Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Lavender Girl on October 05, 2024, 08:45:53 AM
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Hi everyone,
I'm new here so please forgive if this topic has been done to death but I'm struggling a bit with anxiety.
I'm going through some emotional post relationship turmoil right now but know my response to it is more heightened because of the stage of life I'm in.
I'm 47, have had perimenopausal symptoms for a couple of years probably, tinnitus is worse, sleep issues, and anxiety.
I've been on HRT for just over a week, 2 pumps of gel and one tablet of utrogestan at night for days 1-25 of my cycle.
I reduced to one pump because my anxiety has been out of control, though I think that was probably too hasty. I did that because I read that it can make anxiety worse sometimes.
I'm on the waiting list for the mirena coil too at the moment.
Mine is obviously linked to my current situation, but at the same time I know it's my hormones too.
Does anyone have any advice on dealing with it, when it might settle etc?
The only way I can describe the feeling is similar to grief, that lump in the throat, pain in the chest and stomach sickie feeling. Worry about future situations. This week is was cripping and nothing I did stopped it. It was quite scary, and it's there every morning and stays with me in varying degrees all day.. it's hard to be alone right now.
I'm also having therapy now to see if that helps, but it feels so physical at the moment, I can almost rationalise what's in my head, but then that doesn't match with my symptoms so that's also why I feel like it's very much to do with what's going on in my body.
I exercise enough, lots of weights etc, but I'm not finding joy in anything. I'm verging on tears most of the time, never used ot be this way, there's a lot I probably need to unpick and deal with but any thoughts on HRT/Hormones and anxiety and any advice I'd be so grateful.
Thanks a million
x
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Hi Lavender girl,
I hear you. Hormonal anxiety is different. I've been on HRT for 4 years and still haven't managed to fully control it. I've increased and decreased the dose but no luck yet. I'm a therapist too, so I should be all over this! My plan is to chat to my GP about SSRi's, antidepressant meds, because lots of peri women have found them to be the solution, alongside HRT. What has put me off SSRi's so far is that some of my clients find it causes insomnia to begin with, and god knows I can't have less sleep than I currently get!
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Hi Lavender Girl
Yes the anxiety is truly awful and takes over your life. I am over a year post menopausal and anxiety for me was the worst symptom I had. I started on the patch Evorel 50 (equal to your 2 pumps of gel) and after about 8 weeks on that I began to feel worse and worked out from the lovely ladies on here that it was too much oestrogen for me. I have since then been trying to tweak the amount (less than 25 patch) to find a dose that helps but wherever I end up with it it will be a very low dose and certainly not enough to fix the anxiety so I have started citalopram which has been a game changer for me. I am however quite envious of women who can fix it with HRT and you may well be able to do that once you work out the correct dose that suits your body but my sensitivity makes that impossible for me. I tried NLP, hypnosis, various apps like Dare etc but these things only took the edge off I was still functioning just below panic attack level. It's all trial and error but rest assured you will find a solution it just takes time to work out the right path. Best Wishes x
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Hi Lavender Girl
I found that when I started the gel and utrogestan my anxiety was initially quite a bit worse as my body/mind was adjusting to all the hormones. In addition to HRT, magnesium glycinate and D3 seem to help and might be worth a try. I was advised by my GP when I started HRT to give it 3 months to see if it helps so it's probably a little early to know if it's effective yet. Maybe keep a diary of how you're feeling physically/mentally for a bit so you can see if things are improving. In perimenopause the hormone fluctuations can feel pretty overwhelming at times. The most important thing is to know you're not on your own and there are options to make this time in life more bearable...e.g. tweaking HRT, brain supplements and a supportive community like this one.
-
Hi,
Like the other ladies here i have suffered and still suffer with the anxiety levels during peri, it is truly the hardest thing to over come...however is has become bearable...I have been on hrt for over a year and the coil..I found that less eastrogen is better for me so I'm on 1.5 pumps of gel at mo...I am also on citalopram and that has helped alot!...
