Anxiety/Menopause

I am 44, still have periods every month.  I was on the patch for a while because of depression/anxiety issues (I saw a DO and she put me on it).  When I went for my physical with my GYN this year he did a pelvic ultrasound and said my ovaries are up and running and that I did not necessarily need to be on the patch.  I went off in December and lately I have been having periods of anxiety again.  I am at about day 19-21 in my cycle and I will wake up from a deep sleep in a state of anxiety.  I this just a perimenopausal system?  Should I go back on the patch? Or should I up my doseage of Lexapro and see if that works?

Sudan

[DrDoright]

Hi, I am on lexapro and it always has me waking up in the middle of the night feeling anxious for no reason. It has helped me to lower my anxiety but it can make me feel so sick sometimes that it makes me anxious about being ill. I got myslef some all natural products for my anxiety and menopause as any prescriptions I had had didn't seem to help much. I am using Womans Choice, Xtra Cal, Roseox and Relax now. I have been using them for a couple of months and my stress levels and menopausal symptoms have gone way down. I am sleeping pretty well most nights, just the odd night with a bit of a flush but nothing like i had previously. I asked my doctor and he said that if they are working for me then stick with them. I do feel much better generally. The place I got them was www.myhealthabcmall.com, the guy who is the nutritional coach there gave me lots of good information and was really understanding and helpful. I spoke to my therapist about all this a few weeks ago and she said that a lot of the all natural products are the best and if they help you out then its all good. I hope this helps. Oh I am 10mg a day of lexapro.

[AnotherKatie]

Maybe try looking into trying some bioidentical Progesterone cream.  
I swear by it!  I have had a total hysterectomy ...

I have the Estraderm patch, but it works better when I used the Progesterone cream.   Progesterone helps your body "balance" and utilize your estrogen more effectively.

[MsKate]

I am 57 and in 2000 at the age of 50, was having regular periods.  My mother was diagnosed with stage iv lung cancer (I was on my period the day she was diagnosed); she died nine days later.  I didn't have another period until Dec 2005 and my last period was in Mar 2006.  I experienced night sweats and insomnia and used Remifemin and did get some relief from those symptoms.  

I am currently experiencing many more menopausal symptoms from vaginal dryness, bowel changes, phantom periods, etc.  I take Lexapro, 10 mg a day; but have been experiencing such an increased level of anxiety that I take 25 mg of Xanax as needed.  I too have fear of disease and dying.  My physician doesn't seem to think that my increased anxiety has anything to do with menopause; she feels it's generalized anxiety disorder.  I see her later this month and will insist on a FSH level test to check my hormone levels.  I have been using the over the counter progesterine cream and am wondering if anyone knows if this cream will affect my blood work.  Cannot seem to get an answer as yet.

I hope to receive some answers or input from any women out there experiencing anything similar.