Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Menomale on September 05, 2016, 04:16:26 PM
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???
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I have anxiety, improved since starting HRT last December, but still have episodes of anxiety and overthinking everything.
Never tried any other medication, only Kalms (valerian) or Roseola extract
Which I think slightly takes edge off things, but hate anxiety, at its worst I was also having jitters and occasional panic at tacks. 😟
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Hrt didnt solve my anxiety unfortunately but AD did :)
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About 18months,at first alongside hrt,but stopped hrt last Nov,no noticeable side effects. ;)
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No all my life I have been a strong,confident,outgoing person,responsible job etc.etc hit 49 and it all went to pot !
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For now anyway ! ;)
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I've been on Citalopram for over 5 months now and I'm still struggling every single day. I'm also on HRT (been on that for 7 months) and I have no idea what is doing what, all I know is that I'm suffering terribly and can't seem to shift the anxiety/depression. I've had 12 weeks of CBT which didn't really do anything at all and I'm about to start counselling (person centred) to see if that might help.
Like you Menomale, mornings are absolutely my worst time, evenings are better and some evenings I feel virtually "back to normal" only to have that feeling cruelly ripped away upon waking the next day. Every morning I spend at least 20 minutes dry heaving because I feel so sick, my mind is going 10 to the dozen, I'm sweaty and shaky and can just about manage a cup of tea. I've lost well over 2st in weight since this first started back in November last year and I would give anything to be rid of this awful thing.
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I've only just realised during puberty I had a brief spell of depersonalisation (I had no idea what it was only I floated out of my body, I thought I was crazy and my mum took me to the doc who said its not unusual for teenage girls to experience it but I was in a minority that told my mum), that all ended and I thought no more of it
Hysterectomy at 32 and hrt soon after - no problems
Peri at 45 - slight nervousness at social gatherings
Post 48/49 - shying away from anything with the words social or gatherings in. I feel faint and weak and verge on this depersonalisation malarkey - have never had meds for it and still on hrt , have started to have cognitive hypnotherapy in the hope of combatting it
You ladies are the only ones I've shared this with in depth
Annie X
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Well done for sharing annie 0710 and for recognising the depersonalization.
I suffer from extreme anxiety which though I have always been slightly anxious I managed a life but since peri menopause its got out of control I struggle to do lots of things others take for granted I can't go places I haven't been to before without my husband taking me on a dummy run ! I avoid people if I can and I think constantly about how anxious I feel
I have had the depersonalization experience many times irs like I'm.sitting in a chair but I feel like I'm over the other side of the room I think I'm used to it now !
I was on ADs for a few years but they didn't help much after the first year so I stopped in may this year and in a way I feel better off them even though my anxiety's just as bad I feel more in touch with my emotions and able to cope slightly more !
I wouldn't wish anxiety on anyone,I'm nearly seven years into my menopause journey so I just hope the ends nearly in sight and the anxiety will go with it.
I wish all you ladies suffering from it well xx
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I never knew what it was until I was looking up anxiety, it was a relief that other people experience it as I had always assumed they were just out of body experiences, they scared the life out of me as a young girl
My hypnotherapist wanted to induce one on me but I refused, I said I never want to go through again on purpose
I get close to having them sometimes :-(
Annie x
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I think its important to recognise the cause of the anxiety in order to try to treat it. You tend to have the initial cause (physical or emotional), the main symptoms (adrenal rushes, palpitations, sweating, etc.) and, in some cases, a secondary set of different or worsening physical symptoms caused by meta emotions (e.g. anxiety about the anxiety).
If the cause is hormonal (clue if started at puberty or peri/menopause) then rebalancing of hormones with HRT or ADs can help - or you can ride out the episodes if they're manageable. Beta Blockers can also be used to block the adrenaline and can be taken as and when. If its emotional, through trauma or the secondary type, then cognitive therapy to change what we are saying to ourselves (e.g. 'everything will be ok' instead of 'OH NO IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN!!!') will do the trick. However, the latter cannot help purely hormonal physical adrenal anxiety, it can just stop it becoming much worse. Both types of anxiety feel the same, as the symptoms are the same where they all result in adrenal over-activity.
I'd always recommend therapy (self or assisted) either way as you will learn good coping strategies and a healthier way of looking at the situation, rather than feeling out of control and attacked by our own nervous system! I practice a blend of CBT and hypnotherapy but other types of therapy can help if there are underlying psychological issues at play.
In perimenopause we may have oestrogen surges that either come from out of the blue or hit when adrenaline is naturally high, at 5am for example. The dry heaving nausea was definitely oestrogen surges for me, caused by over-stimulation from the high oestrogen to low progesterone ratio. HRT can make things worse at such times unless you use it to over-ride the cycle like with the pill, as the more oestrogen you take in, the less your own ovaries will pump out.
Depression, where you feel numb and without feeling, a sort of 'what's the point' comes from either an emotional loss (including control, once you feel there are no more options) or from too high progesterone, which is the sedating hormone. Again, the symptoms are the same so you have to assess and back-track what was going on first. If you were sitting happily watching TV and were suddenly hit with an adrenal rush or a deep depression, then its likely to be purely hormonal.
Remember also that the physical nature of anxiety is exactly the same as excitement, so you can choose the latter to mentally adopt to help you through the worst peaks!
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What an absolute godsend this forum is - I have it too. I cant seem to rally myself out of it - whatever I try. Its exacerbated by being diagnosed with Type2 diabetes in July, so i'm trying to lose weight and then feel really shocked if i have and am convinced its due to something else and not the fact its due to my sparse diet.........................
