I am a 52 year old woman and I have not had a period in over 2 years. I have had hot flushes, trouble sleeping, and mood swings, but recently I've been having anxiety attacks almost every day. I was hurt on the job in October 2013, and I have been seeing a doctor for my injuries. My left forearm and elbow are swollen, and I also injured my neck and shoulders. After my accident I noticed that I was getting these attacks more and more. I would really like to know if these attacks are happening because of my change or my injuries.

Hormonal changes still continue for 2-3 years after your periods stop and many women can experience a combination of symptoms, such as flushes, low mood, joint pain etc.

During this time, however, physical and/or emotional stress can also weaken the body's nervous system making existing symptoms worse.

It is possible that your accident and subsequent injuries are contributing to your distress. This can then lead to adrenal stress which can be quite difficult to get out of.

I would suggest going to see a Nutritional Therapist, they can formulate a safe and effective treatment plan for you with support. You can find a local practitioner at www.BANT.org.uk

Acupuncture can also be very effective for this and also pain control.

In the meantime, you may find Devils Claw and Atrogel helpful for the injuries, and stress remedies such as Passiflora Complex are known to help with panic attacks.

Eileen Durward