I have been struggling with perimenopause symptoms for three years. The biggest problem I have been unable to solve with natural hormones is anxiety. For the past couple months it has really flared up!! CBT just didn't seem to work for me - although I still try to use it everyday. I finally decided to try Zoloft - but only seem to be able to handle 12.5 mg without developing severe tremors. I am also going to talk to my doctor about the use of xanax to help break the anxiety.

I have also been doing a lot of reading about anxiety disorders. Most of the big agencies such as Natl Inst. of Mental Health and Anxiety Disorders Assoc. say anxiety is a life long problem - only a small percent of people recover completely.

But what about anxiety that seems to have been caused by hormone changes at the age of 41. Will this anxiety that I have developed go away when my hormones settle down (hopefully in the next few years). I think this is an important question when trying to look at treatment options.

Does the fact that the anxiety has been with me on and off for three years mean it is here to stay?

What do you girls think???
Boone

Boone,
I am also trying to figure this out.

Unfortunately, I *do* have a history with anxiety but just not to the degree that I am suffering now (also at age 41). It is so bad that I am becoming a tad housebound. I'm not sure that I am in perimenopause because my periods are regular (but different). I can only hope, like you, that this sudden surge in anxiety is hormonally induced.

I would think that in your case, once the hormones slow down, it will go away. The funny thing is though, is that you body kind of "learns" anxiety. It learns to overreact. So even when your hormones smooth out, you might get some anxiety. At that point, I would think some of the CBT skills would work then.
Christine

Hey, (((BOONE)))

I just "e'd" you to see how you're doing, and here you are!

You know my sense is that this anxiety will go away. I know too many people (including myself) for whom this has been true! Considering the shape I was in last year at this time - shaking all the time, unable to do many things - I'm now getting out and about as in the "old days." It's a RELIEF.

BTW, I've always been what my hub calls a "high-strung filly," B)so if that quality is anxiety-driven, then it's probably pretty well in place. But the severe anxiety of peri is unlike anything I'd ever experienced - downright frightening. I sincerely believe it's the result of constant fluctuation of hormones, and will settle down permanently in time. Consider that for around 35 years, our brains are bathed in estrogen, and then - poof! There are certainly going to be chemical ramifications!

Do keep in mind that even 100 years ago, it was well known that some women suffer terribly in the menopausal stretch. There were all sorts of solutions, herbals, "Aunt Lydia's Compound," etc. There is something unsettling about this period, and some of us are hit hard. But we WILL be better.

Also consider that these message boards are full of old posts of people suffering as terribly as we have, who have long since stopped posting. One can only assume that they've made their way thru' the passage!

Have faith that this will pass - it will!

Hi:

I am 44 soon to be 45 and the anxiety thing is there, but trying to find a solution to it rather than accepting it and dealing with it is working for me - I know when I get my period I am a mess - but I also know if I feed my anxiety that makes it worse - I meet people every day one lady had cancer last year (Lymphoma) and went thru the chemo then I look at me - am I really that important - then my anxiety decreases - I would love to have the way I use to be back but she is gone and now there is this woman who is changing and creating new challenges and experiences some goog- and bad. Too many dr.s want to treat anx with antidepressants which also tend to cause anxiety at the beginning. I refuse to take them as I am not depresses and I do not like the whole list of side affects that come along. I do exercise, Xanax is a lifesaver and the reality that it will get better is pretty much up there also. We pretty much have to find our way but it is amazing what Dr's out there are trying to give us. Good luck - another phase I have learned to live is I long for that one happy day where life is good and anxiety is bearable - had that day yesterday and it came back today - so I pat myself on the back for those days and the more I have of them I know it is getting better.

I think you have to be that sort of person to suffer from nerves but I think it's exaccerbated by hormone surges.

I can remember being anxious when I was 14-15 - those hormonal teenage years(somedays I would worry that if I went somewhere that something bad would happen to me), after I had a baby I had agoraphobia, which was helped by learning to drive and being able to go back to a safe place (car). Then in recent years when my periods went awry - general anxiety (sometimes agoraphobic).

I do think it's something that you will carry all your life and therefore think that CBT is probably the answer, rather than trying to push it completely out of your mind because you really need to be able to handle the situation should it occur again.

There's nothing to fear but fear itself is a good saying... attributed to Winston Churchill but I read that it was actually Eleanor Roosevelt that said it. She was a very wise woman.

