Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: MIS71MUM on April 30, 2016, 12:01:05 PM

Title: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: MIS71MUM on April 30, 2016, 12:01:05 PM
Is it just me? Or does the peri-menopause make you think in black and white? Or worst case scenario every time?

A year ago, I didn't think like this...but now I seem to have developed this style of thinking. Is it all part of the emotional brain in overdrive due to hormonal changes?

If so, can I taken away till this is all over and delivered back when the peri is over!
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: walking the dog on April 30, 2016, 12:56:02 PM
I'm def like that, in fact more black than anything! I really hope after menopause even after I'm out of the peri that things will change and I wont even spend time thinking about how I'm thinking😊
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: MIS71MUM on April 30, 2016, 04:22:21 PM
Yes I know what you mean.  In fact i'm not sure why I put white in that paragraph....mine's all black too!

I have a few stressful events coming up and am really doubting my ability to deal with them.  All day I have been thinking “what if the stress drives me over the edge?” and of course, that then causes the physical anxiety.

Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: walking the dog on April 30, 2016, 06:30:05 PM
The Dr has put me on 20mg propranalol 3 x day to help with the AD changeover I know people swear by itfor anxiey but I really don't feel any difference 😐
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: star-mam on April 30, 2016, 08:39:20 PM
Yep, I do it too.

I worry about everything and it's always the most horrendous outcome that sticks in my mind  ::)

Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Kazbear on April 30, 2016, 09:42:02 PM
Absolutely.  I go straight to nuclear in a nanosecond - it is always worse case scenario.
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2016, 11:53:43 AM
The BB is doing it's work then WtDog.  I don't find that Propranolol makes any difference unless I don't take it regularly  ::) - like last year  >:( and even then, I didn't associate the panic attacks with less BB  >:(.  I needed another  :kick:

As I am typing my anxiety is up a bit  :-\ so my brain is saying 'not again'  :-[
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: walking the dog on May 01, 2016, 12:27:34 PM
I never thought of it like that clkd but its obvious if I feel no different it must be working , I'm a bit daft sometimes 😊
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Miss Lemon on May 01, 2016, 12:44:39 PM
Yep, same here. I catastrophise everything at the moment.  It drives my hubby mad. I hate all of this nightmare but the mental part is really difficult to cope with. Let's hope that the is an end to this for all of us.
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2016, 01:28:57 PM
If you don't feel worse WtD then it's probably working, not daft at all!!! The BB is keeping that problem stable.
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2016, 06:17:09 PM
You will have reserves though because adrenaline will kick in  ;).  Been there, done that  ::)
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2016, 08:01:22 PM
I hated that too.  I helped a neighbour many years ago during a crisis, was OK for those 3/4 weeks then slumped.  Awful.  But I did survive once life levelled out.
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Justjules on May 03, 2016, 12:39:51 PM
Yep, belong the that 'club' - it's never ending.  Been back to Drs again today - was there on Saturday morning in a complete panic.  Too much adrenaline apparently but can't calm down no matter what I try.  Every thought is catastrophic.  OH says those dreaded words...."just pull yourself together"!!!  Anyone got a gun... :cuss:
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: dangermouse on May 03, 2016, 01:05:11 PM
It's caused by adrenaline putting you into a hyper alert state. Your physical symptoms are subconsciously prompting you to look for the problem that is causing the high adrenaline.

It's hard to ignore but you can over-ride it by rationalising each situation and attempting to lower the high adrenaline with HRT if you choose.

Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 03, 2016, 02:17:40 PM
JJ - did your GP give you an emergency anti-anxiety med., i.e. Valium ?
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Justjules on May 03, 2016, 07:22:37 PM
Yes CKLD, got a few more Valium ......

