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[Losingtheplot]

Hi Everyone,

Firstly a big huge hug to anyone out there suffering with anxiety 

I have an appointment with my GP later today that was supposed to be my 3 month HRT review but as Evorel Sequi didn't suit me as intolorent to synthetic progesterone I was advised to stop the patches 1.5 months into HRT.

My main issue with peri symptoms is morning anxiety and feelings of panic - I have been awake since 3am today struggling with the churning and knotting in my stomach.

I asked my GP to keep this appointment as she told me to just see how I go for next few months as I refused her offer of Ads - but I had a feeling all would not be well so insisted on keeping this appointment!

I suppose I am just after a few peoples opinions on what to discuss with my GP in this appointment as I am just not thinking properly.  What I have on my agenda is to ask for body identicial HRT as so far I have only tried 1 HRT Evorel Sequi.

Alongside this I would like to potential ask for an anxiety med I could take on an as and when basis when I feel I am really struggling ( which is every morning  )

I have the contraceptive implant and am considering getting that taken out to see what is happening with my periods as I don't have them on this and haven't for years.  So would be keen to know if I do actually have them anymore which could affect which HRT I take

Additionally I have no sexual drive at all and now actually  have no feeling down below!   I am waiting for an appointment with a meno specialist wait time of approx 6 months but looking at options in the interim to help me.

I am taking Ashwagandha but too early to tell if that is helping as coming up to 2 weeks.

I am just so fed up and don't want to come out of the appointment feeling like I have got nowhere and if you know what I mean.

I have made some notes to take in as I am suffering brain fog too! I know the appointment is only very short so want to make the best use out of it.  I am looking at lifestyle changes and have joined a gym to attend some exercise classes to try and make me feel better and unwind alongside cutting out caffeine as I feel this just exaggarates my panic and anxiety.

I just feel like running away and other options to help me to stop  feeling like I am - maybe I need Ad's as is this caused by lack of hormones or am I having some kind of breakdown 

Sorry for rambling my brain is not functioning but I am trying my best 

Any advice appreciated 

[SarahT]

Whilst I have no real advice, I genuinely know how you feel and just want to send support.

You did well to insist on keeping your appt, you need some medical help here. I too feel I am doing all the right things to help myself but and really struggling. Exercising and not shutting yourself away, so positive. I do think you are doing good despite how you feel.

Refer to your notes and ensure the gp understands the physical and mental imperfections has on your day to day life.
Wishing you well x

[Losingtheplot]

Whilst I have no real advice, I genuinely know how you feel and just want to send support.

You did well to insist on keeping your appt, you need some medical help here. I too feel I am doing all the right things to help myself but and really struggling. Exercising and not shutting yourself away, so positive. I do think you are doing good despite how you feel.

Refer to your notes and ensure the gp understands the physical and mental imperfections has on your day to day life.
Wishing you well x

Hi SarahT

Thank you so much for your kind words and understanding.  I am trying to help myself although I know the thought of walking into an exercise class already has me in a panic - where a few months back I would have had no issue at all with this.

In my defence this is a new gym I have never been to before.  So I guess most people would feel aprehensive.

I wish you the best too and thanks again for your message 

[SarahT]

Umm. Should have put physical and mental IMPACTS on your life... Am not suggesting you are imperfect!!

Brain fog anyone?! 😍

Let us know how you get on won't you? X

[Losingtheplot]

Umm. Should have put physical and mental IMPACTS on your life... Am not suggesting you are imperfect!!

Brain fog anyone?! 😍

Let us know how you get on won't you? X

 

I knew what you meant lovely   - brain fog something I can relate to very well - big hugs.

And yes I will let you know how it goes thank you xxxxx

[DottyD68]

Hi Losinngtheplot,

Really sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. The menopause journey can be a horrible rollercoaster for some.

I will try and keep this brief as I don't know what time your appointment is. If your appointment is short I would prioritise what you want to address first. Break things down into small chunks and deal with them one at a time otherwise everything becomes overwhelming.

 To me it sounds like you want a HRT to suit you (which may include talking about your implant). Getting a suitable HRT should improve a lot of your symptoms. It should help with anxiety but there is also the option of other meds in addition. Ask the GP what are your options including low dosage beta blockers for panic. Make sure you have a follow up appointment booked when you end the call.

Go and try and enjoy your exercise class. Once you are there it will be fine.

Good luck. Deep breaths X

[Losingtheplot]

Hi Losinngtheplot,

Really sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. The menopause journey can be a horrible rollercoaster for some.

I will try and keep this brief as I don't know what time your appointment is. If your appointment is short I would prioritise what you want to address first. Break things down into small chunks and deal with them one at a time otherwise everything becomes overwhelming.



 To me it sounds like you want a HRT to suit you (which may include talking about your implant). Getting a suitable HRT should improve a lot of your symptoms. It should help with anxiety but there is also the option of other meds in addition. Ask the GP what are your options including low dosage beta blockers for panic. Make sure you have a follow up appointment booked when you end the call.

Go and try and enjoy your exercise class. Once you are there it will be fine.

Good luck. Deep breaths X

Hi DottyD68

Thank you for your advice it means alot.

My GP appointment is late afternoon after I finish work today and is face to face.  My exercise class is tomorrow evening Flex and Stretch so hope it relaxes me 

Yes the beta blockers sound a good option so I know there is something there to control the physical symptoms of palpatations etc.  I think I will look to start Ad's again too I was on Prozac for a number of years and stopped it a year ago with the support of my GP I weaned right down so I do have a history of depression and anxiety and feel I need my quality of life back

[CLKD]

My GP prescribed a betablocaka to ease early morning anxiety surges.

