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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2435 to 2459 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by lil' jimi on March 25, 2003, at 8:53:34
In reply to Tomorrow = Day 1, Lexapro, posted by leeran on March 25, 2003, at 1:40:23
...
> Someone else mentioned hormones and feeling like crying all the time. I’m in early peri-menopause and my nickname for myself (prior to going on natural hormones) was “hormoneless in Hermosa” or “consistently crying in California,” however, once I started taking them (almost a year ago) the crying jags ceased almost immediately. I’ve also read that attention deficit disorder, depression and an entire host of other similar pain-in-the-butt things are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations. Oh yeah, and for you guys with mid-life “man-o-pause” – these hormones have testosterone thrown in so perhaps there’s a male equivalent out there, if you can find a compounding pharmacy and/or doctor to formulate the mixture that suits your circumstances.
...welcome aboard, Leeran. Glad to have you.
Allow me to offer my speculation that our posters to this board constitute a self-selected group which tends to skew our offerings toward the negative (with no disparagment of anyone implied)relative to reactions of the total class of Lexapro users:
this is based on my not all together unreasonable presumption that the lex users with the best reaction/response are most likely to not have the need nor motivation to come and find a message board like this one.
Whereas our good folks suffering from our neuarotransmitter disease(s) will be reaching out (we hope!) and will be finding our group of merry (and not so merry) Lex-ers.
We may add to that the likelyhood that those garnering the most positive benefit from taking lex, who do come and find this board and post, are also less likely / motivated to need to make posts.
None of which is so bad. Our squeaky wheels need the grease, which is as it should be. But our overall impression from reading the total of all the our posts from last summer (i did this also and now wonder if this is an indication of compulsion(?)) might be more discouraging than maybe a scientific sampled survey. Or not.
I still feel this is all to the good:
Those who are suffering the worst teach us the most.
And we all benefit whenever one of us can help another ... it helps me immensely whenever i get to feel that i've been able to provide a little "grease".
As for me today = 21 days, and for the 1st time I'm having a bad day. Not really so bad comparatively, I'm just real grumpy and irratable and I could cry, but it seems odd to me given i've been on lex.For you, I ask, What can you tell us about these "natural hormone" treatments you write of?
peace,
~ jim
Posted by blkvettes on March 25, 2003, at 10:11:00
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by jawsdogj on March 25, 2003, at 8:39:55
> i have been sick since weaning off zoloft 3 weeks ago,can any one help
Hi there, I got real sick from zoloft and coming off it was a nightmare. Severe sweating, sick to my stomach, brain zaps, balance problems which I still fight time to time muscle spasms everywhere and more that I cant remember I am sure. This all lasted about a month!!!!!!! Can you write back and state whats going on. TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!
Posted by Lorraine Baker on March 25, 2003, at 12:07:51
In reply to Re: SICK FROM ZOLOFT, posted by blkvettes on March 25, 2003, at 10:11:00
I have been on Zoloft for about a year. Worked pretty good, but I still had some problems. My MD put me on Lexapro, Lamictal and Zoloft. I was flying high for sure. He told me to stay on the Zoloft. When I went to reup the prescription the pharmacist said I should not be taking the Zolfot with the Lexapro. I called my MD and he said I should start weaning down on the Zoloft. I was taking 100mg a day now I am taking 50mgs each day. I am walking around in circles wondering what I should do with myself. I am very restless. I hope this will go away. I did notice a big change when I started the Lexapro. Things looked much brighter, but I became very manic. I am hoping once I am off the Zoloft completely, things will be more manageable.
Posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 13:26:01
In reply to Re: SICK FROM ZOLOFT, posted by Lorraine Baker on March 25, 2003, at 12:07:51
Hi, May I ask:
so now, at the moment, you are weaning off of Zoloft, you are on Lamictal and Lexapro?
Just wondering?
