Is there such a think as perimenopausal anxiety/depression?

[Umbongo1]

Sorry if this is a long post.

I'm 45 and am suffering from anxiety and depression which started when I was 40 (no previous MH issues ever).

It seemed to dissipate entirely when I was pregnant with my daughter at age 41 and re-appeared with vengeance as PND.

I've always noticed how it was worse just before my period but it seems the days when I feel good are getting fewer and fewer. Im already on a whack of antidepressants which seem to be doing nothing to help.

Am I hormonal or just nuts? Anyone else in a similar boat?

It is so good to know I'm not alone in this.

I've spoken to my doctor whose only suggestion was to up the AD I'm on (sertraline).

I'm just so fed up. I can't afford to take any more time off work but I'm scared I'm going to just stop functioning soon, I seem to be in a constant panic.

I am 48 and has suddenly been hit by feeling really low, flat, fatigued, sad,depressed. I recognise the feeling as similar to how I have always felt a few days at the beginning or end of my period in my cycle. So much easier to cope with when you know why and that it will pass. Just a bit of self care for a few days and back to normal.
I still have periods but either far apart or very long lasting and close together.
I find it difficult to access my GP right now. I don’t think I have been to the GP for 15 years so they don’t know me and I am also worried they are going to do me off with it being lockdown depression.
It could well be a bit of that too, but the feeling is so similar to what I usually associate with hormonal fluctuations just all the time.
I am going to make a really conscious effort with exercise, diet, no alcohol, vitamins and lots of sleep to see if that helps first.
Thanks for this thread OP.

Hi everyone, I’m new here and looking for some advice. Sorry to jump on this post, but I’m struggling to find how to add my own post.
You all seem to be quite good with the Hrt info and I would appreciate your wisdom please.
I have an acid reflux problem which I take esmoprazole for.
I have suffered with anxiety/depression for over 26 yrs. diagnosed approximately 16 yrs ago and put on citalopram. This worked well up until last year, I was then on sertraline which worked get but my stomach couldn’t take it. I then when back to citalopram, I had in my head it didn’t work before so won’t work now 🤷‍♀️ Then changed to fluoxetine, great for head not fir stomach, then escitalopram- great for stomach not for head 😩. Now I’m back on citalopram, I have started can’t again and I have visited a clinic hypnotherapist today also.
Anyway, sorry for that rabble. I was diagnosed with peri menopause 2yrs ago and I feel that this is what is making my anxiety worse. I was looking at HRT , and I’m wondering what your experiences are with regards to how it effects the stomach?

@Tabitoots

I'm no expert as haven't had hrt but I'd have thought if you can get transdermal patches or gel that would avoid the stomach issues entirely?

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly to help more!

@Tabitoots
I’m on HRT patches and I have zero stomach issues and I actually suffer with IBS the patches have helped my low moods anxiety hot flushes and anxiety the ones I’m in are everol sequi 50 xxx

Umbrellas go1 and hairobsessed123. Thank you so much for your replies. I’m going to give my docs a call ask 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Does the anxiety pass when you become menopausal? I am 53 but still having periods, last one was very light but much heavier last year. I have days of feeling despair and anxiety but they do pass and then return. Reluctant to take HRT due to 30 odd years of hormonal contraception and some mammogram recalls. Also think my GP may think it's lockdown stress.

@vjg13 I certainly hope so. I know I’m still on the shelf with HRT, but more to do with my stomach than anything.

Update - I had an appointment with a specialist GP who agreed I was in perimenopause and that this was a likely cause (or at least a factor) in my anxiety.

She's prescribed oestrogel and progesterone tablets.

Thought I'd let y'all know, in case this helps anyone else.

@Umbongo1. Could you let me know how you get on with it in a few weeks please?

umbongo1 glad to hear you have been listened to and I hope it helps you 😊

Did you go to Newson Clinic or another Meno specialist?

It wasn't the Newspn Clinic but a private GP in Cambridge who specialises in menopause. Not sure I can post links here but if you google Dr unsworth you should find it. Specialist in women's health.

Am slightly terrified to start it now (though I'm
Supposed to wait until day 1 of my next period to do so) partly in case it doesn't work?!??

