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[Loz72]

Hi there, I'm 45 and after a long chat with my lovely GP today, my fears have been confirmed! The Menopause has arrived! 
We talked at length at the various options and I am going to do some research before making any decisions re treatment etc. My biggest issue is Anxiety, something I have never suffered from in my life ...until now. There are days where everything causes me to worry and I have that feeling of dread that you get before an interview or doing something you really don't want to do. It completely takes over. I just wanted some advice from others who have found this to be the most overriding symptom, what do you take? Do you take anything? I'm worried about treatment options as the last thing I want to do is put on more weight but equally I am not sure I can cope with the anxiety I am feeling. Sorry for the long post, just floundering a bit x

[Mazza27]

Hi loz,

I too have suffered with the anxiety, starting when I was 39 with panic attacks just out of blue, couldn't stay away with work and hotels and staying anywhere frightened me. I needed to be home, this has sort of subsided but still do get anxiety when away. I also then last 12 months I have had health anxiety which I found was taking complete control of me.
I am 43 now.
I think if you have slight anxiety anyway it becomes so much worse through the peri and meno phase.

I have tried ads which I found the side effects made things worse with my health anxiety. I have done cbt which I think is brilliant and helped me realise what is happening to me
I have done stress classes in the past also, they all made me realise I was not going mad and it is normal.

I think accepting the fact we are getting older and going through it really does help and lots of getting out and walking or exercise.
I have stopped caffeine all together and take some magnesium/b vitamins don't know if they help.

I do want hrt in gel form as my night sweats and headaches are very bad at the moment but no real anxiety just odd day leading up to period time

I think everyone is different and you need to find what suits you
There is lots to read on here and some great advise which has helped me so much

Hope you find something that helps
Mazza x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM Loz72
If your oestrogen levels are low then it will be wise to try HRT to protect your heart and bones for the long term.
From what you say, you are struggling with weight gain?
Can I suggest that the first thing you tackle is some lifestyle changes. Get advice about diet and increase your exercise - these things alone may help Improve your mood.
I find good brisk walks really help my mood and I've cut out as much sugary stuff as possible.
HRT doesn't necessarily make you put on weight but it can improve energy to help
You want to get more exercise. I'm afraid we all Have to greatly reduce the amount we eat when meno hits.
Read up all the info on this site to get clued up and keep Posting. DG x

[Nasil41]

Hi Liz
I too am new and also a fellow anxiety
sufferer....awful isn't it
I had no idea that this was a symptom and neither did my doctor thinking back
This didn't feel like any other episode I had had in the past and was way more intense. As soon as I opened my eyes after maybe 3 hours sleep I could feel it starting from the small of my back like a warm surge then spreading through my body, then the shaking started and agitation  felt like a caged lion
I think I have read every self help book going but the one I found best was by claire weekes and I found listening to her audio quite calming
We will come out the other side
This too shall pass x

[JaneinPen]

Welcome Loz72.  So sorry to hear that you are suffering.  I too started with them completely out of nowhere in my early forties.  I found that I couldn't get on busy trains or buses or be in rooms with a lot of people as if an attack started I needed to control it. On advice from a friend who had also suffered I started to carry a Mills & Boon paperback with me and would start reading it if on a train or bus to get my mind off how I felt. She said that because they are so easy to read and have a feel good factor that they would help and they did. I also put a lamp down beside my bed with a very low wattage bulb so that if I woke in the night I could put it on and feel better at being able to see.  They will pass. Try and take deep breaths when you feel one coming on.  Good luck xx

[Loz72]

Guys, thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It is so good to hear your words of wisdom, reassurance and advice. We will get through this !! 👊 Xx

[Hurdity]

Hi Loz72

  from me too!

I started HRT when I was in late peri-menopause ( only occasional periods) and it worked brilliantly for me - 10 years down the line in my  60's I'm still taking it

Earlier in peri-menopause I cried buckets - my mood swings really affected me. However I had no idea at the time this was the reason and thought it was due to life circumstances so just carried on through it. I naively thought that menopause was just a few hot flushes and night sweats and I would get these while going through "the change", my periods would stop and boom - everything would be fine again! 

If your periods are few and far between as Dancinggirl says then HRT is advised at your age and hopefully with the right product the increased oestrogen will also help with anxiety and mood.

Do ask if you need any further help with this. I love the idea of Mills and Boon for taking your mind off worries   

Hurdity x

[Mazza27]

Hi hurdity,

What hrt did you use? Patch/ gel or oral?

How old were you when you started to take it?
My periods earlier this year were every two weeks and now I think this was is a lot later, with the coil I don't know really properly. I'm going to have out so I know where I'm up to

Thanks
Mazza

[Hurdity]

Hi Mazza

I use patches - first of all a combi patch Evorel sequi for 3 months and then separate Estradot (50) patch and progesterone which I have been using more or less continuously ever since - firstly on a normal 28 day cycle and since 2011 on a long cycle. I started when I was 10 years older than you - at 53 - almost 54 and was in late peri-menopause. I hadn't had a period for 5 months and before that had only had 2 or 3 in the previous year I think (can't remember exactly) - so had been having symptoms for a long while - flushes and sweats, and before that mood swings and migraines.

If you are using the coil and still having frequent bleeding it may not be wise to have it removed as surely you will still have bleeding problems - but depends how long you've had it in as to whether you know where you are in menopause? Hopefully your doc will advise?  If you are having flushes and sweats though it does sound like you are peri-menopausal and if you are likely to go through menopause at your age then the current medical view is to replace oestrogen to protect heart and bones.

Not sure why you don't want to use gel because oestrogen is the best treatment for flushes and sweats due to menopause - I presume you've had blood tests re thyroid, blood sugar etc? You could always try Estradot patches? Also as you are under 45 it may well be that the doc could do an FSH test just to determine if you are peri-menopausal although I can't see why a low/medium dose patch could not be prescribed on the basis of your symptoms?

Hurdity x

[Mazza27]

Hi hurdity,

Thanks for reply.

I have had coil in 2 1/2 month, I bled when put in for a bit and then just had small bleed like a period as had all the symptons and they were really bad so not doing anything. Nothing has changed with anything else ie; tinnitus (probs worse) headaches and migraines seem worse, period pains a lot worse/urinating loads/mood swings/tired all the time

I want removed so I know where I am up to, I was having two week bleeds back 6 months ago.
Have had all tests known to man, including thyroid/ thyroid antibodies/full bloods/hormone/ b12 I have had laprospcy,  Hystoscopy, MRI and ear test.
Nothing found
I want to try either patch or gel probs gel so I can test the dose.

Gp is useless back again tomos which they will just not do anything and say bloods fine! I get panicky because the headaches and right side numbness pain and pins and needles in my arm and leg frightens me, I get dizzy and nauseous. It's seems to be all the time nearly every day!
Night sweats and hot flushes, they headache does seem to come in the afternoon when I seem to be going hot I am noticing the links and putting everything in my phone app

Meno specialist next Tuesday and hoping he can help me understand the best way forward

Mazza

[dazned]

Good to hear that you are seeing a specialist, hopefully they will get to the bottom of your problems and set the on the right track to be symptom free.☺ Please let us know how you get on .