Thanks and please hang in there:-)
Kristen
> I have been on Zoloft for about a year. Worked pretty good, but I still had some problems. My MD put me on Lexapro, Lamictal and Zoloft. I was flying high for sure. He told me to stay on the Zoloft. When I went to reup the prescription the pharmacist said I should not be taking the Zolfot with the Lexapro. I called my MD and he said I should start weaning down on the Zoloft. I was taking 100mg a day now I am taking 50mgs each day. I am walking around in circles wondering what I should do with myself. I am very restless. I hope this will go away. I did notice a big change when I started the Lexapro. Things looked much brighter, but I became very manic. I am hoping once I am off the Zoloft completely, things will be more manageable.
Posted by Lorraine Baker on March 25, 2003, at 17:47:07
In reply to Re: SICK FROM ZOLOFT » Lorraine Baker, posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 13:26:01
I am taking Lexapro 10mg each day plus Lamictal 25mg am and 50mg pm. I am also taking 50mg of Zoloft each day. Three medications each day
Posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:24:15
In reply to yes, Wellbutrin users please share (nm), posted by Krissy P on March 24, 2003, at 22:54:38
I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
Posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:34:58
In reply to Re: SICK FROM ZOLOFT, posted by Lorraine Baker on March 25, 2003, at 17:47:07
I was on zoloft 100mgs for six months. Thought I could just quit and couldnt. The brain zaps drove me crazy!! I did wean off without much trouble. I started by taking 3/4 of the 100mg pill for 2 weeks. I would cut a quarter off. Then I went down to half a pill for 2-3 weeks. then I only took a quarter of the pill for a few weeks and then quit. I have to admit though, I have been on lexapro 10mg and sometimes I take another half to make it 15mgs, but I felt better on the zoloft. I have been on lexapro for over two months and I am not getting the results I did from zoloft. I am not panicked and depressed now, but I cant get my butt out of bed. If I do get up and try to stay up I just sit until I get tired and back to bed I go. I have tried the caffeine, I drink 10 cans of pepsi a day. After 4 months on zoloft though, I got awful night sweats. I am thinking of going back to it though. Your situation and results may be different.
Posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 21:39:26
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:24:15
Are you still on the Wellbutrin now??
> I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
>
Posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:51:48
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share » Donia, posted by Krissy P on March 25, 2003, at 21:39:26
No I quit taking after three days.
Posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 0:39:25
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by Donia on March 25, 2003, at 21:24:15
I never really felt any side effects on Wellbutrin. Eventually I thought I felt "better" but nothing as far as feeling an immediate (or initial) psychotropic effect. In fact, I've never felt that way with any of the anti-depressants I've tried (Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin). It's just amazing to me how these medications produce such profoundly
different effects, depending on the individual.I started Lexapro today and about an hour after taking it (took it at the same time as the Adderall, first thing in the a.m.) I felt really strange - which I really didn't expect considering my experiences with the other ADs. It did pass after about 40 minutes.
As far as feeling "high" - my father (elderly) ended up having MAJOR hallucinations on Effexor and had to go off of it. In fact, these hallucinations - for him - were SO real that he couldn't understand why my mother wasn't seeing them, too!
Amazing critters, these chemicals in our brains. Throw the wrong lighter fluid on them and watch out!
> I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
>
Posted by Krissy P on March 26, 2003, at 0:49:04
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 0:39:25
Oh my,
it is amazing how these meds produce such profound effects for each and every one of us!
What sort of strange feeling do you mean when you felt that today after taking Lexapro? It was your first dose right?
YES! Amazing critters, these chemicals in our brains. Throw the wrong lighter fluid on them and watch out!
Please wish me luck with my pdoc appt on Friday, I am, feeling a little better about believing my pdoc will be able to help me. I have never been on either Wellbutrin or Lexapro, and have been doing some research-I may give them,or at least 1, a try.
Kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> I never really felt any side effects on Wellbutrin. Eventually I thought I felt "better" but nothing as far as feeling an immediate (or initial) psychotropic effect. In fact, I've never felt that way with any of the anti-depressants I've tried (Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin). It's just amazing to me how these medications produce such profoundly
> different effects, depending on the individual.
>
> I started Lexapro today and about an hour after taking it (took it at the same time as the Adderall, first thing in the a.m.) I felt really strange - which I really didn't expect considering my experiences with the other ADs. It did pass after about 40 minutes.
>
> As far as feeling "high" - my father (elderly) ended up having MAJOR hallucinations on Effexor and had to go off of it. In fact, these hallucinations - for him - were SO real that he couldn't understand why my mother wasn't seeing them, too!
>
> Amazing critters, these chemicals in our brains. Throw the wrong lighter fluid on them and watch out!
>
> > I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
> >
>
>
Posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 1:30:34
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share » leeran, posted by Krissy P on March 26, 2003, at 0:49:04
To preface my description of "strange" I need to add that I hadn't eaten anything for breakfast and had 20 mg. of Adderall, 10 mg. of Lexapro, and an oily little hormone capsule sitting on an empty stomach.
The "strange" feeling was a combination of feeling a little bit dizzy, a tad bit nauseous, and on the edge of having what I call a "panic attack" (something I haven't had for months). On top of it all, I felt like I needed to burp (sorry to be graphic - but in order to "define the moment" I need to present all the factors as they were working together during that 30 - 40 minute time period).
I have experienced(and read similar stories on the internet as well) that when I have upper-intestinal gas it can, in some circumstances, trigger a "panic attack."
So, while all these things were going on I also felt this almost "out of myself" feeling (I know, all this is weird and I kept asking myself if I had cooked this up, psychosomatically, based on reading all the experiences here last night). BUT, I don't think that was the case.
I really think that it might be bit too much on the system, taking the Lexapro AT THE SAME TIME with the Adderall (which is like taking a morning dose of high-powered jet fuel) AND putting it all on an empty stomach.
I was out and about when this happened (too long of a boring story to tell where I was - but I go there often and I have, more than once, had this edgy feeling at this same place first thing in the morning - but this morning it may have been amplified more than usual).
Fortunately, this "weirdness" passed and I started to feel like my old REGULAR weird self (LOL, pitiful!).
Most importantly, this 40 minute "episode" (which was more of a feeling versus an episode - the word "episode" is giving it too much credence) wasn't enough for me to not think about taking it again tomorrow!
I might just put more time between the Adderall dose and the Lexapro dose - and force myself to eat a protein bar.
SO, best wishes with your pdoc (I take it that's psychiatrist "doc?") on Friday!
I have found that my general practitioner is kind of loosey goosey about these meds and I have needed to take the lead on researching, then asking, to try something.
But with the "PDOC" it's been a case of me describing how I feel (or don't feel) and he immediately pulls out his trusty pad and starts writing a prescription - explaining why he wants to try whatever he's suggesting.
I guess that's why there are specialists in this type of medicine!
Again, good luck on Friday. In my opinion, just going is 1/3 of the journey. And with doing the research you've done another 1/3 of the journey!
If you've seen that movie "What About Bob" you'll know what I mean when I say "baby steps."
> Oh my,
> it is amazing how these meds produce such profound effects for each and every one of us!
> What sort of strange feeling do you mean when you felt that today after taking Lexapro? It was your first dose right?
> YES! Amazing critters, these chemicals in our brains. Throw the wrong lighter fluid on them and watch out!
> Please wish me luck with my pdoc appt on Friday, I am, feeling a little better about believing my pdoc will be able to help me. I have never been on either Wellbutrin or Lexapro, and have been doing some research-I may give them,or at least 1, a try.
> Kristen
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> > I never really felt any side effects on Wellbutrin. Eventually I thought I felt "better" but nothing as far as feeling an immediate (or initial) psychotropic effect. In fact, I've never felt that way with any of the anti-depressants I've tried (Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin). It's just amazing to me how these medications produce such profoundly
> > different effects, depending on the individual.
