I've always heard so much about hot flashes, but I wasn't aware that anxiety was a symptom of menopause until recently. For the last few months, I've been having significant anxiety right before my periods.
I'm 51 and only started having any peri-menopause symptoms this last year. I've had mild hot flashes and some early morning insomnia (which now I realize is related to the anxiety, also), increased irritability (again most noticeable during the pre-period week). I'm on BC pills both for birth-control and because my GYN tells me that the pills will help "level off" possible menopause symptoms.
Has anyone else experienced significant anxiety as part of menopause? If so, what do you do to manage this? I exercise regularly - running/walking, karate, etc. and this helps. I get outside every day. I eat a fairly good diet, but could always improve. I don't always remember to take my multi-vitamin and Calcium pills (know that I need to do that).
Maybe all that is left is medication, but I'd rather not if I can manage this without meds.
You might want to have your vitamin D checked. Seems it is the supplement de jour, but worth checking into. Check into supplements and herbs specifically for menopause and also adding fish oil.
I'm 41, and a couple of years ago started having extreme anxiety and irritability with PMS. My doctor suggested Calcium and a B complex vitamin taken together. It changed my world! It works so amazingly well. You might give it a shot, or ask your doctor about it.
I hope you find something that works for you.
Are you sure it isn't the birth control pills adding to the situation. When I took them they made me very edgy. They say eating soy is good for that also. It sounds like you are doing everything you can . Hang in there =0)
FYI your body is trying harder to ovulate so you experience those symptoms.
Are you taking Vitamin D? You should have at least 1000 mgs a day. And you need it to help the calcium work. Evidently low vitamin D can cause a host of problems.
Have you had a T3 test done to check your thyroid? Don't just have a regular test done - get a T3
It sounds like you are doing a TON right, especially with the exercise. But stop forgetting the vitamins and add the vitamin D. Those vitamins are important. And drink plenty of water. If all these things don't help, talk further with your doctor.
Hope you feel better.
Dawn
I've found that taking Maca Root has really helped me with perimenopausal anxiety and some of the other things that go with it. I've been taking it for almost a year now and am very happy with it. Maca Root is part of the onion or rutabaga or celery family (I think it's rutabaga) and cannot in any way harm you. I take 2 pills in the morning, one at lunch, and one at supper.
You can find it at Whole Foods, your local co-op, or at vitacost.com.
I can't speak to the peri-menopause part of things, but since having my first baby at 27, I've always been able to predict my period based on my anxiety. It sounds like you're doing the right things--keep up with the exercise. I haven't yet been able to do this, but I know a lot of my anxious friends cut caffeine out of their diets (well, at least the liquid kind).The various therapists I've seen have also recommended this as a big help for anxiety. I know that, for me, it's also important to get out and see people. I would also ask the doc about BC pills...if it's the kind of thing you can determine after one month off, it might be worth checking. I know I struggled mightily with anxiety when I came off my BC pills to get pregnant.
