Help for anxiety, I’m taking HRT, any other suggestions?

[Mustardfan]

I’m experiencing work stress (difficulties with my supervisor). I’ve been feeling that I just don’t seem to be able to cope well with stress anymore, but it’s just occurred to me that this is probably related to peri menopause. I’m sleeping badly. I’m using patches (50mg) and I take 100mg of Utrogestan for 14 days a month. I use slow breathing at night, that helps a bit. I take omega 3 and magnesium. Any suggestions?

Propranolol? Increased HRT dose? Blood test to check ferritin and thyroid are okay? They can both cause anxiety if abnormal (or even low end of normal for ferritin)

St John’s Wort (Karma Mood extra strength) and occasional CBD oil (currently have Tripp) have worked wonders for me, OP. I also take magnesium which I find helps me sleep!

The St John’s wort took a few weeks to properly kick in.

I had low ferritin (9 when the normal range starts at 13) and even though it improved to 23 with iron tablets, the sleep clinic won't see me until it's gone up to 50 as that can effect sleep

You can't take St John's Wort with my HRT

400mg L-Theanine morning and night on an empty stomach works wonders for anxiety and sleep and helps with focus

I take Sertraline for anxiety, along with HRT - helps enormously.

Try magnesium in the evening.
I find it relaxes me before bedtime and I sleep better.

Please check with your GP before taking St John's Wort. I've read it shouldn't be taken while on HRT because it affects the effectiveness of the HRT.

Are there steps you can take to deal with the source of your anxiety? It's hard to know without knowing what kind of job you do or anything about your situation but could you go above your supervisor and ask to be moved to a different team? Or start looking for a new job? Or, if you're a union member, speak to your union? Or get your GP to sign you off work sick for a bit? It sounds like the supervisor is the problem and you shouldn't have to take/adjust medication in order to deal with him/her.

I'm going through this at the moment - not on HRT and was waking early and had morning anxiety. I didn't drink much but cut out alcohol and caffeine. Added swimming twice per week and walking in countryside/nature everyday. Progressive muscle relaxation every night before bed and reframed my thoughts so that they were more positive.

I'm so sorry you are feeling so stressed and hope it resolves with your supervisor 💐

Also taking epsom salt baths as you can absorb magnesium through the skin

Is the dose for Utrogestan not 200mg x 12-14 days a month OP?

Mindfulness and meditation worked for me. Apps like Calm or Headspace. Also lots of walking in the fresh air.

@OscarsAmmonite Interested to read your post. I also have been experiencing early waking and morning anxiety. It's always worse after alcohol and I also really enjoy coffee, so cutting down on both may help me. Thanks for your tips.

Hi Baffled, I went to my GP to ask for help and was referred for online CBT. Because I asked a few questions about hrt during the consult she referred me for health anxiety CBT so I had to go back to get re referred for general anxiety CBT. Honestly don't ask any questions about medication or you'll get labelled 🙄

But the meditation exercises on the app help as does eating well and going to bed early. I manage negative thoughts and nab them before they get bigger.

Sorry to hear you've been feeling unwell too. The morning anxiety was horrible but it is going. I'm not on HRT by the way.

5 htp really helps with anxiety and mood and can be taken alongside Hrt

Thanks so much for all the replies. I’ll look in to the supplements people have suggested.
I’ve been trying a bit of re-framing my thoughts and that has been helpful, I think, I should persist with that and do it more. I usually manage stress with exercise, I’ve been having treatment for periformis syndrome (pain in the bum), and haven’t been able to exercise so much, swimming might help, both the stress and the bum.

As to the source of the stress, I go over in my mind whether to talk to someone at work about this. I worry about it back firing, and making the problem worse. I work for the NHS. I’m doing some training at present, I can’t leave till I finish, but when I do finish, I plan to apply for jobs elsewhere because of this stress. I’m also due to get anew supervisor, but the old one will still have a managerial role above me. I think that others have also found her really difficult. I usually try to keep my head down at work and just get on with the job that I love. I’ve always been respected at work, this current supervisor is an exception in that she has made me feel the opposite.

Thanks to both the posters who mentioned ferritin levels. I was taking iron every other day, but have dropped off a bit due to constipation, I’m going to restart. I’ve increased the fibre in my diet so hopefully that will counter the constipation, have also started taking it with food.

When I’m feeling stressed I often feel lousy when I take the progesterone. My doctor said I could take 100mg instead of 200mg.

Doing yoga has helped me a lot - I do 30 day programmes on You Tube (Yoga with Adrienne). I don't manage it every day, probably 4 or 5 times a week. I've realised that it benefits me in so many ways, mental and physical.

Thanks, that’s a good reminder about yoga being helpful. I can’t do much of it right. Is due to the periformis, I’m doing my physio exercises 4 times a day.

I’m feeling a bit better this week. I’m

Hi, how long have you taken l thineane for? Is it safe to take? xx