Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Janice68 on March 17, 2016, 02:20:44 PM
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Hi all,
Just asking does anyone suffer worse anxiety after seeing their doctor I used to think my doc was okay but being on this meno journey with all my symptoms. Its a lack of understanding and being belittled that does me in. I don't feel I can go back to her now!! Its made me feel worse!! janx
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I know exactly how you feel. You're limited to 10 minutes max & you have to explain everything & get them to actually do something to help you.
Last time I went, I felt like I had gained more knowledge just from research on here, than my Doctor actually had. All he did was look it up in a book. I'm surprised he didn't Google it, lol.
Then he tried to prescribe something that wasn't even relevant to my age etc. It was a really hard slog & so stressful. I already had anxiety, which was doubled because I knew how it would be, to just try to get some help.
I've finally managed to get some new HRT now. So fingers crossed it works for me.
Funny though, I thought I was being hard done by to have to do to a male doctors. But it sounds like your female doctor was hard work too.
Keep trying. You deserve the treatment that will help with your awful symptoms & in the meantime use this site as I have to gain support & knowledge.
It's great.
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Hi Janice68
I feel the same when I go to my GP . I have had a lot of anxiety over the past 3 years and went to my GP a few times with it. Since I have been on HRT I have been better, but when I went to my GP for a check up a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't been for months, she still said about the anxiety, even though I never mentioned it. Then I started feeling anxious during the consultation.
Hope you are okay
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Which is why I take a list with me to work through with my GP :-\
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You are right CLKD I will definitely do a list next time, as I didn't get to say hardly anything and will need to go back, I feel put off now though.
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Of course. But we don't know what kind of day the GP had faced …… if I don't get the answer I want I take my list back a couple of weeks later and say 'I don't think that I was listening last time, can you remind me ' ;). Usually my GP is OK. Or I go to the Practice Nurse with my list and she will decided if I need to see the GP. It's about building a relationship. However, if we are feeling vulnerable it is often difficult to put forward what we require. Plus knowing that we have the apparent 10 min slot although I've never felt rushed. I've paid my dues after all ::).
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I've been thinking about your post Janice and agree. In fact, I realise that in a way I sort of 'blame' the doctors for my HA developing. I have seen at least 9 different doctors incl gyny in last 3-4 years and NOT One of them has ever mentioned meno. If I have brought it up myself as a possible cause I've got a shrug. I'm 51 why didn't I think of it, or is it really my job to self-diagnose? (insert swearing here), now I have found this forum I can see that virtually all the symptoms point to meno. Yet, when I first went to Dr with random pains, panic attacks and low mood I was told that there was no such thing as pains that move around to different place or random pains in the middle of your leg, I must be imagining it, the joint pains were nothing/ had no cause, etc. None of them ever asked me what my cycle was doing, never even raised the possibility of peri/ meno. The best I got was a suggestion that it could be fibromyalgia, no tests, nothing.
Of course, as result I just kept worrying and worrying, because I still had the pains and the depression, and it developed into HA. I'm sure that if someone had suggested it was meno or my age then I would just have accepted it and been OK. Now I am stuck in a vicious circle of worry.
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with regards to the 10 minute appointments, if I need to talk at length with my GP, my male or my female GP, I book a double appointment. They don't mind at all as if I then don't need the whole 20 minutes it allows them some time to catch up if they are over running :)
Both my male and my female GP have done their best to listen and to help me and sometimes I drop in a note with a question and always get a phone call in response either from the GP or the practice pharmacist. this saves the NHS the £45 for a consultation if all I need to do is ask a question.
The doctor/patient relationship is just that, a relationship. It takes time to build up and works both ways. I know there are some pointless GPs out there, our practice has one, but we just avoid him.
I have also found in the past that a newly qualified young GP is often streets ahead of the old die hards, much more thorough as they are still adding to their knowledge and expertise. In fact it was a GP registrar who diagnosed my son with appendicitis on the point of rupture when he was 16, because he asked one of his colleagues for a second opinion and then sent my son to hospital.
