I've never tried the antidepressants, I got lucky and visited a shrink that said I didn't need it, he told me to keep fighting for answers instead. I am on bio identical hormones now, and I feel great. Hormone shift constantly, the best bet is to find a good endocrinologist that works with bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, and take it from there.

Hope that helps a little.

Rebecca

I totally agree with Rebecca! I think that it is better to treat the problem than the symptoms. In other words, this is a natural progression that can be dealt with instead of 'muddying' the waters with pharmaceuticals.
Yes, find an endocrinologist that will work with you and help you look for a more longterm solution. I am also doing bio-identicals and would not be without them.
Good luck,
Jan

Thanks Rebecca and Jan,
I think you are both probably right and have been thinking of going to an endocrinologist. I am somewhat afraid of just going off the Wellbutrin now because of withdrawal effects. I have only been on it for 1 month, so that is in my favor. This perimenopause stuff is horrible. I wish I could just fastforward through this part of life.
Thanks ladies,
Julie

I too am having terrible anxiety with menopause. I tried Lexapro but was never able to take it. It made the anxiety worse and I felt so bad that I was never able to get used to it. I started hormone replacement therapy and it has been two weeks since I started taking it but so far the anxiety is still there. In the area I am from I don't know where I would be able to find a doctor who would prescribe bio-identical HRT. I guess we just need to keep hanging in there and looking for the answer but one thing I appreciate is that I can find others I can talk to about these problems.

Hi VSP58,

The only thing I will say about the wellbutrin is that is has helped a slight bit with the anxiety, but not the depression - so it is a toss up whether I will stay on it or not, or switch to something else. Are you in menopause?

I am almost positive that I am. My GP doctor checked my hormones and said they were normal but when I go back to my gyne he is going to check them again in a couple of weeks. I have hot flashes, anxiety and the inner shaking thing, insomnia,some depression, crying at the drop of a hat, so I feel it must be menopause. I am 51 years old and haven't had a period since back in July. This is so miserable. I have sought out many message boards to try to convince myself I am not losing it. I really wish I could find someone who could do the bio-identical hormones but so far in this area you have to travel a distance to someone who can. I hope this goes by really fast. The anxiety is the worst symptom I deal with and it has really messed up my quality of life.

My hormones were also within "normal limits" but my GYN said that the blood test is a very inaccurate way of testing hormones because they fluctuate all the time. Everything I read also says the same thing. How long have you had all these symptoms. this is fairly recent for me and I know what you mean about it affecting your quality of life. I hope that you feel better and that you can find a doctor who can help. Hang in there!

I started having these terrible symptoms last fall and worsened for the next 3 months. I had anxiety, panic attacks, rining in my ears, buzzing in my legs and arms and ears, brain fog, depression, confusio, chest pain, numbness in my arms. It was horrible! I went to the ER 7 times! I hate hospitals, so I had to be really sick to even go! I had every test imaginable and no one found anything wrong. My hormones were tested twice and all came back normal. But my Gyn said it was more or less perimenopause. So my family doctor started me on Buspar and a very low dose of Paxil. Just let me say, it completely turned me around! I feel SO much better! And my family doc assurd me that these were not addictive, and one I got through my perimeopause, I could get off of them. So I've definitely had a good experience with these. I never took any medications before all this craziness started, but I was unable to even function or sleep. And the difference is amazing! Of course, lots of prayer has helped too! God bless!