I'm on Gabapentin for peripheral neuropathy which is supposed to help anxiety and take three at night and then 20mg of citalopram in the morning so I'm not sure if they are contradicting each other...............
I really wish it would end as i'm avoiding seeing people, dont go out and am wearing the same clothes every day.
Its a NIGHTMARE!
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Was outgoing confident woman. Menopause hit and I turned into a shaking wreck almost overnight. Kept under control eventually by hrt and ad. Stopped hrt a few years back- anxiety so so. Stopped the ad 6 months ago. Shaking wreck. Now on pregabalin, sister drug to gabapentin, so see how that goes. Early days. Have tried everything over the years, courses, counselling, books, reiki, massages, cbt, eat - you name it I have tried it. Medication seems to be the only way.
The last ten years have been the pits. I have absolutely no confidence to do anything. Makes it so much worse living on my own.
Bramble
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Oh - Huge Hug Bramble
I keep telling myself it WILL get better and hopefully the same will be for the other ladies on here
X
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How long have you go to listen :sigh:
I had my first panic attack at age 3, became anorexic at 5, ate enough to keep me upright for years. Fear of eating kept me continually anxious until my GP prescribed betablockas in 2002. Plus an emergency pill plus ADs ……… if it attacks I"m grounded and I get black thoughts. :'(
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I had CBT which made no difference at all as my problems started probably when I was a few hours old :'(
So any anxiety was deep seated almost immediately.
Small place, the Universe now that we have internet ;-)
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Anxiety can be a learnt response to what is happening around us. When those stressors have gone from our lives the responses remain :sigh:
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There are 2 types of depression: clinical which is when a person becomes depressed because they are unable to or cannot see a way out of problems. The other is organic, when brain chemistry is out of kilter - I have both :sigh: fortunately ADs do help.
I no longer recognise excitement, it's always dangerous adrenaline = anxiety.
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See my thread about depression …….
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I think its important to recognise the cause of the anxiety in order to try to treat it. You tend to have the initial cause (physical or emotional), the main symptoms (adrenal rushes, palpitations, sweating, etc.) and, in some cases, a secondary set of different or worsening physical symptoms caused by meta emotions (e.g. anxiety about the anxiety).
Dangermouse - thank you, easily the most useful info on anxiety / menopause that I have read.
To answer the OP, I also suffer from anxiety / low moods since reaching post-menopause. HRT is helping but I am not there yet, in that I still have an almost constant anxious feeling in my chest. I occasionally have a terrible day and then everything settles down for a while but the feeling never entirely goes away.
It can be tricky getting to the cause because things are complicated. I am post-menopausal and am therefore missing out on oestrogen. Replacing it helps, but I am not sure if I am taking too much or too little. Likewise with the progesterone. (For the record, my GP has no idea either, it will just have to be trial and error.)
There are also outside issues that can make me down and anxious - these have been around for a long time so I don't think they are the primary cause but they can kick off an anxious/depressive day if my hormones are out of kilter.
It's tricky. I think that comparatively speaking I am not too bad. I function OK, I work fulltime, I am sleeping OK, it could be a lot worse. I have done a Mindfulness course which helps if I remember to do it, need to work more on that. I find that the mindfulness helps to prevent the anxiety-about-the-anxiety that Dangermouse mentions. Also need to work more on other self-help measures to generally improve my health and wellbeing.
I am hoping that the horrible anxious-heart-feeling will subside over the next couple of months. If not, I will start to tweak my HRT dose to see if I can make things better. I do feel for others who have it a lot worse than me, because it's horrible. :(
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Hi there.
I have been taking Citralopam for three years now since a terrible time with my now ex second husband....I left him yippee. Taking 40mgs daily and as you know you until a week ago I took Oestrogen 2mg... morning anxiety can be due to low blood sugars so snack before bed. Try asking the Gp to add a beta blocker like Propananol to see if that helps too xxx
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I bumped it !
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Please don't laugh at this but I have just discovered something that helps.
My husband downloaded a TV programme for me (BBC) called 'All aboard'. It's a two hour bus journey through the Yorkshire Dales.
Go on laugh if you want too. ;D
The point is that watching it really calmed me, to an extent I have never experienced before.
The download expires at the end of the month so I have just bought it from the BBC Store, along with a canal journey one.
I have no idea why it works but if it stops me taking a pill I'm chuffed.
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Apparently it's had fave reviews! What ever works ;)
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Anxiety is a scourge of menopause. I wish the solution could be found as it is the pits. I personally feel I had a life before meno symptoms hit, felt like a different person. Wham, when my periods finished, that is when my previous good health buckled. I had no idea that life would change so much at fifty and I am now 62. Coping with it all is a major challenge, I am not the same person. It can bring you to your knees!
Meg
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I started with increased Meno symptoms at the end of last year. Previously I'd managed and it never seemed too bad. Started hrt in February and felt like a new women and felt that it was a miracle to feel so good again. Then had to have a health tests which seemed to drag out and got me very anxious along with starting a new job. I thought once everything was finished I'll be back to how I was. Unfortunately the anxiety just got worse to the point that everyday became a challenge just to keep it all together and not have a meltdown and never leave the house.
