Question:
I became peri-menopausal in 1993 and began HRT in 1995. In 1996, I began to
get panic attacks while driving. I have a history of panic attacks from my
early 20's after I miscarried. They were treated as panic disorder by a
pyschologist and "cured". I had no reoccurance from 1982 until 1996.
Does anyone have information or experience with heighthened anxiety and/or
panic attacks in menopause? Hormone connection (I cannot help but see there
must be something if I got the first anxiety attacks after a 3 month
pregnancy)?
My female gynecologist has had no experience treating anyone with this
symptom, although her female partner has and suggested an anti-depressant
(Zoloft) which was far worse than having anxiety. This is getting
debilitating.
Answer:
I think we have some folks on the group who've dealt with panic attacks. I
don't know if they're reading right now -- a lot of regulars seem to be taking
this week as vacation. This is a quick note to let you know that your message
got through.
I've suffered panic attacks at various times in my life including
after miscarriage and this year. I've also had them when there was no
hormone connection but when life was extremely stressful. I do have a
menopausal friend who is completely disabled by them and is in
therapy and taking anti-depressants but no HRT.
Earlier this year I was taking HRT (I've practically tapered off now)
and feeling very depressed and foggy but with a new job looming. The
attacks began.
My doctor prescribed Beta-Blockers which I took to get me through the
first two weeks of the new job. They did prevent the full force of the
attacks. I only took them on weekdays and the effect was instant
rather than having to wait for ages for something to kick in.
There are contra-indications, most notably asthma, but they could be a
possible alternative which you could discuss with your doctor
especially if you don't want to take a medication all the time.
One thing that happens during a panic attack is that your body
releases a lot of adrenaline, giving you a "wired" feeling. A type
of medication called "beta-blockers" will reduce the effect of the
adrenaline. Sometimes performers take it to avoid stage fright.
Beta blockers are serious medication which can't be suddenly
discontinued once you're on it, so it isn't the best first choice
of treatment, especially as it does nothing for whatever causes
the panic attacks--it only treats the symptoms. Nevertheless if
it is debilitating and nothing else works, you might discuss it
with your doctor.
I think you already have the URL for the
archived site on menopause, but anxiety and panic attacks seem to be
symptoms other women have reported. First, please know I am not a
medical person or a scientist, but have suffered from both off and on I
guess all my adult life. I tend to be a "worrier", inherited perhaps
from my late Mother. My panic attacks are mostly related to driving
and/or traffic -- I can't drive on the freeway and although I'm usually
ok driving in town, occasionally I'll get one when I encounter a Volvo
or Saab or BMW driver (sorry for the snideness, but it *does* seem that
certain makes of auto make for aggresive driving). Unfortunately I am
also very drug sensitive and have found that antidepressant meds make me
worse but one thing that has helped both my migraine headaches and
anxiety is valium. I know it's gotten some bad press but it has worked
for me; you might want to talk to your doctor about that. In the
meantime, probably the best thing you can do for yourself is realize
that these attacks do not go on forever; they do end, and I like to
think of them as a bad phase I am going through, and I do get over
them. There are other women who have posted to this group who have had
anxiety and panic also, and just knowing others share this should help
to make you feel less alone.
