topic Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question in Beauty

OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

beautyandabag4me — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 20:57:08 GMT

I know this is not a beauty question....but I trust the ladies on this board to give some advise on this topic.

I am finding that my body is occassionally "surging" faster than it should especially during times of PMS. I have been getting bad headaches. My legs feel heavy and shaky at times. I know that this is classic anxiety and my mind knows that this is the culprit. I do feel like my to do list is really overwhelming me more than it should and things are hitting me a bit harder than they should.

So here's my question...when I have spoken to an MD about this they are quick to prescribe daily anti-depression/ anxiety pills. I'd like to consider a "take as needed method" since I know that this is reaction to hormones and other than these times I feel good!

To give a perspective on this kind of anxiety, I just called in "sick" to a prior commitment since I just already feel like I have a racing heart. I HATE DOING THAT!!

Can any of you offer prescription or other advise? I have a very reactive body to most trasitional western meds. For instance antibiotics always make me SICK!

I'm NOT a drinker, but have actually even tried having an evening 1/2 drink to see if that helps. I know this will pass shortly, but these feels are getting a bit more debilitating lately when they hit! Thanks again.

I have had thyroid, sugar all checked and it's all good.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

JohGlo — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:03:10 GMT

You should try Andrew Lessman's Women's Wellness. It helped me and I would get the same way when I got my period. I would feel like I could jump out of my skin. The WW helped me a lot.

You can buy them at hsn.com

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

just bee — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:03:58 GMT

I must be careful how I say this, but I'm a psychiatric nurse and I advise you to find an alternative. Whether it's a change in diet, or exercise, long walks, listening to music, meditation, yoga, relaxation techniques -- whatever. I just hate to see people start taking prescribed meds that they may not really need.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

LilacLove — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:08:01 GMT

I had similar symptoms, and starting yoga truly changed my life. I feel balanced and no longer anxious. I wish that I had learned about yoga and meditation earlier in my life.

I wish you well.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

piperbay — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:16:32 GMT

A good start would be taking a good multi vitamin and a magnesium supplement.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Serenity-Now — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:18:22 GMT

I am not an M.D., so this is just my personal recommendation & experience as a layperson.

First of all, please do yourself a *huge* favor & look up the side effects of antidepressants, especially this one: akathisia. I really caution you about this, because I have been left with chronic akathisia that makes regular anxiety looks like child's play. I will share with you what I've learned:

My body is hyper-sensitive to certain additives. I never realized this until getting akathisia, which is basically an allergic response when the body cannot rid itself of toxins, which is why some medications (especially ones that affect the neurological system, such as antidepressants) cause this side effect. **Caffeine plays a huge part** so does aspartame. When I have even decaf drinks (many people don't realize this, but decaf just means reduced caffeine, not 100% caffeine-free) or one can of diet drink with aspartame, I start getting jittery & anxiety, restless legs. Very bothersome. The anxiety isn't even related to anything real in my life, it is totally chemically-induced.

I would suggest you consider keeping a food & drink diary for a month or 2, to include several of your cycles. Include any OTC meds or supplements you may take, because many of them contain caffeine, also. When you notice a symptom getting worse, write the time down & what the symptom is, and see if you notice a co-relation over time. You may be as surprised as I was. If your memory is pretty good, try to remember what you ate & drank before you had to cancel on your commitment earlier today.

When I had PMS with mood swings, I found the natural supplement 'Evening Primrose Oil' to be very helpful. Our body & brain chemicals change throughout the month, so you may find your body more sensitive during those times, and can learn what to avoid ingesting in order to avoid symptoms worsening.

I don't know if any of this may be helpful to you, but I felt for your predicament & hope it will be useful in helping you figure this out. If you do end up needing an antidepressant medication, then please just make sure you are aware of the potential side effects, and use caution-especially since you are already sensitive to many medications, I can't stress to you enough how careful & aware you need to be with any Rx meds.

By the way, alcohol is a natural depressant. It will give a person a 'buzz' or high temporarily, then oftentimes will punch back with anxiety & stressful feelings hours later. I used to pooh-pooh that notion, until my food diary enlightened me. You can notice that co-relation with a food & drink diary, if your body is also sensitive. Mine sure was!

