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 also take St. John's Wort.

I'm nearly 47 and had a hysterectomy 3 years ago. I still have my ovaries but was warned they'd pack up quicker than they would have done otherwise. As I don't have periods, I don't know whether I'm menopausal or peri, but suspect I most definitely am.

For the first time ever in my life I ended up on anti-depressants just before Christmas. I am usually a pretty together person, cope well in a crisis, don't let things stress me. But everything just got too much - a combination of having work done in the house and a constant procession of workmen through the door, fighting kids, the dark nights, everything. Final straw was a leaking roof which literally had me sobbing all over the GP.

However I only took the SSRIs for about 5 weeks as they made me feel worse. Dry mouth, constant thirst, insomnia, jaw clenching. So I ditched them and did other things which help me. I have a lightbox for dark days which makes you feel like you've been out in the sunshine. I force myself out for a walk in the fresh air. Headspace app. High dose Vit D. And it's working - because we have a dripping boiler at the moment and the plumber is here to fix it. Not stressed about workmen in the house, and slept well last night even though I knew it would be dripping downstairs.

So for me it's about accepting it. It's not your fault. Even if you've never felt anxious before, you are now and that's OK. Find what works for you and force yourself to do it.

Having experienced a couple of years of hell, I'm finding CBD oil very helpful in dealing with the anxiety and rage. Feel much more like myself.

Still suffering! One whole week and two days until I find out whether the concologist is backing my HRT request. I feel like I have permanent PMT now and now am dried up like a prune! Do you think they will allow me some oestrogen cream/tablets for that, or must I suffer in that department also?, all because of the godforsaken BC ten years ago! Its bad enough only having one breast and being covered in scars; now I must suffer the menopause and all the shit that goes with that! Grgghhhhhh..

Have looked at CBD oil but going to wait til I see my GP on thurs before I do anything. The anxiety has been here since Friday and my period isn’t due till Thursday 😩😩

4 days to go until I see the GP.
Got a private appointment booked with a menopause specialist, should the oncologist not back my request for HRT. Wish me luck please. I’m desperate. All bloods have come back normal.

Hope you get some help. I went to my appt yesterday and spoke with a lovely female GP about a similar age who was very sympathetic. She suggested starting with black cohosh to begin with and I should go back if it doesn’t help. My period has turned up this morning so not sure whether to start taking it or wait till nearer the next period

Insomnia and anxiety hit me like a freight train as soon as menopause kicked and unfortunately many years later despite HRT and antidepressants they have never lift, haven’t slept for 2 nights which just perpetuates the anxiety, it’s just horrendous, my sympathies to everyone who is suffering

This thread really resonate with me too. Like other posters, I used to be a very confident person, nothing getting in my way, able to rationalise feelings and give myself a kick in the bottom when I needed it.

Then suddenly I started to feel overwhelmed by things that before just upset me but could cope with. I started to dwell on things rather than tackling them, go through scenari after scenari of what could happen in the future and then the anxiety attacks kicked off out of the blue. Very subtle, not linked to any specific events and felt more like I was having a seizure than experiencing anxiety, so very frightening and the vicious cycle started. I too had it affecting me driving, especially early morning in the dark to the point when I couldn't commute early any longer.

So for me it's about accepting it. It's not your fault
This is what did it for me. Stopping being scared of feeling fearful has really turned my life. I still get it at times but now tell myself it's nothing different than heartburn, unpleasant at the time but it will pass with no lasting effect. My confidence is still very low but that's more due to the impact of brain fog and fatigue.

It seems hrt really helps for some and not for others but it is possible to learn to live with it and reduce significantly its impact through cbt. It takes time though!

It’s so good to hear that in not suffering in isolation. But really, I’ve had enough, exhausted and worn down. I haven’t felt this dreadful since breast cancer days and that was a decade ago! ☹️ My life is no longer and I’m a shell of my former self.

Just been back to my Gp. The oncologist has not supported my request for ANY type of HRT or even a topical oestrogen cream. I’m furious! All she said was, try acupuncture or venoflaxine! No mention of a breast cancer friendly treatment or my risk of taking HRT 10 years down the line from my original diagnosis. I don’t understand. What about quality of life? Why are they just saying NO to everything?

Got an appointment booked with a meno specialist in a few weeks, I hope to get somewhere with her.

What a battle.

I think that only you can decide the quality of life you want and if you are informed about the possible risks involved with hrt. I think Tibolone is safer than the conventional hrt. Find another specialist!

I think i would like to have a decent quality of life Emerald. One where I can sleep, not have palpatations each time I get in my car and where I can concentrate enough to get myself a new job. Life is full of risks? Can anyone point me to the evidence that says, yes, if you have been diagnosed with am oestrogen positive tumour, them taking HRT ( even vagifem!)is going to trigger a recurrence? Where can I find that information so that I can make an informed choice!

I have an appointment with a meno specialist on three weeks, at a financial cost !

I think Mikey is a good idea to find a specialist who listen and inform you without misconceptions. I am convinced that we know better our bodies and the quality of life we want. Everything in life has risks and we know it for sure.
Oncologists are not keen on prescribing any kind or replacement and I guess that they are focused only on cancer treatment.
I strongly believe that we finally choose the life we want to have!

Jingle can you help me please?