Menopause/Hormonal Support

[[Buddie]]

Hi all. So I believe my best friend is going through menopause. I don't know the difference between pre menopause and menopause but I believe she's going through one of them. She was admitted to the hospital because she won't stop bleeding and they said they believe it has to do with hormones and sent her home. She bleeds all the time -heavy and spotting. It doesn't go away. And I believe the bleeding is what is making  her withdrawal symptoms SO SEVERE. And she said she won't take hormones during withdrawal because everyone says we can't because that will make us worse so she's not doing anything for it. She's just hanging on for dear life with the severe symptoms,  bleeding and now she's ready to die and thinks she's dying from the blood loss. What do y'all think? Thanks so much.

[[Buddie]]

Hi everyone. I am really struggling w hormone fluctuations along with [...]. I was doing pretty well at 19 months post taper and then had a medication induced setback and with the setback came extreme issues around my cycle. I’m 48 and perimenopausal. I’ve had my best windows when I’ve skipped a period but the waves are also so random I’ve tried to chart them and they can come before a period or typically a few days after my period. It’s all so random and confusing but the waves can be so debilitating leaving me completely exhausted bedbound and with so many acute like symptoms. I don’t know if there’s anything that can be done other than continue to wait for healing. Before setback my hormones seemed pretty good I ceased having windows and waves for a few months (I felt pretty healed) and even then they didn’t seem related to my period. Would love any thoughts! Thanks,

[[Buddie]]

It does seem like hormone fluctuations can exacerbate symptoms. I went through perimenopause as I was withdrawing off anti-depressants, and it was absolute hell, but I kept trudging through. Then I went through Klonopin withdrawal and that was/is level beyond hell. I am still suffering. I am now post-menopausal for a few years, and am mostly through horrible menopausal symptoms coupled with benzo withdrawal. I can't believe I survived going through both things a the same time. My doctor thinks my severe withdrawals actually brought menopause on earlier because of the severity.

The withdrawals created chemical sensitivity, so I can not get hormonal support either or they will send me into horrible waves of symptoms. Overall, it think its best to stay away from hormone support right now until you feel more stabilized, if thats something you wish to do.

I wish I had advice or a vast repertoire of hormone knowledge to impart, but I think just hanging in there is the best course. Our female bodies are extremely sensitive to hormone fluctuations, and they affect neurotransmitters, so it only makes sense that benzo withdrawal symptoms could get activated. Hopefully, your brain will heal more as you step into menopause. There are some wonderful advantages to menopause...

[[Buddie]]

Thanks [...] sorry for late reply.  I am now in a window and my period is 9 days late.  I wish I did not to have to deal with hormones and the effects it's having on my [...] symptoms and would gladly take menopause! I am 3 years off and 48 I [...] this doesn't take years and years longer of peri!

[[Buddie]]

This is probably peri and could take a little while. Menopause definably has its benefits! I am 48 years old now too!

[[Buddie]]

Hi

History
Due to burnout in teaching less than 2 years ago I have been placed on medication. Currently taking:
Mirtazapine 15mg
Imipramine 75mg
Diazepam 11.5mg (was reducing)
Temazepam 10mg
(Before burnout I never took any meds)

Been on pop (cerezette) for 10+ years

GP placed me on HRT - Evorel Sequi - based on slightly raised FSH level and to try to address low mood - but I had no other menopausal symptoms in April 2021.

This means I am taking 2 weeks estrogen and 2 weeks progesterone by patch.

I see and feel no difference in taking the patches but at the end of each cycle of progesterone I appear to be having increased anxiety and/or a dip in mood.

I have read that benzos and progesterone affect the same gaba receptors in your brain and that progesterone is cross tolerant with benzos.

I feel like I would like to stop the patches.
I believe however that stopping the patches completely could create an effect similar to a benzo withdrawal due to my other medications.

What would be the safest way to proceed?

[[Buddie]]

Hi

History
Due to burnout in teaching less than 2 years ago I have been placed on medication. Currently taking:
Mirtazapine 15mg
Imipramine 75mg
Diazepam 11.5mg (was reducing)
Temazepam 10mg
(Before burnout I never took any meds)

Been on pop (cerezette) for 10+ years

GP placed me on HRT - Evorel Sequi - based on slightly raised FSH level and to try to address low mood - but I had no other menopausal symptoms in April 2021.

This means I am taking 2 weeks estrogen and 2 weeks progesterone by patch.

I see and feel no difference in taking the patches but at the end of each cycle of progesterone I appear to be having increased anxiety and/or a dip in mood.

I have read that benzos and progesterone affect the same gaba receptors in your brain and that progesterone is cross tolerant with benzos.

I feel like I would like to stop the patches.
I believe however that stopping the patches completely could create an effect similar to a benzo withdrawal due to my other medications.

What would be the safest way to proceed?

CAN ANYONE CONFIRM IF THEY HAVE JUST STOPPED HRT DURING BENZO [...] AND BEEN OKAY? THANK YOU

[[Buddie]]

If you don't get a reply, maybe you could try searching the forum using one of these search engines, they're a lot better than the forum search.  http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=251991.0

I saw a number of threads in Other Medications.

My own experience is very limited.  I quit cold turkey and didn't understand what was happening to me so I went to the doctor and was prescribed HRT, my doctor didn't understand my situation either.    I took it by mouth for a month or two and it didn't help with my symptoms so I stopped taking it and didn't experience any problem.

[[Buddie]]

Thank you [...]. I am still trying to make an informed decision here.
If anyone has been on evorel sequi patches and stopped while on their benzo. It would be good to hear from them.

[[Buddie]]

If you don't get a reply, maybe you could try searching the forum using one of these search engines, they're a lot better than the forum search.  http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=251991.0

I saw a number of threads in Other Medications.

My own experience is very limited.  I quit cold turkey and didn't understand what was happening to me so I went to the doctor and was prescribed HRT, my doctor didn't understand my situation either.    I took it by mouth for a month or two and it didn't help with my symptoms so I stopped taking it and didn't experience any problem.

Hi [...]

What progesterone did you take and how much daily, thanks