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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by little mommy on April 6, 2006, at 18:07:41
Here is a new one. I have been reading up on some of the symptoms of peri menopause. I am a 43 year old mom of 3. I have started to have panic, anxiety, and depression within this last year. I was put on paxil and remeron to alleviate these symptoms. I have stopped taking my remeron (been off just over a month) and have started having difficulty sleeping and the panic and anxiety have returned. The remeron just made me want to eat constantly and I started putting on weight so this is why I stopped. It was prescribed for depression so I wanted to stop as I felt the paxil was helping with that. Bottom line, has any one else experienced this and have it attributed to the beginning of menopause. I feel like I am going crazy. Any help and/or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by ClearSkies on April 7, 2006, at 12:47:52
In reply to Pre Menopause, Menopause and Depression, etc., posted by little mommy on April 6, 2006, at 18:07:41
Hey there. When I went into perimenopause my depression and anxiety became much worse. Our hormones have a profound effect on our moods. My gyn was of no help whatever - "S*cks to be you" is what she said.
For me it has taken time and patience to get through the past 4 years. many different medications, getting on birth control pills, then dealing with weight gain, migraines and high blood pressure as a result (thanks, doc!), trying alternative medicines... I was trying everything that was suggested I try. Dr. Christiane Northrup wrote an excellent book about the subject, "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" that has great advice to surviving and thriving.ClearSkies
Posted by GizmoChick on April 18, 2006, at 19:35:35
In reply to Pre Menopause, Menopause and Depression, etc., posted by little mommy on April 6, 2006, at 18:07:41
You've probably read there are many symptoms of perimenopause which can also overlap many other potential causes. For example, menopause & hypothyroid symptoms often crop up at the same time (as they did for me).
Blood tests can determine hormone levels (interpretation of results is another story). If your depression and anxiety is from menopause or any other hormone imbalance, a blood test could help your doc prescribe appropriate treatment.
Have you had any tests or are you thinking you may be starting menopause based only on your symptoms? What symptoms are you having?
Doctors often assume you can't be perimenopausal if you're not the 'right' age and then they treat you for what's more likely to be your problem. Even though blood tests during early perimenopause are not always definitive because there's so much fluctualtion in hormone levels, I think it would be worth getting tested if you feel your symptoms match.
Posted by fi on April 24, 2006, at 14:46:09
In reply to Re: Pre Menopause, Menopause and Depression, etc., posted by GizmoChick on April 18, 2006, at 19:35:35
The blood tests for hormone levels is one way of checking for the changes that go with the menopause. On a more basic level, if your monthly cycle is still regular then its more likely that you havent started becoming menopausal yet.
Can be hard to tease out, as there are all sorts of possible reasons for psychological problems.
Personally, I would focus on what you can do to feel better.
It would be helpful if your doctor did the blood test, and if your hormone levels are dropping, considering whether HRT is an option. It has its own problems, of course. But if the results are OK, then its moving on rather than continuing to think about the menopause thing.
fi
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