Where does the anxiety come from ?

[BlitzenandMikey]

Another thread from me, sorry..

So, currently waiting for the oncologist to give her opinion on HRT for me. In the interim, I’m suffering greatly with insomnia and anxiety. Where is the anxiety coming from? Why have I got it? It’s worse when I’m driving, which isn’t great at all. Really don’t know what to do. I’m tired and fed up with it 😢

I don't know but this is my biggest fear about menopause.

I already seem to have the insomnia.

I'm 48, and think I'm peri-menopause. I've never had anxiety in my life until a year ago, and I've also got Tieze syndrome (costochondritis) that is supposed to give you anxiety so it's like a double whammy.

I find Kalms help me feel better, and sleep better but it's a horrid horrid feeling. I often find it just hits you in a wave from nowhere and can be really unbalancing. GP won't entertain HRT as I'm overweight and keeps going on about SSRI's but no chance.

Hormones are just like the gift that keep on giving, aren't they

It is terrifying, I have recently started doing little 5 minute meditations and, although I was sceptical, it really is helping. I try for 5 mins every day but sometimes forget, there is also one specifically for a panic which makes you feel a lot calmer.

www.simplehabit.com/

Worth a try.

Having, against my wishes, made quite a study of the anxiety/dread/horrors/panics of the menopause, I've come to the conclusion that the altered or altering hormone levels produce physical effects on the body that the brain interprets as fear/anxiety. When it happens during sleep my brain produces a dream that 'explains' the fight or flight response my body 'thinks' it's doing. Then I wake up in a state of sweaty panic and take ages to get back to sleep. Then it starts again.

Telling myself firmly that I don't really feel like that, it's just my body reacting to hormones, helps a bit. But taking HRT has been the answer for me, so the above should have been written in the past tense. I hope your oncologist feels it's safe for you to take it.

keeps going on about SSRI's but no chance.

Can I ask why?

I used sertraline for 6 months or so for anxiety and it (along side cbt) made me function completely normally again. I would always tell people not to discount it without thought.

Op and everyone else struggling.

Can I ask a very thick question? Are you seeing an oncologist for unrelated issues or just re HRT? I am currently getting fed up with menopausal symptoms (night sweats, hot flushes all the Fing time, brain fog etc) but very wary of even suggesting HRT due to strong family history of various forms of cancer. I'd really appreciate any advice on how to get sensible information on what my personal risk is if I were to take HRT.

Thanks for all your responses.
Amic, your theory sounds like it’s hit the nail on the head. I just couldn’t work it out at all. Depleting hormones is bound to have an impact on the brain. I try to tell myself all is fine, but most of the time it doesn’t work. I may need to try relaxation and breathing, because there have been a few times where I’ve nearly pulled over and had to get out the car. Not great when you have innocent children sitting beside you!

Notquitethesame, I went to my GP two weeks ago, presenting severe symptoms. She nodded, mentioned my breast cancer and said she would have to write to my oncologist as she felt it unethical to prescribe HRT without seeking advice. I am now waiting for the oncologist to reply to the GP. In the interim, I’m suffering. My cancer was estrogen driven. Should oncologist not okay HRT, I will seek out a private specialist because there’s no way on this earth that I am putting up with this for years! 😦

I wish you the best OP and all women experiencing these truly debilitating symptoms.
I have been on HRT for a year now as I had all the classic symptoms, however, HRT alone was not enough to control my anxiety (I was never an anxious person and this high level of anxiety shocked me)
Do I am on Citalopram (20mg) alongside HRT and occasionally, sleeping pills.

Thanks roisin and Rhyming
Does the citalopram/setraline work? Any side effects? I was prescribed fluoxetine but have since stopped taking it. Just didn't want to take an anti d that added to my symptoms. It may of worked over time though.

Oh well, hopefully oncology will back me with the HRT, else I don't know what kind of people they are, to allow women who have had the misfortune of a BC diagnosis, to let them suffer again with these god awful symptoms later on!

