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

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raelene_44389
raelene_44389

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 likes, 68 replies

68 Replies

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  • heidi1621
    heidi1621 raelene_44389

    Posted

    So glad I found you ladies. I have been going through severe anxieity and depression lately. Along with head fog, achey legs and extreme tiredness from perimenopause. It really has got me desperate for help. I have made an appt to see a dr, but I have to wait a little over a week to get in.That feels  like forever to me as I feel I need help now. I feel so alone and scared when this feeling comes over me. I have a wonderful husband and a family to lean on for support, but not to be selfish, it's not enough when I get this way. I feel it is out of my control. I am 45, and have been to an OBGYN for my symptoms when they happened in the past (about a 1 1/2 months ago) and told her my symptoms, she agreed it was hormonal/perimenopausal and prescribed me HRT. But she didn't do any testing and I am prone to migraines, which the HRT could cause, so I have been to scared to take them. I did make an appt with a well reviewed Naturalpath Dr, that I get to see in a week. Hopefully that will get me some answers. Any suggustions or helpful hints would be greatly appreciated from anyone on here with experience in this. Thanks so much!
    • Mo.101965
      Mo.101965 heidi1621

      Posted

      Hello Heidi

      Welcome, this is a great forum.

      I am same as you, perimenopausal and 18 months agos I got anxious,completely out of the blue. It was so scary as I have never felt like that before. I had brain fog and hot flushes.

      I took St Johns Wort and I felt a bit better for a while, but I finally went to my GP. She said i could either have HRT or an antidepressant.

      I opted for the AD as my sister had the same 5 years ago and the ADs worked wonders.

      I have never looked back. Sure it takes 6-8 weeks but honestly Heidi I am ME again.

      If you suffer from migraines I would certainly mention it. This AD is not addictive and I have been on it over a year now. I am so happy as I was in a very dark place and I have my life back.

      Here for you. Keep in touch.x

    • Bizzybee66
      Bizzybee66 heidi1621

      Posted

      Take the 5-HTP for the anxiety and sucidal thoughts, its your sertoini level off which happens to some of us during this nightmare.
  • minny
    minny raelene_44389

    Posted

    Hi Raelene,

    Just came accross this post.  I know it is from a year ago but was wondering how you are doing?  Did you find something that suited you?

    Reading your symptoms is just like reading my own story!  I am at the end of my tether.  Am seeing a female GP on Thursday and really thinking that HRT may be of some help.  But it is all so confusing.  Really hope you see this.

    Many thanks

    Minny

    • caroline74698
      caroline74698 minny

      Posted

      Hi Minny, I'd like to know how they are getting on too. I'm menopausal with anxiety and depression. It started out of the blue just before Christmas. Have started HRT 2 weeks ago and already take antidepressants. I'm really hoping the HRT is going to help. I've had these dips before most are brief, but this time it's lingering. I know the symptoms disappear after a while they always do, just hard at the moment. I would give HRT a go, apparently the negative press about it wasn't true anyway.

      I hope you're feeling a better soon.

      Love Caroline xxx

    • raelene_44389
      raelene_44389 minny

      Posted

      Hi Minny.  Thanks for your concern. I'm still struggling big time.  I have times of where I feel okay and I think to myself "Everything is  managable and I can handle this"   Then it hits me again and it's just so sickening.

      I've had a pretty good run for the past couple of weeks and it hit me again yesterday.  I'm not sure how long it will hang around for but it's so debilitating.

        I just pray I can hang in until it's all over.  This is the hardest journey ever.  Lots of crying today and back to reading everything I can find on the subject. 

      I stared with a naturopath last week so I'm hoping she can give me a little bit of an edge.  She has me on different herbs. 

      I also visited my doctor last week and said how I wasn't sleeping that well.  She prescribed me an antisycotic tablet used for bipolar that when used in very low doses can help aid sleep. I tore the prescription up when I got out and thought bloody hell how do we trust these doctors.  I feel like I'm at a loss sometimes.

