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[SuzeW]

Hello everyone, I’m new to the forum and only just joining the dots of how I’ve been feeling with the perimenopause. My anxiety is through the roof, to the extent that a week in Spain has been almost ruined by how I feel. I run my own business but my confidence is shot and I’m wracked with negative thoughts and worries, which I know are largely irrational. I feel like ending a twenty year career and going to work for someone else at times. Physically, my periods are a bloodbath and I take transexamic acid to lessen the flow. For two solid days the meds make absolutely no difference.

I’ve a blood test booked for Tuesday for the doc to gauge my hormone levels. If they give me HRT might it help how I’m feeling? Is there hope that I’ll get my old confidence and contentment back? I’m panicked. Sorry for rambling on and thanks in advance.

SuzeW

[Sazzle42115]

Hi Suze yes very common out if no where for some women. Give HRT a go you have nothing to loose. Xxxxxxx

[CLKD]

If you are so anxious I would ask for a dedicated anti-anxiety tablet for 3-4 months while you sort out the bleeding etc.. Although NICE suggest that HRT is the way forwards, regardless of whether it's homronal/not, anxiety should be treated as a separate issue.  Without my medication I wouldn't have survived.

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful.  You may benefit from a D&C if you are having continual bleeding, or a scan to find out why.  Do ask for an appt. to a  menopause clinic so that you and your GP can work together on getting you sorted.  Gynaecologists don't always know much about HRT !!

You will feel better once you are home, which is a shame.  I can't even think of booking time away  if it means meeting others. 

How many pads/tampons are u using each period?

[ATB]

Hi Suze

This is the guidelines GPs are meant to use to determine if a woman is in perimenopause and if HRT would help:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23

Depending on your age they’re not supposed to go by blood tests. I would print the guidelines and take them with you to your GP- I did.

I have had awful anxiety also, I had to give up work for a bit because all of my symptoms were so bad, and the anxiety is still a work in progress but so much better than before HRT & good therapy. I personally chose to not take anti depressants or anxiety meds which were offered because I wanted to see if I could resolve with hormones and therapy first and I’m glad I did. It isn’t easy but it’s definitely achievable. Are you able to see someone professional for anxiety? Your GP could refer you for CBT. I also like meditation and exercise, I use apps like headspace and watch great therapists on YouTube give some helpful advice. When you are in the depths of it you don’t imagine it can get better but I’m happy to say it can and does and wish you all the best with it. I would also ask your GP for some advice about managing your periods and blood loss, mine were heavy before I started HRT, which was not typical for me before meno. Perhaps you can ask to see someone at a menopause clinic.

[CLKD]

I still believe that those who decided that HRT should be the way to treat anxiety have never suffered.  Had my GP suggested HRT rather than dedicated anti-anxiety treatment I wouldn't be here.  Some require both and as it takes a while to find an HRT to suit - as it may do with anti-anxiety meds. - I would opt to wait with regards HRT.

It depends on what you want to ease first.  Let us know how you get on.  Making sure that you eat regularly as low blood sugar can cause anxiety surges.  Keep hydrated.  Gentle exercise .......

[ATB]

Really isn’t your call to say that to others CLKD. You have no clue what I have suffered. That’s really uncool.

 I don’t think HRT ‘is the way to treat anxiety’. It sometimes helps enough but it’s for the total picture not just anxiety. Some people need anti anxiety meds. Some people don’t. I don’t tell people not to take them, or to take them. That’s up to their doctor and them. I have noticed you really push taking anti anxiety meds  to others and I don’t think you should. You don’t know enough about the people you’re speaking to.

[CLKD]

I wasn't aiming my remarks at anyone, simply stating how anxiety affected me.  Members can take/leave any experiences shared.  Reading back I wasn't exactly explicit.

In the bath I was going back over my intense anxiety plus deep depression, trying to work out if it may have been due to hormones.  However, the GP and I treated symptoms without looking at reasons 'why'.  Even had my symptoms been hormonally linked, the anxiety and depression symptoms needed easing.

I still believe that those (in NICE or the medical profession ) who decided that HRT should be the way to treat anxiety have never suffered
.  I can see that it reads as a general statement. 

Some sufferers require HRT and appropriate anti-anxiety/depression medication together. 

[ATB]

It does read to me, following my comment where I say I didn’t take them and took HRT, as directed to me. If it’s not that’s fine. Even those who suffer a lot can not always need them, as in my case. I had a friend who helped me with my thyroid take his life after trying to come off them so I just take them as quite serious things to choose and in my case wanted to try all other avenues first. HRT being a treatment to replace hormones is a safer route for me to start with. If I still didn’t get enough relief I would take ADs because they have their place IMO.