I also take suppliments . Magnesium and probiotics...
It truly does get better and know that you definitely are not alone in this. :)
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Hi everyone,
I'm new here so please forgive if this topic has been done to death but I'm struggling a bit with anxiety.
I'm going through some emotional post relationship turmoil right now but know my response to it is more heightened because of the stage of life I'm in.
I'm 47, have had perimenopausal symptoms for a couple of years probably, tinnitus is worse, sleep issues, and anxiety.
I've been on HRT for just over a week, 2 pumps of gel and one tablet of utrogestan at night for days 1-25 of my cycle.
I reduced to one pump because my anxiety has been out of control, though I think that was probably too hasty. I did that because I read that it can make anxiety worse sometimes.
I'm on the waiting list for the mirena coil too at the moment.
Mine is obviously linked to my current situation, but at the same time I know it's my hormones too.
Does anyone have any advice on dealing with it, when it might settle etc?
The only way I can describe the feeling is similar to grief, that lump in the throat, pain in the chest and stomach sickie feeling. Worry about future situations. This week is was cripping and nothing I did stopped it. It was quite scary, and it's there every morning and stays with me in varying degrees all day.. it's hard to be alone right now.
I'm also having therapy now to see if that helps, but it feels so physical at the moment, I can almost rationalise what's in my head, but then that doesn't match with my symptoms so that's also why I feel like it's very much to do with what's going on in my body.
I exercise enough, lots of weights etc, but I'm not finding joy in anything. I'm verging on tears most of the time, never used ot be this way, there's a lot I probably need to unpick and deal with but any thoughts on HRT/Hormones and anxiety and any advice I'd be so grateful.
Thanks a million
x
Hello & Welcome :welcomemm: after a very stressful to me, kind of grief situation I found myself in, when I felt my anxiety was through the roof, I started each day having 3 sprays of Rescue Remedy Spray on my tongue which I have found has helped me massively with my anxiety and has calmed me right down. I was recommended this by the lovely ladies in Boots and Holland & Barrett who had both used it before. I don't know how it works but it does for me - thankfully! I have 3 sprays before work each day and also at other random times when I feel I need it. When the ladies recommended this to me I was a little sceptical but I gave it a try and so glad that I did xx
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:welcomemm:
I have used Rescue Remedy mouth spray with success. Let us know how you get on?
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Hi Aubrey,
Oh blimey no, same here, that's something I definitely don't need, as sleep has been an issue on and off for the last 4 years really.
Hope you find a solution though! maybe they won't cause that in you maybe
x
Hi Lavender girl,
I hear you. Hormonal anxiety is different. I've been on HRT for 4 years and still haven't managed to fully control it. I've increased and decreased the dose but no luck yet. I'm a therapist too, so I should be all over this! My plan is to chat to my GP about SSRi's, antidepressant meds, because lots of peri women have found them to be the solution, alongside HRT. What has put me off SSRi's so far is that some of my clients find it causes insomnia to begin with, and god knows I can't have less sleep than I currently get!
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Hi Millie,
Well that's what I was wondering as GP first said she'd start me on one pump, but then the prescription said two pumps.. so I'm not sure, but maybe it's too early to tell at the moment.
Thank you so much, glad something is working for you x
Hi Lavender Girl
Yes the anxiety is truly awful and takes over your life. I am over a year post menopausal and anxiety for me was the worst symptom I had. I started on the patch Evorel 50 (equal to your 2 pumps of gel) and after about 8 weeks on that I began to feel worse and worked out from the lovely ladies on here that it was too much oestrogen for me. I have since then been trying to tweak the amount (less than 25 patch) to find a dose that helps but wherever I end up with it it will be a very low dose and certainly not enough to fix the anxiety so I have started citalopram which has been a game changer for me. I am however quite envious of women who can fix it with HRT and you may well be able to do that once you work out the correct dose that suits your body but my sensitivity makes that impossible for me. I tried NLP, hypnosis, various apps like Dare etc but these things only took the edge off I was still functioning just below panic attack level. It's all trial and error but rest assured you will find a solution it just takes time to work out the right path. Best Wishes x
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Hiya,
I take Magnesium L Theronate as I'm also a migraine sufferer, and as they're falling around my periods lately HRT was actually recommended by my neurologist, but I have peri symptoms too, so was hoping it would fix a number of things.
