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Depression and Menopause/Peri

Posted , 16 users are following.

mauiblue
mauiblue

So it appears that I have fallen into a rabbit hole of which I am struggling to climb out of.

Im almost 53 yrs old, with somewhat regular periods up until 6 months ago, and poof gone.

Now I find myself so dark, no joy, no meaning to anything really other than to focus on getting through each day, praying that I sleep, and trying to talk mysef into hope for recovery.

My docs after seeing my hormones completely bottom out from estrogen dominance to Zero estrogen, progesterone and T.

I briefly tried a few antidepressants which made me feel sooo horribly creepy, I had to stop. I am on a very low dose of bio identical hormones which arent doing anythin.

My question is...which way to turn? I feel like it has to be menopause but i dont hear other women with such mental challenges (depression, anxiety) like i am experiencing. I have never had even much anxiety or dperession to speak of with the exception of a few low moods, but now Boom..ive landed somewhere horrible and scary. 

Im hearing that bioidenticals arent any better than standard hrt. Im really struggling. How do people hold down jobs in this state? Im barely able to cope with decision making and work and my two boys, its just basically survival at this stage. I dread each night wondering if i will be able to get enough sleep to get through the next day, and i dread dealing with people socially, when before i could handle anything, people, stress, anything! Now i am disenchanted with life and i have to fake it for my kids sake. This is criminal that women should suffer with this. I just feel like my depression is over the top. 

Any support would be so appreciated. Blessings to all you women out there who deal with these things...

elizabeth

4 likes, 54 replies

54 Replies

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  • Wannabenormal
    Wannabenormal mauiblue

    Posted

    I've had peri for around 7 years.  Only recently had some random anxiety and a couple of random mood changes....not usual for me and when they happen I don't want to be around people or do things that I'd normally like to do.  This is odd, it's not like me at all.

    I really feel for you and hope that you are managing. This is tough, peri, I've never known anything like it with the mood issues. I am actually shocked that women are left to fend for themselves, I wasn't even aware how bad it could be.

    This forum has helped me hugely. I literally thought I was going mad with all the intense symptoms I've experienced. Nausea is horrendous.

    Best wishes.

    • mauiblue
      mauiblue Wannabenormal

      Posted

      Hi Wannabenormal (great user name by the way)

      Yes this forum has been amazing.

      I dont even know at what stage you can say you are past Peri..other than the 12 month marker of no period which is menopause?

      I guess then that im still Peri because its only been 5-6 months w/o a cycle.

      Nausea is awful but i would rather be throwing up all day ...seriously than the mood challenges. Ive been humbled by this whole thing. Its not something i can deal with forever that much i know.

      Thanks for your support..

      kauaiblue

    • Wannabenormal
      Wannabenormal mauiblue

      Posted

      Hi kauaiblue,

      Yes, I agree, the odd mood challenges are just horrendous and out of the two (though this nausea is driving me nuts) I'd take the nausea.

      I have been humbled too, by this experience, I never realised I'd be in for such a rough ride.  I hope it end soon.

      Makes a big difference to know that others understand and have experienced similar/same.

      Thanks for your support.

      Wannabenormal

  • danielle35642
    danielle35642 mauiblue

    Posted

    Kauaiblue,

    Not at all.... drastically changing levels of hormones definitely can cause mental symptoms like depression and anxiety. Just like how hormones during pregnancy and post partum can trigger depression and even mania/psychosis...so your symptoms aren't uncommon at all

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