Anxiety, anxiety anxiety

[myidentitymycrisis]

I’m 2.5 years post periods and my anxiety is through the roof.

I’ve always had depression and been on AD’s for a long time, but this level of anxiety about messing up and not coping with everyday life is really affecting me.

Does anyone have any advice what helped them.

My GP mentioned HRT but because I don’t want to come off my AD’s I’m reluctant to start trialling different things and destabilising my mood.

I’m using Estriol, take magnesium supplement and have cut caffeine to a minimum. But I’m so anxious.

If you have depression, ADs will be best for you. However, HRT could very well help with menopause / depleted hormone related anxiety. In other words, two different conditions could benefit from two different medications.

My heart literally goes out to you. I suffered horribly from crippling hormone related anxiety. HRT has certainly stabilised things for me. Hope you get some relief too. Wishing you well.

What do you do now when your anxiety flares up? Have you tried any expertise class, yoga etc?

I find going out for a walk helps short term, or chatting with family and close friends, although when really bad I often take myself to bed. I have had counselling recently and that helped.

I am in the midst of peri menopause and my health anxiety is tough to manage. I go from one terminal condition to the next, in my head, sometimes with no let up in between. Currently I have a sore hip so have been googling bone cancer even though the pain moves about mad both knees are sore too!

One thing that has certainly helped my anxiety is craniosacral therapy. It’s not for everybody but I have found that it definitely helps my mood and Makes me calmer and more relaxed..

HRT is a lifesaver for anxiety. Clearly, your AD's are NOT helping you. Perhaps it's time to make a change and address the ACTUAL cause of your anxiety, which is hormonal.

I had an appt with gynae and they wanted me to start oestrogen patch and the Mireya coil. I really don’t want the coil but it was that or nothing so I am no further forward

Try the hrt I wish I could have it

I so know how you feel, I went through the anxiety hell, when my perimenopause started. AD didn't work for me, also not yoga, herbs, TCM or even visiting a therapist. But when I started HRT ( out of despair), normal estrogen levels gave me my life back and anxiety dissapeared almost 99%! So for me HRT was almost a miracle drug and I highly recommend it, specially the bioidentical estrogen, which isn't raising the cancer risk. I only wish I could start it earlier, not after two years of suffering.

I had an appt with gynae and they wanted me to start oestrogen patch and the Mireya coil.

Why? What was the reason for that?

@Diane65

Body identical HRT is not cancer-free in terms of risk. If you were 'sold' that, it was wrong.

The research around at the moment seems to show it's synthetic progestogen that may accelerate cancer.

It's not connected to estrogen. Also- just for anyone reading- consultants are trying to stop the use of the term bio-identical.
THey prefer body-identical . (bio identical was a marketing term coming from the US and actually means something else- 'compounded' HRT which is not licensed here,)

@myidentitymycrisis

NICE menopause guidelines online, they state very clearly that drs are not to use ADs for anxiety/depression which appears nr menopause, but to offer:

HRT
CBT
Counselling

Lifestyle advice- walking, exercise, mindfulness, meditation, etc.

You might find a HUGE difference if you swapped ADs for HRT!
No one is supposed to be on ADs long term without trying other things.

Have you tried counselling or other talking therapies for your mental health?

Diet! You are what you eat.

I’d place bets you eat a high carb diet. The raised insulin (a hormone) plays havoc with all your other hormones, including the sex hormones.

Try a month of very low carb (under 20g a day) and you’ll start to see your hormonal system reset itself. You shouldn’t feel this way, your body is sending you a message.

draxe.com/7-ways-a-keto-diet-is-perfect-for-menopause/

drmindypelz.com/is-the-ketogenic-diet-helpful-or-harmful-for-menopausal-women/

I’d try diet before you go to HRT

Thanks for all your responses and advice. I know I didn’t give a whole history in my post, so some things I am familiar with and try. Some new ones to look into.

Over my life I have had CBT, counselling, seen a clinical psychologist for an extended period and also psychodynamic psychotherapy. I have had periods with and without AD ‘s and last time I did try without them I relapsed to a suicidal state. Although I don’t want to be on them long term I don’t want my mood to be destabilised so that I can try HRT.

I eat healthily and exercise regularly- run or swim 2 or 3 times a week, walk 20 minutes to work each way. Last weekend I did a ten mile hike.

jinglinghellsbells Unfortunately my depression is long term and not related to the menopause. My anxiety has really appeared since then.

mooncuplanding I don’t eat a high carb diet but I do feel better when I eat low carb and I have never investigated the keto so I will look at that.

aquamarine1029
I think you may have misunderstood my post; apologies if it was not clear. I am taking AD’s because I have lifelong depression and they are helping me.
On top of this I have now developed menopausal anxiety.