Debilitating Anxiety

[Frizzybear]

Hello, I literally cannot cope with how I feel, it’s affecting everything I do, just going shopping makes me freak out, I wake up every morning with my heart pounding out my chest, started oestrogen gel, but everything is just so hard, it’s affecting my family now and my work I’m a cancer specialist Nurse and I feel like I’m failing my patients, this hit me like a ton of bricks about a year ago, and I’m struggling to cope, I found myself googling how long it takes to hang yourself today, literally phoned my Mum to come round ( I’m 49 ) 🙄, I ruined my partners birthday yesterday because he didn’t respond to my FB post 🫣🙄🙄🙄 and I know this is not who I am!! I have a lovely family, usual problems, nothing major but I’m literally desperate, I scared myself today which is why I’m reaching out, I’m so ashamed I had the thoughts I had, especially when my job sees such terrible heartache at horribly cruel ages, I’m so frightened by how I feel, I’ve never experienced anything like this before and I’m sure it’s my age and menopause on its way.
Help!

Sorry you're going through this. I understand! A low dose antidepressant is helping me, as well as magnesium and b vitamins. For the most part, I seem to have it enough under control with these measures that it isn't interfering in my life. I was worried where it was going.

Thank you for replying, I'm just so exhausted with it all, I just want to feel normal again x

How long have you been on the gel? I too had this crazy anxiety - I get tearful thinking about how awful it was. I am not on Fluoxetine (20mg) and HRT. I have the Utrogestan oral tablet (100mg) and progesterone gel. This combo has completely resolved it. I did have a flutter this weekend but it was purely down to having a period (not had one for about 8mths). I realised I got really anxious when I got my period which made me realise it was hormonal. I wonder if you need to get your HRT revised? I went privately to a hormone specialist in the end.. so worth it! and not that expensive in reality.

And also to say I nearly ruined my marriage as I was so angry all the time. Ruined my birthday due to it. Thankfully my husband understood and the fluoxetine helped the anger issues. As soon as I stop taking it I can feel it creeping back.

Get to a private peri/menopause clinic and get your HRT sorted, as soon as possible. What you're using right now isn't working.

So sorry you are going through this. The only thing that helped me was quitting alcohol. Alcohol free beers are now my best friend

Thank you all, advice that's been appreciated more than you know!!!
Terrible day today, feel like I'm wrecking everyone's life but I can't lift myself up to do anything about it, but I'm going to 😊 I'll let you know how I get on ❤️❤️❤️❤️

@SpeckledlyHen

How long have you been on the gel? I too had this crazy anxiety - I get tearful thinking about how awful it was. I am not on Fluoxetine (20mg) and HRT. I have the Utrogestan oral tablet (100mg) and progesterone gel. This combo has completely resolved it. I did have a flutter this weekend but it was purely down to having a period (not had one for about 8mths). I realised I got really anxious when I got my period which made me realise it was hormonal. I wonder if you need to get your HRT revised? I went privately to a hormone specialist in the end.. so worth it! and not that expensive in reality.

Did you mean you’re on oestrogen gel and utrogestan? Otherwise you’re on two forms of progesterone?

Oh sorry, I probably got that wrong, I will go and check the gel

Sounds like you need a medication review with the GP, or perhaps a private consultation with a HRT clinic.

@Abra1d1 - yes you are correct, it is in fact Oestrogel. Sorry for the confusion.

@Aquamarine1029

Get to a private peri/menopause clinic and get your HRT sorted, as soon as possible. What you're using right now isn't working.

This. Don’t go down the automatic anti depressant route that most GPs would send you down when reporting this symptom This is a common symptom of menopause. Try to get some specific menopause advice first I’m 58, didn’t take HRT as 15 years ago was right at time when all scare stories were out and GP didn’t want to prescribe. Awful menopause symptoms including anxiety. On antidepressants twice for 2 breakdowns. Wish I had gone HRT route now, still thinking about seeing GP for HRT as still getting flushing, night sweats, anxiety , etc 20 years later after start of peri menopause.

