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[Susan69]

Hello

I am Susan. I am 52. I am in per-menopause but think I've been in it longer than I thought! ..if that makes sense!

I had depression from a bereavement (of partner) and then had ill health. (blood clot leading to mini stroke) I think I missed some of the symptoms of PM starting

Anyway recently this last year or so I have really struggled with mood swings. I'm practically agoraphobic after having to shield (alone) for most of the time since last March and seem to get very anxious about socialising. I thought it was just because of the covid situation at first and thought I'd feel much more confident after my vaccinations but I've had them and the anxiety hasn't gone away.

I get very 'foggy headed' so unfortunately didn't record the date of my last monthly (which was earlier this year). I think I'm coming up to 3-4 month without a monthly.  I definitely haven't gone over 5 months yet.

I've been advised against HRT so I found your site and came to ask if any others had found successful alternatives for managing mood swings and anxiety.

Thank you

Susan

[sheila99]

 
Sorry you're having such a hard time. I would ask for a referral to a menopause clinic to see if hrt would be safe for you. You could try a forum search too as it's been discussed in the past. Sorry I can't help with the question, your symptoms are very similar to mine but I'm able to use hrt so didn't investigate alternatives very much.

[CLKD]

Hi!    I had dreadful mood swings every month      .......... once the bleed began, I was fine.  Until the next month ........

As for anxiety.  It has controlled my Life since age 3.  I was prescribed beta-blockas for several years to ease the early morning surges.  I also have an emergency 'as necessary' tablet to swallow, haven't required 1 for at least 12 months.  Lock down was the best thing for me 

Now that we are having to attend appts., even today's hair cut had my anxiety levels up  Once there, fortunately, I was OK!

I would suggest a menopause clinic, take along a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress as well as to decide which symptom you would like to ease first.  It may be that patches to deliver HRT would be OK.

Mood swings - get a thick cushion and punch. Hard.  I would kick doors and throw items  gosh I must have been good to live with ..........

Let us know how you get on. I'm off to swat a fly 

[Susan69]

Thank you for your messages.

I haven't left the house. The nurse had to come to me to give me the vaccines as I'm severely agoraphobic. I'm not sure I could cope with going to a clinic full of other people  right now. I don't even think I'd manage to get in a taxi right now.

I was hoping someone could suggest something I could buy off the internet and get delivered. I see many things that say there good for menopausal symptoms of anxiety etc but there's so many of them I was just hoping someone would have already had experience with one of them and knew which one had worked really well for someone else.

It would be good to find something that would mean I could at least get to my GP.

Susan

[CLKD]

I had 3-4 months when I couldn't leave the house, DH walked my  .  My GP prescribed appropriate medication and gradually I began to go out.  But not anywhere that I might meet someone who wanted to talk  ........

Do contact your GP/Nurse Practitioner for advice about anti-anxiety medication.  'valium' short term can really help and there are other medications too.  Do not buy off the internet as many drugs aren't pure: mixed with flour, sawdust etc.; not worth it!  You could spend a lot of money, become ill = hospital stay!

How is your diet over-all?  Sometimes we need to fiddle with what we eat/drink in order to ease the possibility of anxiety surges.  Too much sugar for example .......

Also: contact CRUSE : a group run by bereaved for the bereaved.  Most counties have a group, do have a lookC at their website.  It doesn't matter how long ago a death took place, b being able to talk may well help.

Were you admitted to Hospital with the stroke? 

There is an option to send a single question to Dr Currie who started this Forum, that may be a way to find out about the stroke and HRT possibilities.   Let us know how you get on.

[CLKD]

Good point!  I used the mouth spray with success.  I never wondered 'will this work' .......... I used it prior to anything that might trigger anxiety.

[Busy Bee]

It is a nightmare, and I feel what you have been going through. The extra issues you have had will also have an impact on your mental health.

Similarly, I experienced additional multiple health issues and traumatic life experiences that certainly, with the menopause have been at time disabling. Having tried every thing I could to help myself, from diet, exercise, general self-care, natural remedies for anxiety,  I decided to take medication - the prescribed types. It has helped enormously. It was in the end a easy decision as was I suffering so much and it was not worth the pain. Plus my menopause has been on the extreme end of the spectrum so I have no qualms in drawing on all types of help.

It is obviously you choice, but life is too short to be utterly miserable. Take care and to everyone who is going through the menopause wringer!

[CLKD]

Quality of Life Girls! QofL!

[Busy Bee]

The menopause - more challenging than the SAS selection process. Who dares wins and all that 

[CLKD]

You'll fit right in