So sorry to hear what you're going through. I'm 47 and probably peri-menopausal too. I have had depression and anxiety for all my life. I've been on a drug called Venlafaxine for many years which really helped. I felt no anxiety but it also dulled all my other senses so I didn't really feel anything much eg joy if something good happened etc, I thought I would find a consultant psychiatrist to help me change drugs in the hope that I could feel normally again. Came off Venlafaxine slowly and onto Fluoxetine. It was six weeks ago and whilst I did feel like I could feel a range of emotions again, unfortunately anxiety crept up on me over that time. Long story short, I had panic attacks, vomiting, chest pain - I can honestly say I have never felt so bad in my life. Had to call an ambulance. The paramedic was wonderful, stayed with me for a couple of hours, did all the tests for blood pressure, heart rate, an ECG for my heart etc. They were a bit high but came down as time went on. He diagnosed probably a bit of food poisoning which was exacerbated by my terrible anxiety. Next day I got hold of my consultant - she said I should stop Fluoxetine immediately (as it sounded like I just had a bad reaction to it, or it could have been a condition called Serotonin Syndrome) and take Diazepam immediately as I was in such a state of high panic and anxiety. It took a day to start to kick in but I can honestly say it saved my life - I was in so much pain, both physical with the sickness and abdominal discomfort and the emotional panic, I was shaking so much and couldn't sit still - I never really knew what suffering was until then. So I'm starting to very slowly cut down on Diazepam, and have been prescribed Pregabalin for anxiety - presumably as a temporary measure until the Venlafaxine is back up to my old normal level. Pregabalin is making me feel very unsteady, dizzy and dozy. I have never drunk alcohol in my life but my husband and children say that's how I'm behaving, as if I'm a bit tipsy. Not brilliant but it is 100 times better than the appalling anxiety I felt which was honestly crucifying. I'm hoping these side effects will wear off and in time I'll go back to Venlafaxine which wasn't perfect but in comparison to what's just happened, it looks like a dream. Apologies for going on like this and telling you so much, but I just wanted to say that there are many drugs out there that can help with your anxiety - it is an awful way to live and I fully appreciate your pain. If there's any way that you can find a consultant psychiatrist who knows all about the different types of drugs and can advise which one is best for you to try, and then is able to support you if it doesn't suit you, then do it. It may cost a bit but if it gives you your life back, it's worth it. Don't think you are alone in this, and don't be scared about giving things like HRT or anxiety drugs a go - they have honestly saved my life so definitely work. Find the strength to take the first step of finding someone who knows enough to properly advise you. I wish you all the best and am sure that keeping an open mind (hard I know when you feel so bad) will take you forward. All my best wishes to you.
I thought I was becoming peri-menopausal last year so went to my GP and she didn't need to give me any tests or anything - she just suggested my taking a gel called Oestrogel which I rub into my upper arms every evening - she said that gel was a lot better than oral drugs , so I take that and I think it has helped - so hopefully your GP would be able to advise you without having to do any tests.
For me, Venlafaxine has worked for me for many years. Is it perfect? No, it can make me feel quite numb so that whilst I don't feel anxiety, fear etc, I also don't feel much joy or excitement when I know I should normally be if something good happens etc. Then of course I tried Paroxetine and it proved terrible for me in terms of anxiety. So it just goes to show that everyone is individual and what works for one person may not work for another. What I did was go to my GP and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist with a good reputation. I was very lucky to have private health insurance so I got to see someone within a few weeks and she has been fantastic.
I found that Venlafaxine suited me well because I had no anxiety on it and could function on a daily basis. Every drug will have some side effects and I found it increased my appetite and a few others things but I can live with that in comparison to the appalling anxiety and panic.
My psychiatrist has advised to very slowly come off Diazepam as she diagnosed it when I was at my absolute worse, to effectively get me out of my terrible state. I can't stay on it for too long because it is addictive, so it isn't a long-term solution. But I cannot stress how much it helped me during my worst days.
If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to get a referral from your GP to a reputable psychiatrist, who is expert about drugs and will listen to all your symptoms and can keep an eye on you if you are on a particular drug. Trust the experts.
Be assured you are not alone in how you feel - people may not show it in public but I have no doubt there are so many in your position. Take heart that with the right advice you can feel so much better.
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