Does HRT take anxiety/depression away in perimenopause?????

Women's health
1

Hi Girls,

I am really suffering at the moment and I'm into  day 35 of an anxiety/depression dip.  I have been suffering this on and off for over ten years.  The closer I get to the end the dips seem to be lasting longer and coming more frequent.  I really don't know how much longer I can hang on.  My quality of life at the moment is very very poor.  I am starting to consider HRT as I've really had enough of this horrible roller coaster.  I was hoping to hear from some ladies who have tried HRT  and it has turned their lives around or offer experiences from other ladies.  I have a doctor who will prescribe bioidentical hormones which I would prefer to the synthetic ones.  I just have to make a decision.  I so wish I didn't have to and wish I could sail through this like other ladies.  Last year I had 7 periods and its 3 months since my last one.  I'm just wondering if you can take HRT with this scenario. 

I really need the strength to keep going.

Have cried all day today as it's all becoming to hard.

I would love to wake in the morning and it has lifted.

Sweet dreams everyone

Raelene  xxxx

2

Hello raelene. Sorry you are feeling so terrible. There is so much information on these forums for and against HRT. I have taken HRT since 1991 and are currently reducing it gradually. I took it because I had a hysterectomy and my ovaries removed. I was very young (I'm now 61). I felt exactly as you did and within 2 weeks I was a different woman. I would give it a try although I know other women will disagree. Good luck

3

Hi I'm pre menopause I think I'm just starting.i also was just diagnosed with b12 deficiency and getting in injections.. im so sorry you feel like this.. but listen hang in there people will start reading your post and they will help you. There so very nice on this site they will help you.. you will get loads of help..

4

Hello Raelene,

Well my health anxiety started about two years ago and at the time didn't know I was peri. Had horrid doom & gloom thoughts etc when something was different with regards to my health then my minds on overdrive and get myself so worked up.

Mid to end of this year was offered HRT from GP who said it may help with my blips, at time wasn't ready to take the plunge until like you things gone me so down in thinking how much longer did I have to endure this awful feeling.

Have been on it since Mar 14 and tried different ones and now settled on the patches, and to be honest most months I feels loads more stable than before I started with it but no it doesn't stop the anxiety as I am going through a semi blip at present. 

Was told by another GP that they are good for hot flashes mainly and won't really help with anxiety but only to give you a monthly bleed to help stablise your hormones.

To help with my anxiety I have regular acupuncture which helps me with many things associated with my health anxiety and find it very calming.

Some ladies I have spoken to often say that taking HRT a long with an anti depressant has helped through this change. For me I don't want to start having to rely on antidepressants as I know prior to the start of these changes I never suffered this way.  I know for some it has been a godsend but I wanted to try other ways.

I know it will be a difficult decision to make for you but if it does help to give you some balance then it's still worth considering.

massive hugs to you and I do hope you come out of your recent blip very soon.

Joy xx🌹

 

5

Raelene,

I have also been there regarding depression/anxiety throughout perimenopause and into menopause.  I was prescribed HRT and was already taking antidepressant, the HRT definitely helped me, within days I felt so much better, I have reduced the amount of the original prescription I am now taking half the dose daily.  I have been on them for 6-7 years now, so I am trying to wean...if I cannot successfully I hope my doctor will continue to prescribe them.  Quality is so much more important to me than Quantity.  There is risk with everything we do, you need to decide what is best for you.  You will receive alot of information and support from all here no matter what you decide. Best to you.  Loretta

6

Hi

Welcome to the best 'find' ever!!  Only found this forum myself a few days before Xmas but I've read some great advice; been reassured; had things clarified..... need I say more?!

I'm perimenopausal and can't wait for the day that I actually miss a period as I am still as regular as clockwork (aged 54, but feel 84 most days, but 18 in my head, Thank God!). 

I'm not sure which route I want to go - bioidentical or traditional HRT.  One thing's for sure: I ain't going this alone!  I know some ladies on here just get/got by on vit supplements and herbals.  Me? Well all I'll say is that like with labour pains, I will have whatever's going to take the pain away (and I did, gas&air, pethadene, epidural:  we're not all Earth Mothers, so why be a martryr??!!)smile

2 of my 3 sisters swear by HRT. The other went the natural route (lives in Oz, had a very healthy lifestyle so was not surprised). 

