Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: linz57 on September 03, 2017, 08:56:46 AM
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I'm currently experiencing awful anxiety since coming off my hrt 10 weeks ago. Zopiclone isn't helping with my insomnia much, so I'm getting about two hours sleep a night and consequently feeling horrendous.
I'm 59 years old and about 7 years post meno, but the sudden drop in hormones is making me feel like I'm going through menopause all over again. Oh joy😫
Will my body eventually sort itself out and the anxiety lessen or is this something that may well stay with me as my estrogen levels will never improve on their own.?
I doubt my doctor will put me back on hrt as the reason I was suddenly taken off it was due to three tiny fibroids being found during a tvs.
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Anxiety coupled with lack of sleep is so upsetting and debilitating. I don't understand why your doc has taken you off HRT due to small fibroids unless you were experiencing particularly heavy bleeding? I was on HRT and also had two small fibroids. I was told that they might grow with HRT and I may then have to have them ablated. I've since had a hysterectomy for prolapse but the fibroids were still small and caused me no problems.
I would say that as you are feeling so dreadful go back to your GP and ask for HRT to be reinstated. Maybe a lowdose would be better than nothing?
Taz x
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Sorry to hear you are struggling again Linz.
I'm back on the anxiety roller coaster too!
As for your GP not giving you HRT because of fibroids I don't quite understand? I know oestrogen can feed fibroids, I have several fibroids, one measures 7cm. My GP says it's my choice at the end of the day as long as I understand the risks of HRT.
I hope you get sorted soon.
Shellb
xXx
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So sorry to hear this I'm also in the no sleep zone for over 4 years and that's why I'm giving hrt a try. I'm perimenopause and femoston sent my anxiety and drpression through the roof but have you tried 2 zopiclone at night I only get enough to have a sleep every 5 nights and if I take it at midnight I can usually get to sleep by 2am much better than my usual 4 or 5am. It's just one tablet is no good and it doesn't help you sleep if you go to bed early. It's my only saviour for sleep I hope the 2 tablets late at night help. I've found the sleep deprivation and anxiety us the worst part everything else I can live with
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Thanks for the comments ladies, much appreciated.
I didn't realise you could stay on hrt with fibroids, that's interesting. I like the idea of maybe having a low dose hrt as a sort of maintenance regime. Some of us just don't cope well without estrogen therapy so I don't see why we should suffer like this. I have a doctors appt scheduled for Tuesday morning anyway but after this morning, I wish I was going today. I've had a mini meltdown as it's all too much, as you say Taz2, the two conditions together are so debilitating. I feel like a ball of walking anxiety and there's no respite. It's set off my restless legs too so I can't even get five minutes peace through the night, I'll be a basket case in no time at this rate. I shall go along, try and get it all off my chest without ending up in a blubbering heap and hopefully get this sorted.
Two Zopiclone Peroxideblader? Ah, I'll try that tonight then as one just doesn't do anything. I was thinking back to a gynae procedure I had under general anaesthetic a year ago and the anaesthetist had trouble getting me to sleep initially. He said " we have a resistor here". Also, in the past I have needed huge amounts of diazepam to calm me down. I probably need horse tranquilliser!🙄I really could do with something during the day, but the doc said the Zopiclone alone would be enough to keep me calm all day. How wrong was he? Do you take anything through the daytime? I'm hoping to struggle through until Tuesday on Kalms, even thought the doc said no.
Is the hrt helping your anxiety Shellb? I do hope so
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I've found this Linz if you need something to show your GP. You need to scroll down to the end https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/fibroids-myomata/
Taz x
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Thank you Taz2, that's very interesting and I will take it to show my doctor.
My fibroids were classed as tiny and weren't there a year previously so the hrt may have had some effect on them. I also had a little pain which has gone since leaving off the hrt so although they were tiny, the position of them must have been the problem. However, I would rather have a little discomfort than all this upheaval and I could always get them treated at some stage .
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Referral to a Gynaecologist.?
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Yes, I think that will be on the cards too. I was hoping I'd seen the last of those appointments awhile but hey ho, onwards and upwards eh?
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Hi Linz,
General the HRT does help with the anxiety, I also take 30mg of Citalopram. However I still get hormonal fluctuations, hence the anxiety I'm feeling at the moment. I always feel like I'm slipping back down and heading for a breakdown when when this happens but I just have to keep fighting against it. It usually settles again after a while.
xXx
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Have a :bighug: ........ it's the Trial and Error that is so tiring!
Maybe ask what the GP is basing the requirement for stopping the HRT on? Is there a real evidence that HRT might 'feed' the small fibroids?
