Posted by sac on May 30, 2004, at 21:44:47
In reply to Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by SickyVicky on May 29, 2004, at 18:30:20
Yes, I am going through the same thing. I am 36 with two children (3 and 6) the last two years have been hell with my mood instability and I've noticed that my PMS (which I never had in my 20's) is horrible. I was desperate a few months ago and had my hormone level checked. Sure enough my estrogen is very low. My ob/gyn refuses to prescribe estrogen for me because I'm still having periods so he feels I don't need it. However, my Pdoc (who I have seen for 10+) years has agreed to prescribe estrogen. I tried Premarin a few months ago at .625 mg. and I actually felt quite good on it. Only thing was I had a problem with the "equine urine" thing and was uncomfortable continuing it. I am going the way of "bio-identical estrogen" which would be Estrace, Vivelle, Climera types. I haven't yet found the dose that will work best for me without too many side effects (severe bloating). However, I really do feel that there is a need for estrogen in my whole arsenal of mood stabilizing meds (I have bipolar II) also on Prozac and Lamictal. I keep a monthly calender of my cycle and moods and basically the last two weeks of my cycle my moods become more unstable, I feel suicidal, homicidal, psychotic...you name it. This is ridiculous and yet there is a definate pattern with my montly cycle. I never dreamed that hormones could do this. If your blood tests reveal low estrogen perhaps doctor will agree to give you a prescription for estrogen. I wish you luck and you are definately not alone in this. Regards. -Stacey
> I am desperate for help! I was told in Feb. '03 that I was going through menopause just shy of my 37th birthday. The stress kept piling up and I was finally hospitalized for 6 days the day after Thanksgiving. After going through a living hell, I was finally put on Lexapro, 20 mg. I have always been depressed and responded well to Prozac, Effexor, but now about 2 weeks after 1st day of each period, I am crying my eyes out, longing for times gone by and it's been putting a big strain on my marriage and family life!
> I went had blood tests for hormone levels a couple of days ago, the PA was sympathetic but suggested my Lexapro be upped (from 20 mg.?!?) and told me the herbal therapies that have brought me some relief are all hokey and overrated.
> Any ladies out there been through this? I have 4 children and avoided severe Post Partum depression after the last 2 so I know there's hope. I tried PremPro and had side effects, and the thought of using Mare urine for relief kinda bothers me. HELP! I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!!
> Thanks for your help!
> Vicki
poster:sac
thread:351943
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040527/msgs/352236.html