Left the job I love due to the menopause :(

[Greaselightening]

I can't believe it. I've left a job I love due to crippling anxiety from the the menopause. I feel so empty inside 😞

I am sorry others are suffering as well I thought it was just me I am peri and the anxiety has really ramped up recently I am already anxious about work on Monday morning I have nearly quit so many times as just don't feel I can do it

Interested in histamine intolerance I have been on patches for around 9 months and it has helped with some symptoms I usually take antihistamine 1 morning 1 night for hay-fever which I get quite badly in summer hence taking 2 of the one a day but stopped about 2 months ago as it wasn't bothering me but I have been more anxious recently so I have just taken an antihistamine to see if that helps hopefully it will help with my itching face head and back which is annoying me tonight and yet another new symptom

If antihistamine don't work i will have to go back to the gp see if they can give me something for the anxiety which ironically the thought of taking meds with possible side effects gives me more anxiety

Are you on any HRT at all?
What overwhelms you the most?
Can you put a little action plan
together, to help you through the day? X

So sorry to read this.
I could have written this post 7 yrs ago.
Anxiety so bad I couldn't drive.
Then dreadful panic about public transport,aching joints dizziness constant peeing ,dry sore mouth and a complete lack of confidence working with people half my age predominantly men.
I got really clinically depressed.
I was lucky enough my work kept me from going nuts despite 10 or 12 HR days.
Now at 58 I'm much better.Gave up wine,take magnesium and vit d.
Hrt took a while to get right.
Anxiety has gone away, confidence coming back.my new job is great.
Hang in there as life isn't over yet you are just in a dark tunnel.
I'm out the other side and life is good again.

Is it ok to take vitamin D as part of a multi vitamin or does it need to be higher?

OP you might qualify for cont based ESA and PIP, have a look into it. Best wishes

Unconditionalpurelove I ditched the multi vitamins and got high strength boots vit D
Vit B complex as I'm veggie.
Wish I'd done it years ago.

That’s interesting how do you go about this …am in similar situation and work is a challenge …am panicking how to manage financially if I can’t work due to symptoms what help is out there?? 😦

@Seasidewalker what bloods can be done privately I’ve a thyroid problem too on top of menopause and it’s a nightmare!
my doctor only do basic bloods and say they are in range? But am knackered all the time

Hi
I am 62 now and absolutely great again. I am teacher and a SENCO and was doing both at the time in a job I had been in for 17 years at the time. I was really naive at first and did not really know¹ what was happening. The anxiety was through the roof. I was actually shaking with it from head to foot. I did not take anything. I just persevered. It was all a bit of a blur to be honest. Then it just diasppeared and I went back to feeling normal. I now work in another school. Just less days. It will pass but when you are in it is trully hard to see that. Keep getting support.💪

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-esa

https://www.gov.uk/pip

I'm on cont based ESA (now called new style ESA) and it was based on my NI cont record, it is not means tested so DH's salary does not come into it. So it could be claimed by those who have been in regular work previously.

PIP is also not means tested but depends on if you can do certain things, info above.

Thansk @Orangesandlemons77 Is cont based ESA the same as cont based JSA…?

No, that is job seekers, ESA is related to being unable to work..

I have had high anxiety and palpitations most of the weekend. Today I even had stomach ache which I am sure is my stomach churning.

i now realise my anxiety is due to peri - it had improved until about 2 months ago.

2 weeks on the gel now and so far no improvement. Hoping the gel and magnesium I’ve just started will help as the days pass.

the new job is not helping the anxiety I’m sure but I do think this is adding to my already high levels - not that anyone would suspect!

in work for 3 days next week and then 6 days off so hoping by time I return a week Tuesday, the anxiety is less. Well fingers crossed.

it is good to know it’s just not me that struggles and makes you rethink jobs etc

Thanks for all of your messages. I think for me I really underestimated just how brutal surgical menopause can be and the complication of hrt and Endo. I honestly thought I would get my life back. I have been ill for a long time before the surgery too. I think it has all just got on top 🥺
I know I am not well enough to work. Thank you for the information re benefits. I didn't think I would be entitled. It will definitely alleviate some of the pressure I am feeling.
Sending love and strength to anyone else suffering ❤️

I think your thread has helped a lot of people, so thank you for sharing. 💓

Me too with the exhaustion! I'm still learning about this. The NHS won't do T3 unless you're TSH is out of range. Mine sits at the bottom of the range but in range so I'm apparently normal despite being symptomatic 🙄. There are also antibodies which are useful to test.

I was recommended to a forum called Health Unlocked for thyroid issues, there is so much info on there any thyroid levels, testing, antibodies plus the importance of optimal levels of vitamins plus iron.

I've just read this thread and it resonates so much with me. I'm currently considering handing my notice in due to peri sympotoms including anxiety, lack of confidence and spiralling feels of guilt that any reduction in workload (hr are being great!) means adding to someone else's workload (adding to the anxiety). Literally the only thing stopping me is I don't know what to do instead.

I felt slightly better last night although I did do a quick search in indeed to see if there were any jobs out there! There wasn’t really.

i feel like I slept better last night so maybe a mix of going to be slightly earlier, although still awake by nearly midnight and the Magnesium have helped.

this morning, although feeling more awake than I have in months, have high anxiety and palpitations. Dreaming of not having to work at all!

i’m about to start week 8 of my new job and had hoped some majority of anxiety was that and would reduce the longer I was at the new job. Have now realised that it’s peri and currently can’t see if reducing any time soon.

so hard

I'm another one who's left their job due to menopause anxiety and depression. After weeks of panic attacks between clients and then one day going home and sobbing uncontrollably for over 2 hours, I knew I was not fit to work. I initially asked for a week off, It was soon obvious that was not going to be enough to make a difference and 2 months later I can't imagine going back.

I'd been pushing through for months, trying to hold it together at work and was then exhausted and everything else was suffering. Another symptom I have is migraines and headaches. I can't remember the last day I didn't have a headache, and I get migraines a couple of times a week. I seem to be able to have a drug combination that works for the headaches OR one that works for the depression, not both. I just can't imagine being able to prioritise work at the moment.

Thanks for posting OP, it's good to hear other people's stories, I feel less alone. When I have a good day, I feel like a fraud for having given up work for this reason. I have to remind myself that part of the reason I'm having some good days is because I don't have the stress of work to deal with!

Hi OP, I had my ovaries removed 2 years ago. Surgical menopause is tough! Things that have helped me are; reducing alcohol intake to a couple of glasses once a week, reducing sugar and eating lots of salad. I try to go for a 30 min walk every day, this helps the headaches. The biggest thing has been starting swimming again. Again I only do about 30 min a few times a week but it makes me feel much calmer.

Those who have given up work, how do you manage for money?

I have cancer and menopause to deal with and can't see myself being able to just quit work. I've already had 8 months off for hysterectomy and menopause and seem to just have to suck it up. I do claim PIP, but nowhere near able to claim any pensions early.

We are very similar in terms of symptoms. I was dragging myself into work, having panic attacks in the car park. This went on for 6 months. One morning I literally couldn't do it anymore :( It is a scary place to be. I definitely couldn't go back, which is sad as I love the people I work with. When I do eventually go back to work, I will find something stress free, fingers crossed xx

I really feel for you. It is so hard :( xx

It's the lack of confidence that's the hardest thing :( One thing this thread has highlighted is how little support there is for menopausal women in the workplace :(