> >
> > I started Lexapro today and about an hour after taking it (took it at the same time as the Adderall, first thing in the a.m.) I felt really strange - which I really didn't expect considering my experiences with the other ADs. It did pass after about 40 minutes.
> >
> > As far as feeling "high" - my father (elderly) ended up having MAJOR hallucinations on Effexor and had to go off of it. In fact, these hallucinations - for him - were SO real that he couldn't understand why my mother wasn't seeing them, too!
> >
> > Amazing critters, these chemicals in our brains. Throw the wrong lighter fluid on them and watch out!
> >
> > > I took wellbutrin for three days. Felt like I was high as in actually smoking dope high so I quit. The dose may have been wrong I dont know, other than that I didnt notice any other side effects but three days is a little soon to tell.
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Krissy P on March 26, 2003, at 1:36:29
In reply to Re: yes, Wellbutrin users please share, posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 1:30:34
Posted by ayuda on March 26, 2003, at 8:38:47
In reply to psychoanalysis, posted by annlanka on March 25, 2003, at 8:17:18
> hey guys-
> I have two questions. First, re the posts about wellbutrin. What is wellbutrin mainly used to treat? is it a more of a stimulating anti-depressant or relaxing anti-depressant? is it an ssri? i dont know anything about it and was curious. Also, tomorrow i am supposed to see a psychoanalysist. I am unfamiliar with this practice besides the freudian techniques and lying on a couch. But is this what psychoanalysis is even like? has anyone gone to a psychoanalysist? if so was it helpful? Did they get you on the right meds?
>
> Thanks!
> anneMy psychoanalyst is not the pdoc who prescribes my meds, I have a separate doctor for that (a psychiatrist). I've been in and out of psychoanalysis since I was a teenager, so I am used to the methods. You just sit and talk about what's up with you. They usually want to know your background, because they are looking for tie-ins to your current problems. Even though mine does not do my meds, she does keep a close eye on whether or not my meds are working for me, and she gives reports to my doctor, and vice-versa.
I don't know specifically why you are seeing a psychoanalyst, so I will tell you from my experience in needing them because I not only suffer naturally from depression and GAD, I was raised in an abusive household by immature parents, and that has tainted the way I react to authority and life in general.
The good ones really try to get to know you, to know how you feel inside -- the ones who aren't so good want you to change, to be more like a person with no personality (at least, that's been my experience -- they want you to be some kind of generic person). What I am implying, but should say, is that they do give you advice of different kinds of behaviors or ways of thinking that they want you to practice, that should be healthier than whatever they perceive to be the reasons you are in psychotherapy. A good doctor will work within the parameters of your personality, to make you a better you.
It may take some time to find someone you are comfortable with -- if you are not comfortable with your psychoanalyst, there are plenty of them out there, don't feel like you are stuck. You need to trust your intuition on it -- a lot of people tend to think that the doctor is right even when it doesn't feel right, and that's not good. Not every psychoanalyst is going to work well with you, just because they are human too.
Good luck -- just remember that their job is to help you sort through all that is going on and has gone on and make sense of your issues, so that you can see more clearly who you are and what you need to do. It takes some time, and they sometimes bring out a lot of raw emotion (most of them keep tissues on hand!), but a good psychoanalyst won't leave you feeling abandoned or vulnerable, they will make you feel empowered and befriended.