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I've been thinking about your post Janice and agree. In fact, I realise that in a way I sort of 'blame' the doctors for my HA developing. I have seen at least 9 different doctors incl gyny in last 3-4 years and NOT One of them has ever mentioned meno. If I have brought it up myself as a possible cause I've got a shrug. I'm 51 why didn't I think of it, or is it really my job to self-diagnose? (insert swearing here), now I have found this forum I can see that virtually all the symptoms point to meno. Yet, when I first went to Dr with random pains, panic attacks and low mood I was told that there was no such thing as pains that move around to different place or random pains in the middle of your leg, I must be imagining it, the joint pains were nothing/ had no cause, etc. None of them ever asked me what my cycle was doing, never even raised the possibility of peri/ meno. The best I got was a suggestion that it could be fibromyalgia, no tests, nothing.
Of course, as result I just kept worrying and worrying, because I still had the pains and the depression, and it developed into HA. I'm sure that if someone had suggested it was meno or my age then I would just have accepted it and been OK. Now I am stuck in a vicious circle of worry.
Your post really resonates with me. My HA started years before the meno when I did develop fibromyalgia but the only GP at my practice who believed in it as a diagnosis retired and I was left with the anxiety label which has stuck ever since and which now seems their answer to whatever I turn up with. Sometimes I feel like screaming that I may be anxious but that's largely because you dismiss my symptoms as anxiety without any further tests and that's one hell of assumption to make that anxious people never get cancer, heart disease etc. It's only because I saw a new to me doctor that I had blood tests and found out I was diabetic before too much damage done. I have started recently with ectopic heart beats again which I had years ago and occasionally since at period time - been told it's meno by three doctors, one that I'm neurotic and a nurse told me she has them and I'll need to learn to cope. None of them suggested any further treatment so you're left feeling anxious and unable to approach anyone for support. I'm starting to think that I'm better off not going to them as they are next to useless. I think it's partially that time and budget constraints mean that the profession is haemorrhaging those that wanted to be GPs because they liked interacting with people , leaving those that are happier at end of phone consultation.
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my gut feeling reading your post coldethyl is that it is time to find yourself a new doctors. there are good ones out there, we have one and I am sure it is not the only one. You are being let down as was shown by your diabetes diagnosis and you deserve better.
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Babyjane - you did well to change your GP, sometimes it's not that easy depending on your location, perhaps rural there is not the choice of GP surgeries, and difficult to know if you are going from frying pan into fire.
I am both lucky and unlucky to live in France at the moment. I accept it was (partly) my choice to do so and I must deal with consequences. Our two lady GPs are lovely but like UK the profession is losing GPs and three surgeries in surrounding villages have closed in five years so they have taken more people onto their books. Often now you get a student medic or a locum. There's no appointment system either - its like uk in the 1970s, but now you can end up waiting for three hours, even if you get there at 8. Even though they speak English and I speak French I do wonder if something is lost in translation. Referrals are quick though.
Coldethyl - I too had ectopic beats in about 2007 causing palpitations which went away. Then when the meno/ whatever it is started in 2012 palpitations again, but I was labelled as anxious and with dangerous high blood pressure caused by being anxious. I don't know if I would still have the ectopic beats still as I take propranolol. It might seem mad but I can't remember whether I was given the propranolol for the anxiety or for high blood pressure, and I've tried to come off them twice but not been able to.
I've never been sure of the fibro diagnosis. I do have the pressure points but I don't fit the tiredness pattern. The trouble is I can't remember what normal feels like any more.
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Bettyboo, I take propranolol for palpitations. My BP was perfect without them and low on them till recently .. Now I get spikes because I am anxious and suspect I'll have to raise dose. My GP wasn't concerned but the nurse at a and e wasn't too happy with it, even though dr there said it was just up a bit. Will see what dr decides tomorrow.
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Thank you for all your replies!
I totally relate Bettyboo, when I say this and that oh no it cant be the meno!! Ive suffered soo long with my anxiety I felt I like I was not being listened too which makes it worse and then worrying about my health, but what does concern me that they will miss something but blame the meno vicious circle eh!!
I know I have a lot of symptoms my partner says its all over her head and shes one for saving money!! And looks in a book!!!
This journey is hard enough my gynae is male and older and patient thank god, other wise I would of given up. It is such a hard journey and very exhausting I just don't need belittling people in my life anymore. I will see a different doc now and move on. ALSO say good luck to her when the menopause hits her!!
I used to think it was me but no more I now no there are like minded people and I am not alone!! Thank you all!! janx
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Good luck at the Docs tomorrow Coldethyl.