Went on Sertraline 50gm about 3 months ago, had a week of nausea but then everyday seemed better. I enjoy the calmness I have now. However I feel like my Meno symptoms are returning. Lots of sweating, very poor sleep and what feels like constant fatigue and very low energy. Had another look at the Sertraline side effects and these are all listed. I do hope that once I stop taking Sertraline that all these will disappear but at the same time I'm scared that the anxiety may return. The doctor has said that I need to stay on the Sertraline for a minimum of 6months but I'm tempted to start reducing down to 25gm. I do wonder if I will ever be the same again
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Great post Dangermouse! Thank you 😀
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Hi Menomale,
It literally is a film of the scenery and people viewed from this particular bus, filmed in real time. It is just so relaxing, and the views so peaceful. Are you sure you cannot purchase it from BBC Store, it's not the same as iplayer, which I know is UK only.
I think it works for me because it's a bit like meditating. When my mind starts to wander back to my problems, I rewind to the point my concentration went. Sometimes just 10-15 minutes viewing is enough, sometimes as much as an hour.
Just so glad my husband found this for me.
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I saw that programme breeze and I have to say it calmed me too. In fact I went to bed more relaxed than I have for ages. I think the lack of commentary helped, just listening to the natural countryside sounds was a real tonic
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I dont understand why it comes and goes with me , its always there but then I'm overwhelmed with it, yesterday I was fine but today I'm crying over nothing my stomachs upset I'm shattered and dizzy , my logical mind says anxiety but I also wonder if its my hormones or both ?!
Some days I cope others I dont and I find that frightening as I never know how I will feel !
Anyone else like this ?
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Yep. On days when I am anxiety free - not many; I wonder why it makes me feel so ill. When it strikes I'm floored :'( hence the emergency meds. 2-day it's background ……. >sigh<
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So do you think its anxiety ckld rather than hormones or anxiety caused by hormones? So difficult to tell.
I'm not on any ADs now due to lack of success but have been offered sertraline again at a high dose if i want to try again, I'm putting it off as just started my DBT yesterday and want to give that a try drug free , but may have to consider sertraline if DBT doesn't help me cope😐
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My anxiety began at age 3. My PMT was easy to chart …….. and hormones haven't had an impact on anxiety, maybe because I've had treatment for years (1990s)?
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Hi Mojo61,
I cannot sympathise with you more. I am in exactly the same situation having had the absolute horrors with anxiety and panic attacks, insomnia and many other symptoms. I'm 49 - I've been on Citalopram for 8 months (along with various high BP meds, valium for the worst days and sleeping tabs). I've also had 8 sessions of CBT which are not helping. Today I started HRT (feel very nauseous) which I had huge reservations about before getting so desperate so I'm hoping it will help.
I am virtually paralysed with anxiety in the mornings and a different person at night - just don't understand what happens to my body during my sleep hours to feel so abnormally different upon waking. I also lost 2 stone and my GP sent me for blood screening to check there wasn't anything sinister going on (there wasn't).
I really hope your situation calms down - it's such a worry when you can't control these symptoms - it's nearly cost me my job and my friends!
I'm trying to be positive and hope the HRT works otherwise I'm coming off it.
Sending hugs and support to you.
Jo x
I've been on Citalopram for over 5 months now and I'm still struggling every single day. I'm also on HRT (been on that for 7 months) and I have no idea what is doing what, all I know is that I'm suffering terribly and can't seem to shift the anxiety/depression. I've had 12 weeks of CBT which didn't really do anything at all and I'm about to start counselling (person centred) to see if that might help.
Like you Menomale, mornings are absolutely my worst time, evenings are better and some evenings I feel virtually "back to normal" only to have that feeling cruelly ripped away upon waking the next day. Every morning I spend at least 20 minutes dry heaving because I feel so sick, my mind is going 10 to the dozen, I'm sweaty and shaky and can just about manage a cup of tea. I've lost well over 2st in weight since this first started back in November last year and I would give anything to be rid of this awful thing.
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I've just read this fascinating thread....it strikes a real chord with me. It's like a chicken and egg situation isn't it? It's hard to know what has sparked my terrible anxiety off, but all I know is that it has coincided with the beginning of quite severe peri/meno symptoms.
What saddens me most is the number of women who must be struggling so much to just survive on a daily basis. We all know how hard it is to wake up in the morning feeling like sh*t and have to get kids ready, get ready for work, endure that for the day, then have to come home, cook, clean, help with homework, etc etc, amongst trying to find time for ourselves! It's so hard, and so many of us do this day in, day out without making a fuss or asking for help. It's so very sad 😞😞
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Oh my gosh - reading this makes me have flashbacks about what happened to me last year.
Exactly a year ago, I was in exactly the same boat. Can't exactly say whether the hormones caused the anxiety or a depressive episode but the weight loss and the horrible mornings were life changing. Like many of you say, I was absolutely fine at night and felt myself, but mornings were raw.
A year on, what's different...I take 30mg duloxetine and have been taking various doses of HRT since March this year.
This time last year, I was also anaemic and Vitamin D deficient. I would urge any of you ladies going through what you are, to get these checked.
There is also a lot spoken about adrenal glands and how they can misfire and cause anxiety. I take a very effective multi vitamin with massive doses of Vit B, magnesium etc to repair my adrenal glands.
Currently off HRT whilst I prepare for an operation with a general anaesthetic and so far I am okay.
Also if you aren't getting any relief from your antidepressant, I would make sure I took so it had the most in my bloodstream in the morning.
If that doesn't work, you need to see your GP and ask for something different.
I hope this helps, I personally know how long this road can be, but you will get there
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Our natural adrenaline kicks in at around 5/6am in the morning, it then falls around 8/9am and starts going up around lunchtime, peaking at 5/6pm and then gradually falls at around 8pm.
