What was your anxiety like ?

[GeneLovesJezebel]

I’m not sure if I have anxiety or if I’m just feeling a bit detached as I’m ageing.
Can I have examples of your anxiety so I can compare ?

I know that I just need to add oestrogen, but I don’t get sweats etc so I don’t want to go down that route if I can help it.

@JinglingHellsBells

I'm wondering why you are trying to avoid estrogen when it may help you?

In terms of breast cancer risk, it's progestogen that is the main risk, not estrogen.

That’s interesting. That makes me want to have my coil out now !

If you are concerned about the risks of HRT ( assume you must be as there is no other reason to avoid estrogen) do some reading on it. Dr Louise Newson's website is a place to start- now called Balance app.

Estrogen does not cause cancer. All the specialists now say it may in some women promote/accelerate a cancer already there.

You can find this also on Menopause Matters under HRT risks/ benefits etc.

I had the coil due to heavy periods causing anaemia, and I was aware that I can add oestrogen.
I’m a avoiding it because my symptoms aren’t bad enough. If I was having hot flushes, not sleeping, waking up drenched, I would. But other than putting weight on around my middle and having some occasional anxiety, I don’t need it.
I’ve seen women at work, older than me , who crumbled when they hit menopause. They lost their confidence, had anxiety, were sweating on and off. If it affected my ability to work I would really consider it, but it’s not yet.
I sometimes think I over think because I’ve not got a lot to do. I need to occupy self more, and I’m sure that will happen now the better weather is coming.

Off the charts awful. Probably technically social anxiety. Started being physically sick on the train going to work, sick in the toilets at work before meetings, etc. it got so bad I ended up acrophobic for months unable to leave the house. Sertraline has saved my life in this regard.

@GeneLovesJezebel what you describe doesn't sound to me like anxiety. I feel /think like you a lot but have never thought of it as anxiety- just being sensitive and taking things to heart a bit much.

Maybe you could consider things like meditation and mindfulness? Loads of apps for both and not expensive. Headspace is a popular one.

I had an horrendous time with anxiety. I was not sure really what it was to start with. So hard to explain, but it started one day that I remember very clearly at work. I had a bad phone call and thought I had messed up and about 20 mins later had what I now know was a panic/anxiety attack. It as awful and I had to be taken home by a colleague (60 miles). I then started to get really bad anxiety - shaking legs, heart hammering, feeling of doom etc. I did not attribute it to menopause at all at the time, I just thought it was due to my job.

After about a year I noticed that the anxiety was always really bad just before and during a period. It was so strange.. at that point I cottoned on and realised it was menopause or peri menopause related. I went onto HRT and it has completely disappeared.

It was very crippling at the time - at times I could not leave the house and did not trust myself to drive. Such a horrible time and thank god for A: realising and B: HRT.

My anxiety was awful too. I got frightened about going to work. Ended up taking voluntary redundancy. My GP prescribed anti-depressants.

HRT has helped but I still hate driving. I'm fine if I'm on my own in the car but if anyone else is there I'm a nervous wreck.

@beguilingeyes

My anxiety was awful too. I got frightened about going to work. Ended up taking voluntary redundancy. My GP prescribed anti-depressants.

HRT has helped but I still hate driving. I'm fine if I'm on my own in the car but if anyone else is there I'm a nervous wreck.

I got the same way @beguilingeyes - I got a new car (an automatic as well) and hated driving when I first got it. Was terrified and I am normally a really confident driver who used to do 30k miles a year. One day I got to work and was shaking and crying hysterically. I also got anti-depressants (Fluoxetine) which really helped along with the HRT.

Mine centered around work.Overthinking,not being able to sleep worrying about going in,doubting myself,panic attacks.Horrible.
Took sertraline anti depressant which took it away.
Now also on HRT patches and have the minena for the symptoms.