      It's only when I have these dips that my life becomes so hard.

      I wish I could have given you better news.  I had a period last week after 3 months.  I'm praying it was my last one and in a year things may have balancec out and settled for me.

      Wishing you all the best with your doctor's visit and I hope your feeling back to your old self soon.

      They say it does get better so I'm just prayig for that day.

      Keep smiling

      Raelene  xxxx

       

    • CCinCal
      CCinCal raelene_44389

      Posted

      Sorry to hear things aren't better. I hear you about ripping the prescription. I got that one too.
    • Louloufell
      Louloufell raelene_44389

      Posted

      Hello

      Just read your story. You are such a brave strong lady for dealing with all anxiety etc. I know how you feel I am currently suffering to. I hardly leave the house. I went to see Dr Studd last Wednesday and had blood taken had no measurable testosterone so have been put on two gels and a tablet to take in July to produce a bleed. I'm praying it works nurse said it will take 6-8 weeks to take effect.

      How are things now? Caroline x

    • sazzie42
      sazzie42 caroline74698

      Posted

      Hi Caroline

      Hope you are doing well. I need some advice on coping with the anxiety and depression as I feel like I'm losing the plot. I have very little energy and pushing my family and close friends away and shutting them out. I need to find a solution and quick as I'm a right mess. Would appreciate any advice x cheers for reading. Sam x

  • sazzie42
    sazzie42 raelene_44389

    Posted

    Hi Raelene

    I am new to this forum but I am experiencing very bad anxiety and over the last 6 months very heavy periods which have me doubled over in pain. Unfortunately at the same time I was diagnosed with a bulging disc which turned my life upside down. With all the medication including morphine and a spinal epidural I tried I thought it was all to do with that. It's only since bleeding continuously and heavily and the fact that I have spent weeks in tears I ended up in a and e and after taking blood tests and giving me medication that the doctor mentioned going back to doctors for further tests and mentioned the menopause. I am 44 so I have had a lot thrown my way. I used to be confident and social. All I do now is cry. I was offered Anti depressants but after having a bad withdrawal from tramadol which I was given as pain relief for back I am too scared to try. My quality of life has disappeared xx Thanks for reading. Sazzie42

  • j92840
    j92840 raelene_44389

    Posted

    Morning Raelene

    I have just come across your post and realised it was posted a year ago, so I hope things have improved for you. You have described exactly how I am feeling right now. How are you now and what dicision did you make? 

    Thank you 

    J

  • lisa18720
    lisa18720 raelene_44389

    Posted

    Hi Raeline

    I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time. I'd like to share my story with you in the hope that it may help you??? I am currently 54. About 4.5 years ago I started getting hot flushes and heart palpitations consistent with monopause. Having done quite a bit of research into the risks associated with taking HRT, I approached my doctor to get his advice. My main concern was around the increased risk of breast cancer associated with taking HRT. I was advised that women have a 13% risk of breast cancer (taking out those women with a genetic predispsition) and that as long as I stopped taking HRT by the three year mark, my risk would only increase to 14%. I was prepared to take this risk given that I was feeling pretty awful and that I have quite a stressful full-time job and didn't necessarily want to be hot flushing during a presentation. Within a week i was pretty much back to normal - still getting the very occasional hot flush (usually only after meals) and the very occasional heart palpitation. 4.5 years later I was still on HRT, recognising that I might be pushing the envelope, but not really wanting to go off it. Around this time I started having some very minor periods of feeling down and a bit anxious (note that I had never experienced these feelings in my life).  Anyway, I decided to stop taking HRT (Estalis patches, by the way). I've been off HRT for around six weeks now and I'm feeling pretty lousy - really down, unfocused regarding my work and a bit anxious. There is really nothing happening in my life to have created these feelings (i.e, relationships, etc., are good), so I'm putting my emotions down to menopause and having gone of the HRT. I know that everyone is different, e.g., I have girlfriends who are terrified of taking HRT, based to some extent on somewhat incorrect media reports as to its dangers (and I'm not saying that it is risk free!). Women need to do their own research into HRT before making a decision and also consider that HRT has many benefits, e.g., it's good for your bone strength and skin. My feeling at this point is that I'm not prepared to put up with how I'm feeling, it just isn't worth it. To this end, I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow and fill him in on how I'm feeling. Personally, I'd prefer to go back on the HRT than take anti-depressants, however I will take his advice as he has given me very sound advice for 32 years. It may be that my menopausal symptoms are getting worse (given that I started to get some mild anxiety, etc., before I went off the HRT) and that the HRT may not have the positive influence that it has had in the past. 