Danger mouse, I am too far post meno now for HRT  :'(
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 03, 2016, 09:53:52 PM
Who told you that  :-\ ……. how was the GP about the Valium, if I think mine is going to stop my emergency med., I feel a lot worse  :'(
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Justjules on May 04, 2016, 07:54:46 AM
CKLD, unless anyone knows any different - I was told that 59 is too old to start HRT.  I have been post meno for at least 7 or 8 years.
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 04, 2016, 09:26:06 PM
Can't see why that's true, we are living longer and if a lady is having symptoms????? after all, heart disease etc. can begin at any age  ::)

How have you been 2-day, knowing that the Valium is to hand?
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: booboo on May 11, 2016, 11:27:51 AM
I have Catastrophic thinking &  its a nightmare & def came about and got worse with meno - I anticipate bad things & think the worst & particularly re health
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 11, 2016, 11:28:23 AM
There's a 'health anxiety' thread somewhere  ::)
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: babyjane on May 11, 2016, 01:30:03 PM
I struggle at times and when I do I take comfort from posts such as these.

JJ I am also 59 and have no intention of starting HRT now as I have got this far without too many issues.  However I don't see why 59 should be 'too old' for any lady who wants the support it can offer.
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Justjules on May 11, 2016, 08:12:29 PM
I think I need to look into it a bit more. Really struggling to get back on track this time. Citalopram worked well in the past for years but it's not doing anything at the moment which is making me think it's not just anxiety feeling this bad. I see there is a post today about a lady starting on HRT at 60....
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: linz57 on May 11, 2016, 08:47:51 PM
I was 5 years post meno, at age 58 when I was first put on a Conti patch, medium dose. That's not far off 60 so I can't see why you shouldn't be prescribed it at least to see if your symptoms improve. It seems unfair to deny you that chance to find out
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Justjules on May 11, 2016, 08:52:06 PM
That's interesting Linz, I obviously need to look into it but then there seems to be so many variations of it to consider.
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Hurdity on May 12, 2016, 04:22:51 PM
CKLD, unless anyone knows any different - I was told that 59 is too old to start HRT.  I have been post meno for at least 7 or 8 years.

Absolutely not too old as you can see from other women (not sure of "ladies - I'm certainly not one of these  - makes me think of Little Britain and the transvestites! "I'm a LADY" David Walliams as he pranced along the sea front in flowing dresses and parasol!  You all crack me up with your "a lady" ;D!!!! Oops digressing here... ) who have posted on this website.

There is research on cardiovascular risk and HRT showing that there is a window of opportunity for starting HRT which is beneficial - and this is within 10 years of menopause or under 60. The reason is that oestrogen deficiency causes changes to blood vessels etc which when HRT if started after too long (ie more than 10 years post-meno), can cause clots. Sorry I am hazy about the details - but you can look it up - it's to do with deposits in the arteries.

Even though you are within the 10 year window, there is a psychological barrier at 60 which means that many docs and even some specialist gynaes at meno clinics may not be willing to prescribe it - so you might have to fight to tart.

Therefore if you want to have a go - there is not a moment to lose! The advice at your age is transdermal (either patch or gel) and best really to go with micronised progesterone ie utrogestan - although taking this all the time might cause you to feel a but tired? There are some handy low dose patches - Estradot 25 mcg which would mean you would only need a low dose progestogen. I would steer clear of Evorel conti.... You might get some spotting or bleeding at first as your womb may already have atrophied and won't be used to oestrogen.

ANyway hope this has given you food for thought and if your doc just wants to keep on giving you the ADs and yuou want to try HRT - do ask to be referred to someone that knows about it!

Hope you feel better whatever you decide :)

Hurdity x
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: Justjules on May 12, 2016, 07:08:20 PM
Thanks for that Hurdity. I will have the discussion when I see GP on Tuesday. I am so confused. Just don't know what all these symptoms are and because I suffer from bad anxiety it's always put down to that. HRT seems so hit and miss and complicated. I am just loathe to start anything that will make me feel worse than I already do. X
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: dangermouse on May 12, 2016, 08:04:35 PM
Remember that women here (and a few ladies - ha ha! keep thinking of Little Britain now) are only posting because they have issues with getting their HRT right - there are probably thousands more that don't have any problems, so don't post or even come to this site.

It does sound like you have quite a strong imbalance with your hormones, so the other drugs may only make a small impact on your symptoms. If you try HRT and don't like it you can just stop but you'll never know unless you try. Oestrogen only stays in your body for 36 hours after you've absorbed it and progesterone about 28 hours.
Title: Re: Catastrophic Thinking!
Post by: CLKD on May 13, 2016, 02:41:17 PM
 :thankyou:  Dangermouse.