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

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

 

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

Thanks Martina for your support.  xxx

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 

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😘

 

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

Hi Raelene

It's over a yr now. What did you do? Are you better?

CC

Hi Raelene its over a year since your post. How are you doing?

Hi, 

Im in a similar situation as you were, and seriously debating taking Citalopram for anxiety!  I take a low dose estrogen patch and it dosnt ease the anxiety/ depression. 

My fear is withdrawal so I'm wondering if you were able to wean off and how you are now...a year later?

Hi I have been put on Citalopram for 2 weeks anxiety which I'm sure comes fm hormones.... I'm 49....felt very dizzy the first 2 weeks my daughter was on Citalopram for over a year and has just come off it with no withdrawls she reduced a 1/4pill every 2 weeks then skipped a day then 2 days and was fine..... I attended a woman's tea today where a specialist spoke about the benefits of HRT they protect the heart an protect from osteoprosis....

I'm going to see my Gynae this week....we need hrt. Goodluck hope you feel better soon

Hi Cheryl i was on citalopram for nearly three years, it did help with the anxiety but i totally lost my libido which causes me more anxiety now im off it, i wish i had never taken it and used more natural remedies,my libido has not returned yet and im going through menopause now, my anxiety has now returned and im thinking of trying HRT patches or more natural alternatives to see if they help, meditation and yoga have helped, so i need to keep at this

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

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

hi I think you are my sister?? You sound just like her.

I have been on HRT patches now for about 1 1/2 weeks...so far so good.

If you are my sister you will know the significatance of "spagettio"..

Hello raelene, I know your post is over a year old, but I am wondering if you are OK now.  I am suffering from anxiety/depression which I believe was started by menopause.  I am on some meds, and currently they are being adjusted (can't take antidepressants though since I get manic).  I just wanted to know how you are doing now, and if you got through your issues.  Thanks, and sincerely hope you are better.

Green tea I have horrible anxiety. I'm in perimenopause, 47 years old and my antidepressant I was on for about 17 years stopped working overnight. I'm scared of the HRT, but I have some BHRT and I used a little too much of it and was nauseous and agitated the next day and couldn't sit still. My periods will be non existent for 3 months and I may get some spotting, but I recently had a period thank God because my gynecologist wanted me to take provera and I didn't want to. I don't go anywhere because my anxiety is horrible and I feel nauseous everyday. How are you doing now?