I hope that some of this makes sense -- and that any of it helps you. Just remember that you are the consumer, and they are providing you with a service, and that this is supposed to make you feel better.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Posted by annlanka on March 26, 2003, at 10:04:03
In reply to Re: psychoanalysis » annlanka, posted by ayuda on March 26, 2003, at 8:38:47
thanks so much ayuda! That was really helpful. My appt is today at 2 so i will elt you know how it goes. Right now my situation is i dropped out of school for a quarter after being on lexapro for 5 months and i still cant cope. I think i want to change medication so i got a reference from my pyschiatrist at school for one at home but then i found out this woman is a psychoanalyst. So i basically feel this is not going to help me if she does not prescribe meds- but i guess it cnat hurt. I am just frustrated and tired of waiting stuff out, you know?
anne
Posted by oldhand on March 26, 2003, at 10:14:25
In reply to Re: psychoanalysis » annlanka, posted by ayuda on March 26, 2003, at 8:38:47
> > hey guys-
> > I have two questions. First, re the posts about wellbutrin. What is wellbutrin mainly used to treat? is it a more of a stimulating anti-depressant or relaxing anti-depressant? is it an ssri? i dont know anything about it and was curious. Also, tomorrow i am supposed to see a psychoanalysist. I am unfamiliar with this practice besides the freudian techniques and lying on a couch. But is this what psychoanalysis is even like? has anyone gone to a psychoanalysist? if so was it helpful? Did they get you on the right meds?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > anne
>
> My psychoanalyst is not the pdoc who prescribes my meds, I have a separate doctor for that (a psychiatrist). I've been in and out of psychoanalysis since I was a teenager, so I am used to the methods. You just sit and talk about what's up with you. They usually want to know your background, because they are looking for tie-ins to your current problems. Even though mine does not do my meds, she does keep a close eye on whether or not my meds are working for me, and she gives reports to my doctor, and vice-versa.
>
> I don't know specifically why you are seeing a psychoanalyst, so I will tell you from my experience in needing them because I not only suffer naturally from depression and GAD, I was raised in an abusive household by immature parents, and that has tainted the way I react to authority and life in general.
>
> The good ones really try to get to know you, to know how you feel inside -- the ones who aren't so good want you to change, to be more like a person with no personality (at least, that's been my experience -- they want you to be some kind of generic person). What I am implying, but should say, is that they do give you advice of different kinds of behaviors or ways of thinking that they want you to practice, that should be healthier than whatever they perceive to be the reasons you are in psychotherapy. A good doctor will work within the parameters of your personality, to make you a better you.
>
> It may take some time to find someone you are comfortable with -- if you are not comfortable with your psychoanalyst, there are plenty of them out there, don't feel like you are stuck. You need to trust your intuition on it -- a lot of people tend to think that the doctor is right even when it doesn't feel right, and that's not good. Not every psychoanalyst is going to work well with you, just because they are human too.
>
> Good luck -- just remember that their job is to help you sort through all that is going on and has gone on and make sense of your issues, so that you can see more clearly who you are and what you need to do. It takes some time, and they sometimes bring out a lot of raw emotion (most of them keep tissues on hand!), but a good psychoanalyst won't leave you feeling abandoned or vulnerable, they will make you feel empowered and befriended.
>
> I hope that some of this makes sense -- and that any of it helps you. Just remember that you are the consumer, and they are providing you with a service, and that this is supposed to make you feel better.
>
> Good luck! Let us know how it goes.Nicely put, Ayuda, about feeling befriended and empowered not abandoned and vulnerable. I spent some time in psychotherapy (not analysis) and the therapist did exactly what you described. I left her feeling energized and with ideas and insights to put to work to feel better. Did use alot of Kleenex, too. I will be starting with a new therapist next week after being away from therapy for awhile. I have my doubts about her already since my sister has worked with her professionally. But I am going to keep your words in mind as I enter into this new journey. Thank you so much for your eloquence.
And to Annlanka, I used Wellbutrin for awhile and felt great, almost was able to quit smoking too, but spent most of the day in the bathroom :) Since it gets boring in there I had to switch meds....grin. Best of luck and health to us all.