Hi Janice - I agree, just finding this site and realising that I'm not alone has helped a lot. Usually when I have a new symptom I can find someone (or more) on here who also has it. But I'm getting really fed up with it now, and fed up with myself. My OH is not sympathetic, he is of the 'take an ibufrofen and get on with it' mentality. I'm becoming agoraphobic now and that is really worrying me.
Good luck everyone.
BB
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Hi Bettyboo, God I can relate I'm so fed up with it too! They just give you a pill and leave you go to get on with and it gets worse. Try not to take out on yourself. I'm good at that
Myself too! But learning to be kinder to myself now and to take little steps to help me on this meno journey! I have to say I do feel isolated is that what you mean Bettyboo? Jan
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Hi Jan
A pill would be nice, lol. I've been going four years now and no HRT, may as well stick it out. I've realised with the HA I am actually reluctant to go out, shopping, days out, etc. - that's what I meant with the agoraphobia. I see you've got another thread going so I'll probably say hi there too.
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Hi Bettyboo
God your brave, ive had no luck on hrt so far. But I need to try again to try and help support the body I have VA and local estrogen isn't enough and other symptoms too. Things are getting worse so etc
Oh bless you about not going out can you explain more about your HA? Janx
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Hi Jan
You will see there are quite a few of us on here with health anxiety - there are a number of threads about it.
It probably seems weird to some people - certainly does to my OH - but basically if you have unexplained symptoms, joint pains, for example your mind catastrophizes what the cause could be (usually some sort of cancer for me) and you worry about it, then the worry makes the symptoms worse, and it goes round and round. Looking up symptoms on Dr Google is another thing, it's a type of OCD.
It drives me mad and I do try to fight it. I've read lots of books and I do meditation but I'm not winning at the moment :'(
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HI Bettyboo,
I know what you mean believe me!! been going through for 7 years thank you bettyboo. I can see it now!!
books and meditation will help:: and learning to change your mindset about things will also help and talking to like minded people
Take baby steps Bettyboo!! if you can see it you can change it!! JAN XX
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Hi - thanks Jan
I like that motto and I will borrow it 'If you can see it you can change it' :)
I will try to have a positive day today. I've decided to go to the Docs tomorrow to try to get ADs but by tomorrow I will probably have changed my mind... must do something as OH getting annoyed with me now.
BB
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Im sending you BIG BIG HUG xxxx Bettyboo
Just take baby steps like I am!! pls try and go to docs for AD if you can that's a positive step towards your healing!!
im off to gynae later for hrt and in the past it has caused a lot of problems with me with anxiety and side effects now ive changed my mindset im looking at hrt in a different way (God help me though).
im going to take it slowly now with that. im also on AD nothing wrong with that!!
We will be up and down so dont beat yourself up!!
Take little steps let me know how you get on and I wish you luck!!!
Jan xx be kind to yourself xx
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Bettyboo do get the support of your doctor and by all means try ADs if they are the way forward. I tried the for 5 months but they were not the answer for me.
At least let your OH see you are trying to address the issues, it helped mine work with me when I did that.
all the very best.
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Saw a very young GP today who was actually very nice and helpful in the sense that he didn't try to push antidepressants on me again and was happy to go and ask a female colleague about alternative therapies as we both felt that was better option at the minute than HRT. I know lots on here do take HRT but it isn't for everyone at every stage. Anxiety is my main issue and he wasn't convinced that HRT would necessarily help with that as well as self care and the other things i do like meditation given that I don't want to try anti-ds again after my adverse reaction at Xmas. He also agreed to take my Vit D levels as I said I ached and never see sun!
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Hi Jan
A pill would be nice, lol. I've been going four years now and no HRT, may as well stick it out. I've realised with the HA I am actually reluctant to go out, shopping, days out, etc. - that's what I meant with the agoraphobia. I see you've got another thread going so I'll probably say hi there too.
Bettyboo - I urge you not to get ADs!! if your symptoms are due to menopause then it's HRT you need not ADs which are not recommended as first line of treatment for menopause. The NICE Guidelines are quite definite on this. How old are you and what are your symptoms, and what are your periods doing? HRT also helps with general aches and pains of menopause that so plague women of menopausal age - which can be caused by oestrogen deficiency, testosterone deficiency, as well as thryoid deficiency!
Fine to try ADs if you are medically contra-indicated for HRT or if you have mental issues that are nothing to do with hormones - but otherwise - everyone should give HRT a chance! Sometimes takes a couple of tries to get the right type/dose but most of us who have persevered will say it's worth it for general well-being and quality of life.
