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Menopause

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Crippling anxiety. How do I deal with this?

15 replies

wheresmyheeeadat · 23/06/2025 22:31

I've heard from quite a few women in person and online that anxiety is a very common symptom of per-menopause.

I've noticed it in myself over the past year, but it's been particularly bad over the past 6-8 weeks.

I'm anxious about everything. And often feel crippling anxiety over nothing at all. Tightness in my throat and chest, heart beating quickly, and a complete loss of appetite. There are days when I'm so anxious I don't want to (and don't) eat at all. I feel like I'm going to have an anxiety attack at any moment.

Has anyone else experienced anxiety as a result of peri-menopause this bad? What did you do to help?

OP posts:
PersephoneParlormaid · 24/06/2025 07:18

How old are you?
How do you feel about HRT?
Have you had your iron, B12 and thyroid checked?
How is your sleep, are you taking magnesium glycinate, and do you have a good consistent sleep routine?
Do you drink alcohol?

ChangeOfNameAujourdhui · 24/06/2025 07:22

Yes - I had 2 years of really bad anxiety before going on HRT. The difference after taking it was amazing. It’s not for everyone but if I’d known the difference it would make I would have been on it earlier

Doingmybest12 · 24/06/2025 07:29

Yes, I felt very anxious and couldn't sleep until totally exhausted. If you aren't eating and it's impacting your life go and see the dr,menopause related or not. I should ve taken my own advice.

NewMauveSwan · 24/06/2025 07:33

I am 52 years old, about two years ago I started to feel anxious for no reason, which gradually crept up on me and I was finding normal things like driving and going in my local shop nerve wracking, I had several panic attacks in shops.

Things ramped up last June and I was unable to leave the house, I had constant anxiety about my young adult children and became unable to eat or sleep.

I booked a dr appointment in July which I waited three weeks for, the doctor was running late and I was convinced she had forgotten me, she found me collapsed in the waiting room unable to speak at first, but I truly believe she saved my life, if I hadn’t seen such an understanding dr, I wouldn’t be here now.

She told me it was menopause, and when I asked her if she had seen other women as bad as me? And had they got better? she replied “yes” and “yes”

I started hrt and it wasn’t a straight forward road, I had four or five months more of absolutely terror (anxiety seems an inadequate word) unable to eat or sleep, palpitations, chest pains. I had lots of medical tests as I had lost so much weight and was convinced I was dying.

I am trying to keep this short! I was convinced I wouldn’t see Christmas, but around that time I started to very slowly feel better and now I am almost back to normal after suffering for two years and having a complete breakdown, where I didn’t think I would ever get myself back.

Please go to the doctor now, I had never given a thought to menopause or hrt, I presumed my periods would stop and I would get hot flushes, but for some ladies this terrible thing happens.

wishing you all the best x

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 24/06/2025 07:43

Don't under estimate the power of hormones

Like the poster above lack of them can do very funny things

I'm actually better not on HRT but all women are different and it could really help you.

If it doesn't there are other things you can do. Beta blockers ssris cbt etc.

DiaryofWimpy · 24/06/2025 08:07

I’m on HRT lifesaver, I still need diazepam some days due to crippling anxiety but the HRT has helped. I’m also on a low dose antidepressant but have to be careful as I have bipolar and too high a dose sends me hypomanic

BigDahliaFan · 24/06/2025 08:10

Hrt really helped me. Got the old me back. After a couple of tryouts to get the right one for me.

Miserableaf · 24/06/2025 09:40

xanax really helped me. I have other health issues which add to worries (cardiac, so I can’t just tell myself a racing heart with panic is no problem). Beware of the addiction/dose issues, but you should not have to suffer.

Lottapianos · 24/06/2025 09:43

HRT stopped the panic and crippling anxiety for me. It took a good 8 weeks to kick in but I'm feeling so much better now. Some days are better than others but overall I feel like myself again

Butthechildrentheylovethebooks · 24/06/2025 09:48

My anxiety grew over the last couple of years. I kept thinking it was probably a symptom of the menopause so I kept thinking I'll wait til I have some other symptoms and then go for HRT. The other symptoms haven't appeared so earlier this year I started Sertraline and it's been truly amazing. Everything was such a big deal before and now it's all in perspective again.

Miserableaf · 24/06/2025 09:51

Can anyone share the HRT combos that helped with anxiety? I know it will be partially individual.

Lottapianos · 24/06/2025 10:14

I use oestrogel - started at 2 pumps, now at 3. Also utrogestan 100mg tablets at night

DiaryofWimpy · 24/06/2025 11:39

Miserableaf · 24/06/2025 09:51

Can anyone share the HRT combos that helped with anxiety? I know it will be partially individual.

Estrada and provera work well for me

DiaryofWimpy · 24/06/2025 11:40

Estraderm that should read

researchers3 · 24/06/2025 15:38

Yep, propranolol is amazing for anxiety. Or has been for me at least. And no side effects or addictive qualities.

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