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

Struggling - come and chat to me

38 replies

Stroopwaffels · 04/09/2023 08:51

My menopause has been a rocky road so far. I had a hysterectomy and symptoms fairly soon after but was given repeated prescriptions for antidepressants which didn't work. I have been on patches for almost 2 years. It comes and goes in cycles - I have months of feeling OK, but then get hit with a period of just feeling awful. SO upset and tearful and unable to cope with anything. Every time I get like this my anxiety finds something to hook into - first time it was a leak in the kitchen roof, second time it was health anxiety and I was convinced my liver was seriously damaged, this time my dip has coincided with DD starting uni and moving into halls and I am obsessing over losing her. Even though she's only 45 minutes up the road and is planning on being home lots.

So for anyone else struggling, please share what helps you through it. I am planning on getting out for a walk in the fresh air this morning and I also find that mindfulness apps work to ground me a bit.

OP posts:
anotherdisaster · 10/09/2023 11:09

I only started HRT last week so obviously not seen any benefit yet. What I have found a bit shocking is the differences in information. I posted on here a while ago about perimenopause and many replies told me I should not have been recommended anti-depressants for low mood/CBT because HRT is the first line of therapy. Now I'm reading this thread and looks like HRT doesn't always work for the mood side (or only temporary) and some of you are also on medications for moods.
I feel at a loss at the moment. My low mood, anxiety and feeling of hopelessness is high right now and I'm starting to wonder if the HRT will help or not. It can take up to 3 months to see any benefit and not sure how I'm supposed to manage things for that long.

PaminaMozart · 10/09/2023 11:09

Try Lucy Wyndham Read. She is very calm and gentle, yet positive, and most of her exercise routines are very short and easy - like these stretches:

unhappy50 · 10/09/2023 11:15

Suffering am 50 on sertraline and
Had my patches upped , I am going through a breakup at the
Moment so not helped but the brain fog is horrendous feels like I am getting altzimers scary but true awful !

UsernameNotAvailableNow · 10/09/2023 11:41

@anotherdisaster HRT really helped my moods, especially the rage and the strong desire to murder anyone I deemed even vaguely incompetent.

It can only do so much I guess.

anotherdisaster · 10/09/2023 12:00

UsernameNotAvailableNow · 10/09/2023 11:41

@anotherdisaster HRT really helped my moods, especially the rage and the strong desire to murder anyone I deemed even vaguely incompetent.

It can only do so much I guess.

Thank you, that’s great to hear!

JinglingSpringbells · 10/09/2023 12:01

@anotherdisaster Just picking up on some points in your post.

There is a difference between what is medically advised and drs who ignore the up to date guidance. Many GPs are not experts in HRT and given the time-pressure in an appt, they do sometimes prescribe ADs etc, partly as they 'want to help' but lack the up to date knowledge. (ADs were the go-to years ago and some GPs haven't moved on.)

If a female patient is crying in the appt, and asking for ADs etc, some GPs want to 'do something' and it's quicker to write the prescription than explore the ins and outs of other treatments that may take 30 mins (including lifestyle) or tweak HRT.

HRT is often successful, once the dose is sorted. But so are lifestyle changes and that means working on yourself (exercise, diet, maybe exploring mindfulness apps, doing online CBT etc.) I do appreciate that can be hard if you're feeling low.

anotherdisaster · 10/09/2023 12:23

JinglingSpringbells · 10/09/2023 12:01

@anotherdisaster Just picking up on some points in your post.

There is a difference between what is medically advised and drs who ignore the up to date guidance. Many GPs are not experts in HRT and given the time-pressure in an appt, they do sometimes prescribe ADs etc, partly as they 'want to help' but lack the up to date knowledge. (ADs were the go-to years ago and some GPs haven't moved on.)

If a female patient is crying in the appt, and asking for ADs etc, some GPs want to 'do something' and it's quicker to write the prescription than explore the ins and outs of other treatments that may take 30 mins (including lifestyle) or tweak HRT.

HRT is often successful, once the dose is sorted. But so are lifestyle changes and that means working on yourself (exercise, diet, maybe exploring mindfulness apps, doing online CBT etc.) I do appreciate that can be hard if you're feeling low.

Thank you so much. My GP was lovely but it was a phone appointment and she didn’t really ask me much. I asked for HRT and she just agreed. I had a private GP appointment and she initiated suggested CBT first then HRT. I can get CBT Via work so I’m going to sing up for that too now I think.

Original poster
Stroopwaffels · 10/09/2023 12:42

@MontyCCU how often do you listen to the anxiety hypnotherapy? I downloaded the file but don't have the book to go with it.

OP posts:
MontyCCU · 10/09/2023 15:05

Stroopwaffels · 10/09/2023 12:42

@MontyCCU how often do you listen to the anxiety hypnotherapy? I downloaded the file but don't have the book to go with it.

Apparently you can listen as often as you like. At first I listened every second day but now once every two weeks, alongside progressive muscle relaxation and walks

MontyCCU · 10/09/2023 15:07

There's an app called Breathe which I find useful too

Struggling - come and chat to me
MontyCCU · 10/09/2023 15:10

Don't listen when driving though! I sometimes fall asleep.

Original poster
Stroopwaffels · 10/09/2023 15:14

Thank you @MontyCCU , I have used Headspace in the past, Medito is good for the same sort of mindfulness.

OP posts:
Mipe · 13/09/2023 13:55

@Stroopwaffels I love your username! I am struggling as well, constantly swinging between anxiety and depression. My DD will be going to uni next year and I’m already thinking about it and crying every day even though she hasn’t even applied yet! I am suddenly worried about absolutely everything and it’s awful. The things that seem to help the most are exercise (walking and Get Fit with Rick walking workouts) and generally keeping busy eg tidying up, after reading this thread I am going to try Paul McKenna as well.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread