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[Sazzle42115]

Hello
I am new to the forum. I am really struggling to get a suitable regime in place and wanted to share to see if anyone has any suggestions.
Anxiety has been the biggest issue for me. I am 52 and my last period was in 2016. I initally went to GP with low mood and anxiety and was put on elleste conti duet which was fine for a time but I did have sore breasts and anxiety began to fizz again so went on to Femeston. After a while on this still feeling not right so decided to take the plunge and go to the Newton Clinic that was 2 years ago and was prescribed Oestrogel and Utrogestan tablets, had terrible bloating so decided to come of HRT all together and take herbal supplements etc which helped for a while but then the anxiety became unbearable and went backt to GP for patches, these seemed fine for a few weeks, mood really lifted although had nausea and then I had really bad insomia, I changed a patch before bedtime and it was like I had drank 8 cups of coffee, I didnt get any sleep and this became a pattern over 3 months where I got off to sleep OK but then would wake up and not be able to get back to sleep. In the end my GP prescribed Mertazapine 15mg which really helped with the sleep. I have now increased to 30mg to try and help with anxiety and now depression (I guess from lack of sleep) the side effects to this are not great I feel quite dizzy and really lethargic and my eyesight is also a bit blurry.
As well as this I went to a local menopause specialist who prescribed Oestrogel and Utrogestan 100mg - this was in March. I started on 1 pump o fthe gel and had bloods in May which showed 84pmol/L so was advised to increase to 2 pumps and then 3 pumps if symptons did not improve. Went back for a review in June and not feeling any better so was switched to Lenzetto spray which I was very excited about, started on 1 spray and then increased to 2 sprays. Had bloods done again 11.08.2021 and 78pmol/L so advised to go up to 3 sprays and then possible 4 if no improvement. Have another review early September.
I also have an ongoing pain in my lower right hand side which has been investigated and nothing sinister found but it is like a contstant burning pain. I feel it most of the day which is draining and when I wake up it is there.
 The menopause symptoms are taking over my life, I am in a zombie like state, cant concentrate, brain fog, I dont have much of an appetite but make my self eat, it is like I am on fight or fligh all the time.

[CLKD]

Yep.  Sounds peri-menopause from where I'm sitting.   

It can take a while to find a regime which suits, especially if your hormones are still present even in small amounts.

Some ladies find it useful to keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress.  Could you experiment through the week with the spray amount?  It may B that adding a 4th spray occasionally may ease symptoms. 

How do you feel overall, has the nausea gone?   Several years ago I woke in the early hours with acute pain deep in the R thigh, so painful that when I called out, I didn't make a sound.  Never in the day, always in the early hours.  Eventually I realised that it was due to bending over cabinets at antique fairs!

As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  Does 'nurofen' or similar help?  Also, the body may become dry: inside and out; do read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads, make notes ;-). 4warned is 4armed!

We have threads on everything here.  Join in.

[Floo36]

It does sound like you ar e not on enough yet.  Can you increase or try another until you get symptom relief?

[Sazzle42115]

Thanks yes I will try with 3 sprays and increase to 4. Not sure about carrying on with the AD though as reluctant in the first place but now on them so will speak with GP about carrying on for a few more weeks or try and taper off. Just feels like I am putting a lot in to my body at the moment and not really seeing any positive results (apart from the sleep of course!)
xx

[jillydoll]

Hi Sazzle.

Sorry your not getting any relief at the moment.
I was the same, took a while for my hrt to work, and even now, after years of being on Femoston conti, I still suffer anxiety. It seems hrt isn’t a miracle worker for some of us, but as long as most of the awful symptoms have gone, we have to put up with what’s left. It’s manageable. 🤷🏼‍♀️
It could be your body’s taking a long time to adjust to the hrt, AND sometimes we have to tweak it until we get the right amount into us. It’s a long and drawn out time, as we want to feel better quickly.
All I can say is keep at it. I did. I felt like giving up, but I persevered and one day I started to feel better. The low mood, anger, anxiety, seemed to lift somewhat. Then it was just a matter of tweaking it.
I’m about 7 years now post meno, and it’s took a long time to get where I am today. I tried different regimes, but found the Femoston conti better for me. You will get there. 🤞🏼
It dominates our lives doesn’t it? When we feel crap like we do everyday, it’s no wonder.
Wishing you all the luck in world. Xx

[Mindfulmoomins]

Just wanted to say I am thinking of you. Mirtazapine and getting my oestrogen dose right (4 pumps) really helped me a few years ago (it took about 4-6 weeks to start to feel better).

My symptoms have come back as I seem to be incredibly sensitive to hormones and they affect my mood but hopefully with the increase in antidepressant I have been prescribed 2 weeks ago and increase in oestrogen I will get some balance again.

Please keep sharing. We are here for you. Xx

[CLKD]

Some require dedicated anti-anxiety medication as well as H.Replacement.T 

[Dee]

Hi new on here just wanted to share my story l am 62 had last period at 57 had smear july one week later was hit by negative thoughts panic attaks feeling of doom hot sweats other symptoms nearly all of one listed for menopause had to start on antidepresents couldnt cope been struggling 6 weeks now just wondering if anyone else has had similar story feel like lm going off my mind
Dee

[CLKD]

ADs aren't the first treatment for menopause symptoms but can help.

MayB make a list of your symptoms, then contact your GP/Nurse Practitioner to C about HRT.  Don't be fobbed off with 'you are too young/old'!  Quality of Life is important.  The ovaries can still kick out small amounts of hormone which can cause symptoms. 

[Sazzle42115]

Hi Dee it's hard when we hear give it time especially if symptoms come out of the blue. I really wish I knew what was in store as I had no idea about the emotional/cognitive effects of menopause. I have been on the higher dose of AD for just over a week which is nothing really but when you are hanging on by your finger tips it seems an enternity. I haven't noticed much improvement in mood and anxiety yet...how long did your GP say you should start to see improvement mine is 4-6 weeks which seems like a lifetime but I just keep thinking that every day is hopefully a day towards feeling better. I was adamant that HRT would help as sure hormone related but had to go with AD just to get some sleep. My relationship and work are suffering ATM . See if you can get some HRT as once estrogen levels are stabilised you should feel better..... That's what I'm hoping and then I can reduce other meds. Travel hopefully I know it's really hard xxx

[Dee]

Thanks for advice the negative thoughts where that bad accepted the offer seem to be working slowly managed to get out with dog this morning been to scared to go out past 5 weeks hopefully will lift more dr seemed to think l had depression due to menopause but been post menopause 4 years but like l said all menopause symptoms back with a vengance since smear which was fine by the way .

[Gnatty]

I started Mirtazapine 15 mg 3 weeks ago and increased my oestrogel to 4 pumps. I feel I am now beginning to improve, it was the anxiety that completely floored me. Never felt so ill, thought my life was over, would never be better etc etc. I have my fingers crossed I have turned a corner. So hang in there, hopefully you will start to feel an improvement too. I am not going to worry about being on an AD for the time being. Just need to get strong again. X

[Gnatty]

Forgot to say I also take testosterone, I think this helps too.

[Dee]

Thanks ladies helps to know lm not alone hope we all feel good soon.

[Baz]

I was on mirtazapine, but not for menopause, I came off them as they made me put on weight, and that got me more depressed, I had 121 private sessions and that helped alot, my hubby who has ptsd was also on then and he could lose weight and didnt help a great deal, so was put on fluoxetine and it helped enormously, a changed man and hes lost weight, just thought I'd mention the weight gain with the ad, may not happen to everyone 🙂