Posted by sac on January 19, 2004, at 21:19:17
In reply to CHANGE OF LIFE AND DEPRESSION, posted by ZAPPA on January 19, 2004, at 14:36:13
It is worth having your hormone levels checked. I am 35 and have been treated for depression for 15 years. However, after the birth of my second child I became bipolar (family history also). I was never able to go back on birth control pills and my PMDD (which I never had prior to my second child) was out of control. I've been bouncing around with various Antidepressants and mood stabilizers for the last 3 years. Somehow, it has always felt very hormonal for me. At my request, my Pdoc sent me for blood tests on my estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, LH, and FSH. These tests were used to determine whether I was perimenopausal. Well it turns out I am and my estrogen was VERY low. I am now on Premarin (despite the controversy) along with my other meds and am increasingly finding more mood stability. Don't let the doctors dismiss your feelings try to look into having your levels check, there just may be something going on.
> I am a 48 year old female undergoing psychotherapy and drug treatment for severe depression. I have asked my M.D. and my psychiatrist of the relation of depression to the possible onset of menopause. They pretty much blew off the suggestion instructing me to continue with Effexor XR and psychotherapy. Problem is, the Effexor is giving me "brain zaps" and my doc wants me to stop the med cold turkey.I have been off for about 7 days but the zaps are increasing but less severe.
> I am wondering if I could benefit by hormome therapy for the depression. I went through severe depression after the births of each of my three children, but I survived, or so it seems. It makes sense to me that my problem could be hormone related. Does this hit home with anyone?
poster:sac
thread:302817
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040118/msgs/302951.html