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!!!

Karlie:

Hang on. What you describe is not all that unusual on these boards. I will write back later but now I have to be going to work. You have a lot on your plate and it sounds like some pretty tough peri symptoms tht you don't have a handle on yet... It doesn't sound like your doc is very understanding or compassionate either which is something we see alot on power-surge as well - i promise to pm you later - for now you are not alone

HUGS Pookish

Karlie,

I'm so sorry you're suffering like this. I suffered terribly as well 2 years ago...woke up one morning with a tension headache, blurry vision,, clogged ear feeling and crying every day for a long time as well. I felt like I was living under a glass bubble literally. Everything was distorted. Saw every dr. in the book....tired medication....Lexapro helped for a little while but I got some of the "rare" side effects after 3 months. It was truly terrifying...you are not alone. I guess I got better with time. You are not alone so please visit here frequently as it helped me so much and still does. Try joining us in the Insta Chat at the bottom of the page/screen..it's great fun and you'll meet lots of loving and supporting women..plus it's fun.

Hugs,
Karen

Karlie,
I really feel for you. It must be rough with little ones around. Mine are older and it's still rough, but they can fend for themselves now. I agree your doctor seems a little insensitive. When I was at my worst, I cried alot but even more my anxiety level was at a record high. I ran from doctors to the er quite a few times thinking they all were missing something. This is a very hard phase to go through and I finally tried bcp's (seasonique). It took a good month or two before I felt any change at all and then the anxiousness did lift, slowly though. THere are still moments when it hits, but not as bad, it may just take some time for it to get in your system or maybe switch to another brand.

Hang in there, it'll get better. Keep on reading here and posting and you will feel better just knowing you are not alone.

joan

Karlie: I had symptoms like yours...and I'm used to being told by almost every medical person I see that I'm "the most severe case" they've ever seen. I hate it when doctors talk to you like that...it makes you feel like you are some kind of weirdo...which you are NOT.


You are doing a LOT...raising kids, working, being a mom, taking care of your home. Is it possible there are other issues that may be bothering you..stuff that's simmering just below the surface? Maybe a couple of sessions with a counselor would help...I'm not implying that there is anything wrong with you beyond normal meno crap...but sometimes a good heart to heart with a sympathetic professional can help...just a suggestion...

I hope you feel better soon...at least there will be more sunshine, which always improves my state of mind!

Karlie,

I had my only daughter at age 40 and 5 days after the birth felt like you do now...and it carried on for several years, and never really let up because around age 46 my periods started getting shorter and I started getting peri symptoms .......my hormones have been so out of whack, I just don't know how I coped until now.....finding PowerSurge has helped me SO MUCH!....I'm really only just feeling like my life is getting a little better, and I'm 48 now.....not that your life will be like mine, because you have found this site much earlier and there are so many tips you can find from fellow sufferers...if only I had found it sooner.

Life will get better.....just keep coming here and you will be lifted by all these lovely girls on here!

Take care,

Caz

Dear Karly


I did that about 18 years ago, I was so scared, i didn't think I could make it.


I'm still here, and you will be too. We are all here to hold and hug you when you need to talk.

I've had panic attacks and depression most of my life too.

It runs in my family. My older sister is on permanent state disability because of terrible mental issues.

WE ARE CHRONIC 'WHAT IF'ERS'

I WORRY ABOUT EVERY THING.


I haven't been able to have a full time job in 18 years, cos i get on this 'what if stress merry-go-round' and I get total
insomnia, then i just collapse and can't function. I feel so bad for my dear hubby, who works soooooo hard so that we can
get by.

The meds do help, but honey you are going to be ok. I PROMISE.

YOU ARE MORE NORMAL THAN YOU KNOW.

XOXOXOXOXO

You can email me if you want

at mcmichael_realtor@hotmail.com


(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
))))))))))))))))))))
Terri

Think positive. You can and will get thru it. I had severe anxiety and depression hit me like ton of bricks a few years ago. After trying meds and settling for HRT, I finally now feel much better. I know I will never "be my ole self" but that's ok. I'm enjoying life. However, I did read a few books on slowing down and living in the NOW. They really helped me see things from a different perspective and to stop worrying about what we can't control. Best of luck to you.

If you decide after several months to try another BCP you may want to ask about Ovcon 35. It has a little more estrogen than most BCPs which may help with the anxiety & panic attacks, and a little less progestin which may help relieve some of the depression and weepiness.

when do u next have labs drawn to see where u r? from stuff i have read about progesterone, estrogen dominance and progesterone deficiency present with almost the same symptoms. for me, when my estrogen level goes to high normal, i am a basket case....need more progesterone and less estrogen.

like others here, i can relate 2 your frustration and weariness ALL TOO WELL! hang in there and know that we are all here in the same boat .... AND WE ARE ALL GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS (those caps are FOR ME TOO!!!!! i need to tell myself that a hundred times a day!)

don't give up....it is a puzzle to be solved one piece at a time and for many of us, it takes time, trial and error.

hang in there! hugs from india!!

I know exactly how you feel! I have 2 little ones too almost 6 and 7. I started peri last October. I noticed I had constant PMS very bad PMS and I had been losing weight for years and then all of a sudden I couldn't and still can't lose another pound. I have been to see a few different doctors. I just went again last week and my gyn suggested that I go off YAZ since it wasn't working and see how it goes just taking over the counter estroven since its helps a little and if its not enough then she will prescribe HRT (no more birth control), I am a little afraid of having my period again (I haven't had it in 6 months because I take the birth control pills back to back) and I noticed the PMS has been worse since I stopped the pill, I didn't think that was possible. I also work part time and am married. I feel like I can't handle anything else either. I hope it gets better for us all.