Over It

[u/taz288]

Does the anxiety ever get better or go away? I just started a low dose med a week ago and I’m tired of feeling this way. It doesn’t help that my potassium keeps dropping which seems to bring on a panic attack. I went from being on one med to being on 4 meds. I’m tired of my boobs hurting. I’m tired to hiding how I feel because I’m don’t want to be seen as an “Angry Black Woman”. I’m just fucking tired

This is just a mini rant before I start working because I’m over it.

Thank you to everyone that liked or commented. You helped me feel less alone. I appreciate everyone here.

[u/Hotsexyredhead2004]

Anxiety was the worst when I started perimenopause. I started HRT pretty early but I think it wasn’t the right dose or delivery method because anxiety didn’t really go away until about 2 years ago. Now i rarely get anxious. If you can, get on HRT to manage it.

[u/Additional_Gur_3068]

You’re not alone. I feel the same way but I am on 5 psych meds just to survive the day. I am on all the HRT, too. And it just doesn’t go away for me. I am 1 year post menopause.

[u/Antina5 → u/Additional_Gur_3068]

You are not alone.

[u/YeshuasBananaHammock]

Honestly sis I didnt notice a difference until 6wks after I started taking it. Even then, I still had to get some of my doses tweaked, and others cranked up.

My gyn is kind enough to prescribe alprazolam in a tiny dose, as one of my main issues is what I can describe as an anxiety-driven obsessive mental feedback loop of some sort. I can take half of a 0.5mg and not have to battle that part of my brain for the day.

My friend Penjamin has also helped very slightly during this time, if youre into that kinda thing.

However, I too would like to know if this facet of menopause ever resolves. Because I too am OVER IT.

[u/patterson_2384 → u/YeshuasBananaHammock]

ah, the Intrusive Thoughts Loop. xannies are the only thing that stop that goddamn chatter for me as well. .25 to function at work .5 for the rougher days (but will require a nap) 1 for when the world is burning or I'm on an airplane, which is an equal worst case scenario in my brain.

[u/lulsebastian]

I told everybody who could possibly feel my wrath abt what I was going thru and I let myself feel whatever I feel unapologetically. I didnt go on a warpath or anything drastic but I've had extended moments days/weeks of being so aggressively antisocial that I just hunkered down and surrounded myself with whatever would make me happy or at least less miserable in the moment. the equivalent of pampering myself included saying "No" without guilt, wearing my most comfortable of clothes anywhere i felt like it. Changing my eating habits (that includes cooking for only me depending on my sense of taste or smell that day...some days that was plain white rice with salt because nothing else tasted right) I called in sick to work because I'd slept like crap the night before (i havent called in sick in at least 10 years) I am my own best peri-friend. be angry ..its ok...im a crazy woman ranting out loud in the car, in the shower, on a walk, at the TV show. and it does get better...may take some time to dial in your doses or your safety net (the people/places/things) but you will get there.

--51 year old angry perimenopausal woman with itchy ears and achy joints and Nothing tastes right and that is really ticking me off right now lol

[u/No-Explanation1019]

What meds are you on? If it's HRT it can be a little while. I was 3 or 4 months in before I was thinking, ok, this is great. Which was when my dose went up high enough, I guess. But initially, not much at all. Hang in there. Nothing wrong with being an angy black woman if you're also right!

[u/taz288 → u/No-Explanation1019]

I just started taking Buspirone last week along a low dose blood pressure med. That’s in addition to a low dose cholesterol med. I have a twice a week estrogen patch also.

[u/Effective_Leg_3006 → u/taz288]

Jane you noticed any difference with the Buspirone? I’m on 5mg twice a day for 6 months now and I feel no different. Anxiety and intrusive thought on a loop all day.

[u/taz288 → u/Effective_Leg_3006]

My anxiety has lessened some but I still have the intrusive thoughts. My family and friends told me to give time to work.

[u/Mother_Addition4922 → u/taz288]

I'm 52, not on Estrogen, only Progesterone 100 mg nightly. I started having panic attacks in June that were debilitating to the point I missed a few days of work. My Lexapro was then changed to Prozac and Buspirone 5mg 3 times a day was added. It took the edge off but didn't completely get rid of the panic attacks. Buspirone was increased to 10mg 3 times a day a few weeks ago and I am now starting to feel better, no panic attacks. Buspirone takes a while to build up in your system. Hang in there, you are not alone.