    I hope that this post helps.

    • maisie05
      maisie05 lisa18720

      Posted

      Hi Lisa. If you don't mind me asking, were you still having monthly periods when you started the hrt? And if so have they stopped now?I'm 57 and still having regular periods. Last couple of months had palpitations and jumpy heartbeats, crashing fatigue etc.  Last week started with severe night sweats and daytime flushes. I'm seriously considering hrt but worried over the effect of the progesterone part as I'm still having periods. My sister had the two pills to take and what she called the 12 horrible little blue pills made her turn into (her words) an angry impatient not nice person.Like PMS. She could easily have left her husband while on the 12 blue pills. Do you think its like that for everyone? I realise not everyone is the same but I'd be interested in your experience please as similar age.

    • DeborahH58
      DeborahH58 maisie05

      Posted

      Hi ,  I just read your query,  I am 58,  I was sailing through menopause just fine, then I started getting weepy, anxious etc. After almost three years of not having a period at all...I couldn't understand it, then depression set in.  I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything.  I stopped taking my online course, i stopped finding fun in my hobbies.  My husband works away and only home a couple days a week.  He lost his job and had to find another.  I began getting fearful of our future.  My dr. Didn't help much ...gave me a number for mental health centre &  said go swimming.   We decided to sell our home so I could be close with my husband.  Wrong decision, my nerves were shot.  I can't tolerate antidepressants, yet I've had three doctors give me prescriptions for them.  I did fairly well from help from the naturopath, and some yoga etc.  But still need the last hurdle to overcome, my nervous anxiety.  It keeps me housebound.   I went to a women's clinic , I've been out on HRT, but 10 days in and I'm feeling anxious today, dont know why...so wondering if I made the right choice.  Also afraid I may get my periods or bleed again...don't know if anyone else out there has had any experience , what it's like first month or so....?   

    • maisie05
      maisie05 DeborahH58

      Posted

      Hi Deborah

      Since my last post, I missed 2 periods, went to My GP for hrt, was given a list to choose from of continuous combined hrt. My doctor said as I'm 57, nearly 58, my periods should be finished. I chose Evorel conti patches. My periods have started again, I'm guessing from the hrt. Very, very heavy causing anaemia. I have small fibroids. I'm considering hysterectomy as I feel so weak and so fed up now. I've been putting this off for a couple of years now thinking my periods will stop and fibroids will shrink naturally.

      I felt great on first starting the hrt, excited even, thinking that I was going to become a new woman. I felt empowered. Then after 3 weeks I felt tearful and tense, and over sensitive. It was obviously pmt as my period the arrived unexpectedly, I was so disappointed. I've stuck with the patch and same thing happened a month later. I never suffered from pmt except when I was on Birth control pill many years ago. I'm going to stay with it for another couple of months to see if things settle down.

      So to answer your query about anxiety, I do feel anxious, tearful, and much prefer to stay at home. But mostly I'm confused about what to do, who to talk to, how long to wait, hysterectomy or not, I'm trying my best to stay strong, put on a brave face for family but it's sooo hard.

      I haven't 'spoke' about all this to anyone so thank you for listening and inviting me to share

      Hope you feel better soon xx

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