Hurdity x
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Hi,
I just recently changed my GP to a smaller practice. My old practice was so large that you could never get an appointment and once I went in with three problems and was told that if I wanted to discuss more than one thing, I had to book a double appointment but I asked about that at the new practice and they said it's OK to discuss as many thing as you like with one appointment. I got a female Dr who looks relatively young and she was so nice and approachable, I'm so pleased I have changed.
As for the anxiety...I have suffered from it since childhood and was dismayed to learn that it can increase in menopause...I feel that it definitely has. The last few years, it just seems like everyday is a struggle with my anxiety (I do not take medication for it nor have I had CBT). I have found that getting a good nights sleep helps (which isn't easy in menopause) as does eating regularly, never let yourself go hungry. I also find the website 'no more panic' is really helpful. Things that you think only you must be anxious over and then you're amazed to see that loads of other people feel the same is a godsend and reassuring.
I have also been advised before to keep a diary of your anxiety. Write what it is you're anxious over and how you feel then the next time you have the same anxiety you go back to the diary and look to see that nothing bad happened to you that time. I have tried this and it does work but mine is health anxiety more than anything so I write the health problem down and how I'm feeling and then sometimes, I have gone back to look and forgotten that I was anxious over that particular health symptom before and then to read that I've had it before and nothing drastic happened is reassuring.
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HI Halfpint, good tips there brilliant!! IM trying now to monitor thoughts and feelings to help my anxiety. Menopause is not easy! Good thing about writing things down too Brill! jan
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Hi Jan,
Just to add I found my previous GP (never used to see the same GP more than once!) used to brush aside my anxiety and like you, it made me feel worse and like it was all in my head and they weren't interested. They used to make me feel like I was wasting their time and they could hardly wait to get me out of the room!
I'm so glad I've changed GP. I think the smaller practices are much better as they don't have as many patients.
I posted on another post this afternoon about anxiety that I have also been advised to tell my anxiety to 'F off'! Say it out loud, it feels good. I try to never let it beat me...see it as the enemy and don't allow it to have it's wicked way with you! I have gone through times of letting it beat me and it annoys me that I let it win...over the last few years, I have tried my hardest to not let it beat me and so when I manage to get through situations etc, it gives me a boost and makes me feel proud that I have overcome it!
Good luck..
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Hi Hurdity
Thanks for your advice. I know this, but I am in France and so NICE does not apply. I don't know what the guidelines are but I know many others my age have had trouble getting HRT prescribed. I have asked about it and been told 'non'.
I am 52 in June. Periods have been erratic (every 3 - 4 months) for two years or more. Last one proper one (very bad) end November. I have fibroids which were painful but not so much now. Other main symptoms joint/ everywhere pain and anxiety, also (apparently) bad-tempered and crying, oh and hairy chin, lol :(. The stomach thing - gurgling and twinges that move about - I think may be just stress related, but I will get it checked out. I fear have developed a social anxiety as don't like going out. I used to hold down a stressful job and drive into Central London, now I can't even go to the supermarket.
I'll see how I get on if I go to Dr this week. Feeling better just posting here and knowing there are so many in the same boat.
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:bighug: Bettyboo - are you able to buy HRT over the counter rather than via a GP? How do French women cope? they can't all be OK during The Change ::)
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Thanks for the hugs folks :thankyou:
I don't think you can buy it over the counter, I tried to buy some antiseptic cream for OH the other day and got interrogated about why I needed it. They go to the Dr at the slightest - I must stop being so 'English' and do the same.
You can buy it over the counter in Spain, so perhaps a trip in the camper is needed! Trouble is next planned trip is north.
I will try wine tonight, methinks.
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> hands over glass < ;D
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Hi Halfpint,
Good tips!! especially the advice brilliant!!
Ta
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Hi Hurdity
Thanks for your advice. I know this, but I am in France and so NICE does not apply. I don't know what the guidelines are but I know many others my age have had trouble getting HRT prescribed. I have asked about it and been told 'non'.
I am 52 in June. Periods have been erratic (every 3 - 4 months) for two years or more. Last one proper one (very bad) end November. I have fibroids which were painful but not so much now. Other main symptoms joint/ everywhere pain and anxiety, also (apparently) bad-tempered and crying, oh and hairy chin, lol :(. The stomach thing - gurgling and twinges that move about - I think may be just stress related, but I will get it checked out. I fear have developed a social anxiety as don't like going out. I used to hold down a stressful job and drive into Central London, now I can't even go to the supermarket.