Also Jaquie,well-to-do ladies of the 1700's-1800's used laudinum (opiate) while the poor-uns (of which I would probably have been one) made do with gin. hic!

Alice, your post gave me my first, big laugh of the day! Thanks!!! Lol!!!!!!!

I personally think anxiety/panic is hormonal. Someone on this forum had mentioned that our brain cells were "bathed" in estrogen and now the withdrawals are being felt by these cells; dwindling estrogen.

I really never had any problems with anxiety until two years post meno. Now, I look in the mirror and see someone who used to be strong, confident turn into a person having to force herself to face another day and hope for the best. Some days are worse than others and at age 58, I hope those bad days will become fewer in number. I am thankful I work outside the home; I have to force myself to leave the house and that is a good thing. If I have to, mentally I will force myself to slow down so that I can meet the demands of the day in a rather rational way.

This forum has allowed me to smile more than I have in a very long time. I am in good company.

Thanks for everyone's comments and I hope others will let me know their thoughts on this torture called anxiety. To me it really feels like someone is torturing me It is really impairing my life!

I have tried to use every behavioral technique I can find - but it is still there!!! It must be chemical (hormonal).

The zoloft did pick up my mood and energy which had gotten down from the anxiety - but the anxiety is still there - maybe even worse. Somedays I just want to run around and scream My next thought is to try using ativan or xanax to somehow break this cycle. I have spoken to other Power Surge sisters that have used this method.

Any other suggestions for anxiety would be much appreciated!!

Keep watching your posts in Instachat, Boone to see how you're doing each day.

Hopefully the prescript will soon help you. I found some pages of old Anxiety thread which I printed off ages ago and have reread. JolieJacque seems to have come on really well. So it could do the same for you. It seems to take a little time but when we're anxious we just want it to stop NOW.

We'll laugh about this one day...hopefully not in an insane sort of way!

Thanks Alice - I am getting by and have periods each day where I am normal - but when the panic and anxiety hits - I am a huge mess. Hard to deal with at work!!!

I seem to only be able to take 12.5 mg of Zoloft. Each time I increase any at all I get tremors and internal shaking so bad its not even funny! Then when I take xanax I get a grog head - great - just great! I ordered Lucinda Bassett Tapes today so will see if that helps any.

Heck I laugh about it now - it is so stupid its hard to believe!!!! That's why I am certain its hormonal - the blood is just pumping at a high rate of speed. Last night when I was relaxing on the sofa with no mental feelings of anxiety - my heart rate went from a normal rate of less than 60 bpm to 112 bpm when I felt my heart racing. I took some calcium/magnesium and after a few minutes it went back to normal.

Alice,

During the American Prohibition (1920's-30's) my paternal grandmother was jailed 8 times for making bathtub gin. I always thought it was to help support her 8 kids (her hub was an alcoholic). Maybe she had a large peri-menopausal female clientele! Alas, booze just makes me feel worse...

Boone,

I remember going from a nice sleep to sitting bolt upright in bed with my heart pounding, and pins and needles going up and down my arms. AND rushing obsessive thoughts making me fear I was about to lose my mind....

It's gonna pass, Sister! Hang in!

Jacquie

Yes that anx thing when relaxing is horrible.

I felt unwell last night (really nauseous) and practically had to force myself to lie down and not jump out of bed. I had a quick slurp of Rescue Remedy and put some on my pulse points and put Robbie Williams hits on very loud in my headphones then I fell asleep.

I did wake this morning with a sore throat and that shivery feeling again, so perhaps I will succumb to a cold. It's been there, then disappeared so it may be my turn!

I'm on my own this evening so may thumb through my old house mags and clear up my clutter.

Fahrenheit 9/11 is on TV tonight (ooh torn btwn that and ER) so I have the chance to see what it's all about. If it makes me cross at least I won't feel anxious!

I am totally convinced my slight "panic attacks" are from hormonal fluctuations. I am a worry wart by nature but never had a sense of panic until perimenopause. I feel a little panicky right now as a matter of fact since I'm dealing with a flood of a period now and in the back of my mind I think - ooh might have to run to the ER if this doesn't slow down. Oh well, I will hopefully get through these days (years) and rejoice when I put them behind me!