High oestrogen (e.g. from oestrogen upsurges in peri) causes adrenal rushes as its over-stimulating. Low oestrogen (down surges or post meno) causes the brain to panic at the lack oestrogen and throw out adrenaline to keep the heart beating. Hence, both situations can cause physical anxiety which is felt more at the peak adrenal times. A graph can be found here https://goo.gl/images/khEsvt
If you get the anxious feelings out of the blue, say when engrossed in a film, then it's likely to be hormonal. Also, physical anxiety cannot be brought down directly by the mind, in the way that emotional anxiety can (although hypnosis can work by manipulating the central nervous system).
Beta blockers dampen adrenaline and cortisol, so can directly calm things down. I had to resort to them when my hormonal anxiety was making my, already severe, nausea worse and they were a real help to take as and when. Once my surges calmed down I could just ride out the anxious feelings and I found watching creepy films helped, as you're meant to be feeling scared so your hormones and reality are more in sync! The relaxing stuff is great too though for keeping you from worrying at the same time.
For all the belief driven anxiety, habits can make us feel as if it's just part of us and will never change but it's never too late to completely turn things around! Windy Dryden's books may be of help to some of you which are is based on Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy and he has a workbook where you can be your own therapist. REBT basically changes unrealistic/unhelpful anxiety, depression and anger etc. to realistic/helpful concern, loss and annoyance. It's simply the exaggeration of what is really happening, or what might happen, that creates the exaggerated feelings.
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Cortisol surges early morning ??? :-\ - I've had all the therapy available that's legal and it won't alter my reaction to perceived or real stress - mine began within hours of being born :sigh:
I know why it happens and I know what I could do to ease it but nowt works …….. except the emergency med. which fortunately I don't require often. Part of my problem is that I have no way of dissipating anxiety whereas years ago …….. work situations, acting, singing, any nerves went once I started what it was that I was doing.
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I think it's quite normal to react with fear to perceived or real stress, it's an inbuilt protective mechanism, but if you believe something is a concern rather than a terrible threat, then you can process it in the same way that you process normal concerns like, say, which film to watch. It's all about perception.
Well done for coping for so long!
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I think that if I was to embark on an antidepressant, which I have been hesitant to do and say that I could tolerate it then, if it worked to bring the anxiety under control, it would be for the rest of my life. I have worries about possible short and long term side effects! I know all of this is hormones but like many women wonder about replacing hormones for the rest of natural life too! That's even supposing the unlikely event that you could get a doctor to prescribe for that length of time or you could tolerate say bleeding for years maybe. I wish there was a magic answer out there for us who are suffering.
Meg
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I think I shall need to be on HRT for life. I know for a fact my anxiety problems are related to my lack of hormones post oopherectomy as I've been tracking my symptoms closely. There is no way that I will be able to go through the rest of my life in hormone deficit.
My experiences of receiving treatment via the NHS, much less any understanding has been abysmal. This in itself has added enormously to my anxiety. I am beyond exhausted and appalled that we ladies in menopause cannot get any understanding or support during this very difficult time, and are constantly being pushed to accept AD's instead of adequate HRT.
I think we could be looking at 2 different scenarios here however. I think there are ladies who experience anxiety and or depression for the FIRST TIME during menopause, and those who already had a susceptibility before, and for whom the menopause has exacerbated this. In the latter, AD's or even mood stabilisers may well be very valuable in ADDITION TO HRT.
What I find worrying is when GP's shift the balance away from menopause, and try to convince ladies that they are solely suffering from a mental disorder. I have seen and read about far too many instances of this, and indeed have had experience of this myself (some of you may already know my story).
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Initially when prescribed an AD and advised to take a low maintenance dose daily, for Life, I fought against it. Until I realised that Himself and I have a Life again. I NEVEr want to feel *that* ill again :'(.
After all, how long is 'Life'?
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Indeed, CLKD! You are so right, and I'm so glad that you're able to feel so much better and enjoy life with Hubby again.
I'm on the cusp of launching 'plan B' next week, as I really don't like the direction I've been forced down by my GP and the Menopause Consultant. It is very, very clear that I'm suffering from FADS following my oopherectomy, and I will be phoning that 'certain Consultant' next week to see how I can get off this wretched Premarin and onto a more suitable regime.
I have read so many times your wonderful quotes about how we should live our lives, and I find inspiration in that. You have overcome many things yourself, and always have a kind word for others. Thank you. xxx
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:thankyou: probably because I'm older than most of you here 8)
Anxiety has ruled my Life at times. I appreciate every moment that I am free of it! I stand sometimes absorbing the 'no anxiety' feelings ………. but despite being told by various 'experts'/Psychologists to remember how calmness feels when anxiety strikes, no way can I recreate those feelings >:(.
Meg - unless you try you will never know. Why suffer if there is easement?
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Thank you CLKD for your words. I have always been a worrier but menopause has ramped everything up for me and I am always thinking doomsday scenarios but I do appreciate your kind comment. Like Tempest, I too am perturbed that women are often being diagnosed with psychiatric conditions when it is their sex steroid hormones which are the issue. It is the loss of these which are causing the various and sometimes devastating physical and mental issue
Meg
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We get fed too much should we/not hype. Yesterday it was statins are good for us, well not according to those who have suffered horrendous side effects >:(!
Medication can be Trial and Error which is SO tiring :-\
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Hi I'm new to the forum and so pleased I joined as I'm suffering from anxiety and panic attacks which are worse in the mornings but reading the messages is already helping as I feel no longer alone.
