Panic attacks around time of my irregular period

[carolineal]

Since May this year, I've started having panic attacks always before and during my period which is getting somewhat irregular. They seem to be getting worse. I have had 4 this week. Luckily I have some lorazapam to take when they are really bad which does calm me down.

However I went to the doctors last time for a blood test to see what my hormones were doing and the results were fine. I am not fine. I can't cope with the panic attacks. I'm normally a very cheerful happy person who doesn't struggle to sleep etc and just gets on with life. These attacks feel so out of my control and its really, really affecting me.

I've got a phone appointment with doctor in a minute and then a face to face on Friday. Not sure they believe I am perimenopausal but I must be. Either that or just plain mental. Has anyone got any advice as to how to go about talking to the doctor and asking for HRT or something to regulate my hormones?!!!

I would just ask for HRT and explain your reasons. Perhaps a private menopause doctor?

I only went on HRT a few months ago, I wish I had started sooner as it has really helped with the rage and panic.

I took St John's Wort and 5HTP before HRT which helped, but not as much as HRT has!

I've just spoken to the doctor who was very nice but quite firm in that he didn't think HRT was a good idea as I wasn't menopausal judging by my blood test. Not entirely helpful. He did suggest either going on the pill or a low level anti depressant. Not sure either of those is what I'm looking for.

Where do I go from here?!!!

How old are you?

You could get a second opinion, especially as your periods are irregular. Or change gps.

Try tracking some symptoms on the menopause balance app and/ or look through Louise Newsons website.

Diane Danzebrink who runs the menopause support network on Facebook posted a link to a PPMD charity (I think based in the us but worldwide) this morning in the fb group. A lot of women mentioned this described how their peri symptoms developed though others had had from teen years. The group are also collecting names of meno clued up gps around the country so you could check to see if there's a practice near you who you could transfer to.

My hormone levels are normal but I've been peri for 3 years. 3 years ago I was just told I was anxious (not for 40 years!) I went private to Bupa and was prescribed HRT. GP then got on board. My symptoms, the most troublesome of which was bad anxiety around my period, have vanished.
If you're over 45 (I'm not) they're not even supposed to check your hormones.

Hopefully you can find a more helpful GP!

How old are you OP? I had panic/anxiety start when I was 40, out of the blue. No reason for it but now that I have that 'label' the doctors put everything down to that.

I've not tried HRT but I probably should as prior to 40 I've never had any MH issues whatsoever.

Feeling your pain.

I'm 44. 45 in Feb.

I pointed my husband in the direction of this forum last night and he just kept saying, its you, its you. And then my daughter and I watched the Davina documentary and she kept saying its you, its you!! Everyone around me can see that there is something quite wrong, I have so many symptoms yet my doctor isn't interested. Can I ask HIM (not been seen by a woman since all my symptoms started) to refer me elsewhere? I would be delighted to go private if it meant that someone took me seriously.

You don't need a referral unless you want to do it via NHS you can just make an appointment privately to see a menopause expert.

From the age of 45, peri/menopause is so common that GPs can prescribe HRT based on symptoms alone. If you read up on the Menopause Doctor (Louise Newson), you'll see that the most up to date advice is that a single blood hormone test is completely useless as a diagnostic tool. If your periods have become irregular, it's highly likely you are hormone deficient and peri menopausal, given your age. Especially with the symptoms you describe.

Have a look at the Balance app symptom checker. See which symptoms you have and call the GP back, asking for a 2nd opinion or a rethink, given all your symptoms. Maybe print off the NICE guidelines.
Giving a peri menopausal woman anti depressants will only mask a hormone deficiency that HRT can treat.

I'm same age as you and just been given hrt based on my symptoms which are cyclical.

I'd ask for a second opinion with a different gp.

Nice guidance is that you can request hrt after 45; what's a couple of months?!

I know someone who was offered it when 45 without her asking for it!