Perimenopause and extreme pmt anxiety and depression.

[Booblet]

Hi everyone,

About two wks prior to the onset of period I am so very depressed and anxious to the point where I cannot get out of bed and cannot face leaving the house.... It really is unbearable. I do suffer from severe eczema and have autoimmune system problems as well as (which I am medicating) adrenal insufficiency, underactive thyroid, M. E., b12, folate and vit D deficiency. #

## I have mentioned these latter illnesses because I really believe there is a correlation between Perimenopause and severe depression/anxiety pmt?

Can anybody give advice on how to treat these debilitating symptoms?

[Paula101]

I was experiencing what I believe to be perimenopause, horrific pmt, anxiety & I have Hashimotos. It really was so so bad, as it is with yourself at present.

I do remember in particular the anxiety would be such that I didn't leave the house either.

My symptoms were crazy for about a year & half (off the top of my head) I noticed a massive improvement when I started my treatment to address my underactive thyroid problems, I remember some symptoms were addressed within a month some took longer but I got there.

I've been on NDT since July 2018 and it has helped me so much.

I also keep on to address my vitamin & mineral deficiencies, these alone cause a lot of havoc.

What do you use to treat your thyroid? And a tip on Vits & mins, get a good brand certainly not Holland & Barretts own brand/cheap ones.

Do you have any latest blood tests you can post that members can cast their eye over and advise?

It is god awful when those symptoms come round yet again!😩

All the best.

Paula

[Booblet in reply to Paula101]

Hi Paula, thank you so much for your reply. It is extremely helpful. With regards to medication, I use NDT(natural Designated Thyroid) from Thailand. But the problem here, I think is that suffer from Adrenal Insufficiency, I saw Dr P (Dr Peatfield) a few yrs ago and he examined me, adviced - medication. But, I am really suffering at the moment, I stay in bed until late, hence I have not taken any adrenal meds for a long time.

I totally agree with your view regarding Vits/minerals: I take Vit C 2000mg daily), B complex from a good USA company (iherb), Vit D, Omega 3 - is helping my Excema slightly. Magnesium - to help me sleep? and q10 for energy with M. E.

##What I am really interested in is LDN. I looked into this a few yrs ago, but didn't persue it: However, contacted a Scottish Chemist yesterday. I am quite short of money at the moment ( not working), I am a teacher but being 59yrs and being so ill at the moment cannot work.

May I ask where you buy your LDN from? I worked it out that I would be paying £40.00 per month but including delivery from Scotland.

Kind Wishes,

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have Hashimoto's? High thyroid antibodies

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If also on T3, or NDT make sure to take last dose at 12 hours prior to test

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

[Booblet in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi,

Thank you so much for for your reply: I never though about Hashimotos.... It really, really annoys me with the total incompetence/decisions of my GP (NHS). I will try and save for a private test, as you don't have suggested.

Kind Regards,

[soupybp]

Look into low dose naltrexone. Low risk, low side effect profile, helps rebalance immune system and hormones, helps level out PMS/PMDD symptoms. Your doctor may not be familiar with it.

(I am not a doctor)

[Booblet]

Hi, Thank you so much for your reply. I am definitely looking into LDN. I have just replied to Paula who also suggested LDN. Had it helped you?

Regards,

[LowB12]

Have you had B12 tested, often if Hashimoto’s or hypo then poor vit levels. I found orally B12 tablets of little help (absorption often poor with associated problems) felt somewhat better on an oral spray and a huge amount better on self injecting. It works out about 65p an injection and currently doing about 1 a week. Anxiety, low mood, claustrophobia and brain fog all a lot better since loading dosed over 2 weeks and then to once a week jabs.

[Booblet in reply to LowB12]

Hi, Yes sorry I have b12 injection every 8 wks from GP. I know this may sound silly but I have purchased my own b12 for self injection. Have needles and ampoules: But, I have been so severely depressed and still are: that I find that the most simplest action, Physically, Socially, Pychologically is, at the moment so very difficult. GP answer is to prescribe higher dose of anti-depressants.

[LowB12 in reply to Booblet]

More regular injections may help. It does not sound silly, logically I knew my concerns / worries / anxieties were extreme or unfounded ...it didn’t stop them controlling my actions though! X