Again, I am positive anxiety and the accompanying symptoms are hormonal. Sitting at work, I began to feel anxious (quite so) but remained calm enough to see what this was doing to my blood pressure. Heart started beating a bit faster. Had the nurse come in to take it. B/P was 176/96; three minutes later 170/90 and an hour and a half later 160/88. Normally mine runs in the mid 140's over 80's. So...I have come to the conclusion that our B/P is also governed by hormones. And the fact that it has gone down so much within a couple of hours confirms that. Were I to get on B/P medication I could actually be doing more harm in that I would have dangerously low B/P. Labile hypertension caused by anxiety induced vaso motor symptoms from menopause seems to be the order of the day.

Sybille Ruth,

I saw that you have had success with 5-http. What dose do you use, and what was the herbal tonic you mentionned for anxiety? I've been taking 50 mg./night for about a week and notice nothing. I was looking for "natural" help with sleep and anxiety/depression.

Thanks for your help! Anyone else had any experience with 5-http?

Pete Heusman just called me with my latest saliva test - estrogen is way off the scale (high) - guess we got carried away didn't we!!! I am taking biest because initially my estrogen was very low. Guess I am taking too much. He said to skip my evening dose and then cut each dose in half for a few days to see what happens.

No wonder I have been so anxious I had to take Zoloft!!! I wonder how long it takes for the estrogen to drop as I cut down my dosage.

It would really be something if the anxiety was caused by the high estrogen. That would be a gift from God to have it fixed that easy!!!

What do you think - could it have been the estrogen??? I have a Dr. appt. tomorrow so we will see what the medical opinion is.

Hi Florida~

The 5-http that I get is from Pete at the Compounding Pharmacy. I take 100mg a night and can take two if I need to. I really want to use as little estrogen as possible and am trying to find out how I can do this. I have been on biest for almost five years and I think it is time to ease into something else. I don't want to take Paxil or any other drugs for my anxiety. I am 59 years old and have come to realize I cannot force my body to behave as someone pre menopausal. I guess growing old gracefully is somehow on my agenda. I just don't care for the vasomotor symptoms. They come on suddenly and leave that way. Unfortunately this can affect my blood pressure, so I am attempting to find something that will help with this.

I meant ER the TV programme. I shouldn't have watched F 9/11 as I cried throughout and felt so angry going to bed. I was awake til 2 then fell asleep to wake at 6 and not get back to sleep til 7 as I was having hot sweats and looking for a dry patch to lay on. Consequently I didn't wake til 9.30, my eyes are sore and I still feel tired.

Sheesh!

Alice,

I haven't seen F 9/11 yet, because I fear having exactly the same reaction you did. Hope our old allies can keep in mind that about half of all Americans, who didn't vote for Geo. Bush in the last election, are not in support of this administration's agenda, and some of us are downright angry and horrified.

Violence begets violence.

Hi Boone, yes I think my anxiety was definately not helped by oestrogen, my anxiety always came in cycles, in the first seven days after the start of the period, which my GP said is when the oestrogen is at it's highest. I still get this even though I am post 2 1/2 years, my body still goes by the monthly cycles, I have kept notes and dates now for a year and there's no doubt about it.

I hope that if you cut your oestrogen levels your anxiety is less too, here's hoping, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Luv Jenniffer

Just when I am convinced and have my mantra set as "this is only my hormones" another person tells me anxiety is not caused by hormones!!!

I ordered the Lucinda Bassett Anxiety program last week. I spoke to one of their coaches today and she said that anxiety is not caused by hormones. I must have had it earlier and just didn't know it. I must have learned it from a family member or something. She said that the anxiety was brought about because I had bad coping skills for the stress of menopause.

Funny how the major stresses I had earlier in life never brought out the anxiety: like working full time while taking 18-20 hours a semester getting my BS degree in biology or teaching high school biology or dealing with the death of my baby brother in 1990 or working in a very intense job as an environmental consultant responsible for 300 mfg. plants, etc., etc.

Seems awfully coincidental that I was able to deal with and actually craved high stress activity before all this started at the age of 41 when life had actually gotten a little easier.

I am still going to use the program - and know I need to find a way to deal with the anxiety no matter the cause - but I just wish someone would acknowledge that hormones are the cause of it.

Okay I will get off my soap box now!!

