Peri-menopause and Anxiety

MichiganMom · Post by **MichiganMom** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:18 pm

Not replying to anyone specific - I guess to all!! One thing you HAVE to know is this peri-menopause is absolutely NOT an estrogen issue. It's LOW PROGESTERONE that's the problem. We become estrogen dominant, so estrogen is counter productive and only worsens the problem. Thankfully I learned this years ago in trainings, and knew that HRT were not the answer being many of them simply address estrogen. WE HAVE TOO MUCH ESTROGEN as we go through change, that's why the nervous system is so frazzled - it's in overload and fight or flight non-stop. Think about this.....if you were to get in an accident you know how that adrenaline hit comes afterwards?? Well this same response was happening to me non-stop - even something insignificant and my startle reflex was over the top. Someone would just startle me and I would have all the symptoms of a panic attack. It was THAT bad!! There are several key pieces to this puzzle, but the most important thing I can stress here for you change of life women is to get supplements that will build up your progesterone and use a natural cream until the point you feel you need the bio-identical cream made for you. It's been a God send for me, and like I said, I'm not all the way back but am gaining my life back now that I've been on that route for 6 months now. The anxiety that generated wasn't something simple - it was mammoth!!!!! I shook inside it was that bad - uncontrolable shaking. Granted this program has been a life saver and the only way I have gotten through this....and I've learned very valuable tools and know this will help me all through my life - but for me it's been also 'physically' working within the natural realm and getting my sympathetic nervous system to cool it's jets and bring my parasympathetic back into strength again. I had blood work done by a doctor that's an M.D. / N.D. and he ordered all the right blood work and the lab person actually said "he wants ALL this stuff checked??" I said Yes ma'am - ALL of it. She took like 8-10 viles of blood but I didn't care. THAT is when it was finally discovered that my progesterone was about non-existant and my estrogen was over the top. Estrogen IS supposed to be high as we go through change of life and it's important!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The problem is the progesterone is too low. Women who breeze through their change w/o issues have their estrogen/progesterone ration staying balanced as they go through it. Estrogen rises and so does progesterone....and gradually estrogen declines and so does progesterone. 'Devoutly to be wished!!" Not for me - I had miscarriage issues that we healed naturally years ago so therefore I've had hormone imbalances most all my life. SO when this anxiety hit with both barrels I knew this wasn't just a 'mind' thing....it's physical for me and I do notice more anxiety in PMS phase. The path for me has been interesting, but healing has taken place and I've chosen not to mask symptoms with drugs, which are just bandaids and further the problem. You can e-mail me if you'd like further information. I've recently used a new supplement that's working SO amazingly well for anxiety you may want to know about it. Stay the course girls and don't let up - ALL phases of healing are important. Physical, emotional, and spiritual...when you address all three it's a win/win!!! Love to all and know this monster can be conquered. It's definitely not a quick fix but if you stay the course you can be free - free the right way!!!

MichiganMom · Post by **MichiganMom** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:50 pm

Hey girls - let me know how to add my picture when you get a chance. I've checked it out several times but can't locate where to do it. Don't notice it in my edit profile screen unless I'm reading right over it. Thanks!!

bevhembree · Post by **bevhembree** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 4:23 pm

Here's a great article on the subject. Don't let the title fool you:

<A HREF="http://www.womentowomen.com/depressiona ... ssion.aspx" TARGET=_blank>http://www.womentowomen.com/depressiona ... on.aspx</A>

swanees · Post by **swanees** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:51 pm

That is what I have said all along that anxiety has a lot to do with the hormones. I think I am in men-o-pause and I notice I get more anxious after that time of the month. I have been doing better each month. I take a lot of vitiams Vit. C,B stress,B12,fish oil, Chia seeds which I heard is better than flax seed, Vit. E, enzymes, and whatever will help :O)
I notice that is has helped me a lot and drinking lots and lots of water.
Your not alone :O)

Mariasue · Post by **Mariasue** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:30 pm

Michiganmom

What is the name of the blood tests done at the lab for you. All my doctor said was....there you go it just shows you are in menopause and that was that. Any info. you can give me will be of much help.

thanks

MichiganMom · Post by **MichiganMom** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:19 pm

I wish I could give you the list he ordered. I don't remember all he checked but it was a lot and revealed a ton. Plus he ordered a hair analysis which showed many mineral imbalances as well, AND my Calcium / magnesium was also about non-existant. I was a wreck - but thankfully back on the mend now.

MichiganMom · Post by **MichiganMom** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:41 am

<A HREF="http://www.bioenergymedicalcenter.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.bioenergymedicalcenter.com/</A>

Here is my doctors website. I'll be seeing him today for a check-up and will mention that you were interested in knowing what he ordered in my blood work. You probably can e-mail him through the web site. Blessings to you!!

Regina Lara-Ybarra · Post by **Regina Lara-Ybarra** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:05 am

Thanks for the info. I am pre-menopausal and suffer from all the symptoms, but I find myself telling my docs to order lab tests for my estrogen levels, thyroid, magnesium, etc. Wish I could find a doc in Arizona that could provide the same care and services.

Faith_TX · Post by **Faith_TX** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:17 am

Originally posted by Mom of 6:
I am 39. last summer after my first pap exam(after having the twins) I was told there was a good possibility that I am entering peri-menapause.

What was it that made them say that? I think I may be as well . . . just because my cycles are getting closer together.

There are some blood tests you can get to measure hormones that will give you some idea. My doctor didn't do them but he said keep him posted since I had 9 days of spotting and period last month.

Faith_TX · Post by **Faith_TX** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:22 am

Originally posted by MichiganMom:
Not replying to anyone specific - I guess to all!! One thing you HAVE to know is this peri-menopause is absolutely NOT an estrogen issue. It's LOW PROGESTERONE that's the problem.

That's good to know. I have a strong history of breast cancer in my family so I've been told HRT isn't an option, but I think that is estrogen isn't it? If so, maybe I can do the progesterone.