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[Kathleen]

Hello Lucibee and welcome to the forum.

You seem to be doing everything right and just need your GP to get on board with your treatment which can be the tricky part unfortunately.  It was only when I became menopausal that I  realised that PMT could include anxiety and depression as well as irritability and anger. I now wish I'd kept detailed diaries when I was younger although the massive archive  I've compiled since my periods stopped have more then made up for it lol!

Many women say that it does get better on it's own but others feel that HRT is essential. Everyone's journey is different and the future uncertain  but at least you can rely on the ladies of MM to guide you.

Wishing you well.

K.

[Hurdity]

Hi Lucibee

You mention having suffered from depression since puberty, and I'm wondering if you took anything for it, if your doc has only just given you Prozac? The reason I ask is that for new onset, hormonally driven mood changes and anxiety/depression, anti-depressants should not be prescribed as first line of treatment, but HRT instead (as per current NICE Guidelines on Menopause). As you say - maybe there was a cyclical comopnent all along for which additional hormones may have helped - and may yet do so!

Have a look at John Studd's work on reproductive depression and see if any of it resonates. His course of treatment is with high doses of oestrogen and maybe this would help you?
http://www.studd.co.uk/reproductivedepression.php
http://www.studd.co.uk/depression.php

There are lots of tabs on the right of the main pages - some of which are articles saying the same thing but you will get the drift!

Your docs are right that you do not need blood tests if your cycle has become erratic and irregular, you are over 45 and experiencing typical menopausal symptoms.

Treatment with HRT should be offered as standard provided there is no medical reason why not. Also if you are heading for an early menopause (under average natural menopause age of 51/52) then taking oestrogen would be beneficial to help protect you heart and bones - it's not jusd about obvious symptoms which may or may not last long term.

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[Lucibee]

Thanks, Hurdity.

I had a look at John Studd's website a few years ago, and also Katharina Dalton's PMS Bible. Tried to talk to my GP about it at the time, but didn't get anywhere.

I've now realised that might have visual snow too, which might explain some of the anxiety symptoms (apparently they go along with it) - I also have visual disturbances and tinnitus. But I suspect it's more complicated than that. Maybe the loss of oestrogen has increased the penetrance of underlying visual snow (it's connected with thalamocortical dysrhythmia and migraine)?

It's highly unlikely that I will find anyone where I live who can help with that, so I guess I just have to get used to it.

I'm still waiting on the HRT. They're currently stalling because of previous dx of borderline Protein C deficiency (25 years ago - never had any problems).

Lucy

[Lucibee]

GP has refused me HRT. Referring to a specialist instead. More waiting.