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Original poster

Anyone over 50 with moods all over the place?

31 replies

ssd · 17/09/2021 18:35

Dont know if its my age or what but i just feel like my moods can be up and down with no warning. Im not bipolar and dont take hrt, menopause was ok.
But i can be up one day and down the next. Worry all the time about my health as well but thats nothing new. Feel scared of the future.

Dont know whats happened to me.

OP posts:
longwayoff · 17/09/2021 19:15

Hormones. See gp.

Original poster
ssd · 17/09/2021 20:09

Why?

OP posts:
ButterflyAway · 17/09/2021 20:29

Because your hormones are out of whack, causing you issues and a GP can help

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Menopause Women's health
Original poster
ssd · 17/09/2021 21:14

Do you mean hrt

OP posts:
lljkk · 17/09/2021 21:17

Every MN thread about menopause or simply women about age 50 (+/- 12 yrs) ends up pushing HRT.

There are other drugs, though, that some people find useful for mood control. Even some lifestyle choices can help.

I hope you feel better soon, OP.

SingingGoldfinch · 17/09/2021 21:28

I'm not over 50 but I can definitely identify with everything you say. My moods are all over the place and anxiety in overdrive - about everything! It's exhausting. I'm 46 - probably peri-menopausal I think. I just keep thinking it's a phase but it doesn't end!

longwayoff · 17/09/2021 22:59

It's all biochemistry. My guess is your hormones are out of whack. You dont have to be menopausal for this to happen. If you feel so disordered then see your gp. I'm not 'pushing HRT' but suggesting a clinician can give you better advice than MM can. I hope you feel better soon.

Fluffypastelslippers · 17/09/2021 23:00

@ssd

Why?

Because you have a problem and they may be able to help?

Original poster
ssd · 17/09/2021 23:33

I dont think hrt is for me, i dont need it. I dont know what else a gp would suggest. Thats if i even got an appointment.

Anyway, i just wondered if other 50 plus women out there felt a bit all over the place too. Without it being the inevitable see your gp. I dont agree seeing a gp is the answer to everything. I find talking with like minded people and getting other views helps me much more than a prescription.

OP posts:
Washeduponthebeach · 17/09/2021 23:56

I feel like this OP. I don’t believe HRT is the answer to everything either. I have come to the conclusion that blood sugar plays a big part. Being really careful what you eat, trying to ensure you sleep well and daily exercise are all really helpful. Cutting out alcohol and sugar and refined carbs. Taking a really good multi vitamin and mineral and taking fish oil supplements. One thing I have found makes a big difference is Evening Primrose oil. If I run out my mood just crashes very quickly. I also take 5HTP regularly. Also exercise outside. It has to be outside for me. I need to be in the fresh air and in a natural environment.

Original poster
ssd · 18/09/2021 00:01

Lots of good points there. Im unable to exercise or get out in nature just now and its definitely affected me. I dont drink but i do snack often.
I just found i felt down the last few days but felt my mood lifting this morning. Definitely hormones too, but i see this as a natural part of menopause, not something to be denied or wiped out. Its normal to feel differently each day. Lots of things depend on it too, as @Washeduponthebeach said.

OP posts:
EggAndHasBeans · 18/09/2021 00:24

I hear ya @ssd. 55 and not taking HRT either. Someone on here suggested Cortisol being out of wack, common in Menopausal women.

Maybe not great Friday night reading but here ya go anyway ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2749064/#:~:text=Given%20the%20importance%20of%20metabolic%20syndrome%20in%20heart,apo%20B%20levels%2C%20and%20greater%20VLDL%20cholesterol%20levels.

Fluffypastelslippers · 18/09/2021 08:58

@ssd

I dont think hrt is for me, i dont need it. I dont know what else a gp would suggest. Thats if i even got an appointment.

Anyway, i just wondered if other 50 plus women out there felt a bit all over the place too. Without it being the inevitable see your gp. I dont agree seeing a gp is the answer to everything. I find talking with like minded people and getting other views helps me much more than a prescription.

Seeing the GP is not a negative. Nobody is saying go get HRT but at the very least you should talk to your GP about your symptoms and allow them to rule out any other cause.

Washeduponthebeach · 18/09/2021 09:09

I find it quite laughable that someone could go to their GP and say ‘My moods are all over the place, I feel low’ and get anything useful from a GP. All they would do is put you on antidepressants.