Boone:

When I turned 42 the anxiety awful - I will be 45 this Fri and now I know what anxiety is - I did not know at 42 when all the awful symptoms hit - my sister who
got her masters is Psych says anxiety is not hormonal, and I had a really rough
childhood - parents died in early 20's , support myself, go back to nursing school, I find this hard to beleive because my stressors are like making sure my daughters 9th bday party goes perfect so she has memories, taking care of my 3 dogs, cleaning my house, doing laundry which I can not even seem to do - I just stare at it - I am so disorganized -the anxiety makes me lose my concentration and I know when I was 40 I was superwoman - something happens and I just woke up crooked, not the same, I got freaked out in the grocery store - I use to love to shop and plan dinners - I know I have 1 sane day a month where I feel like the old me and I just keep telling mysely she will be back someday because she comes 1x a month to visit. Right now I take each day 1 day at a time it really is a joke though, my daughter is 9 and son 14 -their life is a life at times I feel just like I am existing.

Take care

I know how you feel- I just turned 42 and about 2 yrs ago I started having hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, etc. It took a while before I put 2 and 2 together and realized it was hormonal (after several doctor's visits and 2 trips to the ER). At the time I went on a low dose birth control pill and Lexapro for the anxiety. They both worked and I felt great. I decided (like an idiot) to go off them in March of last year and now I am back to sqaure one. I just started taking the pill again but I tried the Lexapro again and it did nothing for my anxiety. The anxiety is crippling because it comes out of nowhere. I find it is worse in the morning when I first wake up. Some days it is a real struggle to get done half of what I used to without even thinking.

After reading about so many women in this stage of life suffering from anxiety, it is impossible to believe that hormones are not connected to it.
I hope you find peace and relief! We will survive this somehow, someway!

Maura

Hi Boone ,Gunner and Mauras,
Just to let you know I didnt have the anxiety either til 39. But as far as anxiety not being from hormones. I have a cousin who is a phsycologist and she counciled people with severe anxiety. She never had it....til she went into peri. This is a phsycologist!!
Someone who is trained to deal with it. When I told her my symptoms..she is the one who told me your not crazy ..your going into peri-menopause. Then she told me she had the same thing happen to her..and she was so embarrassed that it was so hard for her to deal with..even with all her training. So next time someone tells you it because you have to learn to deal with stress and that it cant be your hormones. Laugh in their Face and know you are right and they are wrong!! I think even in Dr.Claire Weekes book, she mentions that with womem, meno can bring on Anxiety.
PS When my cousin finally went into menopause..they anxiety went away.
Peace
AA

Let me know how you get on with the programme Boone. I'm reading her book, which is quite good but DH and I filled in an exercise and it rated him as more anxious than me...he's very laid back and nothing worries him. Also we were rated as having unrealistic expectations, mainly because we rated always doing your best, expecting honesty from people etc. Could figure that out at all.

Also when Lucinda describes her past she seems to suffer from general anxiety but in later chapters says that she has always set goals and been ambitious, used to sing in public etc... lots of things which decribe her as a go-getter, which don't seem to add up. Surely if you were a panicker you couldn't do these things...or is it me? It seems to me that she was already tackling anxiousness and doing it anyway. Which is what most ordinary folk do. I'd appreciate you gals getting from Panic to Power from your local library and telling me what you think.

Anxiety has prevented me from being ambitious, in fact I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

AA,

Thank you - thank you for the words about your cousin. This is the kind of confirmation that I need!!!! I am so insecure about what is happening to me - to know that a professional psychologist had anxiety during perimenopause makes me feel better. I wish I could pay for an hour of her time to talk to her about it - what a perfect combination - a counselor who understands what I am going through!! I am serious AA - check if she would talk to me!!!