I'll see how I get on if I go to Dr this week. Feeling better just posting here and knowing there are so many in the same boat.
Oh dear sorry to hear that. I thought they were really with it re HRT - estrogel - in France. If you are that young you definitely would benefit from it! Are there gynaes or menospecialists you can go to?
Re fibroids - oestrogen can make them grow so if they are large perhapas that's why the doc is saying "non"? However the info on this site suggest you can try with a Mirena which prevents oestrogen from thickening the uterus lining:
Fibroids
Fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumours of the uterine (womb) wall and are dependant on estrogen. They tend to shrink after the menopause but shrinkage may not occur, or they may even increase in size with HRT use. Increase is thought to occur in 25% of HRT users and mainly occurs in the first six months of therapy. There is some evidence that transdermal (patch or gel) but not tablet HRT nor tibolone may promote fibroid growth. [ref 24] Fibroid size can be monitored by regular examinations and sometimes by ultrasound scans. There is some evidence that the use of the progestogen releasing intra-uterine system, Mirena may cause fibroids to reduce in size. Mirena is often used in the perimenopause by women who have heavy periods and/or require contraception and can provide the progestogen part of their HRT.
void
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossF
You would then be able to add oestrogen in the form of gel - which as I said I thought was the most common type of HRT in France. I can see that it is much more difficult in a foreign country - but surely you should not be pushed into ADs unnecessarily?
You are lucky that you don't mention flushes or sweats as yet - perhaps the doc would be more likely to prescribe HRT if you had these?
Anyway good luck with whatever you end up with!
Hurdity x
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Thanks Hurdity - I certainly don't feel young ;D
Thanks for the info. I did see a gynae after I had the scan which discovered the fibroids (because I was getting ovulation pain - well, in fact have had it all my life except when on BCP - mittelschmerz, but I thought perhaps I could get the froggies to do something about it as UK Dr dismissed it). I hope I don't have to go back to see him as didn't care for him much. I don't seem to get on very well with Drs do I? OH says I am not assertive enough with them...
Anyway I have not been to Dr today as OH decided he needed the car to go and get some paint, then complained that I was not going to Dr - grr. I have found some Spasfon in the drawer (the Dr would deffo give me these as the French swear by them, anti-spasmodic for anything stomach/intestine etc related) so I have taken some of those. Today it feels like ovulation pain and there are other symptoms of this too, like the crying and mood, bloating, tender breasts. I will go to Dr before end of week though.
Didn't I mention the night sweats? Yes, get those as well but not as bad as 3 years ago. Also very dry skin, eczema, silent migraines, tingling ... the list goes on. But I must not wallow and all of you helped me a lot yesterday with your support. :)
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Hi ladies
I thought I'd just give you a quick update. I finally managed to get to the Dr on Thursday. Had a good long consultation and told her everything, in fact I had written out a list so I ended up just giving it to her to read. She examined me to check for physical issues as at the time I had pains just about everywhere and stomach issues as mentioned before. She was certain that there was nothing really physical but that it was all due to anxiety.
After discussion she said that she thought I had depression (symptoms like not wanting to go out, and my irrational fears etc) so she wanted me have ADs. I had a bad experience with amitriptyline in the UK about 15 years ago so I said I did not want them, she prescribed citalopram 10mg. I read the sheet and they seem to be for different types of anxiety. Anyway, took one Thursday evening and at first felt OK, had a slight headache when I woke up, but had my propranolol at breakfast and within a hour or so felt really weird. Headache just got worse and worse, felt sick, dizzy, could not eat anything. It was really embarrassing as had relatives here and that was stressful enough. So not taken any more and not sure what to do. It took all of yesterday before I felt better, in fact 24 hours after taking it I started eating normally again.
I know they take two weeks to work and it may get worse before it gets better, but OH who was against me taking them anyway, is not keen I try again. I was thinking of trying maybe 2.5mg or 5mg? Any advice?
thanks
BB
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Hi Betty, last October I was started on Citalopram 5mg and I experienced nasty side effects, so much so I rang the surgery and spoke to the pharmacist who said try to take it a day at a time but if it gets unmanageable stop taking them and see the doctor. Anyway, despite the side effects I did start to feel a shift in my mindset and it was commented on by 2 people that I seemed more relaxed. the side effects were bad for 5 days and then got less over the next week and I did quite well.
