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[linfit]

Hi
I have had a horrible year. Lots of issues; husband's redundancy, son's problems, work problems and my diagnosis of VA in August. Struggling to control those symptoms, had a small operation last week. I am feeling anxious every morning particularly, trembling etc. I find it difficult to get going, lack energy. I use vagifem and tried hrt patches for low mood but after 2 months I felt worse so stopped using them. I am not on any other medication at th e moment. I know this is a minefield but what should I do? Will medication help, will this pass?

[samweller161]

ah you sound like you need a hug!

You have a lot going on at the moment - even one of those would send anybody into anxiety.  How do you feel about trying a diferent type of HRT?  Do you live near one of the specialists listed on the home page?  I think the anxiety is unfortunately one of the last things to go, the hot flushes go pretty quickly, everything else takes a bit longer.

Don't dismiss the idea of AD's but sometimes the HRT alone will sort this out - is there anybody you can talk to who knows their stuff?

SP x

[Dancinggirl]

linfit - you are going through one of life's tough patches.  It is quite normal to feel the way you are feeling right now. Hopefully the current stresses will reduce in time and some equilibrium will return. Often when stressed, we don't eat or sleep well, our immune system is undermined and you find you are on a treadmill that you feel will never stop.
I have had bad times when depression and anxiety have taken hold and, back in my 30s, I did have CBT counselling for a year that has sustained me since then.  Learning strategies that help you to relax and see things in better perspective is really important.
I can understand your concern about trying another HRT - it is trial and error and perhaps you couldn't cope with this right now.
A friend of mine went through a truly awful time some years ago, terrible family and personal health worries, unable to sleep etc. and her excellent GP just calmly told her that she ‘needed a break' from all the stress to get her health back on track.  She agreed to take an AD/SRRI for just a few months, promising her it would just be for a short while - after 6 months use she gradually reduced and came off them.  She told me recently that she felt that the GP had “shaved her life” at that time - having the terrible anxiety taken away for those months allowed her body to heal itself and she now copes so much better with stress.
Hopefully you have a good GP? - I would write down your problems and questions and see what they suggest.
DG x

[CLKD]

Eating every 3 hours?

[linfit]

Eating every 3 hours?

Thanks everyone. Sadly my GPs aren't knowledgeable about menopause and I haven't much confidence in them. I will look at the home page for a specialist. I did see a hormone specialist about VA who suggested I come off the patches if  thought they weren't helping, in order to see if I felt better.

[CLKD]

If the blood sugar levels fluctuate it can cause anxiety surges.  NAPS advised that I eat every 3 hours, even during the night.  It took some practice as when I fell well I forget to eat 

[Lanie66]

Hi Linfit I'm writing from a good place at the moment the but have had many ups and downs in my life.  You're having a really tough time so it's important to be kind to yourself and not put yourself under extra pressure.  Is it possible to plan something, however small if money's tight, to look forward to?  What the other ladies have said about eating regularly is right because anxiety can take stronger hold if your blood sugar is low.  Taking regular exercise is important, I think walking is especially good, fresh air, getting the heart rate up a little and appreciating what you see around you (mindfulness is also worth considering).  Keeping a routine helps me when I'm low, reduces the amount of time that youre alone with your thoughts/anxieties.  Have you got a dog? Or know someone with one?  Animals are therapeutic whether it's stroking them or taking one for a walk.  Since entering peri I'm in my longest 'even' patch.  I put this down to the supplements I take as well as the exercise.  I take multivitamins plus high dose vit C, B and E, along with evening primrose and siberian ginseng. My daughter has anxiety at the moment due to GCSE pressure and she's been recommended breathing exercises (you could google) and making sure she does stuff she enjoys - for her it's a hot lush bath and a face mask. The school nurse even recommended ginger biscuits to nibble on to fight her nausea.  I know it's hard to follow advice sometimes but one small change could make a difference.  Good luck, there is always light at the end of the tunnel xx

[linfit]

Hi Linfit I'm writing from a good place at the moment the but have had many ups and downs in my life.  You're having a really tough time so it's important to be kind to yourself and not put yourself under extra pressure.  Is it possible to plan something, however small if money's tight, to look forward to?  What the other ladies have said about eating regularly is right because anxiety can take stronger hold if your blood sugar is low.  Taking regular exercise is important, I think walking is especially good, fresh air, getting the heart rate up a little and appreciating what you see around you (mindfulness is also worth considering).  Keeping a routine helps me when I'm low, reduces the amount of time that youre alone with your thoughts/anxieties.  Have you got a dog? Or know someone with one?  Animals are therapeutic whether it's stroking them or taking one for a walk.  Since entering peri I'm in my longest 'even' patch.  I put this down to the supplements I take as well as the exercise.  I take multivitamins plus high dose vit C, B and E, along with evening primrose and siberian ginseng. My daughter has anxiety at the moment due to GCSE pressure and she's been recommended breathing exercises (you could google) and making sure she does stuff she enjoys - for her it's a hot lush bath and a face mask. The school nurse even recommended ginger biscuits to nibble on to fight her nausea.  I know it's hard to follow advice sometimes but one small change could make a difference.  Good luck, there is always light at the end of the tunnel xx

Thank you for this. i will certainly try these things, appreciate your help

[CLKD]

I'm tempted to spend today in a warm bath dozing  ....... relaxation therapy can be useful but it needs to be practiced! 

[linfit]

I'm tempted to spend today in a warm bath dozing  ....... relaxation therapy can be useful but it needs to be practiced!

Yes, I have never been good at relaxing really so I'm going to have to try hard!! The sun is shining here where I live (Yorkshire) which is nice.

[Samade]

I find running or walking helps, at least whilst you are doing it. The more exhausted I get the better

[CLKD]

I haven't had the energy to walk round the garden yet.  The emergency pill earlier has eased the nausea Thank Someone's God  .  Now I must begin to eat properly.

[zelda]

Magnesium works well for me.

[linfit]

Magnesium works well for me.

Hi
Someone else mentioned this to me. Can I ask how anxious you were and how soon did the magnesium help?

[Samade]

I've read that its best to get magnesium bisglycinate also know as magnesium chellate as it is much better absorbed than magnesium oxide.