Anyway it’s a nice day so good luck to everyone! It’s not easy to find your way out of it whatever route you take.

[Jjumper]

Hi SuzeW

Sorry to hear you’re feeling so awful. I’m also an anxiety sufferer so I sympathise.

I’m new to HRT (2 months) so it is too early to say how effective it is for me regarding the anxiety side of things as I understand it can take several months for it to help with this particular symptom. However, I am very hopeful!

I have found Dr Louise Newson’s resources very helpful and informative. Her podcast in particular but also the many fact sheets available on her Balance website. There are several episodes on the podcast about mental health and indeed these symptoms seem to be the most bothersome for many many women and as I understand it HRT can definitely help. Although it can take a while to find the right dose/regime it looks as though it is a sensible idea to try HRT, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms. (You could look at a list of menopause symptoms and see if you have any others - you may not be aware that you are as there are so many weird ones!)

I see a menopause specialist privately and she has said that if a symptom is caused by low oestrogen then taking HRT should help - it is logical really!

I would definitely have a chat to your doctor about HRT : )

[ElkWarning]

Hi Size

Re: the bloodbath thing, I also used to take those tablets to help, but eventually asked for a gynae appt and it turned out more could be done to help. The terrible anaemia wasn't helping my anxiety.

Anxiety is such a difficult thing, it feels like a small word that covers a massive range / severity of symptoms. I can understand where CLKD is coming from. My anxiety can tip into psychosis and I would always gently suggest a conversation with the GP to assess the impact and most appropriate way forward. I can also see where ATB is coming from, as I find weekly therapy very useful in helping me to manage my 'stuff'.

Long story short, talk to your GP, think about options, maybe ask for a gynae referral to check out the bleeding. And yes, I think it does get better.

[Tora]

Hi SuzeW,

You're in the same position I was in 12 months ago. Thank God I didn't have the strength to close businesses down/ give notice to staff. The anxiety was too bad to log onto back office, make a call or drive. I struggled to get dressed. The other symtoms were bad enough but the anxiety was the worst.

Is there hope that I’ll get my old confidence and contentment back? - YES!

HRT got rid of the anxiety and all the other symptoms and my confidence came back. I had never had anxiety or mental health issues before and I chose not to use an anti anxiety/AD medicine before trying HRT.

When you are prepared to lose everything, when you want to tell your family, friends, cat, neighbours, staff and clients to F Off Forever but you don't have the strength to then that, to me, is bad anxiety.

You can turn this around and not lose anything. 

[SuzeW]

Thank you everyone! It’s amazing you’ve taken the time to respond and share your experiences. That in itself has helped me. I’m going to see my doc to talk about the anxiety and see what they say re HRT. I will also see if I need specialist gynae treatment, and I’m going to book some CBT. I’ll update on here as to how I get on in case that is helpful for other people. Last night’s anxiety was absolutely horrendous…it actually frightened me because I feel I’ve lost control in those moments. I flew back from Spain today so at least I’m home. I’ve lived abroad and travelled quite a lot but I’m not fit for it at the minute. My biggest challenge is keeping myself together at work where my confidence is so very low.

Thanks again and your comments have let me see that things can get better.

Suze xx

[CLKD]

You flew there and back  - I can't even book a holiday in Devon  as soon as I look for hotels my guts tighten. So don't beat yourself up!

Let us know how you get on.   

[ATB]

Glad to help a little. Totally have had those exact moments you describe and finding they don’t happen as much or I deal with it differently now. If you like apps like headspace can be helpful, I use their YouTube sleep videos and they’re great. They have videos you watch or listen to during panic attacks. Some people, myself included, find magnesium glycinate helpful for night time anxiety. Breathing techniques can help in the moment.

[CLKD]

That reminds me ATB - I had relaxation tapes (remember tapes? ) the problem was finding time to sit to listen.  My  would plonk onto my lap and we would sleep ....... I was also advised deep breathing to practice, the idea being to put it into action immediately.  Apparently a brown paper bag can help ease panic attacks: any1 found one useful? 

Now my relaxation is my garden and bath, I may have said already.  When very depressed and anxious I was unable to keep still so running a bath was a bit of a waste: I would get in, wash and be straight out.  Now it's my go-to: good book, cuppa and bubbles ;-)