Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
Hi Everyone......hugs too...
I am a newbie to the group and have found that thru difficult times joining an online group can be helpful.
Here is a synopsis of my MP...
I started PM in the winter of 2009. Inside of 2 months I lost my love of life. It directly coincided with the change in my cycle and I went from doctor to doctor only for them to tell me that I have depression. I started SSRI's but each kind had the same effect, they made me sad. I mean a terrible sadness and self loathing. I should explain my depression. I don't feel sadness. I feel fear, anxiety and lost the very thing I loved about myself. That was being happy for little things in my life. I can sum it up in one sentence. I don't care anymore.
When the SSRI's didn't work I stuck with my trusted xanax and although it worked it is addictive and over time it will make you feel sad. I became physically addicted and it took 9 months to get off of that medication. I still use it just so I can get out of bed in the morning and participate in my life. No worries anymore about being addicted. I'm taking a low dose and not every day. The xanax used to help with my depression but now that I can no longer take high doses it doesn't help.
I have been using an opiate for my depression and this works for me. To be clear I am not promoting this. I can't take another SSRI and I can't have another day where I don't participate in the running of my life. To not participate in my life makes me hate myself. I know that opiates are addictive. I do not have the same physical reaction that we see on television. I have been using them for over 30 years due to extensive oral surgeries and lot's of dental work so maybe that's why I don't have a physical reaction if I don't take them. I don't want to have to take an opiate to feel good. For the record, opiates were used in the early 20th century and still are by some doctors to treat depression.
I believe that my body tells me what to eat and what to do through cravings. For example when I started PM I started having veracious cravings for soy beans and milk. I found out later that these are foods that help with menopause. I think that if I can talk to other women who have had success with foods and dietary supplements to help with menopause related depression that I could try them. Or if other women have had success with any other alternative treatment to combat the depression I am willing to try them. I may not have sadness but I don't care about paying my bills, having any kind of social life, being with my animals or being interested in the things that used to interest me and make me really happy. A sunny day used to make me happy and now nothing moves me. Writing that makes me sad and angry. This has been going on for almost 4 years and I am sick of it.
I have sent a request to have a BHRT doc contact me and I will see her but I know that won't fix everything.
What are the women who have depression from menopause doing to combat it. I've tried talk therapy but there isn't anything to talk about. How can you talk about a hormonal imbalance? Please send me anything you have tried that has worked. Even if it's a little off center don't be embarrassed please let me know.
I think that I can have my life back if I start a strict diet, start some kind of exercise program and get on BHRT. I tried prempro but I have insomnia from MP and it made it worse so no more HRT and not one more SSRI. I just tried paxil and I can tell when it started working because I start getting these terrible thoughts that I'm not good enough, I'm too old and have nothing to offer, I'm ugly.......the list goes on and on and I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about. I don't ever think this way of myself. Not ever, only when I try those SSRI's....
Please let me know what you're doing to help depression.
Thank you...Michele in NJ
Thanks.......Michele
I am a newbie to the group and have found that thru difficult times joining an online group can be helpful.
Here is a synopsis of my MP...
I started PM in the winter of 2009. Inside of 2 months I lost my love of life. It directly coincided with the change in my cycle and I went from doctor to doctor only for them to tell me that I have depression. I started SSRI's but each kind had the same effect, they made me sad. I mean a terrible sadness and self loathing. I should explain my depression. I don't feel sadness. I feel fear, anxiety and lost the very thing I loved about myself. That was being happy for little things in my life. I can sum it up in one sentence. I don't care anymore.
When the SSRI's didn't work I stuck with my trusted xanax and although it worked it is addictive and over time it will make you feel sad. I became physically addicted and it took 9 months to get off of that medication. I still use it just so I can get out of bed in the morning and participate in my life. No worries anymore about being addicted. I'm taking a low dose and not every day. The xanax used to help with my depression but now that I can no longer take high doses it doesn't help.
I have been using an opiate for my depression and this works for me. To be clear I am not promoting this. I can't take another SSRI and I can't have another day where I don't participate in the running of my life. To not participate in my life makes me hate myself. I know that opiates are addictive. I do not have the same physical reaction that we see on television. I have been using them for over 30 years due to extensive oral surgeries and lot's of dental work so maybe that's why I don't have a physical reaction if I don't take them. I don't want to have to take an opiate to feel good. For the record, opiates were used in the early 20th century and still are by some doctors to treat depression.
I believe that my body tells me what to eat and what to do through cravings. For example when I started PM I started having veracious cravings for soy beans and milk. I found out later that these are foods that help with menopause. I think that if I can talk to other women who have had success with foods and dietary supplements to help with menopause related depression that I could try them. Or if other women have had success with any other alternative treatment to combat the depression I am willing to try them. I may not have sadness but I don't care about paying my bills, having any kind of social life, being with my animals or being interested in the things that used to interest me and make me really happy. A sunny day used to make me happy and now nothing moves me. Writing that makes me sad and angry. This has been going on for almost 4 years and I am sick of it.
I have sent a request to have a BHRT doc contact me and I will see her but I know that won't fix everything.
What are the women who have depression from menopause doing to combat it. I've tried talk therapy but there isn't anything to talk about. How can you talk about a hormonal imbalance? Please send me anything you have tried that has worked. Even if it's a little off center don't be embarrassed please let me know.
I think that I can have my life back if I start a strict diet, start some kind of exercise program and get on BHRT. I tried prempro but I have insomnia from MP and it made it worse so no more HRT and not one more SSRI. I just tried paxil and I can tell when it started working because I start getting these terrible thoughts that I'm not good enough, I'm too old and have nothing to offer, I'm ugly.......the list goes on and on and I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about. I don't ever think this way of myself. Not ever, only when I try those SSRI's....
Please let me know what you're doing to help depression.
Thank you...Michele in NJ
Thanks.......Michele
I can't testify to it, but hormones and amino therapy are supposed to help with that. For now I just psych myself out, but being Aspergers and a rape/abuse survivor to begin with, it's relatively easy to "disconnect" myself from the present and just control myself "from afar". It helps with the helpless overwhelm, but so far I haven't found a reliable way around the apathy aside from letting myself be surprised by everything (looking away from the big picture) and acting...
I have little ones so it's especially important that I maintain my playfulness to some degree - they're only 9, 6, 3, and 8 months (I'm 27 - post-tubal). Fortunately I still can't resist a kid's giggle.
I can really relate! My depression was triggered by an unnecessary hysterectomy. I used to be happy 24/7 to the point that people commented on it. After the hyst, I thought about suicide almost constantly for over a year. I also had a lot of anxiety. I lost all interest and joy in everything and became a recluse. It didn't help that I aged overnight and didn't want to be seen by anyone. I was evidently on the "wrong" estrogen product for me because once I got on a different one, the depression started to lift.
I'm 5 years post-op and it still isn't totally gone but it's very mild. And it's now more about the regret and anger at my surgeon (for his lies and violation of my health).
I considered trying an anti-depressant but never did as I felt it was all hormonal. I kept up my exercise routine which did help. I also tried SAMe, 5-HTP, and Rhodiola Rosea (not at the same time) but they had minimal impact. B vitamins, fish oil, and vitamin D are also supposed to be good for mood.
Another thing - have you had your thyroid checked? It tends to become sluggish in peri-meno and meno. And years ago, they used to treat depression with thyroid meds. TSH, free T3 and free T4 are supposed to be the best blood tests to assess thyroid health.