Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 351943

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Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!

Posted by SickyVicky on May 29, 2004, at 18:30:20

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

 

Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!

Posted by Impermanence on May 29, 2004, at 19:14:28

In reply to Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by SickyVicky on May 29, 2004, at 18:30:20

I'm nearly five weeks on Lexapro, and from what I've read and heard... give it a chance, it takes time before your body gets used to it.. Many of us out there are living a miserable excuse for a life, you're not alone. Realize you are better off than you think, because believe me you are... This is a nice place for support and advice but only if you see what you already have is gold.. You are lucky in my eyes, enjoy the times you have with your family.
I know it's hard work but you have more than I could ever dream of... Grass is always greener!!!

 

the Serzone issue

Posted by Gael on May 30, 2004, at 17:44:58

In reply to Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by SickyVicky on May 29, 2004, at 18:30:20

No, you are not alone. I ended up in the psych ward for a week during that middle-of-the-cycle time and it took a long time to stabilize, but what helped was estrogen alone. Very controversial. I was taking the Cenestin (oral estrogen) and Prometrium (oral micronized progesterone) together and it helped stabilize my perimenopausal (whacky) cycles and mood swings, but eventually the PMS was worse than before, so I stopped taking the Progesterone and found the estrogen alone (and I also take Neurontin and Serzone, although since it's been pulled I have just started Effexor....we'll be seeing how that goes.....) made life just swell. I kid you not. It was miraculous. Of course it's very controversial and the OB/GYN was going to do a hysterectomy since unopposed estrogen is supposed to be a stimulant to cancer. I told her that the mental hell couldn't be any worse than cancer - she replied my moods would improve if I just exercised regularly. Thanks, doc. Anyway, I sought FOUR 2nd opinions and now see the head of reproductive endocrinology at the Med Center and take Prochieve, a 4% progesterone gel inserted into the vagina, which protects the endometrial lining from the unopposed estrogen, I still wear the Vivelle Dot, the estrogen transdermal patch, and just had my first period with NO PMS, except maybe a 1/2 of being a little grouchy. But I remember two years ago having to pull my car over on the side of the road to sob for 20 minutes and it was during the middle of the cycle.

Just keep people listening to you and insist that you want to try some hormonal therapies. One of the 2nd opinions I received was from a gynecological oncologist who said he would never ever put me on estrogen for any reason at all. My psychiatrist pointed out that an oncologist's basic premise is that cancer is the worst thing that can happen to anyone, whereas they have never had patients go through the mental hell of depression. Taking the estrogen is a risk I'm willing to take in order to feel in synch again: with myself, my goals and dreams, my husband, my children, my productivity in society. I'll take all those things over sobbing over days gone by and not being willing to set goals or be involved in life because I know depression will come along and take me down.

All the best -
Gael

 

Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!

Posted by shadows721 on May 30, 2004, at 20:07:49

In reply to Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by SickyVicky on May 29, 2004, at 18:30:20

I have had horrible pms. I tried everything - diet, exercise, herbs and vitamins. Nothing worked. I was still shaking and crying so I too got on Lexapro 10 mg. It has helped, but I just got put on topamax too. I find it is helping too. I just can't function without meds. Sometimes, doctors say to increase the antidepressant during that time to help. It does.

 

Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP! » SickyVicky

Posted by sooshi on May 30, 2004, at 20:40:04

In reply to Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by SickyVicky on May 29, 2004, at 18:30:20

I've been going thru the exact same thing. Just diagnosed as menopausal...tried all the herbs and such, nothing helps. Went to an endoctrinologist - tried testosterone cream...didn't help (hair loss, major zits). Now I'm supposed to start the NuvaRing birth control device (low-dose estro/progest) but just can't bring myself to use it because I'm scared the hormones will just aggravate my moods - it's supposed to help, but I just don't know......

Anyway, I take Effexor and the mood stabilizer Zonegran, and since the ms has kicked in this past month (I started it about 2 months ago) my PMS or PMDD or menopausal symptoms or WHATEVER you want to call it, has gotten so much better. It sure hasn't gone away, but the symptoms are greatly reduced.

I still need to find some kind of answer for the menopausal upheaval, but at least the Z is helping. Keep us posted if you figure out anything that helps!

 

Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!

Posted by Anjul on May 30, 2004, at 20:52:37

In reply to Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by SickyVicky on May 29, 2004, at 18:30:20

Hi! I can relate. I am dreading this period coming. For 6 months the 10 mgs of Lexapro helped. Last month, I was psychotic. But, it is starting the day OF my period, not before. What do yo make of that? I am giving acupuncture and chinese herbs and progesterone cream one more chance. Anjul

 

Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP! » SickyVicky

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

 

Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!

Posted by mommajeo on May 31, 2004, at 7:50:04

In reply to Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by SickyVicky on May 29, 2004, at 18:30:20

Just hang in there, my dear. You didn't mention why you haven't went back to Effex or Prozac, since they worked in the past? Perhaps they'd offer some interim relief till the other hormonal issues are ironed out. There is nothing freakier than hormonal depression/psychosis, but it can be treated & don't beat yourself up about what this will do to your children -- everyone's mother is hormonally charged. Nature of the beast. At least you're at the end of it, apparently, and once you're stablized, you'll be a happier camper.

 

Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!

Posted by Mariposa on May 31, 2004, at 12:47:59

In reply to Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by mommajeo on May 31, 2004, at 7:50:04

There is a very good DR named Elizabeth Vliet, she has a web site...herplace.com... with a lot of good info and some new ideas on PMS, PMDD, and Menopause. It's worth it to check it out.

I am 48 and thought I was going through peri-menopause because I started acting so *psychotic* 3 weeks out of the month, work was hell (customer service - felt like ripping everyones head OFF!!!, felt like *killing* the spouse, and terrible road rage for no reason.) GYN doc said I was too young and it was PMDD.

He switched me from Ortho-Novum to Yasmin and put me on Lex. First couple of weeks were Hell w/se's, but I hung in there and around 6 mos. I was doing pretty well. Have had 2 occasions when I've increased dose w/pdoc approval, now at 30mg. I also swithced BC - have been on the patch for 2 months and I like it better than pills. Past couple of months I've felt worse again around period and pdoc suggested I increase right before and then cut back again - see if that helps, otherwise, we have talked about raising dose again.

Hope this helps some, good luck to us all!!!~~~8|8

 

similar situation...

Posted by cherylann on June 1, 2004, at 9:54:19

In reply to Re: Menopause, worsening depression, Lexapro...HELP!, posted by Mariposa on May 31, 2004, at 12:47:59

I'm kinda in the same boat as you. My ob/gyn told me all the herbal stuff was a bunch of garbage and don't waste my time on it. He gave me some testosterone cream and sent me home. The cream improved the love life, but I still woke up in the morning with plans of who I could knock off that day :o) A friend finally told me if I didn't buy some progesterone cream, she was going to do it for me. I shelled out the money for it (not cheap). Lordy, within a few days I felt like a new woman. I'm not currently taking any AD's and do get some pms, but the first couple weeks after my period (when I use the pro cream) I feel great and love everyone.
Best wishes to you,
cherylann


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