Perimenopause

[PamperGoals2024]

I'm finding it hard to cope at the moment and wondering what I need to do.

I think I started to get mood swings last year. I put it down to work stress and post Covid blues, however a friend pointed out that it might be peri menopause related.

I tried the progesterone only pill which made me very calm all the time but also very hungry. This was counter productive so I stopped.

I then went on Citalopram (10mg). This has dulled the anxiety and slightly lifted my mood overall. However the mood swings are still there around ovulation and my period.

As well as this I am hot almost all the time. I'm not sure if this is the Citalopram as I didn't have this before.

The main issue with the mood swings is debilitating social anxiety. Its the wanting to feel better than I do, and then wondering whether I should just admit defeat.

I had a blood test last week for everything and the GP wants to discuss it next week.

I just need more options to help me get on top of the crippling anxiety. Its ruining my life.

Is there some sort of list somewhere of everything that has been tried and what has worked? I am open to anything low cost.

Just wanted to say I am in the exact same position as you, it's been going on for about a year now. I find that wellwoman plus takes the edge off the anxiety a bit. The crippling anxiety and mood swings are truly debilitating.

Thanks. I feel like I'm going mad but there we go. I'll have a look at a women's vitamin.

Davina McCall has a book I found helpful. It was free on Kindle a few years ago.

Health and Her Perimenopause Mind+ tablets have absolutely made a world of difference for me. I really miss them if I go a few days without and can really feel the benefit in terms of being able to think better, calm the anxiety and feeling of dread, and just generally make me feel more balanced. I can still get PMT symptoms but the rage is gone now.

Thanks might try those. They do them in Waitrose. I can't help think there is something else. I was a sweaty mess last night. I hate this heat.

I do eat well, balanced macros, plenty of protein and fresh food, virtually no UPF. However once a week I seem to binge on carb and chocolate which isn't helping. Any tips on that welcome.

I drink plenty of water. Is it possible to drink too much?

I strength train three times a week and try and get steps every day.

The permanent eye bags aren't as bad as they were.

However I would like a new brain and don't know how to get one. Apparently 40% of happiness is thoughts, actions and behaviours. FFS. More work 😂

I do take magnesium glycinate and evening primrose oil which help. I also take that Better You vitamin spray, just one spray a day. Ocassionally I pop a b vitamin or zinc tablet. I tend to stop taking multivitamins after a while. Although gummies are quite good. Maybe I'll get a couple and see.

I think I maybe need to reach out to friends who are going through it. I know some are sailing and some are struggling. We have all gone a bit quiet as we just try and cope.

I also take a daily immune suppressant. One of the big issues is inconsistency in timing of taking the immune suppressant and citalopram. I feel much better when it's the same time. Otherwise I'm all over the place. But really hard to remember. I spend a lot of time with ANC headphones on at home because I live alone and need music or radio to drown out my shit thoughts at the moment. Then I don't hear the alarm to take them.

But we go on.

I too had crippling anxiety. Citalopram didnt touch it although it had worked brilliantly for me a few years earlier. I was then diagnosed with hypothyroidism and the medication for that did help relieve some of the anxiety. But i still felt anxious, especially in the mornings. So the doctor prescribed me Sertraline which was amazing and made me feel normal. Unfortunately it led to completely unmanageable diarrhoea so i have changed to fluoxetine which is working ok and i feel a bit better but there so many other things going on. I feel for you, anxiety and the menopause have been literally shit!