Posted by dreamboat_annie on September 7, 2006, at 22:16:03
In reply to Don't want to admit it, but I'm depressed, posted by ClearSkies on September 5, 2006, at 20:25:02
Hi,
I don't know how old you are, but I started experiencing depression and anxiety in the past 2 years (although I did have one depressive episode about 10 years ago), at the same time as my cylce started becoming irregular and I started having nightsweats and stuff. After four or five ADs that weren't much help at all, I finally convinced my pdoc that it was time to let me try bio-identical estrogen with some bio-identical progesterone (no synthetic stuff like Premarin or Provera). At first, he tried to convince me to go on the pill, but I have had bad reactions to bc in the past (depression, mood swings, weight gain, nauseau . . .), so I refused. Plus, although not the case for everyone, I have read that some women do experience depression from bc and that it can sometimes make symptoms worse if a women is in perimenopause. I did a lot of research, which I discussed with my pdoc, and he does recognize the benefits of HRT (he mentioned that estrogen is neuroprotective and helps with memory and other cognitive things as well), and so he agreed that it would be worth a try, based on my symptoms not on blood tests. Anyway, I have the prescription, but, I have to quit smoking before I can start. I have read a number of articles and studies that indicate that women who are in a perimenopausal state and who experience onset of depression/anxiety or a worsening of depression/anxiety may benefit from a trial of HRT. A friend of mine is bipolar and, in the past few years, has been experiencing a worsening of her depressions, mood swings and anxiety, and recently started bio-identical estrogen. Within a week, she noticed a difference (as did her husband). She feels calmer and more stable. Anyway, just thought I would share that. I am looking forward to starting my bio-identicals.
> And I have been for a while now. I can't, I can't fathom a medication change. Withdrawal, startup, side effects - (shudder).
>
> I do overwhelmingly intuit that it's to do with my hormones. Or maybe the phase of the moon. Or both, or neither. I feel like I've been trucking my complaints to doctors for years without any improvement.
>
> I don't like this feeling. It's too familiar.
> CS
poster:dreamboat_annie
thread:683484
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060901/msgs/684109.html