My last period was 14 months ago and as the hot flushes have ceased the anxiety and headaches have increased. I've tried hrt but didn't help. C b T helped a little.
How are people managing to work as I've had to take time off work due to the panic attacks?
Thanks
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:welcomemm: there are plenty of meds that can be prescribed to ease anxiety attacks. I have a beta-blocka at night plus an emergency drug 'in case'. I have found deep breathing as well as walking helpful.
Are you hydrated enough Carol? as headaches can occur when the body requires liquids.
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Mine isn't generalised anxiety so work is ok, mines more in social gatherings although this evening I've just managed 7pm-1.30am at my nieces with my daughter and been ok (my moments can happen even with family!)
Strange thing is before arriving at my nieces my daughter said she thinks she has mild anxiety and whilst the 3 of us were chatting mid evening my niece said she's struggling in large groups!
3 different people, 3 different types of anxiety
Annie x
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Thank goodness we can be open about this anxiety problem which is so prevalent with women and pretty clearly provoked by hormones. To go from being a coping, happy woman without the panic and anxiety to one who suffers is incredibly difficult and very unfair. Women are often unable to enjoy life and earn a living. Let's keep hoping that something more can be done to help us with this. Just having the forum at least lets others know that they aren't alone. Thank you for your input CLKD. I dont know how well the beta-blockers work for others, I asked for them but they aren't terribly effective for me, unfortunately, (40mg) but better than nothing. I do find that walking is one way to get the adrenaline down and in fact have felt impelled to walk the panic off so hope that my legs dont fail me in future!
Meg
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I agree re the walking. If I get out for a 20 minute walk at the start of the day it makes a real difference.
Re beta blockers. I was given the 80mg slow release propranolol for essential tremor which I take in the morning and as a welcome bonus it has dampened my anxiety levels.
Work wise I have found that prioritising and having a definite plan for each day where possible helps. Getting lots of sleep and not taking on too much outside work also help. I also pray a lot as my faith is central to my life.
Writing this has reminded me how important that walk is so I am away for one now!! 😀
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I take 20mg night/morning of BB. It was prescribed to dampen anxiety surges. Years ago ::)
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Hello ladies.
For the benefit of newer members I just wanted to quote my trusty menopause book, written by a doctor and stating how common these problems are.
' Women describe sensations such as trembling, fluttering, unease and discomfort. More severe feelings of anxiety and panic can arise with little provocation. Tasks that you used to be able to tackle can leave you in total disarray. Mood swings from elation to despondency are common.' She also mentions anxiety and low self-esteem, depressed mood, feelings of pessimism and of course tearfulness and palpitations!
I think it's worth remembering the above when anyone tries to tell you that the menopause does not cause emotional problems. Her preferred treatment for these symptoms is HRT.
Honestly ladies is it any wonder that we feel overwhelmed by it all and want to hide away sometimes. I recall my husband asking me once why I declined to go to an event that I usually enjoy and I had to tell him that yes, I wanted to go but I didn't want to be there feeling awful!
Wishing you all well ladies and here's to calmer times.
K.
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Please don't laugh at this but I have just discovered something that helps.
My husband downloaded a TV programme for me (BBC) called 'All aboard'. It's a two hour bus journey through the Yorkshire Dales.
Go on laugh if you want too. ;D
The point is that watching it really calmed me, to an extent I have never experienced before.
The download expires at the end of the month so I have just bought it from the BBC Store, along with a canal journey one.
I have no idea why it works but if it stops me taking a pill I'm chuffed.
Wish they'd make others. I can remember when I was a teen going through puberty me and my friend (she had depression but I just had anxiety) decided to hop on a London bus and go the whole way to the end to see where it ended. It was all round Central London - one of the best things I ever did. I loved it. Would love to see that on there.
When I was stressed out about moving 10 years ago, I used to pop on I think it was a food website as it had nature sounds as the background music, and I'd leave that on while everyone in the house was out. Made me feel so relaxed.
Just watching the Yorkshire Dales one now while hubby is out. I'm more into buses going through towns rather than the countryside though.
Something else that used to calm me down was when my Mum had a 4x4 - riding in that and being higher than everyone else, gave me a real sense of calm. Bit like sitting on the top section of the bus.
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Now there is no-way I would travel by coach, bus or train :-\ this morning I saw ladies waiting for a bus and immediately felt ill and anxious …….
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Hope I'm ok to do this
Here's a link to a,website I was given in my group skills for anxiety etc
Its mindfulness
Its free to download
Www.freemindfulness.org/download
I did the fist one earlier and felt totally relaxed hope it helps some of you xx
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Many thanks for this thread. And thanks to Walking The Dog for the link to the mindfulness.
I'm at least 3 years period free & since Xmas have lost two stone, wake up very early in a panic & sweaty & can't get back to sleep. I thrash about trying to get cool, comfortable & calm, but to no avail.
Doc poo poohed me when I suggested hormones as she said too long since last period - if it had been say 3 months she said it could be. Male doc said it could be hormones but wouldn't recommend HRT because of risk.
I've been prescribed 50mg Sertraline which I've just started taking very recently & am feeling panicky, strung out, sore throat & low energy - all side effects. Early days yet.
I've had to stop taking St John's Wort which I felt was helping me with depression & I seem to have slumped since then.
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Hi Menomale - I didn't really get hot flushes at all - only a few occasionally when I was peri-menopause. I haven't had a period for at least three years, so that's why she poo poohed me I think.
