this crazy time - Menopause Message Board

DebraL · 06-14-2004, 08:16 AM

I thought Id have no problems and breeze through menopause. Im 51 and so far the only real problem I have had is the anxiety, and it took me a long time to realize it was caused by the hormones!! I only ever had a problem with PMS in my life when I was stressed and I'm finding this is true now, but its magnified. I don't like to take drugs and prefer the natural route, but at this time have been unable to 'calm things down" this way. SO when my doctor put me on xanax to see if it helped my physical symtoms we were trying to figure out, I was amazed at how much better I felt. I DO have some symptoms to figure out, but the anxiety was making it all so much worse. So my question to all you understanding ones here is--what have you found is the best way to manage the particular anxiety of perimenopause? My gyno says I should be done with this so maybe I will be through it soon. Though I dont like the drugs, I am willing to do what works at this point. I am also trying to find a high blood pressure med I can tolerate, but wondering if the anti-anxiety drugs will take that down as well. All this and Ive never taken anything but herbs and vitamins!!! Id appreciate any help

ainfante · 06-14-2004, 09:12 AM

Hi Debra. I am younger than you, 45, will be 46 in November. I have entered perimenopause and it has not been an easy time for me. The anxiety too has taken me, but I decided to go to therapy to work out some things from the past and also my brother had recently passed away, and that made dealing with perimenopause so much harder. Anxiety can come with perimenopause and menopause, I have posted symptoms etc. here. I am doing much better and take Xanax when needed. I noticed also it does help to relieve some of the symptoms. You need to work positive thoughts, replacing the negative thoughts that we tend to get during menopause. Alot has to do on how we were conditioned when we were younger. The other importance is to just accept the anxiety, don't run from it, accept that you have entered the years of ending your youth and ovulation. What are some of your anxiety symptoms? Mine are the following:

Body pains
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Acid reflex
nervousness/irritabilty, the feeling like I want to cry or jump out of my body.
Trembling fingers or body.
weight loss
etc.

Read as much as you can on anxiety, it will help you.

Andrea

molly123 · 06-14-2004, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebraL

I thought Id have no problems and breeze through menopause. Im 51 and so far the only real problem I have had is the anxiety, and it took me a long time to realize it was caused by the hormones!! I only ever had a problem with PMS in my life when I was stressed and I'm finding this is true now, but its magnified. I don't like to take drugs and prefer the natural route, but at this time have been unable to 'calm things down" this way. SO when my doctor put me on xanax to see if it helped my physical symtoms we were trying to figure out, I was amazed at how much better I felt. I DO have some symptoms to figure out, but the anxiety was making it all so much worse. So my question to all you understanding ones here is--what have you found is the best way to manage the particular anxiety of perimenopause? My gyno says I should be done with this so maybe I will be through it soon. Though I dont like the drugs, I am willing to do what works at this point. I am also trying to find a high blood pressure med I can tolerate, but wondering if the anti-anxiety drugs will take that down as well. All this and Ive never taken anything but herbs and vitamins!!! Id appreciate any help

Hi Debra,
Welcome to the board here! I'm 51 and am entering menopause, I hope. Keeping my fingers crossed - haven't had a period for 7 months now. Anyway, I was having anxiety several months ago. I was on Ativan .5mg on an as-needed basis. Was worreid about being depended to an anxiety med so dr. put me on Paxil CR 12.5mg. The Paxil helped take the edge off and got me feeling better right away.

One thing to add to your daily regrime, if you feel up to it, is to do some kind of aerboic exercise. It helped me not only physically but mentally. It took my mind off of what I was going through. And whenever I felt anxious, I took deep breaths and tried to relaxed. I even tried meditating (but couldn't sit still long enough - LOL!)...

What other symptoms are you experiencing and did you get some kind of test done so that is why your gyn said you will be through with it soon?

Molly

DebraL · 06-14-2004, 10:27 AM

Nope she just said most of patients are through with it all by 51. I like my gyn as she is just about my age and going through the same things. Im just finding I don't handle stressful situations as well as I used to. My anxiety is of the 'knots in the stomach' feeling type and obsessing over trying to diagnose some problesm I have had that may or may not be tmj related. (stress again, but triggered by dental work) I do the walking and vitamins and such, but just having to admit the anxiety was getting the best of me. And Im SURE its the hormones. I appreciate the info and compassion of this board.

rmc12 · 06-14-2004, 02:57 PM

Hi Debra,

I just turned 50 and can relate also. i am sure I have been in perimenopause for the past 5 years or so as that is when my cycles changed a bit...used to come every 28 days , started coming every 23 -25. Also have had them come once or twice after 40 or 50 days and then they went back to every 24. Lasts only 3 days at the most. So it is short when it comes. Now it is these past 2 months coming every 31 days!! So go figure!!

Anxiety has been the hallmark of this time for me. The gyn and doctor did suggest Xanax and I do take it as needed. In March and early April I needed to take it more so as it seemed my anxiety was at an all time high. I started taken regularly a Vitamin B complex and Estroven, an over the counter vitamin supplement for this perimenopause time and both are supposed to help with a myriad of symptoms including anxiety. For me my PMS is much worse during perimenopause than it was hence the anxiety issues. After taking the vitamins now for a month and also realizing that this anxiety is all part of this time, it has been a better couple months for me.

I agree with what the other poster too said about regular exercise. I have got back into that and that seems to help to. Venting as we do on this board helps wonders too!! Glad you posted and hope it helps to know that we all are going thru similar things.

rmc