Love,
Boone

I'm 45, jog regularly, use a juicer, buy organic fruits and veggies, and stay abreast of current news in nutrition without becoming too fanatical about it. In other words, I try to take care of my health and stay educated. But a few years ago, I started experiencing panic attacks. At first I didn't know what they were. When you don't know what is happening, you are even more frightened by GAD symptoms, which for me included the sensation of dying, ache/lump in the throat, increased vision and auditory symptoms, heart palpitations, etc. Once I had my husband take me to the emergency room, where the current physician on board prescribed me Valium. Helped just a bit. I also tried Lorazapam and finally, saw a counselor who prescribed Lexpro for me. That took care of some of my panic attacks but still often I'd wake up super early in the AM with that odd ache in the throat, though the free-floating fears and crying jags were somewhat muted.
But I did not care to take these meds and although my counselor and I discussed what could possibly be happening in my life that could have precipitated these attacks, neither one of us could quite figure out why they had started. Even stranger, every so often for a few weeks, I was fine. Then it would start all over again - no ryhme or reason, at least not that I knew about then.
Finally, a few months ago I got a book about perimenopause, which described annovulatory cycles and resulting symptoms. It suggested low-dose birth control pills as treatment for perimenopause symptoms. I have never been on birth control pills, having had my tubes tied when in my 20s but I consulted several doctors and finally found a female doctor who agreed that low-dose birth control pills did help. I was put on Alesse, 20 mgs of estrodial and a form of progesterone, and let me tell you, I am my old self again - no, better! By the 2nd day, my anxiety symptoms were GONE, including that constant, non-stop ache in the throat, jitteriness and butterflies i the stomach. My insomnia (waking up early and having trouble getting back to sleep) is much less severe. I feel confident and in control and no longer zig-zagging with the moods. I'm not saying I feel perfect all the time but I am certainly on a very steady keel since starting on these. Incredible how powerful hormones (or lack thereof) are! All or most of my symptoms were obviously due to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels.
Sorry for writing a book here but I hope this helps you.

Am glad to read that you are feeling much better. I do have to wonder though, are you postponing the inevitable? Eventually, one has to go off them and hope that all these symptoms previously experienced will not rear their "ugly heads."

I finally was weaned from NHRT (having been on them for five years - 59 years old) as my PCP would not renew them for me. Panic attacks (and most of the menopause symptoms) kicked in a few months ago, but then, I thought, what the heck - ride with it. Feels terrible, but it isn't a death sentence. Hopefully in a few months, I can look back and say, "Thanks for that awful ride."

Well, my doctor, who does promote natural hormones (like with Pete) says that my body is too much of a yo-yo to use these right now. I tried working with Pete and my doctor for over a year. He wants me to go back to the birth control pills I used before this mess all started to get this stabilized.

I just started bleeding (thank GOD!!!) so I can start them anytime now. I sure hope I have success. I need some relief from the rollercoaster.

Well my cousin's friend went on HRT and went back to having periods. She then went off it and started with the "change". Is this what happens? If so you may as well tough it out if poss.

And I do hope the BCP do work for you. I am going to assume you still have your periods and are still young enough to enlist the help of BCP. At 59, I think I wouldn't qualify. Haven't had a period in four years. Hoping your days are kind to you.

I am 44 and still have periods - too often actually LOL

I am praying the BCPs will help even this out!!!!

Went to my counselor today for a pep talk - it always helps!

Well, one can not stay on birth control pills indefinitely, true. And there is something to be said for how simply understanding what is happening can take the edge off and also learning to accept, to change and so on.
But after a few years, I've become a bit impatient with the mind over matter thing. I think , too, part of what sold me on the low-dose BCs is this: my mother, who reached menopause at age 54, literally sailed through it and past. She set a wonderful example for her daughters, in that regard - she said she had a few mood upsets and a few hot flashes but that was about it. Her boss even complimented her about 'aging gracefully.' Mom's major advice of the change was: drink a lot of water! And we all credited her with having a good attitude; also, it helped that she had a career she loved.
Whereas for her mother (my grandmother) well, the stories are still there hanging with a few other brittle bones in the closet (these were from years ago before these things were discussed with any amount of intelligence):how Grandma, a devout Christian, went off her rocker during the change, how she had fits for a time, people wondered where her sanity went, etc.
My point : I recently found out that my mother had been on birth control pills up until her periods ceased. My grandmother, however, had never used birth control pills.
It just makes me wonder how much of either experience was attitude, how much was hormone use (or the lack thereof), possibly both?

Wow! Fascinating discussion.

Thanks for posting this, writer. For me, it's always been an issue of having to come off the BCP's eventually, and still potentially having to face peri symptoms.

I just don't know, but believe that it's worth trying pretty much anything (short of opiates) to feel better!

