Can't take HRT but need help with The Rage

[TheRedDot]

49 years old. Peri after 10 years of being on oestrogen blockers creating a chemical peri. Weirdly I was emotionally ok on these.

I'm not allowed to take HRT as was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago.

I'm generally ok with peri symptoms except feeling permanently angry and frustrated (mostly with my family).

I walk and exercise a lot for endorphins but beyond that nothing else works. Anti-depressants caused weight gain, leading to lower self esteem and more rage.

Any advice on how to be lovely again?

TBH I think this is a question for a menopause specialist who can help with complex cases.

There are lots of anecdotal 'treatments' using herbs etc but research shows most are placebo effect.

The British Menopause Society has a list of specialists (by area) on their website.

The other thing to just think about is that there are some women (including on this forum) who have gone (back) onto HRT after BC, as they feel it's worth it for quality of life.

I'm not saying you should, just that the opinions on this are constantly changing, and if you are in the clear after 10 years it's worth having that conversation, depending how you yourself feel. It's not so black and white any more.
There is a podcast on Dr Louise Newson's website with Kirsty Lang who went back to HRT post BC.

Again, not trying to push it either way, but just for info.

I had the rage along with other symptons. I was prescribed Fluoxetine (20mg) for the rage and then I went to a private specialist and take HRT for the menopausal symptons. A lot of people discount anti depressants for menopause symptons but they worked perfectly for me.

@JinglingSpringbells sorry, not sure what happened there, I did not mean to quote your post.

@SpeckledlyHen But you are only one example and why would NICE have said that they are not appropriate?

@JinglingSpringbells True, I am only one example. I was simply saying that it worked for me and whilst it is deemed as not appropriate it is not that black and white in all cases.

Also, in my follow up I explained I did not mean to quote you. I was simply answering to the OP on what worked for me.

For some insane reason I didn't even consider HRT 9 years ago when my Rage started. I took St John's Wort and 5HTP for it and although it didn't end it like HRT has done it did help.

With weight gain this is caused by depleted oestrogen. Everyone reacts differently but I put on 2 stone very rapidly during the first few years of perimenopause, 2 more slowly after that. Fat cells contain oestrogen which your body craves.

I also can't take HRT due to breast cancer, and when I started on Tamoxifen a couple of years ago all my peri-menopause symptoms came back - physical and emotional. I have found acupuncture has made a big difference, both to the hot flushes and so on and also I feel generally calmer. May be worth a try if there is someone near you? My acupuncturist specialises in women's health which is great.

Could you try sertraline or another ssri, I had rage with my pnd and it stopped it

@LurkerTurnedPoster did you find the acupuncturist specialising in womens health via a particular directory ?

@kizziee no she is very local to me so I heard about her via word of mouth. Might be worth asking on your local facebook group for recommendations?

@LurkerTurnedPoster will do - thanks