Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Menopause

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

AD's or HRT's

29 replies

Mothertruckin · 08/06/2023 09:11

I'm at the end of my tether. I'm 47 (actually nearly 48 but who's counting). For the past few years I've been getting bouts of acute high anxiety (like I can't sleep or eat properly), for which the doctors have prescribed AD's. They tend to last 2-3 weeks, occasionally longer. I'm in one now. These 'bouts' started when i was about 40, I haven't had any previous MH issues. It is an odd feeling because whilst my body is clearly reacting to something, I am not cognitively worrying or feeling anxious, if that makes any sense whatsoever.

I've been tracking my cycles and these bouts usually (but not always) start around ovulation. I've spoken to the Dr who suggesting an increase in dose of my AD as I don't really have any other peri symptoms other than night sweats and a slightly but not massively off-beat cycle, which can be anything from 25-34 days.

Has anyone been here and come through it? It's ruining my life.

OP posts:
JinglingSpringbells · 08/06/2023 09:16

ADs don't work for peri meno/ meno anxiety.

There is lots of info on this on the website of Dr Louise Newson (Balance) and also, NICE guidance says (from 2015!) that HRT is the first line of treatment for hormonal anxiety and depression, not ADs.

This has come up a zillion times on this forum and if you search you can find the NICE menopause guidance (to show your GP.)

Original poster
Mothertruckin · 08/06/2023 09:19

Thank you for replying JinglingBells.

I think that because my cycle is still regular (ish) and I have no other peri symptoms as well as my 'history' the GP (and there's only 2 where I live out in the sticks) is turning a blind eye to the possibility of hormonal causes. If a cycle is still regular does that mean you won't get the same fluctuations that cause symptoms? I'm so ignorant about all of this. I feel a fool.

OP posts:
SpeckledlyHen · 08/06/2023 09:21

I had exactly the same. I had the rage as well. Short story I had Fluoxetine for the rage (20mg) and then went to a menopause specialist who prescribed HRT. I no longer have the rage or the high anxiety using that combination. I still get anxious about things probably in a normal way but it is not as crippling as it was. Mine also was cycle related (when I had a period). It took me a while to realise the link.

SpeckledlyHen · 08/06/2023 09:22

Sorry to clarify the AD's did not sort the anxiety but the HRT did. It just helped with the rage.

Original poster
Mothertruckin · 08/06/2023 09:30

Thank you Speckedly. Did you have other peri symptoms too? I am getting some fairly unpleasant night sweats but that's about all i can muster and my old fashioned GP just doesn't want to hear it.

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 08/06/2023 09:36

If you stopped calling them night sweats and called them hot flushes then you might get further with your GP.

You also sound like you are accidentally minimising your symptoms, saying 'only' when clearly they are really affecting you.

sodogtired · 08/06/2023 09:38

I am similar age and only have a few physical symptoms (rare hot flushes, joint pain in my knees, which I didn't realise was hormone related) but had a general feeling of not really being myself anymore - I used to be so focused and good at my job and motivated, but was just lacking that and just felt a bit down about it all. I spoke to my gp about it and we discussed the options AD or HRT and i decided that would try HRT as I am just over 45. So I had the mirena coil anyway, and GP added in low dose oestrogen patches and I have to say that even on a low dose I can tell the difference. My joint pain has GONE. But I just feel less like I'm drifting through life aimlessly now, so I'd highly recommend trying it. Good luck x

JinglingSpringbells · 08/06/2023 09:43

I agree with @AnnaMagnani
You are minimising them.

unpleasant night sweats are horrible.

anyway you don't have to beg for HRT. You can go to your GP and say you want to try it. GPs aren't the gate keepers to all treatment if it's proved to be safe and effective.

Periods don't have to be irregular. Often women have regular cycles but they are anovular (no ovulation happening.)

ADs have a 40% placebo effect and there is a very strong drive to stop GPs prescribing them not just for women but for everyone. Not saying they don't work- some people do need them- but they seem to be prescribed too readily and GPs are being told to prescribe CBT and talking therapies first.

SpeckledlyHen · 08/06/2023 09:49

Mothertruckin · 08/06/2023 09:30

Thank you Speckedly. Did you have other peri symptoms too? I am getting some fairly unpleasant night sweats but that's about all i can muster and my old fashioned GP just doesn't want to hear it.

Yes I had hot flushes overnight, was absolutely awful. But I did buy a baavet (wool duvet) and that really helped. But for the anxiety which was crippling (I could not leave the house or drive my car) it was only HRT.

As others have said I would go privately. It is not difficult to do, you should be able to get a zoom appointment and it is not that expensive. I paid about £250 for initial consultation, then paid for the prescription (about £120 for 6 months worth from memory) and then I have an annual consult which is about £80. Well worth doing rather than relying on the GP.

You can simply google Louise Newson or menopause clinics to find a suitable clinic near you.

Original poster
Mothertruckin · 08/06/2023 09:56

I'm so grateful for your replies. I was genuinely starting to believe i was going mad. I'm a bit weepy now reading all this.

OP posts:
SpeckledlyHen · 08/06/2023 10:12

Also I have just remembered another sympton following on from @sodogtired post. I felt the same, unmotivated and just drifting aimlessly. I have quite a stressful job and it was really getting me down.