Yep I also take D3 so all good there.
You're right, I can't expect a quick fix, and it will take time I guess to balance out?
She said she'd review it in 3 months.
That's a good shout regarding a diary, thank you.
That's really kind, thanks for the support I really appreciate it. :)
Hi Lavender Girl
I found that when I started the gel and utrogestan my anxiety was initially quite a bit worse as my body/mind was adjusting to all the hormones. In addition to HRT, magnesium glycinate and D3 seem to help and might be worth a try. I was advised by my GP when I started HRT to give it 3 months to see if it helps so it's probably a little early to know if it's effective yet. Maybe keep a diary of how you're feeling physically/mentally for a bit so you can see if things are improving. In perimenopause the hormone fluctuations can feel pretty overwhelming at times. The most important thing is to know you're not on your own and there are options to make this time in life more bearable...e.g. tweaking HRT, brain supplements and a supportive community like this one.
-
Thanks so much Maria, it really is.. everything else I can handle, but this very physical anxiety feeling is something that's making my life very miserable right now.
How do you find the coil? any side effects?
I'm keen to get mine save messing about with days 1-25 with utrogestan!
Hi,
Like the other ladies here i have suffered and still suffer with the anxiety levels during peri, it is truly the hardest thing to over come...however is has become bearable...I have been on hrt for over a year and the coil..I found that less eastrogen is better for me so I'm on 1.5 pumps of gel at mo...I am also on citalopram and that has helped alot!...
I also take suppliments . Magnesium and probiotics...
It truly does get better and know that you definitely are not alone in this. :)
-
Thanks so much for the tip, I have just ordered some, I'll try anything really. The usual methods just aren't helping at all.
I will give it a go.
:)
Hello & Welcome :welcomemm: after a very stressful to me, kind of grief situation I found myself in, when I felt my anxiety was through the roof, I started each day having 3 sprays of Rescue Remedy Spray on my tongue which I have found has helped me massively with my anxiety and has calmed me right down. I was recommended this by the lovely ladies in Boots and Holland & Barrett who had both used it before. I don't know how it works but it does for me - thankfully! I have 3 sprays before work each day and also at other random times when I feel I need it. When the ladies recommended this to me I was a little sceptical but I gave it a try and so glad that I did xx
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Ordered some! I definitely will, thanks!
:welcomemm:
I have used Rescue Remedy mouth spray with success. Let us know how you get on?
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Hey,
I have found the coil very beneficial...it is uncomfortable when having it put in but I also started to take vagifeme which on the coil check up I didn't feel a thing it was a god send.. I've had no periods and this way you cant play about with eastrogen to try and fine your balance... the only down side for me is I don't know where I am period wise anymore.x :)
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Thanks Maria I like the idea of it and just forgetting about it for a while!
Utrogestan seems to be ok so far, but only had for just over a week.. does seem to make me sleep heavy which I think is good.. but having to time it etc is a bit annoying. Will save me prescription money too!
Yes I've been told by people to ensure I take painkillers before I get it put in.
oh right, yeah that must be strange! but also good?! :)
Hey,
I have found the coil very beneficial...it is uncomfortable when having it put in but I also started to take vagifeme which on the coil check up I didn't feel a thing it was a god send.. I've had no periods and this way you cant play about with eastrogen to try and fine your balance... the only down side for me is I don't know where I am period wise anymore.x :)
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Hello Lavender Girl and welcome to the forum.
I completely sympathise with the physical anxiety sensation! I have experienced many and varied menopause symptoms over the years but the anxiety one is the hardest to deal with.
I tried Rescue Remedy back in the day and can't recall why I stopped using it however I think it contains alcohol which may be worth noting if that is important to you.