Sadly after 4 months the side effects started to return and it was no longer as effective. I knew that the advice would be to increase the dose but I felt then I would be on a slippery slope to being dependent on ADs when I hadn't been depressed in the first place, so I decided not to take them any more. It took me a good 2 weeks to get off them even at such a low dose, I had terrible mood swings (watch out world type) but then last night I slept through 7 hours and feel much better this morning.
ADs can help if you need the support and can grin and bear the side effects in the beginning. They don't work for me but I just wanted to confirm that they do cause side effects which reach a peak and then ease off.
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Hi Betty,
I have never taken AD's or anything for my anxiety as if I read the list of side effects on the leaflet, I will start to experience them because I have health anxiety. Did you read the leaflet and do you think it was your anxiety triggering the reaction?
With my anxiety, I sometimes let it beat me and so don't want to go out etc but I would never call myself depressed. I think some Dr's prescribe AD's too readily. I know anxiety is treated with AD's but did they not offer you any counselling rather than AD's?
You may have felt worse yesterday because you were panicking because of having visitors and feeling ill and this will have raised your anxiety. I would go back to the Dr and ask if there is anything they recommend to treat your anxiety/depression rather than AD's?
Did you feel better after talking it all through with the Dr? If so then counselling would probably help you just to talk to someone about how you are feeling.
x
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ADs do take a while to get used to ( says her who has never managed more than a few weeks on one)- if you do feel clinically depressed, they should help alongside some counselling- doctors I find are used to patients wanting a quick fix and a prescription so have a tendency to go straight to ADs without exploring other avenues, in my experience. I'd look into some CBT or whatever is on offer where you are ( France?) x
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Thanks for your replies. I'm still not sure what to do. I don't think the reaction was HA - I can tell the difference between HA and flu for example and this was definitely really physical.
She won't refer me for counselling because of the language thing I'm sure, though I can speak French. There are English counsellors in the area (private) but I don't think OH would agree to that. He thinks I just need to get a grip.
I did think I was depressed. I did the test on the NHS website and it said so too. I have been scared/ not wanting to go out to supermarket/ walking/ restaurant etc. for weeks, crying all the time for no reason, unable to do anything instead of working, thinking black thoughts, want to go back to bed after I get up, and the HA. There is a trigger for this, something which happened last year, and I told her about it, which was good as not mentioned to anyone before (sorry to be a bit obscure). I felt netter after we discussed it. She gave me reassurance about this and has given me some coping medication for going out. I took that yesterday and went to restaurant with everyone and it was fine. We are going on a big six week trip in a few weeks and I really need to be better than I am now for that, otherwise I am not sure what will happen.
I might try 2.5mg tonight and see what happens. She said she only wanted me take them for six months max. I do meditation as well, I thought that was making me better but obviously not.
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It does sound like you are depressed. I would perservere with the AD's as others have mentioned, they do take a while to kick in and for the side effects to lessen. I hope they help and you start to feel better soon.
Odd that she won't refer you for counselling when you can speak French? That's disappointing your husband thinks you should just get a grip. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don't understand depression. I remember when my Auntie started to suffer from depression and my parents went to look after her for a bit but my Mum said 'she's getting on my nerves, she won't do anything or go out anywhere'! She had no patience for it at all and thought she shoud just get a grip! I did have a good conversation with my Auntie about it all when she was better and she said it didn't matter what anyone suggested to her or advised her, she just didn't want to do anything. She said it was like a dark cloud came over her and she didn't know why or what triggered it. She's better now and luckily i never came back.
Glad to hear the coping medication worked. What is it called as I could do with some of that?!
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It's usual in the UK for GPs to prescribe ADs. Some do ease anxiety symptoms which seem more like your problem i.e. not wanting to go out ……. when I was extremely depressed I couldn't get out of bed :'(.
The biggest problem I experienced was nausea which was intolerable. It took 5 different ADs B4 I found 1 that helped plus 40mg BetaBlocka for anxiety. It's not a cure and I still feel hung-over some mornings, but at least I am out and at it!
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Hi i don't know if this will help but look at the book At Last a Life by Paul David.