Make sure that the GP is aware of how ill the anxiety is making you feel. Maybe a short course of Valium or suitable medication on an 'as necessary' basis might ease how you are feeling.
0h Shellb! 'set backs' can be worse than the original symptoms >:( - for me it's "Oh! No! Not again :'( " even if I know that the feelings will go. 4 me it is so physical.
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Thank you, yep, just got to keep on keeping on and finding what works. I just thought that I'd be finished with all this cr*p by now ......mind you, I suppose going cold turkey didn't help. Maybe next time I should reduce gradually.
I feel for you Shellb, it's so disheartening when you think you've cracked it ,only to find it all comes piling down on you all over again. I hope you're soon on the level again .
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Hi there I'm also on an AD have been for years it keeps the anxiety and depression on a more even keel and I know what you mean about being a sleep resistor I'm the same.in these last 4 years I've tried everything recommended to sleep and NOTHING works the only thing is zopiclone but even that helps me to sleep earlier but 2am isn't exactly a good night sleep. I get very low on the lack of sleep and the loneliness I feel from 11pm when the house sleeps til 4am when I do i felt the bleakest ever no wonder they say the darkness before the dawn. I'd much rather go to sleep earlier and awake at 4am at least dawn and morning is a beautiful part of the day. Good luck hope zopiclone works as sleep deprivation and anxiety are the worst thing ever
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:thankyou: to everyone for helping me feel a little less frightened and alone in this today.
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It helps to talk ;-)
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It helps to talk ;-)
It certainly does, even cybertalk. I dread to think how we would all be without this forum. I know I would have been at the GP far more often over the last 8 years or so :hug:
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Thought I'd do a quick update. I've been to see my doctor this morning and explained how bad I'm feeling . She initially suggested Amitriptyline but I've heard that's a no no when restless legs are involved. So, I'm back on a three month trial of my old conti patch, just to get my levels up again and then we'll take it from there.
I'm so glad I have a caring gp who listens and doesn't discount anything. She said it was my decision and I could go back on the patch even though I'm almost 60, she agrees it's about quality of life.
If my fibroids start to play up again down the line then we'll deal with those, but for now I'm just happy I've got my hrt back. I couldn't cope with the overwhelming anxiety and insomnia any longer .
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Thanks for the update. Glad that you have a good gp and you got what you wanted. Here's hoping you pick up soon .☺
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Thank you dazned, fingers crossed, but if I still need extra help I know she will be there.
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Oh well done you! :medal: and also to your GP! If we feel supported it really does help. Maybe keep a chart so that you can make notes as to how you are?
:bighug:
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Yes, good idea CLKD! I must admit the prog part is kicking in already this evening, I feel tired and relaxed. Bliss.....
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Thanks for the update linz57 - and glad you are feeling better already.... :)
I had one small fibroid also found on hysteroscopy but when it was looked at 18 months later it had shrunk despite being on long cycle HRT! The fact that you are on conti patches means that you are getting progestogen continuously so that should help stop them growing I would have thought?
Hopefully she might agree to refer you for a scan say after a year - to make absolutely sure?
You may get some spotting etc initially as you've been off it for a few weeks, maybe?
Hurdity x
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That's encouraging to hear about your fibroid Hurdity, the other day I read that the first two years on hrt can cause fibroids to grow, but after that they can shrink. Not sure how true that is though, but anyway, I've decided to get myself stable again and deal with the fibroid problem if and when it arises. No point worrying about something that might not happen.
I've been off the hrt for around 10 weeks and was feeling fine ( was back on just Vagifem)until about four weeks ago when the hormonal plunge kicked in big time. I'm prepared for some spotting and for it to take a while to get me back on level ground. The nervous stomach and restlessness through the night are symptoms I've not experienced before so I'm hoping and praying they fade as the patch does its work. The next time I try to come off the hrt I will do it gradually and probably take an anti anxiety med at the same time to maybe avoid these awful symptoms.
I've had another major wobble today but I know things won't change overnight..... unfortunately.
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Why if HRT suits, do you feel it necessary to stop using it? If you are hungry, do you not eat ........
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I'd rather stay on it to be honest, but I suppose it all depends on whether the medical profession will continue to prescribe it for me long term. The doctor I'm with now is all for women making their own choices and staying on for as long as it's needed, but I know others don't share her view.
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Stick with your GP. It isn't necessary to stop what is suiting you, after all, Quality of Life is important ;)
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Oh indeed, as I said to her, I have no intention of vegetating in a chair if I can help it . I just hope she doesn't retire or leave any time soon :-\