I was told to stop the St John's Wort as it will not be good to take it at the same time as the Sertraline.
So far the Sertraline isn't helping, infact I think it's not at all, but it's too early to say I suppose - not even a week.
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Mardy, don't expect much from the Sertraline for at least a month to be honest - you're not going to feel any better in a week that's for sure unfortunately. It takes a good few weeks for the chemicals to alter your brain chemisty. The side affects can be nasty but others don't experience them at all but if you have any problems, I would suggest you start with 25mg and work up to the 50mg as 50mg is a bit rough to start with. My GP said it was better to start low but that's just mine. I always take a lower dose at first as I'm a bit of a tablet phobe and usually get every side affect going. Good luck. x
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Menomale - Wake up very early & am very hot & sweaty in bed & throughout the day - my thermostat has gone wonky.My moods are all over the place.
Justjules - I think I should have had a lower dose to start with as I feel pretty awful - really panned out.
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Yes, but it's three years since I had a period at least. I wasn't really bothered with sweats/flushes until now............
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thanks
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I've been on Sertraline 50gsm for about 5 months and have found it to work very well after I got past the side effects - definitely made me very calm which was very welcome. You do need to give it time. The doc said that I needed to be on it for at least 6 months, though now I'm finding that it makes me very tired and felt that it was working contrary to my HRT, hot flushes started again and sometimes quite foggy headed. Initially I thought the hrt was not working as well, but on reading the leaflet saw that these were listed as side effects of Sertraline. I'm in the process of reducing the dose and am down to taking half a tablet for 5 days a week and have been feeling much more clear headed and flushes have lessened - though if I know I'm going to have a bad day I do go back up to a full tablet. It is worth sticking with it.
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That's interesting, Kew - do you mind me asking; did you have increased anxiety when you first started Setraline and if so, how long did it !ast? I saw my gp !ast night as my anxiety has been hideous, especially first thing in the morning & she advised me to take a course of diazapam short term as I had given up taking anti-depressants due to the initial increased anxiety and worsened insomnia. However, I am worried about becoming addicted to the diazapam. I used to take Escitilopram 5mg which worked well for me until peri kicked in & I developed sleep problems. For the last year of taking Escitilopram, I had to take sleeping pills as I could not sleep without them. Eventually, I became intolerant to the Escitilopram (got bumps, itchy skin & really sore, itchy eyes) so had to stop taking them. I have struggled ever since & don't feel I will get through the autumn & winter without something long-term as my mood always drops at this time of year (as it is doing now!). X
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Madbloss, I didn't have any increased anxiety, actually felt calm within a couple days but very nauseous for about a week. Each week got better. I did have trouble with sleeping and switched when I took my tablets from evening to morning. Now that I'm on a half daily dose I'm sleeping better though I get very tired early evening.
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Thank you, Kew - I wish I could find an AD that suits me as it wou!d be a huge help! I would feel calm within a short time of taking Escitilopram at 5mg but I still suffered insomnia. The reaction was the final nail in the coffin though and I haven't found anything else that works in the same way since (except diazapam - if only it wasn't addictive!). Thanks again x
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I am finding the St Johns Wort very helpful, plus I have started taking rhodiola rosea and am trying to practice mindfullness regularly. I definately cannot take Sertraline again as the rash - the purpura is not a good sign - means your blood is not clotting - dangerous & was without sleep for nearly a week.
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I had terrible side effects on both Sertraline and escitalopram when prescribed them for PND. That dreadful morning anxiety and agitation hit me like a ton of bricks.
The SSRI family of meds simply does not suit me when taken alone, even after persisting until well beyond the 'kicking-in' period.
I ended up being given Olanzapine at night to negate the side effects, I simply could not sleep on an SSRI without it.
You might find that with the diazepam the startup effects subside over time.
It's such a weird thing, for many the SSRIs make them tired. For me, and others, it sends anxiety off the charts. I'd much rather feel fatigued than climbing the walls!
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Madbloss,
Two suggestions for anxiety - Mirtazipine - you take it at bedtime and it helps sleep as well - and Pregabalin - used for nerve pain but also for anxiety (see the NHS guidelines for anxiety meds) - again this should not affect sleep at all. Look them up on the net then discuss with your doctor. There are alternatives to the normal SSRIs out there and these are two of them.
Bramble
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Hi Bramb!e, just seen your post - thanks for your suggestions. I did try Mirtapazine many years ago but felt very lethargic on it (perhaps my dosage was too high?). I will look into pregabalin - I absolutely hate this anxiety as it has been having a significant impact on my life & I have reached the point where I am desperate to find something that will get rid of it but will still enable me to function. Thanks again :) x
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Did you take it at night? The lower doses are better for sleep I think.
B.
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Hi Bramble, yes I did - this increased anxiety is worst in the mornings & seems to have worsened since I started hrt (I got anxiety surges in the mornings with the Evorel patch but Utrogestan finished me off). I have to say, though, that this has a!so coincided with the darker, autumnal mornings, some upsetting family news, being informed that our autistic son may move out within the next couple of years & starting training for a new job, pulling out then starting again! I just feel I want to hide away from the world under my duvet & not emerge until the spring. Does anyone else find their anxiety increases in the autumn & starts to lift in the spring? I have noticed this ever since I had my chi!dren & my old escitilopram AD's always got rid of it. X
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Often wondered if a Sad lamp would help. Never tried one though.
Bramble
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Hi Madbloss. I'm definitely one who suffers through from September to Spring. The family say it's all in my mind but even though I love Autumn and cosy dark nights, but my body doesn't! The dark mornings are dreadful for me and dragging my weary bones out of bed at 6:45am for work makes me want to cry!
