Questions for those who have been through menopause

[Woolmercardington]

I'm 44 this year. I do notice that my usual PMS symptom of being a bit impatient and irritable has become feeling very low with negative thoughts. Been like that for about a year and am wondering if the change is peri related.

I'm worried about getting anxiety. I'm such a laid back person and hate the thought of becoming overly anxious. So many women in my workplace who are on their late 5Os/early 60s are like this and I assume it is a long lasting effect from menopause.

My mum is like this, too. She drives me round the bend. It's really upsetting to think your personality might change so much.

 

[Pixie06]

I'd never suffered from PMT, but in my late 30's/early 40's like clockwork 3 days before my period I'd lose the plot over the smallest thing like a bath towel being left on the floor. It's quite terrifying how it can make you feel and behave.

 

[Blowup80]

I'm 44 this year. I do notice that my usual PMS symptom of being a bit impatient and irritable has become feeling very low with negative thoughts. Been like that for about a year and am wondering if the change is peri related.

I'm worried about getting anxiety. I'm such a laid back person and hate the thought of becoming overly anxious. So many women in my workplace who are on their late 5Os/early 60s are like this and I assume it is a long lasting effect from menopause.

My mum is like this, too. She drives me round the bend. It's really upsetting to think your personality might change so much.

I have to say this is what upset me the most about it all. Going from being very confidant and outgoing then bam! Anxiety and panic attacks.

 

[Notworthy]

I have to say this is what upset me the most about it all. Going from being very confidant and outgoing then bam! Anxiety and panic attacks.

Snap. I've run 2 successful businesses and been in hospitality 30 years and all if a sudden I'm questioning whether I can manage a new business. It feels as though I've lost the best part of myself which was my confidence and fearlessness and turned into this negative, quivering wreck.

 

[Reflected view]

Iv noticed that if I have a few days off of work I get very anxious about going back in, or the latest is with the gyms being closed this past year I’m really nervous and anxious about going back whereas before I would walk in to any gym or fitness class go down the front and give it my all

 

[imnotarobot]

I have to say this is what upset me the most about it all. Going from being very confidant and outgoing then bam! Anxiety and panic attacks.

Me too. In my worst minutes I’ve decided my husband is going to leave me. He’s given me no reason to think that, he’s been totally the same and is as supportive as he can be and I can see that in the moments of clarity, but for some stupid reason this is what I narrow my anxiety on. It’s unbearable. And I can’t keep asking him like some mental case or the poor bugger WILL leave me just for some peace! Strong me seems to have disappeared.

I’ve been put on HRT, have only just started it and are now halfway though the two week grey pills. I noticed a massive spike in anxiety on about day four/five of them and so I’m hoping it isn’t going to be like this every month. I won’t be able to bear it.

Has anyone been on antidepressants as well as HRT?. i go back to the doctor first week in May and I’m thinking of asking for those too.

Snap. I've run 2 successful businesses and been in hospitality 30 years and all if a sudden I'm questioning whether I can manage a new business. It feels as though I've lost the best part of myself which was my confidence and fearlessness and turned into this negative, quivering wreck.

I am sorry. Menopause is a bleeping witch, excuse my French.

 

[Libbylulu]

There’s a good podcast I listen to called Newson Health. The presenter is a GP and menopause specialist.

 

[Notworthy]

Me too. In my worst minutes I’ve decided my husband is going to leave me. He’s given me no reason to think that, he’s been totally the same and is as supportive as he can be and I can see that in the moments of clarity, but for some stupid reason this is what I narrow my anxiety on. It’s unbearable. And I can’t keep asking him like some mental case or the poor bugger WILL leave me just for some peace! Strong me seems to have disappeared.

I’ve been put on HRT, have only just started it and are now halfway though the two week grey pills. I noticed a massive spike in anxiety on about day four/five of them and so I’m hoping it isn’t going to be like this every month. I won’t be able to bear it.

Has anyone been on antidepressants as well as HRT?. i go back to the doctor first week in May and I’m thinking of asking for those too.


I am sorry. Menopause is a bleeping witch, excuse my French.

Ideally GPs shouldn't prescribe anti depressants for menopausal symptoms, they did with me and to be honest they made me suicidal. You will probably need to tweak your HRT plus if the anxiety is cyclical, you will manage it a lot better being prepared for it. I'll bore you all to death with it but please diarise your symptoms, anything odd,, weight, pains, enhanced smell, mood, eating habits, how much you pee, literally everything and I do recommend weighing yourself everyday for a month or 2 as you will probably find that your weight changes just before your mood.

