Withdrawal and Perimenopause

[[Sl...]]

I started on this whole benzo trip because of perimenopause and insomnia. Now that I am down to .25 mg. at night on my taper I swear every single perimenopause symptom that I had before has returned. I am almost 8 months without my cycle and hoping I am getting near the end. I didn't realize how bad it was until they all came rushing back. The symptoms of both withdrawal and perimenopause are so similar I just don't know what to do. Just needed to vent. Thank you for listening.

[[Di...]]

I also got hooked on valium because of meno. My issues were more related to a totally incompetent and negligent naturopath, but I digress.

 

I'm sorry to break this to you, but just because your periods may have stopped for 12 months, and you officially become post-meno, doesn't mean all the symptoms go away. In fact they can continue on for many years afterwards. HRT is a very good - and safe - option, despite the nonsense you might read in the clueless media.

 

Take a look at the menopause support forum. The link is below in my signature.

[[Ch...]]

I went through menopause 2 years ago at the same time I was withdrawing from ADs & other meds and also couldn't distinguish between symptoms half the time. Like you, I got hooked on K for sleep and here I am. 

 

I also started on HRT about the same time and I'm still on it 2 years later.  Diaz-Pam is right - it is a safe option and terribly overblown as risky.  I wouldn't hesitate to go on it unless there were serious high risks in your family. Even then, we're all different.

 

Best wishes to you!  I feel your pain - it's a rough ride with both these things going on.

 

 

[[th...]]

Again, same story. Got hit early with menopause at age 38 and had insomnia which my doc quickly prescribed a benzo for. I have been in tolerance or tapering since and had really no idea what was causing what, nor still I know. I am 43 now and have had my hormones tested again which shows I am totally post-meno now but my new gynecologist says syx could last years. Some even experience these syx for 10 yrs out. It's been very challenging to be going thru early menopause and Xanax wd at the same time that is for sure!! The only way I ll know what's what is when I am off Xanax and it's been a yr or more after my jump. I don't expect the "gyn" issues to resolve, that is part of being post menopausal, I guess  :sick:but maybe the hot flashes and insomnia will get better.

 

G

[[Ch...]]

They will!  Apparently the worst is in the first 2 years of meno anyway and then the flashes taper off.  I'm giving it another year just to be sure - especially since I've just started my K taper. 

 

Sorry to hear you're also experiencing this along with your w/d.  I really empathize with any of you having to deal with so much at once. Best wishes for a relatively smooth time of it.

[[Sl...]]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I guess we really won't know which is which until we get rid of the benzo. I guess I am just confused. I am a member of a forum for menopause too and some members claim they could have never made it through without a benzo. I will just soldier on. Time will figure it out either way.