Posted by blkvettes on March 26, 2003, at 10:48:30
In reply to Re: psychoanalysis, posted by annlanka on March 26, 2003, at 10:04:03
Hi, I am being treated for panic, anxiety and depression. It started about 6 months agao. I have been on zoloft and paxil with bad side effects. Before starting the lex, I could not be alone, leave the house, could not drive, had tremors, I was shaking, had trouble walking, wake up sweating, my stomach was a wreck, i lost 20 lbs. I cried everyday, I was suicidal etc. etc.etc. I am slowly getting back to my old self. The last 10 days I have had one crying spell and felt somewhat happy the rest of the time. The sweating has stopped, I stay home alone, I can drive, I can go into small stores, no more shaking and tremors but my teeth still chatter just a little bit. I am still a little wobbly which frustrates me. I have gained 10 lbs. and want only to gain another 5. My stomach does not hurt like it used to. But I do get like air in my stomach and it causes a lump in my throat which my panic side wants me to think I am having a heart attack. I take 7.5mg of lex and about .5mg xanax each day. I was up to 10mg of lex but was like a zombie. 7.5 made me tired but this has gone away. So I still have room to move up 10mg if need be. I guess I have come a long way but still have a way to go to be my old self again. EVERYONE TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!!
Posted by pumpkin on March 26, 2003, at 13:53:20
In reply to Tomorrow = Day 1, Lexapro, posted by leeran on March 25, 2003, at 1:40:23
Leeran
Read your post about natural hormones. Sounded
like me when I went off all anti-depressants.
I would read a book and cry! I couldn't figure
this out, so I started Lex. I've had people
tell me about perimenopause(they think I'm
starting), but the blood tests tell differently.
I wonder if your hormones could be messed up
while taking anti-depressant meds? I would love
to get an "accurate" count. What do you mean
by "natural" hormones? Better safe, than sorry!Meanwhile, guys, my doctor changed my Lex to mornings. What a "trip" I've gone on! My emotions are going everywhere! This is day
16 for me, and I'm hanging in there. Depression
is still bad, have some problems with anxiety,
and I'm tired. My appetite is bad, but my
motabilism is slow, so I haven't lost much weight.
I would like to get rid of these headaches too!After struggling for over two years with this-
I'm starting to think that something else is up!Thanks for the posts- they are an encouragement
to me!
Posted by skyeXX on March 26, 2003, at 13:54:47
In reply to Anyone switched to Lexapro? « ggrrl, posted by Dr. Bob on June 11, 2002, at 7:52:48
Ive been on lexapro about two months. Im not depressed anymore but having the horrible sexual side effect=NO INTEREST anymore, IM only on 10 mg is there anything else to take
Posted by ayuda on March 26, 2003, at 14:08:01
In reply to Hormones, posted by pumpkin on March 26, 2003, at 13:53:20
> Leeran
> Read your post about natural hormones. Sounded
> like me when I went off all anti-depressants.
> I would read a book and cry! I couldn't figure
> this out, so I started Lex. I've had people
> tell me about perimenopause(they think I'm
> starting), but the blood tests tell differently.
> I wonder if your hormones could be messed up
> while taking anti-depressant meds? I would love
> to get an "accurate" count. What do you mean
> by "natural" hormones? Better safe, than sorry!
>
> Meanwhile, guys, my doctor changed my Lex to mornings. What a "trip" I've gone on! My emotions are going everywhere! This is day
> 16 for me, and I'm hanging in there. Depression
> is still bad, have some problems with anxiety,
> and I'm tired. My appetite is bad, but my
> motabilism is slow, so I haven't lost much weight.
> I would like to get rid of these headaches too!
>
> After struggling for over two years with this-
> I'm starting to think that something else is up!
>
> Thanks for the posts- they are an encouragement
> to me!
>
>You know, my gyn poo-poo'ed the idea that I am going through perimenopause (I'm 38), also, but my observations are that there are just too many women in their late-30s and 40s having "depression" problems these days for it to just be a coincidence. My natural tendency towards depression was not this uncontrollable until I was 35, and my mom went through something similar. Even though I am not a medical doctor and don't have proof, I really think that many of us are experiencing hormonal changes that may precede perimenopause. I think that the female hormonal system (and male system, too perhaps) goes through more intricate changes than just perimenopause and menopause.
Posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 14:38:06
In reply to Hormones, posted by pumpkin on March 26, 2003, at 13:53:20
Hi there,
I meant to reply to "jim" or "jimi?" about this yesterday.
I take natural hormones that were supposedly formulated based on the hormone levels detected during a blood test my gynecologist took last spring.
They are prepared at the Beverly Hills Compounding Pharmacy and luckily, they ship them out at no additional charge because I'm about 15 miles from there and with heavy traffic it makes it seem like 115 miles.
The "formula" is a combination of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone - which I think makes me feel a little more like my "aggressive type A 'old self'" As you probably know, women produce testosterone (low levels) and as we age those levels taper off (similarly to the other important hormones).
Apparently there is a fairly accurate blood test for determining hormone levels and perimenopause. One doctor took the test and wanted me to go on synthetic hormones (a suggestion I ignored for a year), then this other gynecologist (who happened to also be doing my liposuction) took a blood test and found the same thing (low levels of all the 'mones or 'moans' as I like to call them).
During perimenopause - and even before - our hormone levels can shift wildly, causing all kinds of mood swings, depressed feelings, etc. I've read that pinning these levels down is more difficult because there can be many factors that contribute to what the levels are from day to day. In my case, my hormones were definitely low - i.e. menstruation tapering off almost completely - and the blood tests just confirmed the obvious.
Regarding my own hormones being messed up while on anti-depressants: early menopause runs in my family (my mother, a heavy-duty smoker) was finished with menopause by age 37. I didn't start any anti-depressants until my later thirties (I'm 44 now) and even then, I could sense a shift in my so-called "cycles."
You mentioned headaches. Do you think that's related to the Lexapro? I've read on this board that many people have experienced headaches with this medication. Of course, fluctuating hormones can play a part in this as well.
I've scoured the internet for articles about A.D.D. and menopause and I've found a few (not many). My own psychiatrist thinks that A.D.D. can mask itself as depression because the disorganization can affect our self-esteem and make us feel even worse about ourselves. I took an "online test" for A.D.D. and my husband answered the questions as well (the website encouraged having a close family member take the test with the individual in question in mind). I had never really thought that I might have A.D.D. until recently, when my 15 year old son went back on Adderall and I saw what a difference it made in him. I joke w/ my husband that I'm sure I "caught" it from N. (son) and ex-husband (father of N.). Of course, we know it's not an airborne "disease!"
I think I may have had slight tendencies toward it growing up, yet I maintained good grades and did well in my career.
My strong feeling is that the decrease in hormone levels (along with a lot of stress for a few years in my thirties, stress that also weakens the adrenal glands) is what contributed to what I now see as a full-blown case of A.D.D.
My metabolism was so bottomed out that I would want to sleep for hours on end (this was different than a "depressed" sleep - it was actual exhaustion). That did pass - even before I started on the Adderall - but since age 35 I gained FORTY pounds! Luckily, I've taken off twenty of that in the last two years but it hasn't been easy and I literally had to have liposuction to help redistribute the disgusting middle section I had acquired.
SO - for me, that's been the menopause journey so far.
With Adderall I truly feel more like I did in my twenties and thirties. More focused, more energy, less liable to space out totally (but I still DO space out, and many a times I wonder why I'm so cold when I realize I've been standing there with the refrigerator door open trying to figure out what the h*ll I was looking for).
Basically, I think these pyschotropic drugs are great for trying to reconstruct what "normal" is - or should be - for each individual. But I liken them to plastic surgery. You can tweak and pull and add but you're still not going to create absolute perfection. In my opinion, it's an artificial means to obtain a liveable/livable end.