Also, my memory was shot to pieces and I couldn't think of words mid sentence. It could have been a really straight forward word like "table" but the words would not come into my head, then my brain would try and think of an alternative (say desk) and I couldn't find that either. It was excruciating and embarrassing, especially in meetings where I was talking.

Original poster
Mothertruckin · 08/06/2023 10:20

YES! that happens to me too!

OP posts:
sodogtired · 08/06/2023 10:30

@SpeckledlyHen yes, that's exactly what was happening to me too. It's not like it never happens now, but it's less common. I think I might need a slightly higher dose (i'm on 25 at the moment) and it might improve more, but I just generally feel better equipped to get on with things now. It's quite hard to explain how I felt before, but I just didn't feel 'right' and it took me a while to realise that it was probably hormonal.

lljkk · 09/06/2023 08:17

This reminds me when I was young, I had similar "I can't cope!!!" symptoms for 1-2 days about the start of each period. It helped me so much when I started to recognise that pattern, I could overcome it cognitively just by saying "wait 36 hours before you decide your life is a disaster". I always felt better quickly & learning that was a huge help. Just knowing that recovery would come could be a factor why the problem reduced by the time I was in my mid-late 20s.

But that was only 36 hours to wait/recover/ typically. Don't think I could have rationalised my way into ignoring thoughts & feelings of despair for 3 solid weeks. Does that mean you've only got 1-2 weeks each month that you feel resilient? Do these spells happen with every menstrual cycle?

Original poster
Mothertruckin · 09/06/2023 10:36

Fortunately this isn't happening every month, I really really couldn't cope with that! But when it does happen it's like a cloud or a bubble comes and sits over my head, i can't think straight and i become completely acopic - for no good reason. It's very bizarre.

OP posts:
lljkk · 09/06/2023 12:19

So ... how many times a year?

Original poster
Mothertruckin · 15/06/2023 09:11

So I managed to get a telephone appointment with the other GP. She said because my issues started when i was 40 it would be naiive to think that this has a hormonal cause, so more AD's for me.

I could cry. In fact I am.

OP posts:
JinglingSpringbells · 15/06/2023 10:26

Mothertruckin · 15/06/2023 09:11

So I managed to get a telephone appointment with the other GP. She said because my issues started when i was 40 it would be naiive to think that this has a hormonal cause, so more AD's for me.

I could cry. In fact I am.

Menopause can take 10 years. The average age of menopause is 51 and symptoms can start 10 years before that.

Your GP is the naiive one not to know this!

Many women have regular cycles but are in peri meno.
Some of the cycles are without ovulation.

Your cycles are irregular because what you said in your earlier post shows they can be 9 days difference. Anything more than 7 days is counted as irregular.

I suggest you go back armed with NICE guidance about ADs not being appropriate, explain you have symptoms- write hem down- and say unless there are sound medical reasons NOT to use HRT, then you want to try it.
Don't back down.

If all of that fails, consider making a complaint or (and you shouldn't have to do this) you could pay for a private appt with a menopause specialist.

WhereAreWeNow · 18/06/2023 20:46

Definitely sounds like peri @Mothertruckin and I would try HRT rather than ADs first. It's massively helped my anxiety and depression.
I would go back to GP (or ask to see another one), go and ask for HRT on the basis that you're nearly 48 and you have symptoms (night sweats, irregular cycle, and overwhelming anxiety). Point to the Nice guidelines which clearly recommend HRT rather than ADs. If the answer is no, ask why they are refusing to prescribe the recommended treatment for perimenopause.
Good luck. It will get better 💐

DustyLee123 · 19/06/2023 10:30

My DH has been on antidepressants for over 15 years, and told not to come off them. Why would he when it’s what keeps him on an even keel.

DustyLee123 · 19/06/2023 10:33

Mothertruckin · 15/06/2023 09:11

So I managed to get a telephone appointment with the other GP. She said because my issues started when i was 40 it would be naiive to think that this has a hormonal cause, so more AD's for me.

I could cry. In fact I am.

Print out the NICE guidelines and demand HRT.
Mention night sweats, hot flushes, lack of libido. Mention all the symptoms even if you don’t have them.

soberfabulous · 19/06/2023 10:39

I am also 47.

I have perfect cycle of 28 days.

My hormones are absolutely perfect (went to see a consultant to check them.)

Yet I was dripping in sweat each night, ravaged by insomnia and absolutely homicidal each day.

Hence I'm now on oestrogen gel and progesterone tablets.

I won't lie, I'm still partly homicidal.

It's so hard to tell what is peri and what is just the world being absolute twats!

DustyLee123 · 19/06/2023 11:17

soberfabulous · 19/06/2023 10:39

I am also 47.

I have perfect cycle of 28 days.

My hormones are absolutely perfect (went to see a consultant to check them.)

Yet I was dripping in sweat each night, ravaged by insomnia and absolutely homicidal each day.

Hence I'm now on oestrogen gel and progesterone tablets.

I won't lie, I'm still partly homicidal.

It's so hard to tell what is peri and what is just the world being absolute twats!

I’m on HRT to work out if it’s peri for me, or if my husband really is a twat !