Hi, it's me again needing some reassurance. I am 41 and have suffered from depression, weepiness, anxiety, panic attacks at night. My periods have been coming closer and closer together and I am really struggling. I had been on Prozac for about 10 years, so my dr is switching me to Cymbalta (I just finished my first week at 30 mg) and I am also in my second month of Yaz and haven't noticed much of a difference. I still have crying episodes where I can't stop cryin for days (over nothing). My old dr pretty much said that she had never seen perimenopause to this extreme. Am I really that out of the ordinary? I'm so scared I won't be able to take care of my 2 adorable kids and keep my part time job as well as being a supportive wife. Will there be something that will bring me some relief? How long should I give the Yaz before switching? I'm just so confused as to if I do switch if I should go the bioidentical route or to another BCP? Help!!!

Hi Karlie,

I don't know what to say about the bcp because i don't take it nor the ad, however I am 41 with life altering symptoms.

I too was told by my Dr. 2 years ago when I started to flash and things really went crazy that I was really young to be experiencing such severe symptoms so I thought I was having a break down. I am now 41 and my levels are all post meno every time they take them in the past 2 years through a different DR., I am still having a period , but they are really irregular. I feel for you because in the last couple of years I have lost my business, became so anxious I am agoraphobic, flip every time my husband has to leave town and much more. I have slowly started to come out of my "shell" again, but it is hard because I am up one day and down the next, I can't or don't plan anything, I won't drive because of dizziness. I was at the DR. last week for retesting and they gave me bhrt (biest) Just got it and isn't something I am overly comfortable with, but my life is miserable right now, I cry alot looking at myself and where I am, all I can do at this point is pray it helps after trying several several other things. Hugs MIkki

Karlie,
I think you need to try a different bcp or preferably BHRT. I think you've tried the YAZ long enough and your symptoms sound pretty severe. If your doctor really resists the BHRT route (some do if you are still having regular periods), I would ask for an oral contraceptive with more estrogen and less progestin. Believe me, you're not the only one with severe peri symptoms!