I'm on my fourth day of Lexapro after being on Effexor ER for two weeks with no luck. I havn't slept in three months, . I'm on Ambien(I sleep 3 hours with Ambien a night) I'm also on Xanax for anxiety until the Lexapro kicks in. I'm 51 and never have had a medical condition before three months ago. I've always exercised, eaten right. Now I'm a mess. Anyone have any helpful ideas?

Betucha It may be easier on you if you just roll with it. I think I know how you feel. About a year ago I experienced my very first anxiety attack at 49. It came out of the blue plus I was on my honeymoon. Anyway, I went to a PSYC to see what was up and he put me on Paxil. He couldn't figure out why I was feeling this way at my age...he thought it could be "my changes". I decided to go off the Paxil 2 months later and continued to take Xanax (the smallest dose) on an as needed basis. I also take Ambien nightly in order to sleep. So you can see, my story is more or less the same as yours. I have come to terms with the fact that this is all due to hormones and being in peri...although that wasn't as easy as I am making it sound. I still worry about everything being more severe than it actually is. I am grateful for this site as it validates alot of what I'm thinking and has gotten me through alot. Hopefully it will do the same for you. Take care, EJ

"Roll with it, " is the best advice I can give. I've searched high and low for the magical cure, but................... I was always a bit tempermental and anxious, but this has been utterly ridiculous. The website certainly does validate the ramifications of fluctuating hormones. Hey, we can't all be crazy, huh. Lately, I've been a witch, as well. Not to mention my organizational skills are scattered. Oy. This sucka better end some day, because the intensity of my emotions are stripping me to the core. Well, I had a few good days, anyway. The lack of sleep is enough to drive anyone nuts. Thank God, I don't have to work. That is if my husband doesn't run away. Shoot, I can't stand my own company.

It rather astounds me that some women first feel the emotional impact of hormones, during menopause. I had such miserable PMS that I recognized some of symptoms. This is like a long bout of awful PMS. I remember reading, you may feel the way you did before you period in peri. Man, this whole thing has been so topsy turvy, I can't make sense of it. :o CHILL CHRIS:cool::cool::cool:

BOY OH BOY Chriscarol......I HEAR you loud and clear. I THOUGHT I might have a good day today, but NOOOOOO!! Have to feel like crap again. If it isn't an achey body, it's a headache. If it isn't a headache, it's irritability. If it isn't irritability, it's anxiety. And so on, and so on and so on. And to THINK we used to take for granted those days when we felt light as air, and happy as clams at high tide. :mad: WHAT I would give to have a couple of those days now!!!!!! It's a struggle some days just to bring myself to smile at my poor real estate clients or my motel customers. (Ever wonder if people SEE how bad we really feel, and our cover up doesn't work?) ARGH! Is my mood today. *sigh* Hugs, Kleeo

Kleeo, Take a walk by the beautiful Oqunquit shoreline this week, for me. You are absolutely right, let me catch a breath for goodness sakes. Now my stomach is wreaking havoc. Did manage to have a romantic interlude with my hubby, so he's happy. I do know just how you feel, however. Do you sell Real Estate?? I had considered that, but then peri hit. Hang in there, girl.

Thankfully, I don't get headaches.

Hey Chriscarol, I actually took a walk on Ogunquit Beach this morning! The most beautiful beach in the State of Maine...our sand is SO clean! Yes, I sell real estate. And such a beautiful area to sell it in! A whole different world here! I also manage a motel in the area, owned by the same company. I moved here almost 3 years ago, and it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. (I worked for 20 years previously in the manufactured housing business in a management position). I'm very much a people person, and my new career gives me PLENTY of people to deal with. NOT to mention such a GORGEOUS area to live in! You are so lucky you don't get headaches! One of my most ANNOYING symptoms. That along with the other 100 symptoms (DOESN'T it SEEM like that many???) Hope your belly feels better My stomach has been kind of 'iffy' today, too. Not bad, but along with everything else just enough to aggravate and irritate!!! HANG IN THERE GIRL! Hugs, Kleeo

I took a walk down a long stretch of Ogunquit shoreline, a couple summers ago. We rented a house near a nature preserve, where the birds and sunsets were spectacular. I've loved the state of Maine for a long time. Winter must be a toughie, although on the shoreline things tend to be slightly warmer. A career, ugh, one of my anxiety provoking issues. Well, going to watch Condi on 60 minutes. Nice chatting with you Kleeo!! I hope you feel better, as well.

