What helped your perimenopause anxiety?

[solarlights]

Looking for some ideas on tackling the horrible anxiety I seem to have developed that I think is menopause related. I often have a feeling of dread when I wake up in the morning and usually wake up in the night anxious about something or other. Have you managed to find anything that helps with this? I’d really value some tips.

Following with interest and hoping that I may also be able to get some tips. I am in my late 40s and also regularly wake at 1am, 2am, etc with anxious thoughts about work, my children, elderly parents, household maintenance, etc. I wonder if this is related to Peri-menopause or whether it is also age related - the perfect storm of being in a senior role at work alongside dealing with raising a pre-teen and younger child and caring for aging parents?

No answer I am afraid

Have tried Headspace

Taking time to myself

But the anxiety fluctuates over the month, do others find this?

Deep breathing, when I wake up helps, however sometimes it doesn't

HRT and only HRT. It was literally a lifesaver for me.

But the anxiety fluctuates over the month, do others find this?

Yes, and of course it does. Your hormones are fluctuating like crazy during peri, which is exactly why peri can be so utterly horrific.

Can’t take HRT so currently trying fluoxetine and have been on trazadone which was great but made me quite sleepy - got the best nights sleep from them. Walking in the countryside also helps me tremendously.

Gardening has helped me

Feeling very vulnerable and tearful yesterday, did three hours in garden and felt better

Also healthy diet, no stodgy food!
Lots of fruit and vegetables

Sertraline.

Magnesium, B vitamins, lots of water, exercise xxxx

Citalopram. I didn't want to go on ads, but I literally could not sleep and because of that I couldn't function during the day. As soon as the Citalopram kicked in, I was fine, and much calmer in general.

I try breathing exercises

Not full on meditation because I can't cope with that but whenever I start to feel overwhelmed I slow my breathing and pay attention to it.

It's like mini meditation without the fear of failure.

I also remind myself it will pass, that nothing is so urgent I need to lose my mind over it etc.

It's hard but the side effects of anti depressants were just too much for me personally.

I am on HRT which helps but I think I need my dose adjusted as the anxiety has started creeping back up.

I used to have this, and other anxiety symptoms pins and needles, breathing issues, palpitations, but over the last year it has gone. I've completely cleaned up my diet and walk briskly everyday so am much healthier. I think this has helped with the physical side as I was able to talk myself down during the anxiety attacks, by telling myself there was nothing underlying wrong with me, and I was fine. I don't get the attacks at all now. However, I became officially post menopause last month, so that could be the reason. I do still wake very early though and have just learned to accept this and go to bed earlier to compensate.

HRT

Hi, lots of research papers currently coming through on reduction of menopausal symptoms such as low mood and anxiety in relation to a regular (2 x 30 mins a week) practice of mindfulness, gentle stretching and relaxation. Hope HRT works for you but for sone women because if health reasons or just preference it is not an option, and they have to find another route through this phase. Check out 'anxiety relief during menopause course' the boon method www.the relaxation pod.co.uk
Or @therelaxationpod. Good luck

HRT
HRT
HRT
And if you medically can't
Anti Depressants

I take 5htp ( from Holland and Barret) and St John's Wort. It worked really well for me, took the edge off.

A contraceptive / HRT combination pill called Qlaira. Aimed at women in peri menopause. You can take it up to 55 and it’s free too (unlike regular HRT).

Transdermal HRT: oestrogel and Utrogestan. Or patches. I kept delaying starting, wish I’d started it sooner.

Sertraline. Changed my life.

CBT and then Yin Yoga/meditation

Sertraline - also changed my life !

Sertraline too x

Kalms help to take the edge off for me and chewing gum. Weirdly. Meditate and do yoga. Walk a lot.

Running. The benefits far outweigh the effort it takes. It’s anaesthetising

@Bananasarnie

Running. The benefits far outweigh the effort it takes. It’s anaesthetising

Oh how I wish I could run!!

I have tried but got shin splints and plantar fascitis for my trouble.

Now I'm too old, creaky and fat.

Propranolol.
Prescribed for migraine prevention but they are also used for anxiety.
Game changers.