Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: 4meSons on January 04, 2018, 11:50:12 AM
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I'm really struggling today ladies with my mental health. I don't know what to do with myself I feel so agitated. I can feel it in my chest and in my stomach and my thoughts are running wild again. It's like I have relapsed back to 2015. I've managed to get an emergency appointment for this afternoon but i really don't know what the GP can do. I'm already on antidepressants and they won't give me diazepam, I just want to sleep and wake up better but I can't. I know all about mindfulness and relaxation but when I'm this bad I can't do it. I can't leave the house I only feel safe lying on bed and even then I can feel the adrenaline surges.
Don't know if this makes sense but I just need to get it out there and out of my head
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Hope your GP can help. xx
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I hope this gets to you in time. If I remember correctly you are taking 200mg Utrogestan. That dose would cripple me to the extent I would not be able to function so perhaps it is too much for you. You could halve that dose by using 100mg vaginally and/or you probably need to look at the 100mg vaginal Utrogestan regime for 7 days.
You probably also need to increase your dose of oestrogen.
If you are feeling suicidal then something needs to radically change.
I hope that helps and please let us know how you get on.
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Why won't 'they' give you a Valium-type medication? Is that your perception or have you been told? Maybe a different GP will see your needs differently. I found over the years that taking 5mg prior to an event really worked, so well that I never thought "I might need another". I knew that I could take 10mg x 3 without problems, if necessary.
My GP has given me an emergency medication which begins with an 'L' ....... which is similar. Again, taken when anxiety floors me it works within 24-40 mins., either knocking me out completely so that my body gets a rest or easing the anxiety.
Do let us know how you get on! Do contact your local MIND Charity walk-in centre, I found them really supportive when my friend ended his Life 2 years ago. They gave me the times they were open, kept in touch via e-mail and got me through a difficult few weeks when I had very black thoughts.
:bighug:
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I found half a diazepam I kept for emergencies so the initial panic has eased thank God
Thanks for replying and your right Mary G something has to change but unsure what
I wonder if maybe I'm not far enough into peri and the hrt is fueling the fire as I seem worse since starting it 2 months ago. I was plodding along sort of ok still anxious but was functioning, I would swap the anxiety for the sweating in an instant .
CLKD the doctor has told me before she won't give me any more diazepam. I don't know why, it's not like I abuse it I still had a few off 2 years ago but have none now. He will have to give me something or I will be contacting the crisis team or knocking on there door for help or admittance.
I will tell him the only way I could make the appointment was I took a tablet or it would be a home visit
It makes me so angry that this day and age people have to suffer with these symptoms. I know benzodiazepines are addictive and are hard to withdraw from I'm not stupid I have a nursing background so surely it should be my choice. It's alright for the doctor to sit there sometimes playing God but he goes home after his shift to his normal life while I'm suffering and don't feel safe
Sorry about the rant but I am just so annoyed and angered by it all
I wish I could afford to email Dr Currie to ask her advice but with not working that is beyond my reach living on benefits
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My heart goes out to you. You summed it up brilliantly about wishing there was a 'button' to get rid of the gloom in your head. Believe me really are not alone in this. I have felt very low since Christmas day with underlying negative anxious feeling. For me the endless grey and wet weather is a real factor I think. I have used valium twice in the last 9 months to get me through very low periods when I feel I can't function but have to. Try to get across to the GP just how down you feel. (I said to one at the start ' I am worried you are not going to take me seriously' and that seemed to get their attention). If you can force yourself out for a walk; just 20 minutes, head down, don't think, concentrate of your breathing. Watch an old movie. Fight it. Get angry with it. You have a world of support on this site.
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Roseneath I may refuse to leave till he gives me immediate help. I can't even go visit my mother who is in a care home and deteriorating which is a major worry . I keep expecting a phone call to say the worst then I will feel guilty because I didn't get to see her
Maybe I should write it all down and show doctor as I think I may be crying too much
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That is a fantastic idea. Write a list and put the last point ' Do I feel I now have a plan that will help me' and underline it. Go through all the points before they have a chance to wade in. Make a follow up appointment at the desk before you see the GP. It will make you feel like you have a short term plan. Let us know how you get on.
