Is it? Or am I going mad?

[letstryagainnow]

I've been under a lot of stress at work for a while now. It finally caught up with me and I couldn't get in the building earlier this week as I was crying so much. Got home and spoke to gp who prescribed beta blockers. It the first time I've felt like this so I was really surprised. Made an appointment to see a different HCP at the surgery as every time I think of work at the moment I end up in tears. My mind is constantly turning over never ending to do lists and planning. Even when signed off for a few weeks following Monday. This HCP really listened to me and recognised that work has been the trigger. I've now been prescribed anti depressants. I've had this stressful job for a long time. I've never had this can't cope feeling before. And it all seems to stem from work. I wondered if hormone changes meant that I'm less able to cope. I am 3 years into mirena coil if that makes a difference. HCP wouldn't do any blood tests to rule out peri etc as she said that the coil would scew results and that depression is also hormonal. I don't know. Not even sure I'm posting this in the right place. Never taken AD before and feel like they might be a sticking plaster over the issue of work/masking peri symptoms which could be the root of feeling like I can't cope.

Hi there sorry to hear you are going through all this and it is horrible and have been there. Start the antidepressants as they will take the edge off and it does not mean you have to be on them long term. The first week or so you may feel a little off or have brain zaps but they will help you. You need to try to relax a little as feeling so overwhelmed is scary and you feel you cannot switch off. Try to take a small walk daily, hot baths, make time for you to relax, put your feet up and just get lost in a good show where you can just have your mind away from work. My favourite show is Peep Show as always makes me laugh. Your body and mind needs time to just be as you are exhausted and stressed. What age are you if you don't mind me asking?
If as you say you have time off work just be kind to yourself and you have burn out and have little naps in the say, walks, eat good and just take this time for you. Do you have family, children? any good friends you can open up to as it will help to talk to others. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed as was there myself. If you are at the age of peri-menopause then do ask to talk to the doctor or another doctor in the practice if you have brain fog, hot flushes, itching, mood all over the place and lack of energy, just feeling like you are losing it, then ask again for hrt as it really does help. Look after yourself and take each day as it comes and you will come through this believe me.

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it. I am 43. And I have two children 13 and 10. My husband is very supportive but is also unsure about the meds as we have no experience of them. I have been open with some of my friends and with my sisters. I think I also need to talk to a professional to help me work through this. I definitely think I've hit burn out. I did question the hormonal aspect but this was mostly dismissed. I'm trying to make myself read/watch 'easy' films and programmes.

You are welcome and so good to hear your husband supportive, as many are not. Make sure you take a good multi vitamin also with vit d and b vitamins, iron etc My doctor would not give me hrt in my late 40's and again asked at 52. Went through years of hell and luckily the family planning/Well woman clinic had menopause doctors but I also read loads, did loads of research as most doctors have not got a clue or will not tell you anything unless you can afford to pay for the best. Read up on peri menopause also and also get full bloods done with a full thyroid check as my exhaustion was from thyroid issue. Look after yourself and try to relax and you will feel more able to cope when the meds kick in. xx

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your replies. I'm glad that you found a way through it all. That's interesting about the family planning place. I will look into my local one. I've ordered a few books on menopause and have looked for some people to follow on Instagram. I did ask about getting my bloods done but was told that wasn't needed. I have a follow up appointment in just over a week so maybe I can ask about it then and get more information before going. My brain seems to find new things to obsess and worry about at the moment so I just need to make sure that researching this doesn't become the new focus. You're right. I need to switch off for a bit. I just find it so hard.

No problem at all, as you can see from my late reply I have insomnia for years with all this peri meno and my thyroid so not fully sorted but the hrt takes edge off. If you are given utrogesterone (progesterone tablets) take them vaginally as less side effects as lots of women sensitive to their own progesterone so flooding the body for 2 weeks every month was awful, drained, skin awful, bloating, feeling so low and awful thoughts in my head, switching from taking it orally to vaginally so much better as less side effects. Oestrogel is good estrogen also as all natural. Dr Louise Newson I think her site called Balance has great info on there, she is main menopause doctor who Davina worked with, I read and read so much stuff about peri meno as have to inform ourselves as doctors unless you can pay for a good one will tell you very little. My adult son swears by mindfullness for relaxing the mind and lifting the mood even for 10 mins a day. We should all get a full bloods done yearly and we have to insist now when we ask doctor as they just fob you off. Things will improve believe me and you will be fine again and the panic will start to go and you will relax again, life is so busy and it catches up with us. Wishing you well.

Thank you ❤️