Wishing you well and take care.
K.
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My anxiety was from oestrogen deficiency. Hrt wasn't an immediate fix though, it took 3 months to go completely. Utrogestan can cause it too though it isn't a common side effect. If it doesn't settle you could try sequi utro which is 200mg x 12 days ( days 15-26). It might be better to get your oestrogen levels sorted out first and your symptoms under control before you consider a coil or other conti progestogen so you can tell what is causing what.
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Hi Kathleen,
thanks so much for the welcome.
Thanks, that's all fine for me, I will give it a go.
It's weird today I woke quite calm.. and then as the day goes on I can just feel it rising to that feeling in my chest, and I'm extremely teary too.
As mentioned I'm going through some emotional stuff at the moment which doesn't help work out what's what.. but I know I've been through this kind of thing before and never felt this level of anxiety which is making me think it is the peri.
I'm going to adopt a different method of not trying to fight it but just manage it the best I can. It just sits there on my chest, and like a lump in my throat and it never leaves me
I can't have silence either, used to love that and my own space and time.. realising now not so much.. I'm the lowest I've been for a few years now, and time doesn't seem to be healing.
Thanks for the support x
Hello Lavender Girl and welcome to the forum.
I completely sympathise with the physical anxiety sensation! I have experienced many and varied menopause symptoms over the years but the anxiety one is the hardest to deal with.
I tried Rescue Remedy back in the day and can't recall why I stopped using it however I think it contains alcohol which may be worth noting if that is important to you.
Wishing you well and take care.
K.
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Hi Sheila,
Thanks I think I need to give it some time then.
Thanks for the info too
x
My anxiety was from oestrogen deficiency. Hrt wasn't an immediate fix though, it took 3 months to go completely. Utrogestan can cause it too though it isn't a common side effect. If it doesn't settle you could try sequi utro which is 200mg x 12 days ( days 15-26). It might be better to get your oestrogen levels sorted out first and your symptoms under control before you consider a coil or other conti progestogen so you can tell what is causing what.
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doc was reluctant to prescribe me any additional meds while the hrt settles
Said it could be progesterone causing the anxiety
But she had prescribe me Buspirone 5mg but purely as an as and when tablet to take if I’m having a day like I did recently where nothing helped calm the anxiety and I didn’t know what else to do.
I don’t want to rely on them but good to know if I have it again like that it’s there
Anyone had these before?
Any experience welcomed.
Thanks
X
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:bighug:
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Thank you!
Am trying to rescue remedy spray also x
:bighug:
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Hi Lavender Girl. I don't have much in the way of helpful, "take this" advice - but I'm currently in exactly the same mind space as you so wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I've just started HRT, literally 10 days ago, but I was bad before then so I'm not sure if the oestrogen spray has made it worse or not. I have the odd few minutes during the day where I think I feel a bit better, but most of the day I feel like my mind is going. The pain in my chest is the worst bit and it's affecting my breathing too.
I have had this before, many, many years ago when my best friend died, so the only thing I keep telling myself is, "this too shall pass".
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I'm so sorry to hear this Spider. I don't want anyone to feel how I feel.
I'm on day 19, and although I have had anxiety before (lost a friend to suicide in 2020 - so I hear you) it's been nothing of this level. I feel like everything is amplified and heightened where before after a few days I could start to cope, every day at the moment I feel the same. It is of course linked with the end of a relationship and friendship that meant a lot to me, so I know that's a huge part of it, but I was hoping the HRT would help but seems to be making it worse for now.
Same as you.. I sometimes think oh ok my mind is off the situation and I'm ok.. but then that feeling rises from my stomach up to my chest, that crippling tightness and the lump in my throat and nothing brings me down from that. I just have to get to bed time.
The chest thing is awful I agree, and the breathing exercises etc that people tell you to do just don't touch it for me. I'm almost glad to be prescribed this drug as it feels like a comfort thing, and I know it's there if I need to use it if I have a really really bad day when I can't control anything.