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Definitely write it down for gp you'll find it's a relief to get it out and it empowers you as your clearer in your own head.good luck and lots of hugs and support you can beat it dont lie down to it think positive keep yourself occupied with any old rubbish so it breaks that negative train of thought.i so wish you well.xx
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I hope you manage the tell gp everything you've written here. I do understand about diazepam but sometimes needs must and it sounds like you could do with another short burst of them
My daughter developed panic disorder and agoraphobia last year and she was refused another prescription of them too. Now she manages on sertraline and beta blockers
My really hope your appt with a successful x
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Hello,
I just wanted to let you know I felt this way on utrogestan and also dydrogesterone. Although they seem to suit a lot of women better than other progestogens I was seriously unwell on them. I don't do very well with any progestogen but strangely the more synthetic ones don't leave me overwhelmed with suicidal feelings.
I use Valium but only when I feel in crisis like you have described. It really helps me get through those terrible times safely until I can begin to function again. I wonder if your gp would refer you to your local mental health team who would probably be more open to prescribing them for you.
Try to explain to your gp exactly how unsafe you have been feeling and remember this is caused by hormone and chemical imbalances in your body you need and deserve help. Be kind to yourself eat something nice, snuggle up and watch something you enjoy on tv and remember, however hard it is to believe, it will pass.
Warm hugs
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I think we need a dedicated thread on here for crap doctors, hopefully some of them will read it. I know you are in no mood for jokes but this sums it up well.
'What's the difference between God and a doctor? God doesn't think he's a doctor'.
Seriously though, it's time to kick some ass and you need to push hard for the valium to get you through this difficult spell. Tell this individual that you will come to the surgery and will not leave until you get a prescription.
Please don't give up.
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You ladies are fantastic I wish I could take you all with me to appointment so I don't get fobbed off.
The thing is I don't know if I need a mental health referral or a meno specialist referral or maybe I need both ?
I'm aware this is an emergency appointment with a doctor I don't know but if he can help tide me over till I see my gp at end of month that would ease me greatly.
I have a feeling he will poo poo the hormonal imbalance and go down the mh route. I don't know what to do about the hrt should I stop and see how I go with a view to restarting it in the future or carry on ? I'm so indecisive and just want to feel better
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There is a big notice in our surgery's waiting room that no doctor will prescribe diazepam, lorazepam etc. so it seems like a country wide crackdown.
Bramble
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You may find that if you can get a referral to a meno specialist and settled on an hrt that is suited to you the mental health issues will ease up but if the gp is unwilling to give the Valium prescription to get you through this awful patch then you could stress how you've felt suicidal and ask to be referred to the mental health team. That might just spur him on to give you a few days worth of tablets which you can take as and when you need them. You can see both. I have. I get a weeks worth of Valium at a time which I take very occasionally so lasts ages.
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4meSons do you have someone who can go to the doctor with you? My husband has been my greatest ally when I've been unable to cope with an appointment by myself. But without him I would have asked someone else. Do you have a partner, relative or friend? I used to write down everything I felt and the 2 of us would sit in the surgery. Sometimes he would have to speak for me or cut in if I was getting confused.
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Always try the hormone route first and then add ADs later if and when needed.
It's very likely that your problem is hormonal and you need to get your HRT dose right but need a little help with some valium to get you through this rough patch. I think more oestrogen and less Utrogestan is worth trying.
If you feel suicidal it must be taken seriously.
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I fear if I say I feel suicidal he may not give me anything in case I overdose it's trying to get him to see the diazepam stops them feelings. I will ask for both referrals and if I don't get any joy with anything I will just have to keep going back like what happened 3 years ago. It's bad enough struggling with feelings like this without all the other worries of not being taken seriously
I feel physically sick now as my appointment gets nearer
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If it is a country wide crackdown on diazepam prescriptions then the mental health team can still help by either giving you the medication themselves or liaising with your own doctor to tell him to give you a prescription.
