Norethisterone and mental health

[MelonMelon]

Hi guys,

So the surgeon I saw a couple of weeks ago gave me Norethisterone to try before potentially having a hysterectomy, just 5mg to start.

The last few days I have been in a HORRID mood. Just really angry and anxious, and today properly shaky and jumpy. Not myself at all, snapping at people and crying, my husband suggested it was the menopause! (which makes me horrified about what I'll be like then!) I can't think straight enough to read, which is my go-to relaxation, and I just feel so tired I'm overreacting at everything.

It does coincide with a friend's death last week, so I would be delicate anyway, but I find sadness quite different to depression/anxiety and this feels like a proper black cloud descending which I haven't felt for years.

Would 2 weeks of 5mg already have such an effect or am I just imagining it?

Thank you

[Nell97]

Firstly, I'm sorry for the loss of your friend that must be really difficult to handle let alone dealing with it on top of these symptoms. I was prescribed norethisterone earlier this year and I experienced exactly what you described in the first couple of days of taking it. I had really low depressive moods, I would cry several times a day, sometimes with no cause at all and I was irrationally angry. I also struggled to concentrate and had no motivation to do even basic tasks. I do suffer from depression periodically but I found that taking these tablets changed me and put me in a headspace that was entirely different from my 'normal' bad days. I'm confident that these symptoms were associated with the norethisterone as they lessened almost immediately after I stopped taking it and were gone entirely within a few days. So no, I don't think you're imagining it at all!

[MelonMelon in reply to Nell97]

Thanks so much for replying, that is really interesting that you felt like this too. I think I should stop, but part of me wonders if I push on through it might improve and help me avoid surgery!? Sounds like wishful and naive thinking perhaps...

[Nell97 in reply to MelonMelon]

Yeah I couldn't believe how similar the symptoms were when I saw your post. I think you've just got to do what is right for you. For me it wasn't worth it but I'd had similar (but much less extreme) side effects taking the mini-pill which never settled down, and surgery wasn't on the cards. I'm sure it's different for everyone and I don't think waiting to see if it settles sounds naive, especially if you want to avoid surgery. But I don't think you should feel like you have to carry on taking it either, I think two weeks is plenty of time to have given it a chance especially with extreme side effects. I hope you are feeling better soon!

[MelonMelon in reply to Nell97]

Thanks so much Nell, it means a lot to me to feel heard xx

[Nell97 in reply to MelonMelon]

No worries, I know how easy it is to feel like you’re imagining symptoms and side effects. Sorry I haven’t been able to be more help and I hope things get easier xx

[Boodie]

It could be the pills. I was on it and found it gave me nausea, dizzy and just generally feeling out of sorts. At one point I had a full on rage for something that shouldn't really caused a rage.

[MelonMelon in reply to Boodie]

Thanks Boodie x