Hi, I am new to this sight, but I sure can relate. I am 50 and going through menopause and having a miserable time. I started having trouble with anxiety and depression after the birth of my first child 19 years ago. Tried dfferent A/D but can't tolerate most. I was put on klonopin for 8 to 9 years but developed a tolerance and was tapered off but went through a withdrawal really horrible. Now I am experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, major anxiety, heart palpitations etc. I am having hormones tested from saliva but I really don't know what to do. I have noticed right before my period the symptoms are so severe. My son also went off to college so really feeling lost. I try to tell myself when this is all over I should feel good again. It is hard when feeling this bad. Thanks for listening. Meredith

Hi Nature- Welcome to Power Surge. You have found a community of caring individuals who share their experiences. There is a wealth of knowledge on this site. I suffer anxiety and depression with peri and I know how bad that can feel. I think saliva testing is a good idea. This will give you some idea of what is going on. My Gyn likes blood tests but I like saliva testing and test on my own thru Pete at Bellevue Pharmacy (on this site). He will work with your doctor to help try and get things straightened out. It takes time and patience but it can bring such relief (if only for awhile). The thing to understand with peri is that it is always changing. Take magnesium at night before bedtime This helps you to sleep and also helps with the palps. I also take Saint Johns Wort which can't hurt. Also I have had some success with Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy. You generally need a mix of estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone has a claming effect on the body. It makes perfect sense to me that you feel worst during the second half of the cycle. I think that is when your progesterone drops. Give Pete a call. He has an 800 number and they are very helpful. I hope you feel better. Keep in touch. Sandy

Well said Sandy. Tell us how you feel Meredith. It makes you feel much better. Most of the ladies here experience your symptoms and can sympathise with how you feel. I'm afraid family members do not realise how anxious and unwell we feel at times. Often with no reason. I mean how often do you feel really wired when you get up in a morning yet nothing in particular is happening that day? Frequently for me! I too had anxiety after the birth of my daughter but was reasonably under control after I started work when she started school. The last few years for me (especially after the death of a second parent) have been quite bewildering. A fairground ride, which I'd like to get off. You may feel as if you are going crazy at times, like we all do. But you're certainly not. I look forward to you joining our large circle of friendship and support.

Hi Meredith, Welcome to Power-Surge! I agree with Sandy and Alice - we're all in this together, and we KNOW how you feel right now. It's also understandable that you seem a little lost with your new "empty nest." My daughter and her family moved out recently (they'd lived with us for 3 years), and it has felt very sad at times. In time, you will find things to enjoy on your own, with family and friends, but it's hard to imagine right now! These hormones will settle in time, and we all will be much better. Meanwhile, please know that we are here with you! Jacquie

Three years JJ? Well you will surely be feeling it. We wish for space then when we have it , we just wander round, lost. I used to think that I would just wish my daughter would stop talking so I could read (she'd always interrupt so you read the same thing over and over) but I'm still hardly past just looking at the pictures. I've been busy today, some Christmas shopping, putting my outside lights up (I like to do it myself!) so I've just dropped by, while my imitation stained glass windows (very basic, tape on window, paint on glass) are drying.

Sounds so nice, Alice! Bet it looks beautiful. And it's great that even tho' you don't have any little ones at home, you're still getting those lights up, just for you and hub! Oh, and LOL, when I was a young mum, I used to look forward to when my daughter would move out - she was a chatter, too. When I insisted that I get some time alone, she would sit just outside the bedroom, and make her Barbies talk to one another as loud as they could! Oh, but I do miss her.

I have struggled with anxiety for ten years on and off...three years ago took Celexa...the side effects put me in bed for the whole summer...after 4 months I was feeling better....took it for a year and then weaned off...

well the A is back with a vengeance, along with hot flashes ...the works...my Anxiety is very physical..bad stomach, dizziness, wobbliness...have difficulty walking...I went from a youthfull energetic Junior High teacher to just coping...to just trying to survive each day...

I have been on Zoloft for two weeks...at 12.5...very med sensitive..thought I was feeling better...but now cant tell what are menopause symptoms and what are the side effects of Z.....

not a good time...

glad this site exists....

Hi Amanda,
I don't know much about Zoloft but I just wanted to say I hope you are feeling better.
HUGS, Mary >^.,.^<

thanks Mary,

it really helps to know that there are others that struggle with anxiety and are looking for answers just like me...we may not find the answers but the feeling that you are not alone is very comforting..

For me, when I came to this site, I was so comforted that others felt the same way as I did. It set me at ease with myself for I learned that I was not going crazy although it is so difficult at times to control the anxiety (especially in the morning). Reading all the posts of what others have endured and how they handled it has truly helped.

I have to stop asking myself "why" to all of these problems because I don't think I'll ever had the answers. I am trying hard to just go with the flow and work through all of this until I come out the other end. I see many others have made it just fine and that helps me alot.

Happy New Year to Everyone !!! Hope you have a wonderful 2005 !!!

Love and Blessings,

Tina

Hi Amanda,

Just wanted to say hi and let you know that I know how you feel. I have been struggling with peri. mood and physical symptoms for three years. I tried antidepressants for the anxiety also and had bad side effects. But like you I did stick them out the first year then weaned off of Celexa. Also, like you I was (am still sometimes) a very energetic environmental consultant.

Lately I have been having so many problems with anxiety and fatigue I am seriously thinking of trying Zoloft. I have been working with natural hormones, but things seems to be getting worse and I need to get this under control. I hope time will fix this - but I need to do something just to survive right now. My sweet hubby doesn't want me to take ADs because he remembers how bad the side effects were on me (extreme agitation, spaced out zombie, etc.).

What kind of side effects are you experiencing with the Zoloft?

Boone