I agree about getting the correct hrt sorted. I was given the wrong dose to start with and had such debilitating anxiety that I couldn't cope at work. My useless gp persuaded me I needed antidepressants which I reluctantly took but which gave me all sorts of side effects. I ended up booking an appointment with a private menopause specialist and she suggested changing my hrt. I'm now so much better, no antidepressants and the anxiety is so much more under control.

I find that the progesterone part of the HRT makes me feel exactly as you describe, I have two good weeks on estrogen and then two really really bad weeks once I start adding in progesterone.It isn't helped by the fact that my own cycle is still ongoing. I'm now going through the process of having a hysterectomy including my ovaries, I'm nearly 56 and can not continue like this. Sadly, it's taken HRT to make me realise how progesterone intolerant I've always been, I never realised the impact the mini pill, mirena coil and my own progesterone increase post ovulation was having on me mentally and emotionally.

I had the same, but some combination of HRT, liquid magnesium and exercise saved me.

Maybe you need to up your dose of the gel?

@Rina66

Could you explain a bit about progesterone intolerance please?

I think this explains progesterone intolerance really well @AmericanStickInsect

www.50sense.net/progesterone-sensitivity-and-pmdd/?amp

Hi @Rina66 did you try lower progesterone more continually instead of sequentially? I just wrote another thread because I was thinking I was also progesterone intolerant but then when I switched to a continual regime (lower more constant dose) I felt immediately hugely better so I think - for me -the sequential dose was too much progesterone at once, and maybe I was also sensitive to all the changes. I only mention as hysterectomy sounds so severe. But obviously if you are at that point I'm assuming you've explored every avenue. It sounds totally lousy and hope you get the help you need.

Just to the original poster - I'm not at all experienced and I have anxiety anyway but my anxiety got a lot worse and a bit out of hand in the last few years. I believe - for me - HRT has helped a lot. But it took a few months to find the right dose and regime that suited me and the anxiety seemed to die right down. I have heard a lot of stories from other women about getting quite agoraphobic, panic attacks, palpitations or even getting bewildered and lost or frightened in public spaces like supermarkets. It's awful that people are going through this and it's not been properly helped and recognised and issues hidden away under the carpet to some extent. I hope you can find the help you need. This forum and others have been really helpful - the whole thing is very confusing at first and takes a while to explore and get head round. Davina Macall's documentary is quite a good place to start.

I think it is the menopause. Please do not worry, it will pass. I've just got through it and still feel really anxious. I was bed bound ten years ago with, what was diagnosed as a breakdown. I experienced light/noise sensitivity and crippling fear of being left alone. I also freaked out when the door bell or phone rang. I spent a fortune on vitamins and minerals and was at least able to get out of bed and sort of manage a bit better. Good luck.

Meant to say earlier, I also came off caffeine which helped a lot with the anxiety. At least I no longer feel as if I'm climbing the walls. I can also manage in the house on my own now.

Thank you @menopauseadventurer, I've tried most options through my consultant- I was only taking 100mg progesterone a day for 10 days, I can't go lower than that, continuous would involve 100mg every day. The Newson clinic suggested 100mg every other day but then changed their minds. I've tried different types of progesterone too, including Cyclogest.

Hi Frizzybear
I relate entirely. I have had the exact same experience on the gel, only unlike you I have persisted for 4 years. It’s only now whilst experimenting without it that I can say it’s the gel. For the past 3 years I have felt labotomised, fearful, unable to walk into a room and speak, extremely tired. I know most women love it and I am sure it works really well - I’ve been trying to find others like me who had a similar experience but failed, and so I assumed it was me and kept going with it. I am thinking of having a few weeks off but then trying patches. I just wanted to say I get it. I realise this post was from a while back so things have moved on. I hope you have found a regime that works for ypu?