Perimenopause severe anxiety

[Susuwataris]

Hi. I'm 48 years old and so far have had no symptoms of perimenopause that I was aware of. However the last month or so I have experienced crippling anxiety. I feel like I did when I had my last child, where I had severe anxiety and OCD postnatally. I feel myself.spiralling, I'm dissociating because I'm so overwhelmed and I feel like something really bad is going to happen. I do also have bipolar but I've been stable in mood for a few years now

I've always had quite bad postnatal experiences and before I was on the pill I was bad with PMT.l so I was kind of guessing I would have issues with menopause but this has taken me by surprise. I'm crying, not sleeping yet I'm exhausted all day.

I do have an appt booked for a few days time to see a Dr but I'm not sure what to say or ask for. Any advice would be welcome.

tell the GP the above. Ask if a complete panel of blood tests would be a good idea and is it worth starting HRT preemptively.

My first peri symptom was crippling anxiety. It was awful. HRT plus Fluoxetine sorted me out but it was a rough ride for a couple of months.

Also - at my GP practise the nurse handles HRT prescriptions and she is brilliant. You might need a double appointment also!

Thank you for your replies. I'll ask for the bloods to be done. I've asked to see one of the experienced female GPs so hoping she will be informative.

I feel like I'm going mad and it scares me

Hey. Sorry to hear this. I’ve been anxious before but from about September last year I’ve been clinging on by my fingernails. It’s absolutely brutal. I’m 44 and I’ve not really got many other symptoms of peri (apart from awful sleep and weird digestion) but I guess I’m in the right age bracket and I’ve got no idea what else it could be. No one at my GPs is remotely interested in giving me anything other than anti depressants…

i wanted to add to this...

i feel like this often, including tonight. My brain sees threats everywhere and i then need to see proofs to calm down... then i start doubting that things are as i ve seen or read them. Then i need to plan how to activate emergency and contingency plans.

Absolutely breaking me. HRT helped a bit until it did not.

This was my first symptom but at 41 so I had bloods done but they were normal so my doctor went off symptoms. They should go off symptoms they don’t do bloods for peri diagnosis after 45 (NICE guidelines) so go and give your symptoms and they should prescribe HRT to help. I’m lucky as my gp practice are really good with menopause, hope you get sorted.

I was exactly the same, but I had no previous experience of feeling anxious. I thought I either had a serious mental illness, or dementia.

You do not need blood tests. You are 48. Women over the age of 45 who are experiencing this sort of thing should be offered HRT as the first option without blood tests. Patches, gel, and then progesterone too if you still have your uterus.

The good news is that I found that my sleep and mood improved very quickly after slapping the first patch on, within 2 days I was sleeping better and although I have had a few blips on the mood/anxiety, I am so much better than I was pre-HRT.

You have all been so helpful, thank you. I am so sorry that others are experiencing this. I honestly wouldn't wish it on anyone. I woke up this morning and a huge wave of dread washed over me. I've cried so much today. Going to try to keep myself busy over the weekend.

Anxiety was crippling for me. HRT did help. I started at 55 during peak covid. Tablets/ Femoston. Now 60. Suggested coming off hrt but gp suggested patches and see how I feel. How I feel is I wish I had started on patches. They even survive my very hot baths! (Evorel Conti).
Going to ask to keep going for bit longer at my follow up next week.
I hope all goes well for you.

At 48, you are likely to be put on sequential hrt.
At 60 (although still having periods at 55) I am assuming that ship has sailed and conti fine!