To everyone out there who posts--thank you. This site has been a lifesaver. I have always had anxiety problems but lately the insomnia and anxiety have been unbearable. I don't know if it's hormones or just stress. My son returned from Iraq two days ago where he has been flying helicopters for eight months. His friend was shot down over Fallujah a couple weeks ago but did survive with facial burns and shrapnel wounds. My husband retired after 34 years of work and he seems pretty chipper even though he has a goofy wife who is up and down all night. At 3:30 in the AM I feel panicky but as the day goes on am less anxious. Went to the doctor and she gave me Ambien and Zoloft. I am 55 and aside from sleep and anxiety problems this change has not been too bad. I exercise using weights, treadmill and walking the dog--also tennis. I take Caltrate with Soy, Vitamin E, a multi-vitamin and Fem HRT. Am planning to stop the hormones whenever I feel normal mentally and emotionally. Anybody else have any experience with this particular hormone?

Hi Karen, I haven't taken the hormones you're on (or any, for that matter), but am being treated for anxiety and depression. I did want to mention that it makes perfect sense that you'd be struggling a bit. Having a son in Iraq must have been terribly worrisome for you. I'm so grateful that he's home, but can only imagine how much you must be! For me the anxiety & depression are definitely driven hormonally, but there are other true stressors in my life. I think we tend to forget this. Perhaps as your son is home (I pray he's home to stay, now), things will soon settle for you. Best of luck.

Jollie - It sure pleases me to see you are doing so well. Karen - Your anxiety may be a little of both (hormones & sress). I know I would be off the wall if my son were over there. Also hope he is back for good. My anxiety is definitely hormonal related except when I have to fly in a plane which is pure PANIC for me. Carol & Kleeo: Your area sounds so beautiful - would love to go on vacation up there. I prefer living up north than down here in the tropics. Sure miss the change of seasons and the SNOW !! Hugs to All, Tina

Oh, Tina, So glad to know I'm not the only one terrified to get in an airplane... Keep telling my hub I'll go to Europe with him when they build a bridge (I'm not thrilled about boats, either...) Love to you, Jacquie

I'm terrified of flying, too, among other things. My doctor prescribed meds that help take the edge off when I have to fly.

I love flying, plus all the adventure it entails. I'm more frightened of cancer and insanity. Fear of flying seems incredibly common in menopause. I always figured if I was going to be miserable it may as well be somewhere scenic, or interesting.

I got hormone results yesterday. My estrogen is 39 which is low. I have been feeling anxious/depressed this last week. My memory is getting worse and a foggy head. I am thinking of adding a little estrogen. I would like estrogen to improve my mood and concentration. Has anyone had a positive experience with adding estrogen. If so, how did it change? Thank you Lourdes

Lourdes I too have a foggy head! I am on Biest and progesterone. I just started Revival a week ago and am hoping it will help. All of these things have helped some - but I still hope to find something to feel a little bit more awake. Anyone out there with any suggestions for us foggy headed girls??? Boone

Lourdes - I was struggling with foggy head, too. The fog seems to have lifted, along with the permanent depression (still have a bad hour here and there, but it's been over a week of the serious stuff). But I tried so many different things at once in desperation that I don't know which one worked: estrogen patch, Remifemin, acupuncture & herbs, Revival, B and E vitamins. Not to mention yoga and a vacation. I'd be afraid to stop any of them. Maybe after three months I'll be brave enough (or poor enough) to experiment. Hope this lifts for you. In the midst of the fog I made several major public mistakes in my governmental job. And, unlike here, you can't explain it's just hormones. Otter