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Author Topic: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?  (Read 1132 times)

Anne G

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Hi,

I'm genuinely posting for a friend! 

My lovely neighbour in her 70s had a hysterectomy last year to treat cancer.  Thankfully it looks like she is clear of the cancer, but she's been left debilitatingly anxious - which I recognise completely as she is me about a year ago until I started HRT (I'm 53).  I've suggested her anxiety could be hormone related since the operation, but Drs taking her down the antidepressant/anxiety meds route which is making no difference to her.  Her family has spoken to the consultant about HRT but consultant says absolutely not as cancer was an oestrogen receptor one.

Any idea what she can do now?  She is in a terrible place - existing not living, losing loads of weight (gone from size 14 to an 8 in little over 6 months), won't socialise, worried about absolutely everything.  This is way more than worrying about the cancer...................

Any thoughts welcome.
 
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Marchlove

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Re: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2022, 10:36:42 AM »

Hi Ann, how lovely of you to be helping your neighbour in this way.

She could start by taking some supplements for anxiety such as magnesium glycinate. Search the recent threads on here for magnesium and anxiety.

I know some women do take hrt despite having oestrogen receptor cancer. Not sure what they take but I did see a thread on here recently about it.

In the States women survivors of cancer are given testosterone implants so that would be worth researching as well.

Poor lady, my heart goes out to her xx
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Marchlove

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joziel

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Re: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2022, 12:07:34 PM »

Advise her to have a read of the book called 'Oestrogen Matters' by Bluming - it has a whole chapter on everything we know at the moment about breast cancer and estrogen in terms of research (ie - how it is probably fine to take HRT) and it is written by a breast cancer surgeon.

There are also some great podcast episodes about breast cancer and HRT on the Dr Louise Newson podcast including interviews with women who choose to take HRT after estrogen positive breast cancer.

It is definitely not cut and dried and accepted that HRT can't be used or causes cancer recurrence. Quite the opposite. And if she decides she wants to use HRT, she may have to go privately to a supportive menopause GP to get it. I know the Newson Clinic ask people to wait a certain number of months after their treatment and until things are stable and they've been discharged - and then they are usually happy to prescribe HRT... after exploring all the risks and benefits and if the woman chooses that.
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CLKD

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Re: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2022, 05:27:34 PM »

How long has your neighbour been taking AD medication?  It can take 3-4 months B4 symptoms ease.  Regardless of causation, appropriate ADs should ease symptoms of anxiety/depression.  If not, taking a short course of Valium then having an 'as necessary' anti-anxiety medication might help.

Does she keep a mood/food/symptom diary?  Also, gentle exercise can ease anxiety.  I have used Rescue Remedy with success too, the mouth spray.  As well as relaxation exercises.

Quality of Life is important. 
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Sazzle42115

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Re: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2022, 05:39:56 PM »

Dear CLKD
Just wanted to say thank you for always posting and being so supportive. Do you think if anxiety is situational and or hormonal an AD would help. I've struggled as you may well have seen with my foray in to taking meds. Xxx
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CLKD

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Re: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2022, 05:48:14 PM »

I really do think that if someone is suffering with anxiety then the appropriate medication should be tried.  Regardless of causation, unless the woman is absolutely certain that hormones are the reason.  Some ladies find that taking the AD most likely to help anxiety as well as HRT really useful. 

How was your anxiety during your menstruating years?  During my teenage years I had 3 weeks feeling well, B4 the night before a bleed, even if a period wasn't due, I would sob.  My periods would be heavy and painful++, lasting for 10 days.  For years I was 10 days bleeding, my cycle was 32 days ..........  it was 'normal' for me and I didn't know any different.

Eating correctly can help ease anxiety surges.  NAPS advised me to eat every 3 hours, even through the night.  24/7.  Because hormones can burn off energy which may induce anxiety.  Even now I graze, as well as eating 3 meals a day.  DH is the Chef ;-).   :-*

Having suffered panic attacks since the age of 3, the various intermittent medications when required, have kept me ticking over .  I also suffer depression so ADs keep me alive.

It can be difficult to find a regime initially and tiring trying different medications.  It is however, usually worth while pushing through ;-).

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Anne G

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Re: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2022, 09:52:44 PM »

Thanks all for the replies - some good stuff to follow up on.  I'll discuss with her.
X
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CLKD

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Re: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?
« Reply #8 on: June 20, 2022, 07:13:06 AM »

As I woke at 6.30 a.m. I did wonder if my blurb actually made sense  :-\ whether it was too much 'me' rather than advice .......
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CLKD

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Re: What to do if you can't take Oestrogen and are very anxious?
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2023, 10:27:03 PM »

BUMP  :ola: :bouncing: for Anne regarding whether to try VA treatments. 
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