I've often wondered about getting a SAD lamp and see if it makes any difference.
Sorry to hear how you are struggling so much at the moment..... :foryou: x
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Worth trying a day light bulb, but you would need one at your work place too if you were to get benefit from it.
Our body is naturally going into hibernation. It's part of the seasonal thing. I sleep a lot more in Winter than at Mid Summer when it hardly gets dark here at all.
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Anxiety has been a HUGE problem for me since my oopherectomy. I also visit the Hystersisters forum and anxiety is one of the major complaints over there in women who never suffered with it before their surgeries, so it has to be hormonal.
I notice a pattern with mine in that it happens when my estrogen levels are dropping - this is a huge challenge for me as I just can't seem to get a stable dose in my system, so we will be looking at an implant if I can finally get my level of estrogen up to a level where I feel reasonably good so that we can judge what strength of implant to go for.
At the moment, I have Diazepam at my disposal if I absolutely have to use it. It does help! I'm very stubborn though so I try to grit my teeth through the worst, to my psychiatrist's despair!
I also get very, very anxious if my blood sugar is low which is something that has been happening in conjunction with my low estrogen levels. I absolutely HAVE to get glucose in fast, or its disastrous! I actually sweat and get double vision too but I'm not diabetic as this has been thoroughly investigated. Hormonal imbalance certainly wreaks havoc with your body!
I'm also researching what role low Testosterone plays in anxiety and I'm sure this is part of the picture for sure. Again, until I raise my estrogen levels I cannot start the Testosterone. It's going to be a long road! :o
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tempest I swear low T has added to the problem of my anxiety
Anxiety only strikes when I'm around people, rarely at home but can happen if someone drops by
I've always had good oestrogen levels and didn't suffer anxiety all through my child beating years until peri struck
You of all people need these hormones replacing to optimal levels 😘 X
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Well despite being on high dose oestrogen and 100mg of Sertraline I STILL get nasty anxiety and low mood at certain points in my cycle I.e. when I ovulate and when my period starts.
So it's obviously due to hormonal fluctuations. I have felt great for the last 12 days (since having a wobble when I ovulated). Then yesterday afternoon started to feel anxious and tearful. Sent to the loo and surprise, surprise my period had started. So I now have several crappy days to endure until my own oestrogen starts to rise.Though why 4 pumps isn't enough, I just do not know???
Between times I feel fine.
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Menomale, I would dearly love to know what on Earth is going on with my body.
It does seem to me that my own oestrogen still plays a vital role, hence getting horrible jitters when ovulating, so presumably it's very high? And then feeling horrible as just as my period starts, so presumably very low?
But, if my own oestrogen is still so potent, I don't understand why my periods are so very light now, even with adding in 4 pumps every day.
I do use progesterone, but it doesn't make my period any heavier at all, and last month sent my anxiety stratospheric and gave me awful depression too.
Haven't taken any progesterone this month, and period still so light, have had lots of headaches, bloating and my mood dropped like a stone just an hour before my bleed started.
I have been referred to see if I could have a full hysterectomy on the NHS, but GP has already told me I won't get one.
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I have the same pattern as you GRL, but I'm not on any HRT. Second half of cycle is still not good but it's not as severe as over ovulation time and right at end of cycle. I have only about 6 hours in the month when I feel balanced! (just before oestrogen starts climbing around Day 6) My GP did say that HRT is not strong enough to lower perimenopause surges like the pill can - which helped me when I had extra high oestrogen surges I couldn't eat through.
Only having dizzy nausea now around ovulation and I just ignore the anxiety and lows and keep myself busy. I find it better working than doing social stuff as you want to feel good then but it feels more natural to feel rubbish when working.
One day we'll get to menopause and then the surges will be over so something to look forward to, even if it's years away. It can't surge forever!
Remember, life isn't about what happens to us, it's about how we deal with it.
Stay strong! x
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Thank you DM. Very wise words as always. I know the Pill is much stronger, but despite initially loving it for the first few weeks the accumulation of progesterone just brought me to my knees in the end.
I am just praying these surges get weaker, and finally stop all together at Menopause.
It's obvious that we fall apart at 'hormonal changes' and not necessarily a certain level of hormone. I never seem to have more than 10-12 good days, before getting a nasty bought of anxiety or low mood again.
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Good thread!
The only thing that helped my (lifelong) anxiety is antidepressants...low dose Paroxetine. But now I need to try a period without them do see if they're causing my drenching sweats :( I tried a different AD but that didn't suit me so after horrid reaction took another Paroxetine yesterday and will try and stabilise before withdrawing. I have resisted any form of HRT because of the likely anxiety that will result. I was on the pill years ago and my bp went through the roof. I know patches are supposed to be weaker but I don't think a good idea if one is susceptible to anxiety.
Tranquillisers also help anxiety but I'm very careful only to use them occasionally :)
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I suffer from terrible health anxiety since becoming menopausal a couple of years ago. I had a hysterectomy aged 40 [16 years ago] but kept ovaries so have no real idea when meno began. I remember having faint feelings about 10 years ago and then about 4 years ago the hot flushes started. I have tried HRT oestrogen only and still get the anxiety. I tried SSRI and HRT - anxious to start with and then a bit numb, very tired and bad digestive issues for the first time in my life. Now I have tried cutting my HRT in half [I am only on 1mg tablets] and after six weeks I have very aching hips and what feels like trapped wind in my rib cage and around my back. I am also now having trouble with extreme adrenalin surges in the early hours, followed by bad flushes in waves. So now am really tired!