I also cry at the drop of a hat.. and that was never me.
Have you talked to your doctor?
you're not alone either! xx
Hi Lavender Girl. I don't have much in the way of helpful, "take this" advice - but I'm currently in exactly the same mind space as you so wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I've just started HRT, literally 10 days ago, but I was bad before then so I'm not sure if the oestrogen spray has made it worse or not. I have the odd few minutes during the day where I think I feel a bit better, but most of the day I feel like my mind is going. The pain in my chest is the worst bit and it's affecting my breathing too.
I have had this before, many, many years ago when my best friend died, so the only thing I keep telling myself is, "this too shall pass".
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Hiya,
You're not alone....I have recurrent bouts... tight chest, breathlessness.
I've found CBD dummies helpful, might even be placebo effect...
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Which Cbd gummies do you use please Minnie Mouse?
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Thanks Minnie, I've read mixed reviews about them, so yeah be great to know which ones you use.
I'm using the rescue remedy ones not cbd atm
Hiya,
You're not alone....I have recurrent bouts... tight chest, breathlessness.
I've found CBD dummies helpful, might even be placebo effect...
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Holland & Barrett, green and yellow ones, taste nice and dials down evening anxiety in a fairly tame way
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I think I'm going to go back onto sertraline. I have been on and off it for many years and it does seem to work for me, but then I have years of feeling fine and think I don't need it... I have been off it for almost 1 year now, but I think it was a bad timing to come off it because my peri- symptoms have gone through the roof - unless they are linked to not taking sertraline and nothing to do with menopause.
Who knows at this point? Do I stop HRT and give sertraline a try by itself, or do I continue with HRT alone and hope it helps me mentally. I've just ordered some rescue remedy, should be here tomorrow. I do have CBD oil in actually, so I might give that a go too.
Do many people take AD's and HRT? Should I just do this?
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Spider - some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress. Many use HRT and ADs to keep symptoms under control. It can be Trial and Error until a regime is found that suits each individual.
R U able to explain your peri symptoms? Browse round. Make notes ;-)
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Thanks Minnie Mouse, I’ve just bought a pack of those gummies; hopefully they will dial the anxiety down a bit! 🤞
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My doc has prescribed me buspirone but as an as and when pill to take up to 3 times a day if I have one of the severe days when the anxiety won't leave me.
I've not got them yet, is it worth considering something like that? or is your anxiety constant?
Mine atm is constant but varies in degrees of strength.
I think I'm going to go back onto sertraline. I have been on and off it for many years and it does seem to work for me, but then I have years of feeling fine and think I don't need it... I have been off it for almost 1 year now, but I think it was a bad timing to come off it because my peri- symptoms have gone through the roof - unless they are linked to not taking sertraline and nothing to do with menopause.
Who knows at this point? Do I stop HRT and give sertraline a try by itself, or do I continue with HRT alone and hope it helps me mentally. I've just ordered some rescue remedy, should be here tomorrow. I do have CBD oil in actually, so I might give that a go too.
Do many people take AD's and HRT? Should I just do this?
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'as necessary' really helped me, I used valium like that for years.
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Good luck all...
The other thing that helps (really basic this one) is regularly going for a brief walk in daylight.
I used to be able to hunch at a computer for hours, but now my body says....move
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Absolutely agree with this- especially now we're getting closer to winter. Going for a walk with the dog in daylight always helps so much. I read somewhere that it's he most underrated under utilised antidepressant.
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Getting outside is important regardless.
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I'm working outside landscaping at the moment 3 days a week and make sure I get out for a walk when I can if I'm not working. It's always been a big thing for me, however time on my own at the moment is damaging, so I'm trying to find a balance and do some positive thinking and living in the present.
Sometimes I just accept that I'm going to feel this anxiety until the HRT settles, and until the heartbreak wanes a little... and that's better than me panicking when I feel it overtaking my body and mind.
And just holding on to the fact that everything passes... eventually.
x