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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tiffanywp on September 16, 2005, at 20:52:14
long story short - am a 34 y.o. mom of 3 under 5. i just weaned (breastfeeding) 3 months ago - subsequently got my first period in 4 years (b/c have been pregnant or breastfeeding for past 4 years) since return of period, i am having major irritability and also some panic attacks (which i have had before in between babies) - but my panic attacks do not match the symptoms i read abt online. i think they are more anxiety attacks. def. do not fit the GAD description or any description. basically KNOW my symptoms are cyclical and hormonal. my OB recommends lexapro - i hesitate in taking a drug though. have tried natural methods - exercise , evening primrose, essential fatty acids. but today's random mother of all 'anxiety attacks' has prompted me to make appt w. OB - who i know will suggest, again, lexapro - which i am scared to take. i am sensitive to all drugs, antibiotics, birth control - all make me itch or crazy! what are your thoughts on this, if you dont mind? also afraid of weight gain, am a thin person by nature and since onset of period have gained 8 pounds - all in stomach (water weight?) - also making me depressed. am not a depressed person - but a vain one - and changes in my looks effect me greatly. anyone w. any ideas/ thoughts - pah-lease respond. i am losing my effing mind! :) thanks
Posted by wildcard on September 17, 2005, at 2:26:58
In reply to hormone hell - help, posted by tiffanywp on September 16, 2005, at 20:52:14
Have u looked into Premenstrul Dysphoric Disorder or Postpartum Depression? Both have symptoms of anxiety, irritability and mild to moderate depression. I know the thought of taking a med. to feel better can be extremely hard, unfortunately for some, that is the only way to relieve anxiety and/or depression. There are other options like therapy to see if something is triggering these feelings but that is a decision u have to make. I wld. look at it like this, wld. u rather try a medication to help relieve these symptoms or continue to suffer? Lexapro has worked well for some people. I wld. also look into finding a good psychiatric doc. and therapist if this persists as they may be more knowledgeable re: these issues. Hope this helps. Take care ; ) and welcome!
Posted by holymama on September 17, 2005, at 7:35:39
In reply to hormone hell - help, posted by tiffanywp on September 16, 2005, at 20:52:14
Hi there,
This is a medication board, so you'll probably find a lot of pro-med posts here. I'm about to give you one. I'd also suggest posting on the 'alternative' board to get some ideas for other forms of help.
I have a story similar to yours -- I started having a lot of problems after my kids were born. While mine were depression (and hypomania), they were definitely hormonally related. What I've come to realize in the few years since then is that I've always had mild problems with depression since college, but they never interfered with my life. I think the hormonal/physical/emotional/ changes during and after pregnancy and nursing (I had 3 in 3 years and double nursed, nursed through pregnancys, etc.) brought on my mental illness BIG TIME. Sometimes that kind of stress can trigger an illness to flare up. Anyway, mine is not going away any time soon, so I am left to deal with it as best I can.
I too was interested in alternative remedies -- I first tried everything I could think of -- exercise everyday, seeing a naturopathic doctor and making changes in diet, supplements, st. john's wort; I saw a homeopathic doctor, etc...NONE OF THIS WORKED FOR ME. I can't say I didn't try at least. But if anything, it helped a little, but I was still seriously depressed.
The first drug I tried was lexapro, and let me tell you, it was amazing. THe first few months after I started taking it were some of the best months of my life. I felt great and completely awed by the powerful way a brain chemistry change can change a person. (Being bipolar, I started to go manic on lexapro a few months later, so it didn't last for me).
But now I am a big proponent of medications. I've said since then that I wish every person experiencing mental distress would try a medication just for a couple of months. Just to see the change, and to see what is your personality and what has been covered up by anxiety or depression or whatever. Just to know this gives you a new perspective on yourself and what you can be.
As for weight gain, lexapro actually cut off my appetite (in good ways and bad -- I lost a little weight, but I also lost my interest in cooking). Every drug effects everyone in different ways, sometimes opposite ways. THe advice I'd give for you is this: if you try it and feel yourself gaining weight, you can always go off of it. Or you might feel so much better that you won't care if you gain a few pounds. Or you may always lose that baby weight in your belly.
O.k., now go on that alternative board and get some other ideas. Lifestyle and diet changes do work well for some people!
p.s. I do have one natural remedy that works well for my anxiety -- passionflower tea -- I buy it in loose leaf form at the health food store and brew it for 5 minutes. It calms me down like some of the anti-anxiety medications do. But of course, the anxiety is still there, and will happen again. It doesn't get rid of the problem.
Best of luck, Autumn
Posted by tiffanywp on September 17, 2005, at 20:25:38
In reply to Re: hormone hell - help, posted by holymama on September 17, 2005, at 7:35:39
thanks for responding - am still in investigative mode - nice to hear stories that are similar! do not know WHAT to do! just posted a new thread...need a plan! Thanks!
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 17, 2005, at 23:51:28
In reply to Re: hormone hell - help, posted by tiffanywp on September 17, 2005, at 20:25:38
A few things come to my mind:
1. Prozac/Sarafem have been approved for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Sarafem (spelling? Serafem?)is essentially prozac w/ a different name. That might be a good option for you. Lexapro is the newest SSRI, but that doesn't make it the best. Also, sometimes women can take prozac for PMDD for only one week out of the month and it works. Now, this seems strange to me b/c SSRI's usually need to be taken consistently to work, but this is an exception. Ask your MD if this could work for you.
2. Not everyone gains weight on meds. I'm on at least 3 meds that may cause weight gain, but I haven't gained anything. In fact, I may have lost a little due to decreasing my depressed/stressed eating of junk food. You could always stop taking a med if you gain a pound or two. If you can be a "thin" person after several pregnancies, you are clearly someone who can lose weight--not everyone is so lucky.
3. Have you considered therapy? It won't cause weight gain and may have lasting positive effects on your life! If you have good insurance, it will usually cover a good chunk of it. If not, there are often sliding fee clinics which will give you a reduced fee if you can't pay. It sounds like you have a high stress life and maybe some support could help your anxiety and mood.
4. Effexor has it's strengths but it often is difficult to withdraw from (so I hear). I personally had a h*llish time getting off of Paxil (also not uncommon). These may not be reasons for you to not try them, but I thought it was worth saying. I usually try to talk people out of Paxil, but of course I am biased based on my own bad experience.
Best,
EE
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