Anyone struggling with Menopause and anxiety/depression?

[lovetodance2018]

For the past year I have been spiraling almost every month for about 7 - 10 days. The past two months it has been every two weeks. It is been wearing me out and my husband too. I try to not get caught up with my thoughts but that is a struggle too. I miss myself, the one who was excited about life, now I pray each day just to get through the day. I don't remember what brings me pleasure, I go to my activities but I don't have that same feeling of excitement and pleasure. I keep trying to find it. On top of that the night sweats and hot flashes have been constant. I am hoping it will stop soon. I did increase my medicine this week. It has been 4 days but I haven't seen a difference yet. I was hoping I wouldn't struggle this time, but two weeks after the last episode I did. Thanks for reading this and if you have anything that works please let me know. I know positive self-talk, but it is such a battle when you don't feel well. Also, the struggle of what caused me to go off again and not blame myself that I don't feel well. Blah!

[Blueruth]

You mentioned menopause. Have you considered HRT-hormone replacement therapy?

[lovetodance2018 in reply to Blueruth]

My Gyn didn’t think I should do it. She thought it would be better to work with a psychiatrist and up the dosage on my antidepressant. But I have seen a difference yet.

[Blueruth in reply to lovetodance2018]

Did they give you an estrogen test? What about a thyroid test? You have been spiraling during menopause and you can identify a timeline?… for just a year? Did you have some sort of event or series of events that point to depression? There is a ton of good information on webmd, mayo, Wikipedia. I suggest doing your own research. There are benefits to hrt too. I know women who say it has been a game changer.

[lovetodance2018 in reply to Blueruth]

I don't believe the did an estrogen test or thyroid test. It wasn't mentioned to me. Yes, it seemed to be happening once a month for 7 days but now it is happening two weeks or less and staying for longer. I am having trouble coping with this. I know all the right things to help myself but I am so worn out to do it from being on this roller coaster cycle.

I will do more research. Thank you. I appreciate everyone on this forum who is so supportive and encouraging.

[Blueruth in reply to lovetodance2018]

I have two PCs (long story). Both want to check my thyroid. It is just the right age. But to also have symptoms of depression and not test? Doesn't make sense. The pattern you describe totally suggests something changed in your body.

[lovetodance2018]

Thanks for your post. Unfortunately, I my doctor is new to me and so is my psychiatrist. I will continue to look into options. Thank you.

[Blueruth]

You are saying contradictory things. The doctor discussed with you, you did the research, decided against it. No different than doing the research and discussing it. simply taking the doctor at their word doesn't work anymore. Not with insurance and marketing and lawsuits. No way.

[lovetodance2018]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and input. 💕

[Blueruth]

I didn’t say your decision was wrong, I’m fact I said nothing about your decision. All along I have been saying “do the research and *discuss “ IOW “be your own advocate”.

Why are you saying to believe your doctor only? We live on a world where you should wonder the impact of insurance on advice. It certainly matters in surgery or being admitted. Left unchecked y he business is “meds, meds, meds”.

A medical professional ignores the timing with onset of symptoms in favor of difficult to prescribe, long acting antidepressants? And over other lifestyle data evidence changes as a first question?

The Op said she hadn’t been tested. Maybe because it is expensive? Or she had reached her 15 minute imposed time limit? I’m lucky to be able to work outside the insurance system and I promise there is a difference in care and advice.

I’m sorry this seems insulting. It isn’t intended to be. If people don’t speak up the status quo continues. What would really be nice if you could be more of an advocate to your (now) peers than doctors.

[Blueruth]

I didn’t disrespect dolphin. I respected the information provided by the Op. You have to be your own advocate to get good care if you are in the for profit insurance system. You are fighting a heavy push for profitable drugs from pharmaceutical companies and imposed time limits by insurance companies. Not to mention a ton of paperwork.

[HisDaughter]

I am very sorry things are so difficult! Doctors have told me that antidepressants can take up to 6-8 weeks to help, but it is necessary to keep taking them even when it seems that there isn't any improvement yet. Also, I believe that meeting with a therapist can be very helpful. Have you tried that? I know that you are dealing with a lot and I am sorry that I am not able to provide any advice for your menopause symptoms! A licensed mental health professional could help a lot with the depression and anxiety and possibly also put you in contact with a doctor who could see you regularly so that your symptoms from menopause don't cause you many problems in your daily life. May God bless you a lot! It is not easy at all to have to deal with so much! May God take care of you and guide you!

[gramabrenda]

Dear Lovetodance,

By all means dance. This really does help. Celebrate the good days and find ways to make the not so good days better. But I really don't understand blaming yourself because you don't feel well. You do the best you can each day and muddle thru. Each phase of life has its ups and downs. The night sweats nearly drove me nuts but I found Wild Yam Cream and Hylands Calm Forte really helped. I learned about the side effects of HRT and chose to skip that. The one really great thing about these times is they don’t last forever.

I found that keeping a gratitude journal really helped to keep me focused. As my daughter says I just learned to enjoy when I am hot and when I am not so hot enjoy that. It was on with covers, off with covers.

I know that for some meds work I just chose to go the all natural route and let nature take its course. I am praying for you to find your rhythm and be able to ride the waves. God bless you.

[Hidden in reply to gramabrenda]

On with covers, off with the covers, how well I know this. Your post is lovely and encouraging. I also chose natural for many of the reasons that you mention.

[Hidden]

You are not to blame. Menopause can wreak havoc with some women and we all do our best to manage the symptoms. The only advice I can offer is to get plenty of exercise and do your best to eat healthy. Sugar can aggravate hot sweats just as caffeine can. Dress in loose layers for when you need to cool down quickly.

[lovetodance2018]

Thank you again for everyone's suggestions and support. Praise the Lord, I am feeling better and pulled out of this depressive episode. I am praying that I won't spiral again. During this episode I figure out six things that is going to help me. 1) stop internalizing other peoples problems, 2) having a plan with meals, 3) letting go of things once a decision is made and not pick them up again, 4) working on not having false guilt (saying I am sorry when I didn't do anything wrong, 5) don't compare my life to others (God has me just where he wants me) and 6) stay in the moment not thinking of what I have to do next. I also, have some past things that reoccur with my husband that need to worked on. I believe with all this self-awareness, that I hopefully will avoid the trigger of negativity and even if my chemicals go off, I will not spiral. God Bless and Hugs

[Kimber55]

Something I didn’t find out about until I experienced when I was perimenopausal something that sounds like you are experiencing is PMDD. Found out I had been dealing with most of my life but became unbearable during Perimenopause. Every 2 weeks I was miserable. Look at IAPMD.org. I think there’s a wealth of information and you can rule that out or see if it applies to you. Unfortunately doctors really have NO CLUE about menopause. Everything I’ve learned is through tons of books I’ve bought, and groups online. It is SOOOO much more than a freaking hot flash!

[lovetodance2018 in reply to Kimber55]

Yes, I have looked up PMDD, since this have been going on for almost 2 years now. Worse in the last few months where I feel out of control with the anxiety and spiraling. What has worked for you? Thank you for posting.

[Kimber55 in reply to lovetodance2018]

I tried everything from every antidepressant to bioidentical hormones to correcting my diet. I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago and wish I had had it sooner. I wouldn’t have wasted so much time feeling so bad.

[lovetodance2018 in reply to Kimber55]

I heard that about a hysterectomy but they don’t just do it for menopause related anxiety and depression 😢Thanks for responding. 💕