Is HRT the way to go? - lets put it this way.  My next sister up is 62. Her female GP 'suggested' she come off HRT after 7yrs.  Lets just say that my sister, with her very vocal/persuasive nature came out of the surgery smiling, clutching her repeat prescription for......HRT!!!!

Assume your not the UK?  Otherwise you'd be walking out of the surgery armed with SSRIs.  That seems to be the way GPs in the UK want to deal with the anxiety-element for menopausal women. (I was of the opinion that HRT would sort out hot flushes, balance hormones, help with loss of libido (Please! Please! Please!), but not necessarily deal with anxiety per se??)

I was prescribed some to 'give them a go'. After researching them, I decided  they were defo not for me.  Had that many side effects - and some! - that I couldn't see how they'd help me at all.

Not saying that HRT and/or SSRIs are bad or indeed good for all. 

For me, I have the choice and I'm choosing not to go down the SSRI route.  But I do think  I've got to give HRT a go.

I'm sure I'll have all the Sisters who are using/benefitting from SSRIs on my case:  but that's OK, that's what forums like this are for. These are just my views, and I suppose my dislike of SSRIs are based solely on having had to watch over our eldest sister (71) who has on-going mental health issues, and relies on a cocktail of some really heavy duty meds to keep her sane.  I've seen her without their help so know they work....... for her and her needs. I just feel a million miles away from her to state to need them at the mo.

Maybe see what your Doc has to say about the best possible treatment for your anxiety. Who knows,SSRIs might just be the thing you need right now?! x

7

Hello shaznay I knew you would come up with the pros and cons brilliantly. You give us all food for thought. You are right this is the best place for good constructive advice. Thank you 😀

8

Ooh Matron! (said in a 'Carry On' voicelol).   That's very kind of you to say. 

Maybe we have a bit of a mutual admiration going on here, as I appreciate that you have actually 'been there. done that' to a degree.

I am new to this Peri mullarkey, and want as much info as I can get about pros/cons to help me make choice. 

I have sisters who are great fans of HRT and our dear ol' mum (RIP x) had very poor bones (3 hip repl. ops. TB in the spine and elbow), so we've all had to think of our bones too.

Let's hope more women find this forum, because they will feel so reassured to know other women  are experiencing the same symptoms, and may also have some answers for them.

Keep posting! x 

9

Evening ladies....talking of health anxieties, I woke up in a panic the other night, with a heavy, tight chest.  Thought I must be having a heart attack....it was the cat asleep on my chest.....!!! 😄x

10

Hi Matron.  I am still having periods everynow and again so I don't know if I can have HRT.  They have spaced out to about every 3-4 months.  If I could be a new woman in two weeks it would be a miracle for me.

Thanks for your support.

Raelene  xxx

 

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Thanks Martina for your support.  xxx

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Thanks Joy.

I have been on a antidepressant for a couple  of years but it does nothing when the dips come. My dips started 10 years ago so I would say my body doesn't like hormonal changes at all.  So hard to find a doctor who agrees that its my hormones doing it.  They just pass it off as anxiety/ depression thats keeps reoccurring. Funny that it just started at 40 and I had none of it before.  I have tried so many things and nothing has worked.  I'm so scared to start HRT especially if it doesn't do anything  and then I'm left like this forever.

I pray I come out of this soon.

Hugs back to you.

Raelene xxx 

13

Hi Loretta

Were you actually in menopause when you started HRT or were you still perimenopausal.  I am already on a antidepressant but it doesn't do anything when I'm in these horrific dips.  I always think how can an antidepressant replace hormones!!!  Doesn't make sense to me!!!  Can you tell me what HRT you were on and how much.  The thing that scares me is there are so many options and knowing my luck it will take months to get the right combination. (I know I'm being negative but this is what years of trying things have done to me) Did you have any side effects from being on the HRT??  I agree I want quality of life because I haven't got it at the moment.  I have read of so many woman who have tried HRT and it has changed their world around. I'm hoping that will happen for me.  I want to enjoy life with my wonderful husband and 3 beautiful kids.  I have missed out on so many social gatherings in the past 6 weeks which really upsets me.  My daughter is shifting house today and I would have loved to help but the doom, gloom and unwell feelings have left me at home.  I am booked in with my doctor on Thursday and I'm hoping to walk out with some support.