Jolie,
I guess I am pushing the BCPs, yes. At least through what I consider the 'rockiest' part of the road. I've been reading about others' experiences , tho ,and coming to the conclusion that afterwards, is the calm after the storm. But for now....my heart goes out to people suffering from the symptoms. Tho I did take up quilting during those long sleepless nights trying to ignore the anxiety symptoms; and now have a very nice hobby!
It's very inspirational to find person who can take it in stride, no matter how she does it. I work in a college office with an instructor who, at age 52, is going thru the change. Yesterday, she zipped through and said: "Geeze - my classroom is freezing - where's a hot flash when you need one?" I get a kick out of her remarks;' sometimes she comes through, fanning herself but with a smile on her face, nevertheless. I'm not of the same caliber, I guess - a rare hot flash will lay me pretty low for a while. So her humor is quite helpful!

Boone
I had the same reaction to Zoloft as you described on an earlier post.
I may have already told you this.... the tremors if you took more than 12mg. My anxiety went off the scales. I just don't tolerate those kind of antidepressants. I am sticking to the nortriptiline. I still have emotion, still cry and still have all the normal things but I can get beyond them.
I too truly believe that hormones cause anxiety, a different kind of anxiety. I've had anxiety all my life but this anxiety- where your brain creates it instead of you... or something. Its like before I generally worried about things and had phobias now they seem very real and I obsess about them and can picture horrible things in my head. I'm not a nutcase but my hormones have made me feel like I am becoming one. I started taking a supplement with black cohosh in it and I think it helps, plus I sleep since I started taking the cal/mag/zinc supplement. I take two at bedtime and have no trouble. The great thing about the black cohosh stuff is that I don't have the hot flashes so bad.... You know, I have done a lot of reading about hot flashes and the axiety that goes hand in hand. I think there is a real key issue with that. My hot flashes always started with a really bizarre feeling and weird uncomfortable -unbearable feeling... like a panic attack and then hot sweaty hot flash. Have you tried a low dose of the Black Cohosh stuff? I don't know if it's the antidepressant or the supplement but I still had massive anxiety every time I ovulate when I was taking just the antidepressant and vitamins... now with the black stuff I seem better. I sure hope it keeps working because I am almost normal this month. I don't want to go back to the person I have been this past year.... so scared of everything,, most of all the anxiety and obsessive thoughts. Take care boone, seems like we have a lot of the same symptoms.

Hey Susie,

Thanks for writing! I did first try black cohosh and things like Remifemin and natural progesterone cream - but my symptoms and hormone tests did not improve so I went to natural hormones. Worked with Pete on the natural hormones for 18 months. These helped with the hot flashes, vaginal dryness, etc. but not with the irregular cycles, anxiety and mood swings. Soooo - I am left to deal with these horrible symptoms. SSRI's make me feel more anxious.

So new plan of attack:
1. Settle down and accept as much of the mood swings as I can. 2. Use xanax to help with anxiety 3. Go back to BCPs to help with my irregular cycle, bouncing hormones and maybe they will also help with fatigue, bloating and anxiety 4. Continue to exercise regularly and take natural supplements like Omega 3, etc. 5. Cut out the little bit of caffeine I drink (diet pepsi in the am) and sugar (eeks!!!!)

If the mood and anxiety get too out of hand I will have to adjust the plan - but I am hoping for the best!!!!

Boone

Boone,

Have you tried a different antidepressant? Are you still on Zoloft? I really freaked on that stuff but my mom and sister both take it but I can't. Does the black cohosh stuff stop working because I am really scared that it will stop working and I will end up having massive panic again.?

It's such a mysterious world, this hormone thing and I guarantee if it were men having pms/menopause there would be more answers.... they sure came up with Viagra pretty easily... see how it works? At least I have found some humor again. I sure hope it stays.

I think as much as I have read, you have had ups and downs like this as well. I am praying that I don't go back to that horrible panic again. I still have it a little, but I only have a few Xanax left and am afraid of addiction so I keep my last little 1/2s for an emergency.... that's how scared I am of having another panic attack.

I hope that things get easier for you. Have you tried the calcium/magnesium/zinc supplements? Those do help a lot, I never believed before but they do. I'm sure you know all about this stuff, don't know why I am telling you. But... the zoloft, if you're still on it, I really would try to get something different. Just from personal experience... those tremors and anxiety I had with it and I didn't want to get up in the morning. I felt like I was emotionally out of control and sick... I think it's an intolerance or something- a "bad reaction" when your body won't accept it. I think it's also maybe in correlation with how your hormones in your brain work and how the medication makes your brain want to work. As you can see, I've thought on this a lot.... but yet, am not a doctor of any kind so what the he-- do I know!!!
Take care. I'll be watching for your posts from time to time to see how you are.