 

[Blowup80]

Me too. In my worst minutes I’ve decided my husband is going to leave me. He’s given me no reason to think that, he’s been totally the same and is as supportive as he can be and I can see that in the moments of clarity, but for some stupid reason this is what I narrow my anxiety on. It’s unbearable. And I can’t keep asking him like some mental case or the poor bugger WILL leave me just for some peace! Strong me seems to have disappeared.

I’ve been put on HRT, have only just started it and are now halfway though the two week grey pills. I noticed a massive spike in anxiety on about day four/five of them and so I’m hoping it isn’t going to be like this every month. I won’t be able to bear it.

Has anyone been on antidepressants as well as HRT?. i go back to the doctor first week in May and I’m thinking of asking for those too.


I am sorry. Menopause is a bleeping witch, excuse my French.

Hi so sorry to hear that. I can totally relate to having those thoughts that make no sense but appear so right at the time if that makes sense!

Yes I take the lowest dose of antidepressants. An older lady from work told me to do it to "just take the edge off". They helped a lot after about a month. I'm now trying to wean myself off them slowly after 2 years just to see how I am. I've started Magnesium supplements as I don't sleep well either.
I had a few different types of HRT at first til I found something that suited me. Don't just settle for the first one and hopefully you can speak to a good doctor who can help.
I had the coil fitted for the progesterone and use an Estrogen gel, this has worked for me.

 

[Woolmercardington]

Sorry to hear the ladies suffering so badly with anxiety.

If you're presently going through/had menopause, is there any advice you would give anyone who is just a couple or so years away from it themselves? Any tips at all?

 

[Notworthy]

Sorry to hear the ladies suffering so badly with anxiety.

If you're presently going through/had menopause, is there any advice you would give anyone who is just a couple or so years away from it themselves? Any tips at all?

Research all the different symptoms so you are prepared, it's a sneaky bugger. My 1st symptoms were anxiety/panic attacks out of nowhere and insomnia.

 

[Base2019]

Sorry to hear the ladies suffering so badly with anxiety.

If you're presently going through/had menopause, is there any advice you would give anyone who is just a couple or so years away from it themselves? Any tips at all?

Exercise, exercise and exercise.. only thing to keep the head right and to help with sleep.

Insomnia and anxiety was a big thing for me. Exercise and a good diet help me to keep on track

 

[Blowup80]

Exercise, exercise and exercise.. only thing to keep the head right and to help with sleep.

Insomnia and anxiety was a big thing for me. Exercise and a good diet help me to keep on track

I second this!

 

[Reflected view]

I second this!

Me to, I stopped running there for a few wks, my mood and insomnia went to a new level I’m back out running and my mood is changing, still have nights where insomnia is a killer but once I’m back into my regular routine and not eating a lot of crap it will get back to some form of normality for me

 

[Lady Macbeth]

Menopause increases anger/ anxiety/ appetite / your waist etc. I lost 8 kilos through keto via a naturopath who I saw on a weekly basis for a weigh in and measurement to track my fat loss.

 

[Libbylulu]

Menopause increases anger/ anxiety/ appetite / your waist etc. I lost 8 kilos through keto via a naturopath who I saw on a weekly basis for a weigh in and measurement to track my fat loss.

This sounds interesting and congratulations. I have gained 15lbs in the last year and it’s still creeping up. It’s really getting me down tbh

 

[1001 others]

Sorry to hear the ladies suffering so badly with anxiety.

If you're presently going through/had menopause, is there any advice you would give anyone who is just a couple or so years away from it themselves? Any tips at all?

I think reading up on the likely symptoms is a good start. Some of the things I started experiencing were foreign to older friends I felt comfortable talking to about (and they weren't easily Google-able). Not everyone will experience the same things or the same intensity of things - e.g., I don't get night terrors or night sweats, but I do get very overheated during the day, which is a bit different to others.

 

[Pixie06]

I've gone from a size 10/12 to a 16 and as for my boobs they a ridiculously enormous and at only small height I can't carry more weight. None of my clothes fit, it's really depressing me.

 

[Reflected view]

I've gone from a size 10/12 to a 16 and as for my boobs they a ridiculously enormous and at only small height I can't carry more weight. None of my clothes fit, it's really depressing me.

I’m with you on this one nothing I’m doing seems to work boobs are fuller and bigger hips thighs and waist expanding by the day, not feeling myself and it’s getting me down

 

[1001 others]

I've gone from a size 10/12 to a 16 and as for my boobs they a ridiculously enormous and at only small height I can't carry more weight. None of my clothes fit, it's really depressing me.

The good news is, once you're out of the woods life is HEAPS better. I've heard that from heaps of ladies. One told me it's like turning a corner. The weight gain stays for some; shifts for others. Guess it just depends on your body type and genetics.