Best wishes with your weaning.

Take care

Raelene  xxxx

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Hi Shaznay.

I like your style!!!  I like to think of myself as an Earth Mother but this is just getting way beyond a joke.  This isn't normal no matter how natural we try to go.  I am actually on an antidepressant and have been for years.  This is what was thrown at me many years ago when all these symptoms were starting to harass me.  Thank god I didnt take everything that has been offered to me or I would probably be like your older sister.  Is your older sister on HRT as well.  I can have some really good patches and then it hits me again out of the blue.  The closer I get to the finish the more frequent the dips are coming and lasting longer.  I'm keen to try HRT as long as it gives me some quality of life.  (haven't got any at the moment)

Thanks for your help

Goodluck with your decisions.

Raelene  xx

15

Good morning raelene. You can start HRT when you are still having periods. All you are doing is replacing the depleted female hormones.

16

Hi Raelene,

Sorry I didn't ask before what age are you? I was late 49 when all of these horrid health anxieties hit me and like some of the ladies mention like a sledgehammer. I guess I have always been a bit of a worrier when something has happened in the past and yes have always feared the worst whilst waiting for an answer from a doctor but as soon as I received some good news I was then able to move forward with a positive attitude. Since Nov 12 I guess when these anxious feelings have taken hold of me it has been a struggle to come to terms with what has been happening but at the 

same time have been determined to get through the best way possible by finding ways to feel better.

The main thing that has helped me a long the way was Reflexology, Reiki,acupuncture and taking time out for a lovely relaxing massage or just some me time.

I am using the HRT patches which gives me bleed each month (I was still peri when I was put on them)and for me I do think they help me even though I still get anxious but not as bad. I have been under a massive amount stress at work since the return of Christmas break and believe this may have

been where my health anxiety stepped up together with PMT this last week.

Yesterday I had my usual acupuncture and Laura knows my weakness is the fear of always thinking the worst when I feel something different inside. She mentioned that she was going to focus on what Chinese medicine call          "Liver fear" to help stop my overthinking which in turn will help with my anxious thoughts.

You mention that you are already on antidepressants and perhaps not feeling that they are really helping. With that in mind when you visit the doctor next week why don't you discuss trying HRT, when I was first tried them I had one with 16 days of estrogen and 12 days of both estrogen and progesterone and for me this one didn't help but then I was put on Femaston which contained 14 days of each of the above and they seemed to work better for me. I only changed to the patches as these didn't go through my liver and I guess I believed they were kinder as not going through the liver. It's personal choice though. 

My doctor said to me that using them at my age is still relatively safe and the benefits out way the risks. Quality of life is worth considering, because if you are suffering as you say then if it was me then I would give it a go, I have been on them since Mar 14 and I do believe they are helping me more than not and even though you can still experience other peri symptoms your journey will be less bumpy.

Some ladies have very strong personal views on HRT and the progesterone cream but ask your Doctors advice or perhaps book an appointment with a doctor who specializes in the menopause who could guide you by perhaps doing more test to see which hormones you may need more.

I do also take my daily dose of "Busy B's"which have min of 100mg of all the B" and I also take Magnesium tablets from Solgar from Amazon and also take Menopol plus and have tried to change my diet aswell.

Good luck my lovely and I truly hope you find a positive direction to help get you to feel more at peace with yourself.

Nowadays I have more good days then bad

Joy xxx😘

 

17

Hi Raelene. I totally agree.

I haven't suffered with anxiety until it started about 18 months ago when I was 47. It's got to be hormones as I was starting to get hot sweats etc

I'm on citalopram anti depressants which have been a big help. Hormones can play a major role in causing anxiety and depression.