GinJeanie · 18/09/2021 09:19

Flowers for you. Post- menopause is tough, as is midlife. Us women aren't suddenly through the change and back to normal We're living with lifelong hormone deficiency and as we have oestrogen receptors in every organ in our body we're going to notice. Lifestyle changes will definitely help particularly low alcohol, healthy eating, exercise etc. I found I needed low dose Citalopram as well when I fell in a pit of meh in my early 50s - it really got me out of a hole and I'd do it again if necessary. It's hard to kick start other positive moves if you're feeling dreadful. Agree, GPs are variable in the amount of knowledge/training they have. I was lucky enough to be referred to a menopause clinic in the past. I hope you feel better soon.

Mariell · 18/09/2021 09:21

@lljkk

Every MN thread about menopause or simply women about age 50 (+/- 12 yrs) ends up pushing HRT.

There are other drugs, though, that some people find useful for mood control. Even some lifestyle choices can help.

I hope you feel better soon, OP.

I went through the menopause over a decade ago and haven’t taken HRT or felt the need to. Your reply is refreshing as most on here are pushing HRT!
Fluffypastelslippers · 18/09/2021 10:11

@Washeduponthebeach

I find it quite laughable that someone could go to their GP and say ‘My moods are all over the place, I feel low’ and get anything useful from a GP. All they would do is put you on antidepressants.

You laugh at me for that? The issue is the GP, because most would actually do basic bloods etc before prescribing anything - and even then, any medication would be an option, not an order. I don't think speaking to a GO is a laughable suggestion Sad

oneglassandpuzzled · 18/09/2021 10:17

As mood swings can be a key menopause (and years around it) symptom it's not surprising that people suggest HRT as a way of managing a hormone deficiency.

Worked for me.

Original poster
ssd · 18/09/2021 11:19

Ive absolutely nothing against seeing a gp or taking hrt or anti depressives. If it works for you thats brilliant.

But i have tried everything mentioned except hrt..plus cbt. Counselling etc

And nothing particularly worked. Im fine, just a bit up and down with life, the pandemic etc etc

I dont need pills. I may feel wonderful tomorrow, or i might miss my long gone parents and feel a bit sad and lost...or i may have lunch with an old pal and have a great day

All i was asking here was, is anyone else similar?

OP posts:
GinJeanie · 19/09/2021 19:39

@lljkk

Every MN thread about menopause or simply women about age 50 (+/- 12 yrs) ends up pushing HRT.

There are other drugs, though, that some people find useful for mood control. Even some lifestyle choices can help.

I hope you feel better soon, OP.

It's not heroin! 😆
TSSDNCOP · 19/09/2021 19:51

I spoke to my GP about this the other day, poor love phoned me by mistake which was a total result for me, less so for her.

The upshot is I am to have a blood test. We will them discuss other options

For those interested I asked about the availability of test tubes and whether I was important enough in the circumstances.

She said yes, we have sorted that out now, and it's for her to decide who's important and who's not.

''Twas a breath of fresh air I tell you.

Washeduponthebeach · 19/09/2021 20:43

@Fluffypastelslippers
Sorry didn’t mean to offend. I have had lamentably poor experiences with doctors unfortunately. I often seem to know more than they do, and I don’t say that arrogantly. They seem to reach for either the antidepressants or the blood tests. Blood tests can be useful, but they rarely discuss the results properly or follow anything up.
I was stunned recently when one of the doctors phoned me up to discuss a blood test and she was on the phone for half an hour with some really useful advice. First time that’s happened in many years. She actually seemed to care. Sadly doctors like that are increasingly rare. A locum sadly.

TSSDNCOP · 19/09/2021 21:07

@Washeduponthebeach ah now don't say that, I was all cock a hoop but you've given me food for thought on ensuring follow up. I have faith sister!

RiverSkater · 19/09/2021 21:14

I'm all over the place but on HRT.

I've never cried so much as I have the last 12 months.

One minute ok, next overwhelmed with life.

I don't know the answer though to be honest my life is pretty shit at the moment.

TheNemesisOfLame · 19/09/2021 21:21

Yes me mid 50s. I dont think I can have HRT as I had a minor stroke last year. I think I've done the meno thing now.
Wondering what to do about my moods...feel very vulnerable and weepy some days. Other days - invincible.