I am in total understanding of everything you say and looking for stuff to help is time consuming but this book did help some ...not completely but it will help you understsnd anxiety and what we can do to help it after menopause dumped another unwanted feeling.
You are not alone .....
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:thankyou:
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Update
Thanks for all your support. I have not taken any more and not sure what to do. I only took one and I wonder whether I should give it another go? Its escitalopram btw not citalopram, not sure if that makes any difference. A lot of the 'symptoms' have gone now (like the joint pain, wind, low mood, stomach pains) and this does lead me to think that they are cyclical.
The only thing that does not go and rests in the background is the fear of going out. I am OK round the house/ village and this only rears its head if I have to go anywhere further away. I've been really concentrating on the meditation and doing specific anxiety sessions. I did these before xmas and started to feel better.
I will have a look at that book Stylesm, thanks.
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Escitalopram is the sister AD to citalopram but apparently has less side effects although it often causes stomach upsets. as I said a few posts back (I think) I was on the verge of stopping it after 5 days but then the SEs didn't get any worse and it started to settle.
I was stupid and came off after only 5 months and now think I was too hasty. My GP is telephoning me shortly to discuss the way forward with me.
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Hi Betty
I'm on escitralopram 20mg in morning, my physiatrist put me on them
Escitralopram is a more refined ad than citralopram so actually although I'm on 20mg it is equivalent of 40mg cit
Between that and the hrt gel I am in a much better place than I was 8weeks ago....
I'm still struggling with getting out my bed in mornings - still in it just now- but am heading back to my work a week on Monday, which is huuuuuuge for me after the crap couple of months.....
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I've taken both for depression and didn't notice any difference :-\ ………. my GP has given me BBs for anxiety as well as an emergency drug 'as necessary' without which, I wouldn't be here :'(
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My GP has restarted my E-Cit. He said sometimes it can be useful to take a break as then you can see if you really do need the support.
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:thankyou: ………. :bighug:
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Thanks all.
It seems that as with many 'solutions' there re pros and cons, and what suits one person may not suit another. Although I am feeling slightly better I decided that I will give the e-cit a go. I've managed to cut the pills up into pieces about 2.5mg which I have taken without any side effects. Tomorrow I will increase to 5mg and see how it goes.
:thankyou:
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My wants me on 5mg and I am cutting them in half at the moment and taking half in the morning and half at night, with food. so far not too bad. After a week I will try a 5mg whole tablet in the mornings.
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Hi BJ
That's a good idea. My tabs are 10mg so easy to cut into 5mg but bit trickier to saw down further. I'm supposed to be on 10mg and just took one straight off last week without thinking which caused bad SE and threw me completely. Been OK so far. Good luck with it.
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Thanks, I am so sensitive to meds I always start with half the recommended dose and sometimes even cut that in half and work up to the lowest dose I need to get the benefit. My GP is used to me now but sometimes I am overcautious and don't get the full benefit which is what happened this time. The 5mg is not scored so doesn't always cut into 2 equal pieces, not even with a pill cutter, but so long as I take one piece in the morning and one piece in the evening I get the full 5mg over 24 hours. Next week I will try a full 5mg tablet in one go. I do find it is better with food. When I took it first thing on an empty stomach I had much worse SEs.
Good luck to you too Bettyboo :)
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When I took 10mg AD recently I had the weirdest head feelings >:( - it took 2 doses B4 i realised that I had been given 10mg instead of 5 (long story short). OK again now ;)
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I have decided to give up and go back to Dr, or maybe not, lol.
The e-cit seems to have a delayed reaction. When I took them the first time I was OK for 6-8 hours and then had bad headache, nausea, spaced out feeling. Tried again over 4 days go up to 5mg then yesterday was OK then about 6 hours after taking had attack of diarrhoea (sorry if TMI). As I am taking them because anxiety causes HA and stomach/ D issues it seems a double-edged sword to me.
I did a search for contra-indications in English as I wanted to make sure I'd understood the (French) leaflet in the box correctly, and the US FDA sheet says e-cit is not compatible with beta-blockers, specifically mentioning propranolol, which I take.
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Probably worth going back to doctors. As far as I know , certain Ssris are contraindicated with betablockers and your doctor ought to have known this.
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I take E-Cit with Propranolol and I know CLKD has done for years too.
