Horrific adrenaline

[Clusterfack]

Struggling these last few days with sudden, horrific adrenaline. I would say anxiety but i'm not anxious about anything. It starts when i wake up and doesn't really go, i feel jittery and can't concentrate on anything, everything seems hard work.

I'm 47 and i'm not on any HRT, I spoke to my GP who was reluctant to go down that route, she suggested some talking therapy, which i would happily do if i was anxious about stuff.

Could this be hormonal? It has happened to me before and usually lasts a couple of weeks, though i've never noticed a pattern to the time of month that it occurs. My tracker says its ovulation time atm so surely i should be happy and bouncing etc etc, whereas this is just godawful.

Any suggestions, tips, experiences out there? Thank you 🌼

It is a classic peri menopause symptom. Can also be due to a thyroid issue . Either go back to your GP, or if you don’t want to do that then think about going private.

@Treetops12 This is a page from MIND and there are some tips on how to relax.
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/relaxation/relaxation-tips/

For example, breathing exercises, walking in green spaces, listening to music..

It might be good to explore their website and look at the pages of self-help that include a lot of rally good tips.

@JinglingHellsBells i did a year of all talking therapy, cbt and emdr. It feels so physical. If it doesn't stop I honestly can't go on. No therapy has worked. None.

@Treetops12

With B12 deficiency anaemia I found I felt mentally wired, but physically exhausted if I was active, if that make sense. Foggy headed too though, but not always. Symptoms can vary a lot, but insomnia is a big one. My DD, (so no menopause) went from 2 hours sleeping to 6 after her first B12 injection. Her anxiety & phobias & much more physical stuff we're through the roof before injections too

There's some controversy of testing & how well it's understood by doctors & that theres an up to 50% false negative rate. It's advisable to get a copy of any test results as doctors can misunderstand the results or how serious it can be if not treat. My brother was told his was normal, when he was clinically low & then had a stroke because they didn't follow hospital advice to treat him with B12 injections urgently. GP had followed different outdated local guidelines instead of the national NICE guidelines on what a deficiency was

@Treetops12 You are only 42. Has your dr done blood tests at the right time of your cycle to see what your hormones are doing?

I'd really suggest you see a private consultant to have a thorough discussion about all of this and that includes trying different types of HRT. (Or ask your GP to refer you to an NHS meno specialist.)

There are many brands, doses, and ways of using HRT.

I'd definitely not give up on it because you had one try and felt it didn't suit you.

Do you mind my asking what you tried, the dose and for how long?

@JinglingHellsBells ive actually tried it twice. I was given 2 pumps of estrogen gel. And I reduced it down to just 1. And also an estrogen spray - think thst was 2 sprays. I never made it to the progesterone part.
This was all prescribed via a private doctor.
Estrogen energised me (which is opposite of what I need), I just got more wired and aggitated. Crashes of crying and the very worst thoughts.
I think it's more an antidepressant I need.
Have tested my hormones using private tests. Progesterone is good. Estrogen always a bit low.

Why the fucking hell are some GP's so anti HRT? I don't get it. It IS the answer. I'd have it in a shot but I've had breast cancer that is not compatible with HRT so I'm just suffering, alongside the horrific side effects of Tamoxifen. I'd change GP's 🤷🏻‍♀️

Have tested my hormones using private tests. Progesterone is good. Estrogen always a bit low.

so, logically, you need estrogen.

If you didn't get to the progesterone part- which would be 2 weeks- maybe try it again but this time start with 1/4 of a pump for a couple of weeks and then gradually increase.

I have it far, far less frequently now that I'm on HRT.
Low dose diazepam is ok for stronger 'attacks', but I would speak to your doctor about propranolol. It's non-addictive and actually prevents/stops the adrenaline 'floods/waves'. I've found it really effective.
Good luck x

And I know it's really tough but honestly the treatment will make you feel tons better. Get a doctors appt first thing and in the mean time burn the adrenaline through exercise/housework anything manual - it really does help too.
Please message me if you're feeling really down x

@JinglingHellsBells ill try. The estrogen seemed to give me more wired energy and my nervous system is already in over drive so couldn't take it.

Ive tried beta blockers - they don't help at all and make me feel sick.

I have these acute attacks every day in life. Last night I was woken from sleep in total panic at 3am. If I didn't use diazapam I would have been awake then until the next night. I really feel my brain chemistry is out of whack. Along with my hormones. My psych says aggitated depression.

I can't burn the adrenaline off no matter what I do.

Because I'm anxious all the time it's creating more and more aggitation.

I had hoped estrogen would be calming and relaxing. Quite the opposite for me!

I cry constantly. And the crying became more each day of using estrogen.

Not sure how ill get through this.

Thanks for listening everyone. Really appreciated your input x

@Treetops12 , do you exercise enough? This sounds like you need to physically work your body.

@Oestrogelsmuggler i have two very young kids and severe depression/derealization, insomnia and severe anxiety. I exercise as much as I can. Mostly long walks. I went through months of vigerous swimming. It did not help.

I think I just need to see the doctor / psychiatrist again

@Treetops12 can I ask how you are doing now? I’m going through similar now and am at my wits end with it. Just wondered if you’d found an answer

I’m in the same boat too - been taking HRT for a year or so and had felt ok, but now have horrific anxiety, nervous stomach, feeling like I’m going mad, tearful, all stuff listed above. It’s quite helpful to read it’s a symptom but it’s really affecting my life right now, the effort to keep going is exhausting

Your GP needs to read the NICE Guidelines. And then prescribe you the drug you need: HRT