[u/catsTXn420]

Ask for meds for anxiety to cover symptoms until the hrt has you stable. Talking about hydroxyzine or something else quick acting, not ssris. That's what I did, I had extreme anxiety at first too. Be consistent with your meds, take at the same time every day and give it time. Takes 4 to 6 months for you to be fully adjusted. It will get better.

[u/Creative-Aerie71]

I'm sorry. I'm dealing with it too. I started buspirone last week but no major reduction yet. I'm also on cymbalta. Wellbutrin made me rage and filled with anger. I did message my gyn about an increase in my oral estrogen. I had to change because of patch shortages.

Its horrible

[u/BridgestoneX]

HRT (E plus P) solved it for me in days, i hope you have the same success!

[u/AspiringOne]

Oral Progesterone helped with anxiety for me. Topical was a roller coaster ride (no good).

I also use Bach Flower Rescue Remedy which can help. It’s not as good as say Xanax, but can take the edge off without an Rx. I use the spray for convenience. I also use their Rescue Sleep. These can also be found online in places like Amazon, Whole Foods, etc.

https://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-information/

[u/RockieK]

Wellbutrin.

[u/Swimming_Pressure_93]

You're not alone i thought I had a heart problem. I thought I had so many issues turns out it was peri. I seriously was thinking I had a fib no joke. Just like my hands every joint ached in them. I got on estradiol it all went away. So hang in your not alone and good luck on the medicine I hope it helps💜. Edit this is now 2 years later. I'm so much better. Just know there's hope.

[u/tasukiko]

HRT absolutely cleared my anxiety right up. It is one of the first symptoms that comes back when I know I need to go up in dose. Doc wanted to put me on anti anxiety meds of course and I was like no, absolutely not because I knew that wasn't the underlying issue as I wasn't having anxious thoughts but my body was just dumping a ton of adrenaline into me.

[u/Turbulent-Demand873]

I have the right dose of anxiety meds and HRT. I take buspirone, trintellex, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. I’m finally feeling “normal’ish”

[u/ApeFace1966]

I had crippling anxiety and good thing I have such a great husband and I don’t work. It was so bad that it caused depression and i was thinking I didn’t want to live like this. I figured I owed it to my family to try everything first to see if I could get some relief. Luckily in a way, I had some vaginal atrophy and went to see a young woman OBGYN and I told her what my current state was along with my other symptoms and she pretty quickly said that I should try HRT. It relieved 85% of my anxiety and joint pain and other bad symptoms I was having. I have adjusted my HRT and tried different application methods and increased. I had been reporting my issues to my primary care DR. For 1 1/2 years while having crippling anxiety. He was very dismissive and offered no real treatment. I was grasping at straws and went online to get Wellbutrin prescribed for my state this did nothing for me and I think possibly made me more edgy……My therapist I was seeing at the time luckily suggested I slowly tapper off and see if that was better which seemed better but I was taking the HRT by then so I don’t know if I just didn’t need it anymore.
Advice I would give is get a female OBGYN that will work with you and just be proactive with trying things until you get some relief. Women are so different in what works for thier specific set of issues and body chemistry. So many women find relief so just keep at it. Good luck to you and you’re not crazy.

[u/h3dxw]

Oh, it's terrible.

Have you tried testosterone? I was constantly on the edge of nervousness before my t was replaced and it didn't match up with my mind at all. I also have anxiety when my thyroid t3 level is too low.

It will be a hormone crying out, which means it can be resolved. 💚

[u/Illustrious-Air-1681]

I know how you feel! Hang in there. It has taken a few months but I'm feeling better. I tried paroxetine which was appalling for me, then got a new female GP who took me right off that "horrible old drug" and put me on a tiny dose of Lexapro and the whole suite of HRT meds – E, P, T.

Two months after those changes the anxiety is much, much better and I'm feeling more like my old self. And my boobs stopped hurting too, so yay for that. Keep advocating for yourself and don't stop till you get what you need. I always say you get what you settle for. Don't settle, and best of luck!

[u/PerfectCover1414]

I feel your pain my dear. Also suffering hideous anxiety and also am imbalanced in my HRT dose. When that happens the anxiety gets worse. As for being seen as angry? Screw everyone, you do what you need to feel better. That's the best thing that's come out of this for me. DGAF!