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[Mustard1]

Hello,  I had quite early menopause at 44 and was put on Kilofem which I successfully took for 9 years.  In January this year I got great anxiety over a presentation at work (that was standard for my job) and then boom everything changed and I felt I had a demon running about my head I would switch between anxiety & depression  (not lack of energy just very tearful and very sad) and the doctor put me on Citalopram.  I  am fortunate in that I have never experienced anxiety or depression previously and am now 53 years old.  My best friend was adamant that I had to check the HRT route (I saw no point in this as I was already on HRT)  and finally I got a telephone consultation (I live on an island) with a specialist who carried out the Greene Climacteric Scale with me in which I scored 25.  She advised that she thought my receptors had stopped working with the Kilofem and moved me onto Evorel Conti patches.  I started these on Saturday.  My depression and anxiety (and it is always day about) is worse in the morning and early afternoon and then it seems to disappear!!!!!  I have read on the forum that this is also common.  Has anyone else had to change HRT due to it not working and can anyone advise a time period where I should start to see improvement in the swings between depression (not lack of vitality but great sadness Y& tears)  & anxiety and also if I should be aware of any issues whilst my body gets used to the change in the HRT.  I thought I was going mad and believed there was no hope for me as the anti-depressants were not helping - now I am hopeful.

[CLKD]

Oh - on an Island .......... photos.?   

   browse round the 'treatment' section above.  Make notes.  Also, do use the 'search' button for the product and see what other ladies suggest. 

Cortison surges can cause early morning anxiety and make sure that you eat regularly to keep blood sugar level - if your body gets hungry it can cause anxiety !!  I still eat every 3 hours, even in the night 

[Mustard1]

Thank you. I will have a look there.  Any idea on time scale for when the patches kick in.  Most northerly island in U.K.  - lovely beaches but cold. 

[Dancinggirl]

Mustard1, welcome to MM
It is a good idea to switch to transdermal HRT as time goes on - often fewer side effects with transdermal and can also deliver the hormones more efficiently. I do think that it's not just hormones that trigger the low mood and anxiety - I personally think this is all part of the ageing process for many of us.  I even see it in my husband - he is so much more anxious these days. Hopefully the change of HRT will help but you do also need to do more relaxation techniques, get out for brisk walks to clear the head and find strategies to cope when anxiety strikes. I wake some mornings feeling so despondent and awful, so I force myself to plan specific things that will occupy my mind and make me feel good. This is all part of the CBT that I have learned over the years. As CKLD has mentioned, eating regularly to avoid low blood sugar is vital.  If you are taking ADs, then I'd have these reviewed as well.
DG x