menopause anxiety chat

[Cowbells]

Hi

Is anyone else experiencing this? And how are you coping with it? I am really trying to combat mine as it fixates on DS2 who's had a tough time in his first year at uni during lockdown. I have a permanent sick feeling in my stomach. I overanalyse every social interaction he has (his problem was/is with chronic loneliness). I realise I am making the situation worse by asking about social life and giving unasked for advice, and I need to rein it in but it's become obsessive. I think it is due in part to menopause, as I am also far more anxious on the road too.

Does anyone have any advice? Or want to share their own experiences of it?

Advice: cut back on caffeine, consciously monitor your water intake to make sure you get about 2 litres per day. Exercise daily - a 20 minute walk outdoors works wonders (boosts dopamine and serotonin), take a magnesium supplement- not magnesium oxide (not properly absorbed) but rather magnesium citrate, malate or orotate 400-500mg per day before bed. See your doctor about HRT. My peri-menopausal anxiety was through the roof, the above measures reduced it by 95%. HRT made a huge difference.

Can't believe I forgot meditation. Helps enormously as well. Also, are you sure your blood pressure is okay?

Thank you for starting this conversation!

Thank you so much for your brilliant advice @PixelatedLunchbox.

I have to admit I drink way too much coffee. I love coffee and have at leat two fresh mugs of it every day.

The magnesium info is great. I will order some.

I already exercise very regularly and love walking.

I have been trying to get through this without HRT as two close friends had very bad health scares which their doctors attributed to HRT. And my other symptoms are not so bad. Peri was far worse imo than menopause has been so far. Since proper menopause my energy has come back, I don't get crippling joint pains at night and the brain fog has lifted a fair bit.

But the anxiety has kicked in and I get regular low grade fever, flushed face and chills - on and off every week for the last five months. It's not what I've heard other woman describing as hot flashes but I guess that's what it is.

Blood pressure is fine. I used to meditate but haven't for ages. Good suggestion. I will try that today.

@Cowbells

Blood pressure is fine. I used to meditate but haven't for ages. Good suggestion. I will try that today.

Glad I could help! Hope you get some relief! One thing I did to help with my coffee addiction was to switch to just one caffeinated coffee per day, in the morning. The rest of the time, I drink decaf - even my tea is decaf now. It made a huge difference, and I can't tell the difference. (Switching also got rid of my heartburn!) You may experience a "slump" at first, but even the smell of a freshly brewed decaf is uplifting.

I had severe anxiety about 2 years ago, definitely menopause. I had a den(safe place) in the bedroom and struggled to leave the house. Doctor prescribed sertraline which I am still taking but, on the whole, I'm much better.

@PixelatedLunchbox I just bought some gorgeous freshly ground decaf from a good coffee specialist so will actually use it instead of the caffeinated stuff.

@DawnWar - I'm glad the medication is helping.

There's been some good advice on here, as always. Can I just add, in addition to the magnesium, I've started taking Menolieve menopause supplements (Boots) and I have the Calm app on my phone, which is great. If I do the excercise, I become just about bearable to live with :)

Thank you @SpongeBobJudgeyPants. That's helpful too.

Hi I agree with exercise fresh air meditating snd magnesium I also take ashwangada at bedtime as well as HRT and omega 3 6 9 complex b vit, voted and turmeric in the morning ! I rattle when I walk but it helps !

Vit D not voted !

I had horrendous anxiety, it gradually got worse. I didn't realise it was the menopause. (I had fairly early menopause at 43/44) As soon as I took HRT it stopped (within 3 weeks) not completely, but hugely.

During the pandemic, for 6 months, I couldn't get the HRT... oh my goodness! I was so happy I was not expected to even leave the house. The cold waves of horror every morning about ridiculous things... what would I makke for dinner? Crazy!

So, I can safely say, HRT works wonders. As soon as I could take it again the anxiety lifted about 90% (I'm an anxious person anyway)

Good luck OP

Because I'm under 51, I personally have no risks from HRT.

I second the magnesium, I have epsom salt baths to calm me. Never drink coffee (but do drink too much alcohol) 30 mins walk a day is great.

Dawnwar I am interested to hear how sertraline helped you.I have bad anxiety and have sertraline prescription. The GP said to see how I feel as some of my anxiety is work related.Did the side effects make you feel worse to begin with?

I have anger and anxiety issues that are difficult to control. I take huge quantities of magnesium glycinate, that usually makes me sleepy, but I believe I built resistance to it. I cannot sleep. I take only soy, vitamin D, no hormones. I try to walk regularly. I cannot even smell the coffee... you are not alone.

@whatisforteamum

Dawnwar I am interested to hear how sertraline helped you.I have bad anxiety and have sertraline prescription. The GP said to see how I feel as some of my anxiety is work related.Did the side effects make you feel worse to begin with?

Don't recall any particular side effects but found the anxiety all consuming. It was 2 weeks before we were due to go on a big family holiday and I was terrified I wouldn't be able to travel.