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I HAVE MOOD SWINGS, DEPRESSION AND TIRED ALL THE TIME.

By Anonymous October 31, 2011 - 3:08pm
 
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AM I GOING THROUGH PERI-MENOPAUSE? I AM CURRENTLY TAKING MEDICATION FOR DEPRESSION.
THANK YOU
LITTLE LADY

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Thanks for all your advice, I will go and see a doctor ASAP!! I don't like being tired all the time.

November 5, 2011 - 11:47am

If she doesn't seem to understand or care, find someone who does. I agree with Dee. Do not accept that you have to suffer. There are plenty of health care professionals who do care and will listen.

And yes, calling it a "management problem" is very accurate. it can be very difficult to get the kind of help and intervention you need. But, you can be certain that if you don't keep trying to get help, it just won't come.

It's your health. Be pro-active and don't take it lying down.

Magnolia

November 2, 2011 - 7:18pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Thank you for the advise and yes at the moment I am seeing a woman nurse practitioner, but honestly she seems not to understand or care.

November 2, 2011 - 1:44pm

You can settle this issue by getting the blood/saliva tests that was mentioned by Ms. Miller. She is correct. One of the tests is an FSH test, which gives you the level of "follicle stimulating hormone", which decreases in peri and menopause. I have been through all of this, and I am 59. I chose to use hormone replacement therapy - but do a lot of investigation on that path for yourself. This is a difficult "management" problem and you will hear a lot of approaches. What works for some will not work for others. Never, ever accept that you have to suffer. The right physician or nurse practitioner will find the way to make you better. (Personally, I prefer a woman practitioner to talk this over with.)

November 2, 2011 - 11:07am

Technically, PMS and perimenopause are two different things. PMS is the time just before you get your menstrual cycle when your progesterone levels are fluctuating, That is when women feel moody, irritable, mildly depressed, weepy, bloated, headaches, etc. Then once their period begins they feel fine again. That is because progesterone levels and estrogen levels are beginning to stabilize once again.

Perimenopause is the time when a woman's hormones are beginning to shift and change on the way to actual menopause (12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle).

Perimenopause symptoms are the same as PMS symptoms, for the most part, with a few others thrown in for fun :), but are much more erratic. Plus, with perimenopause, your cycles are unpredictable as well. Which is what you are experiencing right now.

Depression and mood swings are VERY common in perimenopause. Rages are also common for many, many women.

If your physician has said you are in perimenopause, then you need to either ask him or her or even an endocrinologist for some help in stabilizing your hormones.

Magnolia

November 2, 2011 - 5:23am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

So at the moment I am taking depression medication, do I need to ask my doctor about severe PMS. I really hate what I'm going through.

November 1, 2011 - 3:11pm

then, yes, from what you've said and your age, I would definitely think you are in perimenopause.

All of the symptoms you describe are symptoms of perimenopause.

Magnolia

November 1, 2011 - 10:17am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm 46 years old and yes I do believe I am experiencing serious PMS.
I have very bad mood swings. I was told by my doctor that I am going through perimenopause. And my menstrual cycles change from month to month they swing back and forth from heavy to light.

November 1, 2011 - 8:33am

You didn't give your age. Those symptoms can be associated with many things. Your brain chemistry could be out of balance.

You could be experiencing serious PMS. And yes, you could be going through perimenopause as well.

Have you seen a physician to test your hormones? Your thyroid? Your adrenal glands? All of those things can cause mood swings, exhaustion, depression.

Have you missed any menstrual cycles? Are they erratic? Heavier than usual? Lighter? Swinging back and forth between heavy and light?

If you are experiencing any of these things, it would be wise to see your physician, an endocrinologist or both.

Magnolia

November 1, 2011 - 7:20am
Guide

Some women experience mood swings, irritability or increased risk of depression during perimenopause, but the cause of these symptoms may be sleep disruption caused by hot flashes. If the medication is helping with your depression, that is wonderful.

Maryann

October 31, 2011 - 5:21pm
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