Help - any ideas to sort out mood swings?

[Donk]

Had to stop HRT because of Migraine. Now ready to tear DH (or indeed anyone else unlucky enough to come within reach) limb from limb - for almost no reason.
Had to bite lip hard not to scream like a banshee at 5 yr old DS when he didn't instantly get undressed to get washed (being too busy playing)
Help! I thought I had this under control...
apparently not.....

Have you tried different forms of hrt? Or did doc think all forms likely to have same effect?

Have you looked at menopause matters? It has a forum which may help www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php.
My GP also referred me to www.thebms.org.uk/.

IIRC is cutting down on caffeine and alcohol good for this? I really can't remember as I did lots of reading when I passed through the menopause in the blink of an eye last year but have not read much since as HRT is working for me. I hope you find a solution as those mood swings are evil .

He is reluctant to prescribe HRT as the onset of migraine indicates a higher risk of strokes.
He is willing to refer me on to the specialist clinic but this will take some time, and I would like everyone (and our marriage) to survive intact until then...
I already drink almost no caffeine/alcohol....
I am eating industrial quantities of seeds (I'll turn into a budgie at this rate)

I have just come out of a phase of feeling just like you describe. The intensity of it was quite frightening.
Diet works wonders for me, if I am really looking after myself, eating well, no sugar, no rubbish then my mood is a lot better and I feel so much calmer.
I used to take a supplement called 5htp which was brilliant but, I haven't taken it for a while now as i have been feeling much better but, I am thinking of starting taking it again.

Desperate to lift my mood and even things out I have just started taking menopace and red clover. I feel great at the moment, on top of the world again but, i don't know if that is just coincidence or due to the change in my diet and the supplements. Whatever it is, I hope it lasts!

no sugar
lots of water
fish oil (omega 3) capsules
multi vitamin
all really really help

st johns wort might help as well but need to get advice from physician i think

St johns wort is good too. I also take a good multivitamin and flaxseed oil.

Motherwort has been helpful to me.

Thankyou for you suggestions - now to try some of them.

Just want to add that there is life after menopause. I had an early onset menopause at 40 and felt practically suicidal for a couple of years before being given HRT. Since then I have been prescribed oestrogen only HRT plus Mirena coil to help prevent thickening of the womb lining. This has been perfect and I am fitter and happier than in my 20s. Ask your G.P...? Apparantly this is common practice in Finland but not widely prescribed as yet in U.K
Just to add that I wasted two years of time and money with a herbalist. Be aware that natural therapies have just as many side effects and these preparations are not as strictly monitored. I chose the 21st centruary solution and would urge anyone to see their gyn't rather than suffer and waste time. My teen kids are delighted with the new me too! No more nasty mood swings Good luck to all. It's a confusing and disorientating time but there are solutions. x

Really interested to read what you say jeniwren. I had an insti-menopause in sept/oct due to pelvic radiotherapy. Although dramatic when your oestrogen is just turned off rather than gradually at least this meant I knew what was happening within weeks rather than years.
I was forty and am now 41.

My GP has given me oestrogen only treatment so far. She explained why at the start but I was not in a state to remember. When we discussed it briefly this week she seemed happy for it to continue for two years like this. Maybe she knows it will shortly be recommended here!

I too think most "alternative" treatments are peddled by snake oil salesmen preying on people's fears. I am appalled that all attempts to regulate these products are met with hostility, never mind the fact that the evidence for their effectiveness is very limited. If you can't have HRT for some reason, however, sadly there aren't many options.

I love this book for descriptions of herbs and what they do.
[http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Menopausal-Years-Wise-Woman/dp/1888123036/ref=pd_sim_b_img_2 New Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way by Susun S. Weed]]

Ooops here's the link again New Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way by Susun S. Weed

thingone - are you my dsis, if so ((hugs))
you'll recognise the name if you are

whinney

лошадь

I can't really say "neigh" can I?

So the cyrillic alphabet bit didn't come out, then ....

Thanks for the link Juuule, I've just ordered my copy

I went through the menopause when I was 16/17 and have been on HRT for 26 years now, I hate the mood swings, so will keep an eye out on your thread for solutions and ideas. Good luck, I only have 4 years left before doctors stop my HRT I'll be 50 then, am dreading it!

Ohhhh! Here we go again. It calmed down for a while, with the St. John's wort, omega 3 and seeds, but back to square one at the moment. honestly I am at the end of my tether!

Have you looked at www.nomoremoodswings.co.uk. I had a session and it really helped me after 20 years of mood swings. couldn't believe it helped as I had tried everything from acupuncture, food elimination diets, exercise, anti depressants, hypnotism, supplements etc etc. It helped me find an event in my childhood that caused me to be really angry, which seemed to be coming up in my subconscious every month during the 2 weeks before my period arrived. After I had the session, it immediately went away. I was soooo unbelievably relieved as it was affecting my relationship with my husband and children. Wish I had done it sooner.