I know this is a very unpleasant experience, and feel for you. Good luck, I hope you find long-term relief very soon.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Serenity-Now — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:21:43 GMT

What piper bay recommended is a great idea--there is a supplement you can look up on the A (think all-female tribes) shopping site, called "CALM." It has magnesium in it, and works *wonders* for people that have symptoms similar to what you describe. That would be the first thing I would do, is take that supplement. Here is the name of it, and you can read people's reviews on the A site:

Natural Vitality Natural Calm Plus Calcium

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

wendydarling — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:23:46 GMT

Dear Beauty,

When i was in my 40s & struggling w/ perimenopause, I began having terrible anxiety episodes. I finally went to an internist who started me on anti-anxiety meds. I tried several different ones before settling on one. Some worked but gave me nightmares, others worked but i would be hit w/ sudden exhaustion at dinner time & would have to go to bed. Finally, i found one that made me feel normal again w/ no side effects. That has been more than 10 yrs. now. I've tried to cut back on my dosage but get to feeling shaky. I've accepted that for whatever reason, the wiring or chemistry in my brain changed during perimenopause & this is just what i need. It's not that big of a deal. I don't take hardly any other meds & if this is what helps, then so be it. I'm now 56 & i take a small tablet every night & that's it. Hope this helps.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

IveyGreen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:24:49 GMT

I am 48 and Garden Of Life Oceans 3 Healthy Hormones has made a huge difference for me. They have helped my sister also. Just look at the reviews on Amazon. I would try the natural way using essential oils and good herbal teas. The hibiscus tea and Ylang Ylang oils are good places to start. Also lavender oils are helpful for calming down. I hope you feel better soon.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Shelbelle — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:28:43 GMT

I am 61 now, been getting these kinds of symptoms since last 16 years. I take a very small dose of Xanax when needed, and it really helps.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Wildapple — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:33:35 GMT

Another vote for Andrew Lessman's Woman's Wellness.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Linda129 — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:38:18 GMT

Maybe you should consult with a naturopathic doctor for some guidance on natural remedies. The yoga or pilates suggestions are good as they both teach you how breathe. Starting a walking program could also be beneficial.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

RedTop — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:54:21 GMT

My hormonal anxiety is controlled by 10 mg of Provera daily. The medication was prescribed after abnormal bleeding issues associated with perimenopause 10 years ago. When my physician asked about any other issues I might be having, I explained my general anxiety, and the fact I wavered between ready to cry at the blink of an eye, or wanting to double up my fist and deck someone. The hormone replacement in the Provera keeps me leveled out, which is good for me, and everyone around me.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Serenity-Now — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:08:56 GMT

I will give the link if they let it stay up, but here is a PsyD's answer to the question,

"What is akathisia?"

A subtle and often not properly recognized side effect of antipsychotics is akathisia. Akathisia can be defined as a sense of restlessness: it can be physical and characterized by inability to sit still, constant fidgeting, or pacing. It can also be mental and characterized by marked mental restlessness, agitation, extreme discomfort, and rage outbursts. To the extent that it expresses itself primarily as mental restlessness, it is often mistaken for worsening mania or for a mixed state in bipolar disorder.

One must carefully interview the patient to distinguish these two conditions, and even then it can sometimes be hard to tell. Sometimes if we can't tell, we will use a medication that usually reverses akathisia as a test dose. The reason we need to tell is that the response to worsening hypomania or mixed states is usually an increase in the antipsychotic dose, which is the wrong approach to do if the patient is having akathisia

- per Debra Serani, PsyD

http://www.sharecare.com/health/antipsychotics/what-is-akathisia

(reference akathisia being a side effect of SSRI antidepressants, among other types of medications)

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Serenity-Now — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:08:57 GMT

I will give the link if they let it stay up, but here is a PsyD's answer to the question,

"What is akathisia?"

- per Debra Serani, PsyD

http://www.sharecare.com/health/antipsychotics/what-is-akathisia

(reference akathisia being a side effect of SSRI antidepressants, among other types of medications)

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

LilacTree — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:25:55 GMT

On 1/29/2014 Shelbelle said:
I am 61 now, been getting these kinds of symptoms since last 16 years. I take a very small dose of Xanax when needed, and it really helps.

My panic attacks started with menopause also. I was also prescribed a very small dose of Xanax, which I still take (never increased the dose). I haven't had a panic attack since.