Hope this doesn't violate any rules -
I'm going to copy and paste a brief paragraph about estrogen and A.D.D.
In females with ADD there are significant hormonal influences. ADD symptoms seem to be worse at times of significant hormonal fluctuations, such as the week before menses, after having a baby, during perimenopause and after menopause. Current brain imaging work demonstrates that low levels of estrogen correlate with decreased brain activity, causing women to feel more tired and have greater problems concentration. So a woman with mild ADD symptoms may have major problems during low estrogen states.
> Leeran
> Read your post about natural hormones. Sounded
> like me when I went off all anti-depressants.
> I would read a book and cry! I couldn't figure
> this out, so I started Lex. I've had people
> tell me about perimenopause(they think I'm
> starting), but the blood tests tell differently.
> I wonder if your hormones could be messed up
> while taking anti-depressant meds? I would love
> to get an "accurate" count. What do you mean
> by "natural" hormones? Better safe, than sorry!
>
> Meanwhile, guys, my doctor changed my Lex to mornings. What a "trip" I've gone on! My emotions are going everywhere! This is day
> 16 for me, and I'm hanging in there. Depression
> is still bad, have some problems with anxiety,
> and I'm tired. My appetite is bad, but my
> motabilism is slow, so I haven't lost much weight.
> I would like to get rid of these headaches too!
>
> After struggling for over two years with this-
> I'm starting to think that something else is up!
>
> Thanks for the posts- they are an encouragement
> to me!
>
>
Posted by annlanka on March 26, 2003, at 15:35:15
In reply to is there anything else, posted by skyeXX on March 26, 2003, at 13:54:47
> Ive been on lexapro about two months. Im not depressed anymore but having the horrible sexual side effect=NO INTEREST anymore, IM only on 10 mg is there anything else to take
hi skyeXX-
i feel your pain. I have been on lexapro for 5 months and am still totally asexual! it sucks- howver, my roomate and i discovered that if you take your medication in the morning the day before you are going to be sexually active and then the day you have sex, wait till after the deed is done to take the medicine. I dont know how concerned you are with taking your medicine at specific times everyday- but i found i could do this like once a month and have no ill effects from mistiming of taking my medicine. But you should probably ask your doc first about that one. It at least allowed me the big O a couple of times! (sorry for the graphics guys)annlanka
Posted by annlanka on March 26, 2003, at 15:38:46
In reply to Re: Hormones, posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 14:38:06
hi-
was wondering if anyone has taken or is currently on effexor- i just got samples today and am supposed to lower my lexapro and add the effexor. could anyone tell me their experience with effexor?
thanks
annlanka
Posted by blkvettes on March 26, 2003, at 15:52:26
In reply to effexor, posted by annlanka on March 26, 2003, at 15:38:46
> hi-
> was wondering if anyone has taken or is currently on effexor- i just got samples today and am supposed to lower my lexapro and add the effexor. could anyone tell me their experience with effexor?
> thanks
> annlanka
Posted by lil' jimi on March 26, 2003, at 15:59:10
In reply to Re: Hormones, posted by leeran on March 26, 2003, at 14:38:06
> I meant to reply to "jim" or "jimi?" about this yesterday.
>hi leeran,
you can call anything you please, just don't call me late for supper! <heh, heh>
great post there ... way informative ... Thanks for the good info!
got me to thinking ... i have heard tell this about the fat gut syndrome on guys ... that we tend to establish entrenched eating habits as youngsters when our metabolisms can burn off anything we eat and then as we age our testostorone levels fall off and our metabolisms slow down, but we don't change our eating habits, so ... by (or before) 35 here comes the big gut on (sometimes) otherwise thin frames.
my theory is y'all gals also have your testostorone levels fall off by about 35 in a parallel to what happens to us... along with all that other stuff .... maybe?
just a thought anyway.
peace,
~ jimp.s. my grandma always called me "little jimmy"... "jim" was already taken when i registered for Psycho-Babble.
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