[VanillaLover]

Hi losingtheplot,

I’m really sorry you are feeling bad. May I ask how old you are etc?

I too stopped fluoxetine after being on it for years. I have to say that the anxiety and depression did gradually come right back. I restarted it but it had no effect this time (I believe this is a known thing). In the end I tried venlafaxine which made a huge improvement. I also started HRT around that time due to hot flushes, migraines, dizziness, poor sleep, and also had lengthy CBT which was amazing.

This was a couple of years ago. My troubles started when I was about 44 and had had changes to my periods for a couple of years already. I still have crazy cycles and more recently two week long periods. Nice. HOWEVER things are more stable now. I am hoping that the rollercoaster early peri stage may have been and gone and things are getting lower….and drier…..but not as fluctuating.

You are right to keep the medical support there. As PP have said, try to concentrate on your worst symptom with the doctor and focus on that. Keep asking for help. Be proactive.

It will get better. Eventually one way or the other!

[Penguin]

Hi. I don't have anything to add re what to discuss,  but my only advice would be not to start too many things at once. So perhaps try hrt, wait until things stabilise and then introduce an AD or vice versa. I started an AD in August and then added hrt at the end of December as it took quite awhile for the side effects from the AD to stabilise and I didn't want to make it more confusing.
It does seem there are limited options for something you can take as and when for anxiety though, i hope your GP has suggestions. The best option I've found is low dose diazepam, I have 2mg for when I really start to spiral and it does take the edge off but can't be used on a regular basis and they are very reluctant to prescribe. GP only gave me 9 last year when I had a health scare and couldn't get through the 2WW for my colonoscopy. 
A beta blocker does help with the physical symptoms of anxiety though and I think the GPs are more amenable to prescribing them.
Hope it goes well, and big hugs, I know how awful and debilitating the anxiety is xxx

[VanillaLover]

Ah sorry just seen your age etc in your other post

[Losingtheplot]

Hi losingtheplot,

I’m really sorry you are feeling bad. May I ask how old you are etc?

I too stopped fluoxetine after being on it for years. I have to say that the anxiety and depression did gradually come right back. I restarted it but it had no effect this time (I believe this is a known thing). In the end I tried venlafaxine which made a huge improvement. I also started HRT around that time due to hot flushes, migraines, dizziness, poor sleep, and also had lengthy CBT which was amazing.

This was a couple of years ago. My troubles started when I was about 44 and had had changes to my periods for a couple of years already. I still have crazy cycles and more recently two week long periods. Nice. HOWEVER things are more stable now. I am hoping that the rollercoaster early peri stage may have been and gone and things are getting lower….and drier…..but not as fluctuating.

You are right to keep the medical support there. As PP have said, try to concentrate on your worst symptom with the doctor and focus on that. Keep asking for help. Be proactive.

It will get better. Eventually one way or the other!

Hi VanillaLover


Thank you so much for replying your words are very reassuring and comforting to me- I am 47 almost 48 years old.  And I do have a history of depression and anxiety from the age of 13 years old when I had a huge amount of stress in my life.  I tried various Ad's from age 18 onwards and had some awful experiences on some of them and eventually I tried Fluoxetine that helped so much and made me feel like the dark cloud had lifted.  So I have been on this since aged 25 until last July.  At this point I weaned myself down with the support of my GP and then stopped it completely.

I feel that I will need to go back on this medication at somepoint as I am finding the struggle harder and harder as each day goes past.  But then I feel what if it is hormonal due to peri then the Ad's won't necessarily help.

I am really pleased you found something that helped you and that you are through the worst of it hunni xxxxxx

Hopefully I get an appointment with meno specialist soon in meantime I will tell the GP which HRT I would like to try next

[Losingtheplot]

Hi. I don't have anything to add re what to discuss,  but my only advice would be not to start too many things at once. So perhaps try hrt, wait until things stabilise and then introduce an AD or vice versa. I started an AD in August and then added hrt at the end of December as it took quite awhile for the side effects from the AD to stabilise and I didn't want to make it more confusing.
It does seem there are limited options for something you can take as and when for anxiety though, i hope your GP has suggestions. The best option I've found is low dose diazepam, I have 2mg for when I really start to spiral and it does take the edge off but can't be used on a regular basis and they are very reluctant to prescribe. GP only gave me 9 last year when I had a health scare and couldn't get through the 2WW for my colonoscopy. 
A beta blocker does help with the physical symptoms of anxiety though and I think the GPs are more amenable to prescribing them.
Hope it goes well, and big hugs, I know how awful and debilitating the anxiety is xxx

Thank you Penguin for sharing your experience with me and your very kind words too.  I do agree that it is best not to take too many things at same time    I think I am just feeling so desperate now as I got a real shock at how intense and how much earlier in the morning the anxiety started as I was literally having panic attack after panic attack.

Ahh big hugs for your awful experience for your colonoscopy that must of been so scary for you.

I am torn at what to start first - I may start the Ad's after speaking to GP but I had terrible side effects when on them  xxxx

[Losingtheplot]

Ah sorry just seen your age etc in your other post

That's ok 

[Losingtheplot]

My GP prescribed a betablocaka to ease early morning anxiety surges.

Hi CLKD

Thats interesting thank you I appreciate you sharing this with me. All of you ladies are so lovely and are very supportive xxxx

So can I ask when you took the medication was it on a night to help with the morning dread or did you take it as soon as you felt it coming on?