I also had a small "library" of books for anxiety and read and re-read them every night until the pages turned yellow. I used a lot of the techniques described in those books, and that pulled me through also.

It is hormonal, I remember having the same feelings during puberty. Some women just don't take hormonal changes very well. My sister and a friend sailed right through it. I didn't.

Frankly, the OP is probably not depressed, but panicky and anxious. I would rather see her on a small dose of anti-anxiety med (Xanax worked wonders for me, but they just don't prescribe it anymore). I'd rather see that low dose med than "evening 1/2 drinks" which have a tendency to calm you temporarily but then increase the anxiety later, which could lead to needing more.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Tinkerbell3 — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:28:13 GMT

First, I would try relaxation methods (I was a therapist) like deep breathing-When really anxious, lie on the floor with a book on your stomach-Breathe slowly and focus on the book going up/down-Try to locate a good guided relaxation CD-Also, I suggest "Don't Panic" by Reid and The Anxiety Workbook-I would not simply take meds! If you feel that you need something, I would recommend Klonopin (.5=baby dose) to start PRN-

Distraction w/ exercise is also helpful- A good brisk walk or Yoga-

Rescue REmedy- Something like that??? At Whole Foods or Amazon- All natural-

REduce alcohol intake and sugar, caffeine-

Anxiety is awful!

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Wackers3 — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:02:14 GMT

I agree that anti-depressants do not seem to be warranted in your situation as it is really anxiety and not depression. And getting on and off anti-depressants is a real pain in the "youknowwhat" not to mention all the potential side-effects that come with them.

Since you have these attacks periodically then anything more than periodic assistance to see you through them just doesn't seem justified. I had severe depression about 10 years ago now and had to take a/d but not a single one ever really controlled my depression and many did nothing at all. And boy, did they ever run me through the gamut of a/d's!! Yet they were all loaded with a variety of side-effects(some quite serious) which I'd have to endure until it became apparent that, one more time, yet another anti-depressant wasn't working. Without going into further details, suffice to say, I was put through a lot as my depression was, at times, debilitating.

Once I finally did recover from that dreadful and life altering depression, the periodic anxiety I had suffered from since high school would still emerge from time to time. What my doctors determined was the best option at that point was to prescribe Xanax, as needed, at night only and Lorazepam, as needed, when an anxiety attack hit during the day. They provide the relief I need to get through them without keeping me drugged 24/7. I never take my full dose of Xanax at night as I just don't seem to need it and I find I need Lorazepam maybe 3 days a week at most. And I take half the dose of that.

I have reached the point where I am so anti-prescription medications and vocally resist being prescribed any more than the absolute minimum required for my health issues but instead focus on finding healthier alternatives instead. I just have to be cautious there too as I have had negative side effects from even natural ingredients.

I think all the suggestions you have already received here have been great ones. Food and drink can play such a huge part in our lives as does meditation and exercise.

One other recommendation is possibly trying a NutriBullet machine(shown on infomercials and HSN) and having one of their super healthy all fresh fruit and veggy drinks daily. These are not smoothies as we think of them but pure nutrients from every part of the fruit and vegetable including rinds, seeds and all. The NutrilBullet easily breaks them all down in minutes, leaving you with a super beneficial drink that can really impact the hormones. It even has a recipe specifically for woman's hormones right in the recipe book that is included with the machine. I know some women whose lives have been so improved since adding this to their routine, especially those suffering from unpleasant hormonal side effects, including anxiety.

Good luck ............ and I would certainly ask your Physician if he/she would be willing to try some Lorazepam(or something else) to get you through the worst of the anxiety when it hits. It could really make a difference in your quality of life.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

Wackers3 — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:08:45 GMT

Luvmycats is absolutely right about a small dose of Klonopin also being very appropriate. I know at one time my psychiatrist treated my anxiety with that and it helped a lot.

Re: OT: Hormonal Anxiety Question

kabella — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:37:25 GMT

Sorry to hear your feeling overwhemed & having high anxiety. If this has been going on for a long time and you have tryed different ways of calming your mind & body & its not working then I would suggest taking the advice of your Dr. as he knows you & your lifestyle, I assume you confide in him. I do know eventually High anxiety & also being overwhemed with chores etc. can lead to depression so that is why he also rec'd an anti-depressent, so you will not need to take an anxiety med. too often, only when needed. Best Wishes whenever you decide to do & hopefully you will feel better soon