Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Dollydream on December 16, 2019, 11:58:55 AM
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Hi ladies
I'm 55 and came off HRT in October after almost 4 years of trying to find the right one. Every HRT regime I've tried (continuous, sequential, mirena/oestrogel) causes me problems with bleeding and after 2 hysteroscopies in 2 years, I don't want to go down that road again. My main problems now are anxiety and sleeping. The sleeping seems to have improved recently, but my mood and anxiety are worse. I went to see the GP a couple of weeks ago and she suggested either a strong anti-histamine to help with sleep or the AD fluoxetine - I went for the anti histamine but I'm wondering about the fluoxetine. My mood is really low at the moment though and I'm very tearful. I'm waiting for counselling appointment for the anxiety, but this could be a while. I'm thinking about the anti depressant route. Can anyone advise?
Thanks
Dolly x
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Hello Dolly,
I've found fluoxetine to be very effective personally, but I did experience horrendous side effects to begin with (anxiety and panic through the roof). This seemed like forever but after a couple of weeks/a month I was getting some relief (not perfect, but so much better). However, if you try it and get these overwhelming symptoms, you could take something like lorazepam to help short term (your doctor/consultant won't prescribe you enough to get addicted, and even if you do need to take something for ‘emergencies' you will reach the stage where you don't).
Hope this helps a bit :)
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Hi Redlocks
Thanks for your reply. The GP did warn me of the initial side effects and that put me off especially with Christmas coming up, but I feel I could do with some help now. Maybe start them after Christmas and ride the storm through January when lots of people are down in the dumps :(
Dolly x
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I don't want to sound happy clappy, but I wonder if you have tried natural things too e.g. camomile tea, a warm Epsom salt bath, self massage, lavender spray, relaxation apps, breathing techniques etc x
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Happy clappy didn't work for me. I have had depression since 1988 and anxiety since the age of 3. Both have been affected during my menstruating years but were slightly different in latter years.
If you feel that an anti-depressant will help then go for it. Some side effects can be difficult to deal with so don't panic ! There are plenty on the market some of which ease hot flushes too.
I have a betablocka 2 ease anxiety surges as well as an anti-depressant - both conditions are different causes but can feed off each other. I have found 'rescue remedy' mouth spray useful too as well as eating every 3 hours. Anxiety surges can be caused when the body is hungry. So do try to eat little and often ;)
Also: have you tried deep breathing? When is the worst time for anxiety: mine is first thing. Or if we have to attend events that I am unable to avoid >:(. Deep breathing from toes to ears can help but takes practice ::). Stretch the toes, deep breath and hold; count to 5 and breath out slowly. Working up the whole body in the muscle groups, calves, thighs, belly ........ makes us focus on the breathing.
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Hello
I'm on fluoxetine and have been for most of this year. I've also taken it in the past. It makes me a bit woozy for the first week or so but I get on with it much better than any other AD I've tried.
The problem with anti-histamine sleep aids is that they stop working after a while, and they don't help with mood.
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Thanks ladies for your replies. :)
The GP said that fluoxetine is used in menopause for ladies unable to take HRT, so I am going to give it a go after Christmas.
Bobidy, I've been trying the happy clappy stuff to no avail I'm afraid. Sleep and anxiety have been an issue for a while but have worsened since I stopped HRT. I've got the calm app and sometimes it helps depending on how bad my anxiety is. Funnily enough, I tried listening to their sleep stories but have only fallen asleep to one which was Anne of Green Gables which also bored me senseless at school when we studied it ;D
CKLD - thanks for the advice. My anxiety also soars in the morning. I've been given beta blockers this year for an overactive thyroid issue which then resolved itself. I have taken one on occasion if my anxiety is bad.
Wilks - appreciate your advice on fluoxetine. Does it help you with sleep/hot flushes?
Dolly x
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I loved Anne of Green Gables, weren't you glad to have something to read ;D - or was the Pollyanna ;)
We have a thread about books here somewhere ::)
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Dolly- The fluoxetine definitely helps with my mood, sleep and energy levels. I'm taking HRT which sorts out hot flushes, joint pain, etc but I believe that fluoxetine and other SSRIs are effective for hot flushes if you're not taking HRT. x
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Hi
I stopped hrt in March as it gave me awful migraines and I felt terrible whilst taking it. I now take 10 mgs of citalopram which has helped me so much with anxiety. I also take a menopace tablet, and 1000mgs starflower oil capsule each day. Yes I get hot flushes but they are manageable and I do still suffer with other symptoms but again I try to manage them. I do find running 3-4 times a week really helpful and any other exercise I can fit in helps.
The only thing I do struggle with is the weight I have gained around my midriff🙄just cannot seem to shift this but I do love chocolate which is my downfall🙄
Good luck
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Dollydream, that sounds like a plan. You could always take something else short term just to help you over Christmas if there's anything that can give you some relief.
Fluoxetine is good - I believe the reasons I've had issues with it over the last month is because I adjusted my HRT and that's thrown everything out of balance! Wondering if I should've take HRT in the first place now if the fluoxetine was working :/
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That awful hormone cortisol and cause anxiety surges in the early hours >:(
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Thank you ladies for your replies. It has definitely made me feel more positive about the way forward and I've had a better day today.
Redlocks - hope you get everything sorted - it's so frustrating trying to get the right balance - I had a mare of a time when I was on HRT and now a mare of a time now I'm off of it. ::) So hoping the AD's will help.
Catlover - I really admire your commitment to running. I find exercise helps but I don't do enough of it I'm afraid. Seriously need to get myself moving but with work and the dark evenings I'm only managing 1 exercise class a week when I used to do 3.
Wilks - thanks so much for your positive words and experience, they have really helped x
CLKD - you're right about the cortisol, it's horrible. :(
Dolly x
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Well that was short lived. Started taking last Thursday and the awful nausea started the next day. By Saturday felt worse with diarrhoea and brain fog which wasn't helped by hardly any sleep. I know the GP said that you get worse before you get better but I wasn't expecting it to be that bad. Stopped taking it yesterday, still felt awful last night with nausea and the worst headache. Went to bed early and again didn't sleep very well. Today it feels like the brain fog has lifted but the nausea is still there. Guess they weren't for me and it's back to the anti histamines to help with sleep. Hats off to you ladies who got through this, I just couldn't tolerate it.
Dolly x
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I had the same problem with many ADs in the 1980s. I went through 5 different types B4 we found the one, which happened at that time to be the last on the market! I have emitophobia so nausea is a complete no-no!
Rest today. Keep hydrated. The nausea will pass ......... try to nibble ginger/dry biscuits or a banana in small amounts.
:hug:
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Thanks CKLD :)