Anxiety, ADs and menopause

[giggleshizz]

I've been on citalopram for years for panic disorder with great success.

The past six months I've been getting a lot of Peri menopausal symptoms (achey joints, mood swings, weight gain, hot flushes). My anxiety is also going through the roof!

I'm not sure whether to up the citalopram (currently on 20mg) or try a new tactic. I keep telling myself it's "only" the menopause but anxiety is starting to effect work.

I'm 46 and also just started taking black cohosh. History of breast cancer in family so slightly wary of HRT.

Anyone faced similar?

Yes I've just recently had to increase my sertraline due to increased anxiety
They tried to add in mirtazipine but that was hideous so I'm up to 200mg sertraline per day

I'm on HRT - oestrogel, along with mirena coil
I also have a family history of breast cancer and apparently doing this poses no risk

I'm 44 btw

Thanks! Did you feel the anxiety increase was related to the M? I can't think of any other reason as no specific life style changes.

I'm going to go and speak to doc I think. Dsis is on HRT and swears by it. It's the anxiety I need to get to grips with first.

Yes my anxiety has been awful, for no reason. Very difficult to control and completely random

With the increase in sertraline I feel much more like me again

Have a chat with your GP, or gynae. I don't think my GP would've prescribed it but my gynae is fab

@giggleshizz have it ever been suggested you try CBT for your anxiety and / or counselling? It might be worth thinking about talking therapies along with or instead of medication. CBT is now recommended to GPs as the first line therapy for all mood/ mind issues.

MozzchopsThirty It's not that using the type of HRT you are 'poses' no risks- it does, but only small ones, light most HRT. Maybe what your dr meant was that only 5% BC is inherited, so family history is only taken into account if it was your mum and sister who both developed it at a young age.

Gel and the Mirena are not 100% risk-free and it is a mistake if you have been told this.

@jinglinghellsbells I've had panic disorder for many years and tried various forms of therapy. Ultimately a 20mg dose of citalopram has worked really well for me in terms of partaking in most things I want in life and my doctor is happy for me to continue.

It's whether Peri menopause is increasing the anxiety and how this can be managed ie increasing meds or HRT.

Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced an increase in anxiety with menopause despite being on meds.

Ah okay!

the treatment for anxiety in peri menopause is HRT.

This is the guidance from NICE- it's in their menopause guidelines, available online.