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I'm unable to go without my husband. They would only give you a few days worth which you wouldn't be able to overdose on because it wouldn't be enough but would tide you over till you can get your hrt safely on track.
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It can be difficult describing just how bad things are sometimes but the doctor needs to know. There have been times I have felt completely unable to say out loud exactly how I have been feeling and have resorted to taking it written on a piece of paper and just handing it over.
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I am quite sure that if our Surgery put such a notice in the Waiting Room I would be taking it down! HOW DARE THEY :bang: :bang: :bang:
GPs have no right to withhold treatment if a patient appears at appt. ill. How did you get on? Were you able to put your feelings across? A&E Detp. are over-whelmed at this time of year so GPs need to listen carefully when people are in crisis!
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He was ok which was a surprise
He never read notes but could tell how bad things were and sympathetic.
He has given me propanolol and 4 x 2mg diazepam. He said to stay on hrt until I see my own doctor and she can do a referral but he did say it was hard to get a psychiatrist to see anyone. He said there was room for manoeuvre with my ADs but he didn't want to change too many things at once which makes sense. So I now have a plan
Start propanolol
Stick with HRT - evorel 50 + utro
Take a diazepam if needed
Phone crisis team if in crisis
Until I see my doctor then ask for referrals
I would like to thank everyone one of you who responded to my cry for help today you don't know how much it has helped me
Bless you all :ange:
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That sounds like a sensible plan. I'm so relieved to hear things went well. I've been thinking about you all day
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Yes me too well done good result and good plan xx
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Well done you. You have a plan. I have found propanolol very helpful for my anxiety, have been on it for 6 months now. Thanks for posting back, has given me courage to make yet another GP appointment for nxt week with someone different to try and improve my situation too.
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I'm glad you came away with something x
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Thank goodness for that, it must have been very worrying for you. At least you have a plan now. Good luck and keep us updated.
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I'm so glad you sorted this crisis and have a plan. It's also important that we look after ourselves when we're feeling well and don't wait until things reach crisis point. It's tempting to ignore little niggles until they get out of control. I think I can sometimes be hyper vigilant but I've kept mentally well for the past 3 years which is a record :)
:foryou:
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Us girls need to stick together
Took a propanolol when I got back and it has stopped the horrible palpitations my heart is no longer thumping in my ears and throat. I will take another one before bed and hopefully will have a better night.
The doctor thinks the menopause is making my anxiety worse but not causing it I forgot to say, but he did agree it can cause a lot of problems for some.I'm not bothered what's causing it I just want shot of it.
Tonight I plan a nice hot shower watch some tele and try reading before bed x
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Good plan. I also have a banana or jam sarnie & glass of milk about 1 hours before bed as when I do I find I don't wake up as often and I think my mood is better if I do. You sound a lot more positive about things. Hats off for your positive attitude, you have inspired me - I am going to watch National Lampoons holiday with the kids - hubby says the language is too bad for them but he is in bed with man flu!
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I do like a plan it helps settle me
I've never seen that film but I do love the national lampoon Christmas vacation i always have a good laugh at that.
I can't believe how my heart rate has decreased it's gone from 112 at the doctors to 68 thats nearly half ! And my blood pressure is practically perfect what a difference from this morning x
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You know what, I would if possible stick with this GP ;)
How much Propranolol? Initially I was given 80mg 2 a day, then it was dropped to 40mg at night. For years. Really did help. In recent years I've cut it to 20mg at night as I was getting headaches ...........
I would ring the crisis team in the meantime and see how busy they might be, so that you know how soon you need to speak with someone? Also, do contact your local MIND walk-in centre.
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Hi CLKD he said I could take 3 a day and they are 40mg. I don't know if to do that or just take when I need to?
Had a completely different day today after yesterday's meltdown. Anxiety still lurking but I even managed to leave the house. It's so nice to have a day off from it but I know from past experience it will rear it's ugly head again soon x
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Little steps. I try not to plan too far ahead. I also try to do things spontaneously which lessons anxiety although there are events that I have to attend.
I took the BB regularly. At night. To try to prevent that early morning surge which triggers my anxiety.