As I understand it, it is at doses of E-Cit/Citalopram higher than 20mg that it is contraindicated with BBs which is why GPs don't prescribe high doses now as they are aware of this. But do check with your GP or pharmacist if you are in any way concerned :)
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20mg is the start-up dose, however ::). I have never been able to tolerate that high a dose!
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according to the leaflet in the box the recommended starting dose is 10mg rising to 20mg if needed, or 5mg rising to 10mg for panic disorder and the elderly, which is what I am taking. Sorry to contradict CLKD but I was reading it only this morning :)
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That's OK! things change ::) - it's years since I began my medication.
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Sorry folk - me, back again. Yes you are right at my dose they are fine together.
I'm gonna try again. Maybe third time lucky? I've got to do something to try and break this endless of cycle of anxiety about stomach/gut causing stomach/gut to be worse causing more anxiety and so on ad infinitum.
Question: (to BJ and CKLD esp.) if you are taking propranolol and e-cit, do you take them at the same time ie. morning, or do you take one in morning and one in evening? Currently I take the propranolol in the morning. Dr said to take e-cit evening and pharmacist said to take it morning.
Wish me luck
BB
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I take my 5mg E-Cit with my breakfast. I found on an empty stomach it made me feel nauseous. I take half a BB mid morning and half a BB late evening. That works for me but you need to see what works for you.
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How are you on the 5mg BJ?
I take 40mg Propranolol at night after my bath, along with 5mg Ecitalopram with chocolate milk shake; 5mg E-cit at breakfast. If I feel depression Bcoming worse then I take 10mg AD at night and 5 at breakfast. As well as my emergency anti-anxiety medication on an 'as necessary' basis.
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Ok so far thank you, head rushes getting less and moods levelling out.
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Thanks for replying so quickly ladies.
You have given me some good ideas there. I'm supposed to be on 10mg of e-cit but I am going to start with 5mg, tonight after food. I take 40mg propranolol in the morning with breakfast. I once tried splitting that into 20 am/20 pm at the start of my trying to wean off them failure, but I found it didn't work for me. I used to be on 80mg slow release when I was in UK though.
OH is not happy I am going to start them again. His solution is that I need to be more active, get out walking, cycling, doing things... yes, all good ideas, and I agree to a certain extent, apart from that fact that I have a panic attack if I go to a supermarket, meet a neighbour or have to make a difficult phone call... ::)
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Your OH needs a :kick: - if it were that 'easy' then we wouldn't consider seeing the Doctor in the first place :beat: :beat: :beat:
I fibbed - I have started cutting my BBs in half = 20mg morning and at breakfast to stop that heavy headed feeling ::)
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Ha! I love the emoticons CKLD - yes, you're right he could do with a good kicking! He's no good with mental illness, not so bad if there are physical symptoms but generally expects me to be fully-functioning at all times. ::)
Early days yet but took one last night and have been OK today. Also did more research and found interesting stuff on the No More Panic site about e-cit. Usually I avoid NMP as I tend to think it makes me worse, but felt reassured today that there are quite a few with similar fears about going out. Just got to take one day at a time.
Thanks to all for your support, don't know what I would do without this forum. :thankyou:
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It's taken me a good 6 months of fiddling and faffing around and playing about with citalopram/escitalopram. It was only when I stopped it for 2 weeks that I realised it could really help me. It's early days but I am now taking it seriously and properly and I suspect it could become my new best friend.
My husband doesn't really like me on medication either but he is not obstructive, he just wants me to be able to have a life with him again.
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Bettyboo, you sound like me and your hubby sounds like mine!!! He also thinks I shouldn't be on tablets and that exercise would cure everything but like you, even a walk, chat on the phone or talking to someone is giving me panic attacks. I haven't had them for over 20 years!
I am on day 13 of Citalopram and it has at least stopped me crying but anxiety is through the roof. I asked for a blood test for VitD and Mag and Dr has just phoned to say my VitD level is extremely low and could explain my anxiety and low mood!! Got to collect a prescription for a tablet to take for 7 weeks and then get re-tested....think I've read a thread on here about VitD so will have another look but hope it doesn't put me off...don't need anymore stress...
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Would your partners deny you pain relief or medication for other illnesses >:(. If the body requires support then the GP is able to offer it. If mine even suggested that I should 'get on with it' he would be out the door! Locks would be changed! I don't believe in 'better or worse' because sometimes others simply are unable to cope with illness (me being 1 >sigh<) but if a partner can't say something constructive, then shut Big Gob!