This is a very interesting question.

My body's 45th birthday present to me was sudden and all-consuming bouts of severe anxiety/health anxiety, resulting in insomnia and utter misery.

My last period was nearly 6 months ago now and...so was my last bout of anxiety.

I hadn't made the connection with perimenopause but wish to god I had - I could have done something about it. GP just suggested mindfulness type stuff, which was unfortunately no help at all.

WHY isn't there more advice and info available to women in their 40s about this?

I've been taking NU u Nutrition 5-HTP and it's really helped with my perimeno anxiety. They've also helped with related insomnia. I find if I don't take them regularly though my problems return.

Mine started a few months ago. I had a big anxiety attack in ikea last month. No idea why. It just came out of nowhere. Makes my hands shake.

Hi, I've had similar in that I had to get the hospital doctor to agree to give me HRT. After being in on it for seven months I've had to stop it. I will be starting another thread but I've also been having anxiety and insomnia, or sleeping but not for long and / or waking up early. I had some issues with dh and I blamed my anxiety on him but now I'm wondering if it's menopause.

Well I ann glad to read that it isn't just me who is suffering with the anxiety, lthough I wouldn'r wish it on my worst enemy right now! Was meant to have a blood test today. Despite her best efforts, the nurse could not take blood due to poor veins going back the chem days 10 years ago! I thought I was going to pass out or the very least, be sick. It was awful. I just want to feel well and back to normal again and right now, I can't see that happening. The wait from the oncologist to the GP seems an eternity!

It is just so difficult to get medical help these days. I really need to see my doctor and just keep putting it off. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks MakeItAmazing
I hope I feel better one day too.
Hope you aren’t suffering too much?

I have just read a very informative book with cheesy title, Make Friends with Your Menopause. Awful title but by far the best and most relatable book I have read on the subject.

I have been going online and getting lost down rabbit holes of info. This has everything in one place, simply explained and is available in an up to date version which incorporates the NICE 2018 guidelines in case you want to go down the HRT route.

I dont, but never say never. But apart from explanations about HRT it covers everything - reasons why the symptoms happen etc, where you can find additional info and quotes from other women that really resonate. It isnt a long book, its a quick read but one to keep referring back to.

Sarcelle where can I purchase? Ebay or amazon?

Got mine from Amazon.

The anxiety is doing my head in. I had a few terrible months last year then everything seemed to settle down and I thought maybe I was coming out of the other side of it. Now suddenly I'm anxious about everything, being really avoidant at work and rising to the bait when my youngest DC starts needling me.

The menopause seems to be a bit of a poor relation when it comes to women's health. I didn't know half of the symptoms until I had them and initially I didn't link them to the menopause.

Hot flushes are well known but insomnia, itching , brain fog , anxiety etc don't get mentioned.

Another one here with peri menopausal anxiety . It’s taken me a few months to realise it was hormonal (I’ve got some other stresses but I’ve never had anxiety before). But last month I was having to do some deep breathing exercises in my car at the supermarket otherwise I thought I was losing my mind. 36 hours later my period started and the anxiety instantly vanished.
I’ve got an appt next week with my GP and I’ll be discussing it then

It seems this anxiety is very common amongst peri menopausal women and not a symptom which is widely discussed. It’s all very well the GP prescribing anti ds, but this symptom could be long term for some. I’ve had n awful few weeks, barely being able to drive with fear and palpitations. However I for in my car today and drove off no problem! It hits me as and when, it seems! I have a GP appointment in two weeks to discuss the oncologist opinion on HRT.

Isn't it awful, before 45 I never had a day of anxiety, I was always confident.
Now at 57 I'm an anxious mess. If someone had told me this was my life now I'd never have believed it.

I've had terrible anxiety for 2.5 years but I think it is starting to lift now as some of the situations I find myself in are no longer triggering it off.

My anxiety got a lot better when I got back into my exercise routine. I literally come home and am dancing round the kitchen to the radio.