I like you am scared of HRT but my doc wants to wean me of the CIT. Very worried

Xx

18

Hi Raelene,

Sorry I am just getting back to you, I just saw this in my email.  Actually I was on a birth control pill Ovocon 35 throughout my perimenopause years, I had suffered many years prior surrendering to BCP and the antidepressant Pamelor, (it is not an SSRI, as I did not do well on them).  My BP skyrockected in my early 50's, my period had stopped well over a year at that point, ( I was dealing with mom who had alzheimer's, a very stressful job and an unsupportive group of siblings helping with mom)  so I don't know if that plus the change had set my BP into a danger zone.  I had to come off the BCP, went into a crashing depression and anxiety state, my GP (woman) got my BP under controlled and convinced my GYN doc (man 50+) to prescribe the HRT, within a week I was back!  Never stopped the antidepressant, I also had anxiety medication to take as needed.  So, my experience is I never would have made it without the hormones from peri through menopause, ..... now I am trying 6+ years later to wean off the HRT, I am still taking the antidepressant dail and anxiety (very rarely) if needed, both are lowest dose possible.  I have cut the HRT into half of what I was prescribed and so far, managing, NOT STRUGGLING, if I begin to struggle, I will stay on the lowest dose possible for LIFE if I have to.  I only hope I do not run into any issues from my doctor.  My GP who also is taking HRT retired, so I am left with her partner who is not a fan of HRT, and she is a woman my age (58).  I am in the USA and my HRT is generic brand.  Estradoil 1.0mg / Norethindrone 0.5mg, which I am taking half of.  I hope this helps you.

xo Loretta

19

Hi raelene

Eldest sister is now 71 (17yrs older than me). . She was on HRT

for about 12yrs I believe. Physically very healthy - never smoked, drank, ate well, exercised: yeah, the total Black Sheep of the

family ha, ha!

Shes always been the 'different' sister (quiet, lacking confidence

etc) .Dya know what: her mental health probably declined rapidly when they took her off it. Lost it big time when our mum died,

been looking out for her ever since.

I joke I'm no Earth Mother, but I'm very interested in what makes women 'tick'. I began to completely understand how and why my body did certain things at certain times of the month - by reading a fantastic book about pregnancy, while I was pregnant!!!

Everything just made so much sense!

Hormones rule us - and our men. Off whack and we pay for it.

My ol' man always jokes that we ladies can get HRT but he

couldn't get Testosterone t'ment, unless he paid a private Doc.

True, because when thy talk about the 'Male Menopause', that

drop in T levels give them some of our drepression symptoms

Oh! There is a God:-) !

I really hope I can stay mentally strong and avoid the SSRIs. I don't judge anyone who has the support of them - I see how the

right combo gives my sis some quality of life. But in the UK,

Docs are great at dishing them out. Keeps you out of the surgery, they're cheap, don't affect their greedy salaries and they don't

waste their Practice's Budget on alternative therapies - that you

can buy privately!!

Unfortunately our NHS is being eaten into by the very people

employed to deliver it with their enormous salaries. But when you get 'Managers' of Hospitals paid more than our PM, it don't

take Brain of Britain to see why its down the Crapper! For me: I'd be happy to pay health insurance for MY needs, as they do

in Oz and the US.

(Ouch! That's me falling of my Soapbox!!:-)

Sorry.....just had a blip in my two-day, unnatural 'high'! Honestly, for 2 days I've been in a really, really good mood. But even to me

it felt odd: talking excessively (well just a little more than normal then!!), laughing loads and loud. Felt a little excited, like a bit of

palpitations. But it's so different from me jolly ol' 'jolly' self. Was

thinking "This must be how someone suffering with Bipolar must feel".

No doubt its a sign of something cra**y on the horizon. Just as

long as its not another bloody Period!! Cannot wait to get

irregular/miss one!!

Raelene, you have a good day and keep remembering there is something out here right for you - just got to get it in the right combo!

S x :-)

20

Just re-read this! Christ, I now know a good night's kip don't do me any favours ha, ha!

And I must stop sending posts from this bloody tablet - words/sentences are all over the place!!