menopause and Anxiety

[BjAli]

Hi, I have severe anxiety and am in a perimenapaussl state. As of yesterday my head became so hot I thought it was going to explode. I also have diabetes and high blood pressure. I’m on mirtazipine 15mg but it doesn’t seem to be working as I find it so hard to get through my day. Maybe I need to start on HRT? Any suggestions please? I’m really struggling.

[WW_ell]

Hi there!!

Well, obviously every case is different and I speak here only from my own experience. I had severe anxiety for about three years from the age of 43/44. By severe, I mean, it was crippling, I managed to keep my job and not completely break down, but I would have full blown on anxiety attacks about the mildest thing, and every day was just an underlying current of constant anxiety. Such a horrible place to be, my sympathies with you.

I first was prescribed an anxiolytic that is also a mild antidepressant (Opipramol), it worked reasonably well (it really helps with sleep too) but it never really completely went away. Two things did the trick for me, HRT (I am on 2 mg oestrogen daily and 200 mg progesterone for 14 days in the cycle) and cutting down/cutting out alcohol.

After about two months on HRT, I felt like I used to feel 10 years ago, not just a lack of anxiety, but so much less of the up-and-down. I am kicking myself that I didn’t think of it earlier, I am a big fan!! As I said, of course everybody’s mileage varies .

Talk to your doctor about it.

Best of luck!

[BjAli in reply to WW_ell]

Hi

Thankyou for replying to me. I’ve been struggling with this anxiety for nearly 6 months now, and I thought it was getting better but I seem to have had a relapse. It wasn’t totally gone but I managed to be coping. I’ve started to get hot flashes which start from my head which are very distressing. I’m seeing the practice nurse on Friday who I’m told specialises in the menapause, so I’m hoping that she can help me with this. I feel helpless. Thankyou again for replying to me and take care.

[WW_ell in reply to BjAli]

Hey, no worries, glad I could offer some help even if just a single subjective insight.

It sounds like you do you have a few symptoms, it also sounds like you’re on the right path to getting some help. I hope it really goes well and all the best to you.

Take care,

WW

[BjAli in reply to WW_ell]

ThankYoo very much for your kind comments. I‘be already got an appointment to discuss my symptoms and am definitely going to ask for HRT treatment. All the best to you too.

[Nemo24]

Yes def look into HRT. My head used to be on fire with my perimenopause. Now better on HRt but have had to try few different ways of using and different brands.