Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: renee on March 04, 2018, 06:30:02 PM
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Hi Ladies
As well as having an under active thyroid and going though a horrible menopause I also suffer from an anxiety disorder, which I had long before the menopause.
Im currently taking 75mcg thyroxine and 2.5mg Tibolone. Last week I was at my docs she changed my anxiety med from Nortriptyline to Mirtazapine due to having oral thrush since before Christmas....doc felt it could have been the Nortriptyline (thrush is away now).
Iv struggled getting an anxiety med to suit me over the years...Iv tried Sertraline, Citalopram and another SSRI (cant remember name), I dont sleep well at all on SSRI's. Then tried Trazadone and Venlaflaxine but they gave me terrible restless legs. Then Amitriptyline but it didnt help my anxiety. This is all over a course of giving them all a good 6 months to years. Now the Mirtazapine is causing restless legs again and low mood with a very drowsy feeling....not sure to phone doc tomorrow or stick with them as Im running low on options. ☹
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So sorry to hear you have tried so many drugs without success. If you cannot tolerate the mirtazapine talk to your doctor about pregabalin. It isn't an anti depressant but is safe for long term use. I was put on it last July and it has helped me enormously with my anxiety, much more so than my SSRI. It makes me genuinely feel relaxed and helps me sleep and it reduces my hot flushes.
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Thanks for your advice...Iv never heard of this one. I dont want to go months down the line putting up with the restless legs especially then to find I have to wean myself off! I need some relief now.
Thank you...Ill google this one and get some info. 😊
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Hi Renee,
I haven't any advice but can share my experience. I was prescribed mirtazapine 15 mg about 9 weeks ago. I was struggling with anxiety and feeling very very low despite being on an ad already. I was also trying 3 pumps of Estrogel and utrogestan.
The mirtazapine I think has helped although it's been up and down. I have needed a lot of support and other tools including exercise and mindfulness. I am now back at work and feeling more or less normal some days.
So I just wanted to say you are not alone. This journey at this time has been the hardest thing to deal with but the combination of mirtazapine and Estrogel I think have worked for me.
Good luck, I know how disheartening it is to try things and not be sure if they work. Amitriptyline (40 mg) helped me in the evenings but I woke up with quite severe anxiety. I am off it now.
Xxx
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Hi Mindfulmoomins,
So glad to hear youve finally settled on your regime and it works! 😁
Im also very hungry and eating alot on Mirtazapine....I know weight gain can be a side effect. Not sure what to do, Iv just managed to get my thyroid stabilised with thyroxine! Now this.
Ill have to have a think about it....see what tonight brings with the restless legs! ☹
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Try magnesium giid for restless legs and sleep and also ask your gp to check your b12 levels...medication can lower it and it caises restless legs amongst a host of other things...especially if u already have thyroid issues . It can also be autoimmune and the two often go hand in hand!! B12 is vastly undertreated and also causes anxiety etc. I was undiagnosed for 8 yrs and am b12 deficient tand on injections for life xxx
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Hi Tinkerbell
I had my B12 and iron levels checked a few weeks ago whilst having oral thrush.
I phoned my gp this morning but shes on holiday so spoke to the duty doc. He just said come off of it and start Citalopram with amitriptyline for sleep. Im going to have a proper think about all of this. Its like a rollercoaster ☹