I feel a different woman - I used to be a bit of a ball breaker, now I am mainly a wreck. I catastrophize every symptom until I become obsessive [embarrassingly so, I would hesitate even to admit some of my health obsessions]. Although I am blaming hormones, I have always been a worrier and a glass half full person. I also have very low self esteem, which I have covered up with outward show of extreme confidence.
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No - GPs aren't interested are they? Am going to go private!
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One thing I meant to say is that distraction and being busy always work for me. I sometimes have panic attacks on the way to big meetings where I have to present to loads of people. But my panic/anxiety goes the minute I get stuck in and stop thinking about it.
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Hi Menomale
I'm not completely averse to trying very low dose of HRT in non-oral form though very anxious about it and trying to explore all other ways if possible. My main side effects from Paroxetine have been weight gain :( But it's helped anxiety, no doubt about that, and means I could so things I wouldn't otherwise do. I think different ADs work for different people. Trouble is, now I'm hitting the menopause and getting awful sweats and so have to rule that out as a side effect of AD! I also have Fibromyalgia and CFS so massive fatigue issues too. It's also hard to disentangle what is menopause and what Fibro - most people describe it as a double whammy :'( So it's all a juggling and balancing act. Yes, years ago my bp was so high I had to go to a hypertensive clinic and I was the youngest there by about 30 years or more! So you can see why I'm wary of HRT in any form. The medication they gave me at the time for hbp was catastrophic! One lot made me wee all the time (and I wee for England as it is!) and the other made me faint in a public place which triggered off bad anxiety and panic attacks int he first place!
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Thanks Menomale. No, Fibro and CFS aren't linked to hbp as far as I'm aware but anxiety is linked to Fibro (along with a host of other things!). I think it's part of my biological makeup to be anxious because have had it as far back as I remember. As for whether the sweats are part of Fibro or perimenopause, that's the 64 million dollar question! ;D Probably a bit of both (or a lot of both should I say!). Many people with Fibro who aren't menopausal suffer with sweats too. I'm not sure if I'm experiencing oestrogen surges...probably not a lot.
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Bumping this thread, because I think it's brilliant! :) xxxxx
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Hello dear Tempest,
Thank you for bumping it! I've been away for some time... it seems my anxiety has been replaced by a hyperactive kitten ;D
Maybe this is one excellent therapy for anxiety!
Hope you're ok, hugs!
XXX
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Thanks for bumping Tempest. I've just read the whole thread and found it very interesting. Had my last period three years ago and since around that time have been a nervous wreck. Only just made the connection that it might be hormonal and after reading this forum am now pretty much convinced my anxiety is hormonal. Docs given me CBT, have tried changing diet, deep breathing etc, have also been on AD's for years.
A few months ago I had this random thought: I wonder if my anxiety is anything to do with the menopause?! Went to docs and they checked my oestrogen, progesterone and testo and all came back "normal". So I thought: Oh! :(
But the thought came back to me recently and I now know my hormones are probably normal for a 52 year old woman (very odd coming into a forum and giving my real age - I normally knock 10 years off ha).
So I'm reading up on it (thankyou MM forum) and am going armed to the docs next Monday. So much great stuff in this thread but the one thing that struck me was the simple "adrenaline rush" explanation. That is just what happens to me. All of a sudden I can be sat there watching TV or in a taxi and wham it hits. I usually have an anxious feeling in my tummy (does anyone ever get so anxious they need to poo a lot? TMI alert: mine is mousse like and can only think it's due to my stomach churning), I get numb arms and hands and sometimes I just get a wave of blackness sweep over me. Urgh.
Corny but it's nice to know I'm not alone. I've been trying to figure out why I've become like this - and it's taken me 3 years to possibly have found an answer.
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Hello Krista!
You had your last period 3 years ago and your docs didn't tell you your anxiety could be menopause related? "Normal" hormone levels are tricky, it's the fluctuation that counts and no single measurment is going to show it.
You're right about the adrenaline rush messing up with the whole digestive system, it's called our second brain (some think it's the first ;D)
I hope your docs will find this information useful and hopefully you can control the anxiety (among other menopause joys) with hormone replacement therapy. In October I'll be officially menopausal (fingers crossed) and then I'll decide if HRT is suitable for me.
XXX
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I have just worked out I have adrenal surges, worse in the week around my period. I take an SSRI and HRT and still suffer. Recently given pregablin, a drug of general anxiety disorder, and it is working wonderfully even at a very low dose. Much better than muddling through on diazepam which I had done previously.
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Hello aspie65,
That's encouraging news! I've never taken any medications for anxiety/depression, but eventually this could be necessary. I will check pregablin. Do you have any nasty side effects?
P.S. Do you have Asperger's? I'm an aspie66 ;)
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Hi Menomale,
I know!! Made the connection myself, and even if my anxiety isn't hormone related, it's really no excuse is it? They should have at least considered it. My anxiety is due to one of three things as these three things started three years ago. Getting my gel next Monday hopefully. Well, I'm not leaving the surgery without it put it that way. I might take my handcuffs!!
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;D Fingers crossed and let's hope you won't need the handcuffs ;D
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Menomale - yes I am a fellow aspie which makes this all so much more complicated doesn't it!? As for pregabalin I've had absolutely no side effects AND its significantly reduced my hot flushes AND has helped with my aches and pains loads. Big fan of this drug.