Hello,
I’m new on here.
I’m 50 next month and have been on estrogen gel (2 pumps) and progesterone tablets daily for the last 4 years.
I suffer from anxiety and it’s always been manageable with an anti depressant. I was on 30mg of Citalopram until recently when it stopped working.
In 2021, 2022 and currently, I’ve suffered three breakdowns. My anxiety in the first two was very high and I was signed off work both times and had a hugely supportive boss. I took the time I needed and slowly came back. The last breakdown started (looking back) on December but has been full blown over the last 2 months. I left my job last year and am currently not working so no pressure there but I miss it.
I’m very happily married to someone incredibly supportive, have lots of friends and my family are supportive too. I recently saw a psychiatrist once I realised my citalopram wasn’t effective anymore and he diagnosed me with Generalised Anxiety Disorder. It wasn’t a huge shock as my anxiety is abnormally high but it was sad. I’m currently easing myself onto Duloxetine which has been challenging.
The psychiatrist thinks my manageable anxiety has been heightened by the perimenopause and I think I agree.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
Personally I’ve found the perimenopause fine to navigate, anxiety aside (!), I’ve had very few hot flushes and some brain fog - the anxiety has been the most debilitating part.
As mentioned before, I have a lot of love around me and I miss going out and feeling relaxed.
Apologies for the length in post, it’s a lot to get through. As I said, it’s my first time posting here or anywhere.
Thank you for reading
Anna x