Impending feeling of doom on waking up

[Yellowflowers7]

I think this may be a common menopausal symptom but it is driving me nuts. I usually sleep like a log but at the moment waking up at the weekend super early with an impending sense of doom. I don't really have much to worry about at the moment either. I can't take HRT as had BC some years ago. Has anyone got any tips on how I can manage this? Thanks

I had this. I'd lie there just feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and fretting about things that were outside my sphere of influence (and often none of my business).

My way round it was to get up and get on with my day. If I was tired later I'd have a nap, but set my alarm so I didn't sleep on and spoil my sleep the following night.

It was definitely a menopause time thing and has passed now I'm through it.

Thank you x

Most of the time I can't even remember what I was fretting about. It's a horrible feeling.

This has become less of a problem for me since starting HRT but as that’s not possible I found the following helpful.

• I had a set of Other Things to think about instead. Favourite holiday cottages, plots of films I loved, what my ideal place to live would be like (seaside or forest, village or town), favourite dog breeds…… anything banal and comforting.
• I might get up and read, or have a cup of tea, to break the instrusive thoughts.
• take a Loratidine antihistamine before bed as they help me stay in a deeper sleep.
• also a fan of the odd afternoon nap after a bad night’s sleep. 30-40 mins would be enough for me.

My sympathies, the 4am Doomies were one of the worst symptoms of perimenopause for me.

Same here OP. I also deal with it the same way as Churchview. Basically, I don't let the feelings take hold by lying there thinking about them, particularly if there isn't anything I can do right there and then about the things that might be actually bothering me/on my mind.

Godda love menopause

I have this too. I try to start my day as soon as possible by thinking about other things, anything! It is horrible and I try to remember that I'm anxious because I'm anxious. It's an illness that I have suffered with for years and I know that it will pass. For me, it feels as though all the worrying thoughts are my brain trying to rationalise why I feel that way, it's perhaps due to a spike in cortisol in my system.
It is hideous but I am learning to accept it.

Yes I have this too. Wake up with palpitations and spend ages thinking about things that I wouldn't give a second thought to in an afternoon, or panicking i would forget about basic jobs I had to do like laundry.

Same as pp, the only way is to get up and get on with the day and nap later if you need. It's annoying, I would much rather a lie in but it's better than feeling miserable.

Urgh - I had this. So awful. Waking up feeling like you have an exam to sit that you haven't revised for! Every frickin' day. HRT fixed it for me but until it kicked in, I just got up without questioning it, stuck a podcast or some music on and walked for an hour. I always felt better by the end of the walk so I just focused on that.

Yes the sheer panic and not wanting the day to begin. I’m now on anti depressants and it’s so much better x

Yes - partly fixed with HRT but it comes and goes. Waking up anxious or doomed still happens. The only fix I've found - and it's psychologically very hard for me at the best of times, and even worse when feeling doomed! - is just like nomorechoco, get up and do some solid exercise.

I deal with it by getting out of bed as soon as I wake up and into the shower - and on work days, walking the dogs straightaway. It’s a horrible feeling and very exhausting too - on weekends or when off work I used to lie there and the thoughts would paralyse me almost with fear. Now, I get up and start my day.

I get this - not only that, my stomach is churning so much with nerves and feelings of doom that I have to get up and go to the loo, something I’ve never had. I do what others do and try and think of other things or get up and start moving, but I’m so exhausted from the early starts.

Yes me too. The palpitations and intrusive thoughts are horrific, it's a morning panic attack wake up. I'm on HRT and it does come and go more than before. I think it may be a cortisol peak and I get up straight away.

Same here. I’ve said some wild stuff to my DH at 5am! I just can’t face life at that point but it does wear off. I’ve learned to deal with it and tell myself this will pass. And it has by 7am. It definitely seems to be a menopause thing. (Yet another thing …)