1 month on HRT and anxiety through the roof

[Moonlightfrog]

43..post hysterectomy (kept ovaries), suspect I was already peri before hysterectomy 18 months ago. Also diagnosed ASD and ADHD (apparently that makes a difference).

GP agreed for my to try HRT again after I tried the gel before surgery.

I have been given the lowest dose patch, no need for progesterone due to having no womb. My moods were pretty up and down before try HRT and I was hopi g HRT would improve how I’m feeling (depressed, anxious, lost interest in life, angry), I knew I would have to be patient and give it time but it’s been a month and my anxiety is so bad, to the point I constantly feel like someone’s sitting on my chest, like my heart is racing and a dark cloud has descended over me.

I suspect if I contact my GP they will tell me I need to give it longer? Maybe I need a higher dose? It I’m worried a higher dose will make the anxiety worse and push me over the edge. I am also scared that if I stop the HRT I will spend the rest of my life being this grumpy anxious person and I can’t deal with that.

So I stick with it? Does HRT just not work for some people?

I haven't had a good experience on hrt either op. Caveat being I do suffer from pre existing depression and anxiety, with suspected neurodiversity too. It didn't increase my anxiety per se, but after 4 months it hasn't lifted it either or helped with the flat mood. I'm different from you, in that I also have to take the progesterone part which gives me insomnia - totally the opposite to how it works with other people! I do wonder if I just don't metabolize medication very well as I had awful problems in taking ssri anti depressants too. I note you have adhd and asd; I'm thinking maybe hrt is more harm than help with our brain chemistry being wired" different"!

I have the same issues with antidepressants too. I seem to have the opposite effect to a lot of medications. I just don’t know what to do or try as it’s eating away at me. Mornings and evenings are the worst, once I’m up and busy doing thing I am ok. My sleep is pretty awful too.

I have been told menopause is more extreme for women with ADHD. At the moment there just seems to be no way forward if HRT doesn’t help and I can’t take SSRi’s.

I wish I had advice for you, but know you're not alone. The thing I have found helpful is a lie dose of mirtazapine. It's not an ssri but helps with sleep and anxiety. It's not ' activating ', so may work with you. In regards to hrt, I'm not sure. I've stopped taking it for the last week because I can't see any benefits to it really!

What is your dose? If 25mg that’s very low. I’ve been on 50 which was fine but anxiety improved on 75mg taken for over 6 months

I have been started on 25, I did try 50 one day (to see if it made a difference) and it made my anxiety and sleep worse. I know I will probably have to try a higher does for longer to know if it works. I was just told to try 25 for 3 months and then go back.