADs?
Writing questions down and giving them to the doctor makes them address these things properly. Good luck DG x
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Thank you waiting on consultant phoning. I an beginning to wonder if I should have been reducing estrogen dose instead of increasing. Nobody seems concerned about the bleeding as had biopsies done 2 years ago and came back fine Had bloods done at 2mg of estratot and came back low end of ok. Then went onto pill firm and it kicked off worse when increased to 2 mg. Thank you for your support it is really appreciated. Going to adjust my name as whole world knows me and medical history lol x
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Been switched onto femseven patch 50mg instantly anxiety feeling gone but system in a turmoil hoping system will settle soon x Thank you DG for all advice
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Good luck Dg x
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Hi the switch from pill form to patches was not great but agitated feeling disappeared and bleeding has also stopped. Was going ok until 2 patches in a roll git crumpled and the other didn't fully stick. Thought hormone level would settle again. The hot flushes are hourly and anxiety in the mornings seems worse. Taking rescue remedy. I have strong physical sexual sensations which are uncomfortable. Had a letter don't have an appointment until September. Is this normal for changing method of hrt. Trying really hard to keep a handle on anxiety feeling like a loosing battle. X
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Pleased to hear the bleeding has stopped - that's great. I think you were on too much oestrogen before. To ensure the patches work you do need to keep them in place. I tried patches for a short time many years ago and I did have some problems with them sticking. Ensuring your skin is clean and dry before applying is crucial and maybe make sure they are placed where they are less likely to catch on clothing. I don't think things will settle unless the patches are in constant contact with your skin and, again, you need to give things time to settle. I'm afraid HRt doesn't always take away all the meno symptoms but if you are feeling less anxious and the flushes are reduced then you are doing well.
Do remember we are experiencing extreme heat and humidity at the moment which make any flushes ten times worse. I can't wait for it to cool down.
DG xxx
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Hi I agree I think I was in too much estrogen they kept upping the dose because I was having too many flushes. I will start to carry a spare patch with me. The weather is rather hot. I got a glimmer of normality and loved it. Would it cause any problem to apply micropore tape over patch to help stay in place. The symptoms returned within hours of it peeling x
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This is just a question can too much estrogen cause hot flushes as really tender breasts anxiety but then bad flushes'. They kept upping my dose as was still flushing but also have signs of too much estrogen ?
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When I was on a higher dose of oestrogen I felt I got more flushes but I'm not sure if that's normal for everyone.
I'm sure you could use some extra tape if need be to hold patches in place. If you continue to have problems with the patches sticking then you could try the Oestrogel which is basically the same delivery - trans dermal. I think you would like using Oestrogel as you could apply one quirt in the morning and one at night to get a consistent dose.
I can't remember but do you have a Mirena fitted?
DG x
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I really appreciate your help still feel like may be too high. Breasts really painful and going back the way. Dizzy flushes and morning anxiety but got instant relief dropping dose but only lasted few days. Really teary but trying to keep a lid on it.flushes az bad as the beginning x
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I forgot to mention I do have marina coil. I think it's not even anxiety its more like an agitation. I also feel constantly arroused which is embarrassing. Been thinking back and was symptom free with estradot then symptoms hit again. Looking back maybe the estrogen had built up and we increased dose when maybe needed decreased. I feel this is the only place people understand x
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I think your own hormones are fluctuating because you are still peri meno and this will bring these changes in symptoms. You are over focusing on your dosage when you need to use your CBT to stay positive. Try to be patient and in a few weeks hopefully things will settle a bit more. DG xxxx
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Thanks going to try and stay off site for a few weeks my head is going 100 miles an hour again. Will start meditation mindfulness again. You let it slip when things are ticking over. Thank you so much for your help x