Corina's Story

My letter to you comes from the bottom of my heart and I hope that you will have the time to read through my turmoil and total despair.

I recently purchased the book ‘Natural Hormone Balance’ and it is absolutely fascinating.

In June 2001 I started having panic and anxiety attacks, I was in a demanding high profile job and had began a new relationship after being on my own for many years.
I went to see my Doctor for some for of birth control and he prescribed the pill.

Weeks past and I started to have hot flashes followed by anxiety attacks and would often be physically sick, this continued for many weeks and I found that I was crying for no reason at all, I could be in the garden or even just sitting watching the television and this overwhelming emotion would come over me and off I would go again, crying like I had never cried before.

I made the decision to stop taking the contraceptive, but the anxiety attacks continued, my head and thoughts were spinning out of control, I didn’t want to get out of bed as I constantly felt tired and worthless. I made an appointment to see my doctor and explained my condition, he prescribed Proprananolol.
I took them for 2 months but things just got worse and eventually in September of 2002 I went to see my doctor again and asked him what on earth was wrong with me (I thought that I was going insane) I have gone from being a confident, outgoing bubbly woman to an emotional and nervous wreck.
His diagnoses was ‘A break down and depression, I was prescribed Prozac and Chlorpromazine, I have to admit that I just took the medication prescribed with out even questioning his diagnosis.

Two weeks into the medication I had become unrecognisable, I hadn’t bathed, washed my hair or even clean my teeth, eventually I rang the metal health crisis line, they contacted my Doctor and he came to see me at my home, by this time I could see no end to the emotional turmoil and admitted that I was having suicidal thoughts. He advised me to continue with the medication as it could take up to six weeks before the benefits became noticeable. (I ended up moving out of my home and lived with my parents for a month)

I did ask my doctor if he thought that it may be a hormone imbalance, as I get the shakes if I haven`t eaten or if I have had too much sugar, I have irregular flow with my menstrual cycle, my breasts are tender and I constantly sweat and cannot wear a long sleeve blouse, this happens two weeks before my period. This was dismissed.

I took the medication for six months but not anymore, perhaps the depression was there, but I believe that it was bought on by something else that was happening inside of me, yes I was stressed up to the eye balls, but to go from being the person I was, to becoming somewhat suicidal over 12months seems absolutely bizarre.

I have not been on the tablets for about 2/3 months, however the panic attacks are still here and they are taking over my life, but I am not depressed, just desperate for some one to help me

On 1st August, I decided to book an appointment to see a female doctor in hope she would understand and support me in exploring my hormone levels as described in the book I had recently purchased, I even took the book with me and explained the blood test required. Her attitude amazed me and so did her comments ‘This is an American book and we do not test such hormones as our Laboratories would not recognise them?’
To say I felt embarrassed and humiliated is an understatement.

• On Sunday 3rd August 03, I cried all day, felt total despair and insecure it was so bad that my partner would not leave me, he just held me all night long
• On Monday 4th August 03, my menstrual cycle began.
• On Tuesday 5th August 03 I feel on top of the world – Backache and stomach ache, but I can live with it
• This is how I feel right through the next two weeks
• On Tuesday 18th August 03, Things start sliding down hill again, I know that this will get worse right up to the start of my next menstrual cycle.

After feeling the way I have for the last 3yrs, I do not believe that there is no support for those who are suffering such difficulties but where do you go for help?

I can describe my symptoms as:

• Foggy head
• Disturbed sleep
• Fluctuating appetite
• Very Tearful and Emotional
• Tender breasts (Cysts on right breast)
• Unable to control irrational thoughts
• Reduction in caring about myself
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lack of concentration
• Unable to cope with load noise
• Anxiety