Anxiety

[Brightlights23]

Hi,

I have been experiencing high levels of anxiety over the past few months and my sleep is horrendous.

I have been on HRT since November 2023 and have been in 75 evorel patches for the past 6 months. I had the Mirena coil put in, in June 2024 as the mini pill was driving me mad with spotting.

i believe that my anxiety was triggered by my job, as although it was only 20 hours a week it was stressful due to its nature (safeguarding). I also had another part time job that was predominately evenings, and the admin around the evening work used to mean I was working 7 days a week (even if only a few hours on on weekend days). I decided one job was the way forward.

i started looking in May and was successful at the end of August of securing a full time role and am now in week 5 of the new job. My anxiety has been horrendous. Part is it’s a new job and I don’t like not knowing what to do and elements of job that I’ve never done before. The company has big plans to expand and they have already mentioned about developing my role, so I do think it is a good move - just need some self confidence and belief!

few other bits going on in my life so hard to know if all anxiety down to perimenopause or partly what else is going on. My new job is the first full time job since I went on maternity leave when I had my eldest nearly 20 years ago.

The nurse suggested taking magnesium ( all 3 types) as this could help. Anyone tried this?

any other tips? Now I’m not working evenings I have more free time to arrange to meet friends which I hope will help. Also joined a walking netball group to meet new people and exercise. Used to go to a running group but can’t go as I now work full time. Am hoping maybe to meet up with people and run at a weekend instead, although the actually running group runs Tuesday mornings.

who knew my 40’s would be ended up being overwhelmed by anxiety. Was 48 this year. Do wonder when the symptoms will calm down and I’m in menopause.

feel better for typing it all. Some days at work I feel like I’m going to explode esp when the palpitations kick in as well!

thanks for reading

I feel your pain I've been on 2 pills to stop the bleeding for four years if I forget to take it I just flood no sign of stopping. Sleep is horrendous I get up in the night and make coffee and slumber on the settee too hot in bed but not really sweats. Hair falling out teeth fallen out. Feel dreadful hate going out get anxious when I have to. I can run upstairs then an hour later my bones are so painful and stiff I have to crawl. I am sick of it too. Need to drink lots of water. As for menopause it seems a distance off. Feels like you're going mad.

That doesn’t sound good.

I am not sure if staying in bed and being awake is worse than getting up. Might have to try that next time I’m awake in the early hours. I do tend to find no matter what time I go to bed, it still takes me a while to get to sleep, unless I am so tired. That normally happens after a week of awful sleep but then still awake early hours.

anxiety is kicking in again this morning and rationally I know it’s silly relating to work - seem to be doing well (will find out next month at my one to one!)

I’ve even thought about going back to a part time job but that is anxiety inducing as means less money and need it. Also no guarantee that a part time job would be any less anxiety inducing that current one or even old part time.

maybe some counselling for the anxiety would be an idea. Had it before for relationship and bereavement which helped at time.
arghhhh!

I feel it's easy to lose your confidence which can go hand in hand with anxiety
I have heard good things about Davina's book and maybe podcast about this time and QVC do a lot and Avogel if you can Google.
Don't go PT it will be just as stressful and money worries.
Maybe could try some herbal remedies like Kalms.

Well day 5 of the new gel and no difference so far.

this evening the anxiety is high and I’m over thinking if I sent some information at work today - I know i did as I remember checking an email address on the email once I sent it. But anxiety is high - rationally I know it’s the perimenopause anxiety.

I think I’m doing a good job in my new job but agree that it’s easy to loose your confidence and self belief.

part time isn’t the answer as then I will be thinking about how else to earn money and I do not want 2 jobs again for crap money.

I hope the HRT gel does end up helping as my new job has lots of potential.

I’ve tried sleep aids either herbal or non and just makes me feel so groggy the next day.

this week I will trial going to bed earlier and see if that helps making me feel more awake, although that does mean going to bed earlier equals more sleep which hasn’t proved successful previously .

see how the gel goes but if my anxiety is no better than maybe I do need to speak to someone

Alcohol makes my anxiety worse and bad mood. I know this and try to stay off it but then have a drink and then feel stressed the next day. Bed earlier works but sometimes you feel too tired to go to bed. But I am going to do that this week.
I wonder if there is a switch off technique you could try for work stress.