Crisis point

[CherryPie864]

Anyone else have a mh crisis in perimenopause? I have had crushing axiety, heart banging panic attacks at 3am and all day every day rumination regret thoughts taking over my life. Saw GP today who suggested coming of hrt altogether as she said my body may not be reafy for it as still producing some hormones. I am so tired from the lack of sleep and so scared

I’m convinced my severe pmt was connected to underactive thyroid. Can’t prove it. Nothing worked for pmt but the pill. I did read a book by an expert on pmt but the diet was a bit restrictive eating things throughout the day which I wasn’t allowed to do where I worked at the time.

It sounds like you need more oestrogen, not to stop it.

My symptoms weren't alleviated until I was on the full dose. A lot of GP's are not knowledgeable about HRT and seem to make it up as they go along.

My sister was sectioned at age 48. Nobody at any stage suggested perimenopause might be a factor, it took 6 months for her to be prescribed HRT and she is now back to her normal self. Except 2 weeks in a mental health hospital had an horrendous impact on her. She lost her job, she now can't get another.

@Inmyuggs

not everyone suits or needs hrt. You don’t need to sort out hormone fluctuations and it’s not ideally medicated. Medication is a choice some women make others do not. For me the risks outweigh any benefits, I’m older than op and take nothing, it’s fine. Yes you get a few symptoms but it rather that than take drugs

Oh God! I know! Two female GPs had a look. One said “a tiny bit of dryness”. The other sent me to the gynaecologist because she could see something (I think it was a scar from stitches). He had a look and was incredibly unhelpful. He said that Vagifem was all they offer. I said it gave me labour-like cramps. Wasn’t interested. I asked what the awful stinging was and the frequent need to wee. Just shrugged. Useless and apparently women are queuing to see him! Thank the Lord for the women on the Menopause Matters website. That’s where I came across estriol cream. It’s changed my life

That’s so bad

Aargh! Such a nightmare. I feel your pain and glad you found some help.

I was similar to your sister but longer in hospital. At first was there unsectioned but second time was sectioned. Luckily I worked on contracts in between and I recently got a part time job as I volunteer now as well. I read on here similar stories of sectioning in peri and menopause. It’s absolutely disgusting that’s next to no research on it (so I heard) and unheard of largely. At least we’re not in olden days when women like this were often institutionalised for life.

For your sister is she assigned a social worker and mental health care team? (think that’s correct term). If not, she could be referred and the employment person there will work with her to help her get work. Almost like your own personal recruiter. I did this, this year and got a job last month. Great service. I’d also been in contracts and actually got a permanent job.

Don’t know if you’d consider a mirena coil? Utrogestan made me feel emotionally terrible, and worse when increased from 100 to 200, even when taken vaginally. I resisted the mirena for ages but it’s so much better.
Sorry you’re going through this, it’s awful. I’m struggling still but the menopause clinic have been quite good in suggesting hrt changes. I’d make sure your GP is clued up or ask for a referral before stopping altogether.

No, she isn't. This all happened 4 years ago.She actually can't work any more due to her critical illness insurance kicking in, she's in a catch 22 position. Thanks for the advice though, hopefully it might help someone else.

Sorry to hear her situation. That sounds tough. Hope things get sorted for her.

Thank you so much everyone and really sorry to hear some of the heartbreaking stories.

The Dr did suggest bloods for thyroid so will get tjose done. I used to be the most energetic, up at 5am, 3 mile run, dinner, prepped, kids sirtes, off to work, back home, housework, dinner, volunteering at sports club etc. Now i cant be bothered at all, no motivation its awful. Like i have lost myself completely

Underactive thyroid apparently is diagnosed late 30s in most women. You have to take levothyroxine for life, but you get free prescriptions. Have to take iron tablets too. Apparently it’s quite common. For me my symptoms were like I was wading through mud, very tired and also up and down mood swings. The only pita for me was it took almost a year of monthly blood tests to get my medication level correct. I’m fine now though. Had it about 16 years.

Are you in your 40s? If so I found by late 40s perimenopause symptoms eased off and once I stopped periods I was put on HRT. Of course I then got menopause symptoms but I didn’t miss periods and PMT (gone!) one little bit.