Thanks umbongo1, perhaps keep a mood diary? i hope it works for you 😊

My feelings of anxiety and doom do seem to have reduced, mainly writing this to remind myself when it comes back!

Just adding a post to follow this thread. Lots of really interesting info here which chimes with my experience of massively increased anxiety through my 40s (though seems to come in waves) - currently struggling with digestive problems, insomnia and anxiety, definitely worse before my (getting more frequent and heavy) periods...

@Bramshott I totally get you. I’m 46 I have had acid reflux for 20 odd years and anxiety for longer. But this is different and horrible. I totally understand the waves, that’s how I describe it to. The only thing in my favour is I can sleep thankfully.

Are you me @Tabitoots?? I'm also 46, with a history of anxiety and acid reflux!

However, I would say that the anxiety I suffered from in my 20s was different - much more of a 'feeling', and usually related to a stressful situation or worry. I read up on it, understood what was going on, and had no anxiety at all during the period of pregnancy (x2), breastfeeding and raising small children. If you'd asked me then I would have said that anxiety was something I "used to suffer from".

This new anxiety which I've had on and off since turning 40 is so much more of a physical thing which can strike out of nowhere, so I do wonder if it's perimenopause related.

I've just ordered some magnesium supplements (as recommended on another thread in this topic) which I hope will help with the insomnia...

@Bramshott 😂😂 I might be. I needed meds for the past 16 years but this does feel a little different but the same too 🤷‍♀️ I might try the magnesium supplement too thanks for telling me xx

God yes. Never had health anxiety until I hit 45. Suffering dreadfully with it atm. Been on beta blockers for the last week.

Exactly the same. No issues at all until I hit 40.

Saw a specialist who has put me on HRT but waiting on next period to start it 😬😬

Hello to everyone. While this is my first post on this board (or any discussion board for that matter) I have been reading here for a while. I felt compelled to reply as I can relate to OP's post and wanted to add a little more of my experience.

I too have been dealing with bad anxiety for the last couple of years which was new for me. Most times its there and I find things to worry about.

I am 49 and about 2 years ago started with burning mouth syndrome which seems to be linked to peri/menopause. That seems to be the only physical symptom I have (no night sweats or hot flashes etc.) The worst part is the emotional and mental effects I am experiencing. I just want to be alone a lot and don't want to be bothered by anyone more specifically my spouse. Some days I feel like I just don't want to be married anymore and would be happy just living alone. This scares me because I don't know if that's how I truly feel because other days I feel perfectly normal. He gives me the space I need but I never know how long these episodes will last. Sometimes it could be a few days or it could be a week. When I am in these moods everything about him bugs me and I just don't want anything to do with him.

Does anyone else feel this way about their spouse? I am so confused. Please help?

So having had a few months of periods every 2-3 weeks I now seem to be back on a regular cycle but periods are lasting like 8 days (used to be 5).

I'm getting horrific anxiety not so much before but during and just after. Anyone else suffering?

I was fine until my periods stopped. Almost overnight hit with insomnia, anxiety, low mood, no motivation, aches and pains, still going eyes....the list goes on.

Eventually my GP prescribed me HRT 6 weeks ago. I've just increased the dose to 2mg. Flushes have reduced and anxiety reduced a little. But still got all other symptoms above including bouts of rage.

How long does HRT take to reduce these? Its driving me mad!!

A thousand times yes and for you OP

I have just re-started HRT and am realising what a joyless, stressed, mardy bitch I had morphed into.

I have genuinely laughed more this weekend than I probably did in years.

@Umbongo1

Sorry if this is a long post.

I'm 45 and am suffering from anxiety and depression which started when I was 40 (no previous MH issues ever).

It seemed to dissipate entirely when I was pregnant with my daughter at age 41 and re-appeared with vengeance as PND.

I've always noticed how it was worse just before my period but it seems the days when I feel good are getting fewer and fewer. Im already on a whack of antidepressants which seem to be doing nothing to help.

Am I hormonal or just nuts? Anyone else in a similar boat?

Er yes there is, I actually went mad during the menopause.