My body....the alien...help!! - Menopause Message Board

ThinBones · 09-12-2005, 07:13 AM

I really feel awful, I almost thought I had a virus but now I think it is all hormone related. My last period, I was so cold I could not stand it (I live in the South). I slept all afternoon. I feel depressed and sluggish a lot of the time which is not normal at all for me. I also have pressure on my chest a couple of days before my period. I told my MD and as I have no background for any heart condition, he said probably anxiety and he is probably right. He gave me Xanax which I am not thrilled about taking.(and have not yet) What is happening???? I hate this, I really do. They of course suggested the SSRI's which I said not to but......I may have to reconsider. Does anyone use the topical hormones with any success? This is not fair and I still have fairly regular periods although they are much closer together. I want my hormones back and normal!! Sorry to rant and rave but for the first time I feel very helpless to help myself!! Great to have a board where we can all vent and give advice. Thank you!!

babydog · 09-12-2005, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinBones

I really feel awful, I almost thought I had a virus but now I think it is all hormone related. My last period, I was so cold I could not stand it (I live in the South). I slept all afternoon. I feel depressed and sluggish a lot of the time which is not normal at all for me. I also have pressure on my chest a couple of days before my period. I told my MD and as I have no background for any heart condition, he said probably anxiety and he is probably right. He gave me Xanax which I am not thrilled about taking.(and have not yet) What is happening???? I hate this, I really do. They of course suggested the SSRI's which I said not to but......I may have to reconsider. Does anyone use the topical hormones with any success? This is not fair and I still have fairly regular periods although they are much closer together. I want my hormones back and normal!! Sorry to rant and rave but for the first time I feel very helpless to help myself!! Great to have a board where we can all vent and give advice. Thank you!!

I was in the same boat you are in this past July. I had a host of symptoms but mostly really bad anxiety. My blood pressure which is usually normal suddently started spirally out of control. I even went to a cardiologist because of chest pain. I was really afraid but decided to go on Paxil. I heard nothing but horror stories about it too. I went on 12.5mg which is the starting dose. It took about 2-4 weeks but gradually the symptoms started to go away. When I went to the cardio my bp was 170/100. Today I took my blood pressure and it is 114/78. It normalized my period, and alleviated other chronic conditions I have such as arthritis.
You will get no doubt other opinions from others on this board. But my feeling is if your trouble is anxiety, then treat the anxiety and nothing else. It's not forever, just till you get yourself back on track.

ThinBones · 09-13-2005, 06:49 AM

Thanks for your response, the MD wanted me to have a stress test just to make sure of my heart but I think I will wait for now as I think all the things going on are all hormone related. I am getting to the point where I hate to look in the mirror as I can almost see myself aging, probably not but it sure feels that way. My blood pressure has always been on the low side so hopefully I won't have to worry about that. It is so hard not knowing how I am going to feel day to day, some days are fine and others are so hard.....
I started yoga again and I know that will help, that seems to smooth out the anxiety and improve energy, it is almost like we have to exercise as we age, not an option like it was when we were younger......

babydog · 09-13-2005, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinBones

Thanks for your response, the MD wanted me to have a stress test just to make sure of my heart but I think I will wait for now as I think all the things going on are all hormone related. I am getting to the point where I hate to look in the mirror as I can almost see myself aging, probably not but it sure feels that way. My blood pressure has always been on the low side so hopefully I won't have to worry about that. It is so hard not knowing how I am going to feel day to day, some days are fine and others are so hard.....
I started yoga again and I know that will help, that seems to smooth out the anxiety and improve energy, it is almost like we have to exercise as we age, not an option like it was when we were younger......

You are soooo right about the exercise. I took up bike riding this summer and it was a God send!!

I too found myself staring in the mirror and noticing lines that weren't there before and I started to cry. My bp was 107/61 in March. By May it was spiraling out of control because my anxiety had progressed to full blown panic. Going to the cardio for tests was great because it gave me the reassurance I needed. I have had high cholesterol for 22 years so when the bp started to rise I got really concerned.

Your hormones regulate pulse and respiration rate so as the hormones dwindle down you get anxiety symptoms like heart palps, etc. Like I said the Paxil was great because I have a very demanding job. Had I not gone on the Paxil I believe I would be out of work now on disability; not something I can afford.

Good luck finding what is right for you whether it be hormones or yoga!!