any ideas

[easedale]

I have been on antidepressants for a long long time. it started with pms. now menapuse and this episode has been a nightmare. I feel I have a hormone inbalance which I have asked dr if this could be so but they say no??? I just want to be normal and content. so confused!!!

[Hidden]

Morning

I am sure my depression started when I hit the menopause.

I too ask my doc about hormone imbalance , he did check my bloods but said as your hormones are changing hourly through the day it is hard to pin point things really.

I use to get pms so I am sure the menopause made things 10 times worse for me.

I now have a fear of meds so don't take any meds.

Just wish I could also return to my normal content self as well.

I try really hard to get on with things in my life, and I can have some quite good days, then bang out of the blue everything stops for me and I think what's the point.

Sorry not been much help but wanted you to know you are not alone.

Gardener x

[Hidden]

Hi

You say you have been on antidepressants for a long time but do not say when the depression began. The menopause does bring about hormonal changes but it is also a time of life when emotions about life in general and the passing of time are triggered. Often we begin to look back on our lives at this time and if your life was not entirely happy then the menopause may make you aware that it is now too late for some of your past needs and wishes to be realised. Why not ask your GP to refer you to a counsellor if you have not already seen one. Rather than talking about your present depression you might talk also about the times when you began taking antidepressants as that must relate to the causes of your depression now.

Suex

[Marz21]

I can relate to this, and have often wondered why doctors don't just check these things. I feel a total dip of extremes with PMS and even though am expecting it and aware of it, it does not mean it is controllable. It's like being trapped in your own body. I hope with persistence and perhaps seeking a second opinion or third or fourth, you can get the help you need. I had to literally push my GP into giving me even an appointment recently, I think there is more going on than meets the eye...money has become a more and more obvious factor with the way things are lacking. I have only just had my thyroid and progesterone blood testing agreed to after a year and more of banging on. It is happening now though!

[easedale]

hi. thank you for all your replies. off to councelling soon so will check in later. hope it helps. very tearfull this morning .

[nanaber]

My depression also started around the time of the menopause I've been on antids since that's 12 years. I did come off them once for 6 months but the depression and anxiety returned so I decided to just stay on them. I take a lot of meds now for different health issues every year something else is added my anti d is just another one to take

[coatpin]

I have been dealing with sever pms, it is called pmdd. premenstrual dysphoric disorder. I remember being afraid of that time of the month, and then after trying to get back to normal, and feeling like the encredible hulk, and suicidal, the day before a period. Or chasing someone with a knife, and meaning to kill that person.

Your doctor is not correct!!! my mum suffered and my gran, all my sisters, and brothers, and it looks like the curse is effecting the grand kids too, when they are coming up to their periods.

I suggest doing what I did. I looked online and then started printing off, and high lighting stuff. and then made an appointment to see your ignorant gp. whoops did i say that lol.

Tobe honest they dont have the time to do all this.

pms research foundation p.o box 14574 las vegas

usdoctor.com/pms.htm

do a search on here about the subject you might get the answers. I have a print out that I keep. you see in our day they just didnt have the answers..

When I did go see the doctor, I let the receptionist read it, she said at last these are my symptoms. So you see there is a lot of us about. good luck.

[gardengnome]

as coatpin mentioned go armed with some research at your next visit, remember it is not just the actual level of hormones that influence mood, but very much an individuals reaction to the hormone balance, hormone blood levels being within "normal" don't mean much in reality, Not sure if you have already had bloods done, though it is not standard practice to test you can request a thyroid test, this influences mood considerably, I went to my g.p to ask for thyroid test and they will do a full blood test too, I'm sure it is just to stop me nagging them, for other tests later, but a bit of nagging and quoting medical journals at them works wonders..

[easedale]

well councelling helped for some one to talk to. I may have a glimmer of hope. found an old post re dysthymia . think another visit to dr with print out! spent good evening with my cousin. she lost her husband to cancer a few years ago. she listens and I s so good to me. a very special lady!

thank you all x