Hello to all

I started Cymbalta the first week of July 08 (Jan 08 I had the awful anxiety/tremors/sadness/brain fog/palps etc etc etc)..March 08 I rec'd a ph call from my daughter who was suppose to marry July 08 but found her SF had cheated on her...etc, I spent 10 wks with my daughter watching her not eat sleep or live which in turned gave me depression....the cymbalta lifted my depression but killed me....................I could not function, couldn't get off the sofa/could not eat (I was 152 now I am 126lbs) I couln't sleep but I couldn't do anything else either...I told my Doc I may as well been dead but I was useless...I didn't care about anything (house cleaning/bathing/socializing etc)..so finally I went to my Doc on Friday! I told him how I felt since starting the Cymbalta ( again, it lifted my depression almost immediately...but made me feel like a zombie otherwise)...so, I tell him how tired/dragged I feel yet I wasn't sleeping. He said "STOP TAKING IT", I think you are on the lower end of BI-Polar bec you aren't sleeping and you are animated and I want you to see a pro (Phychiatrist).
I haven't taken it since last Wed night and have been sleeping like a baby ever since...and eating like a horse (YEEHAW) )~~
This morning I rec'd a call from his nurse with my blood work results with the nurse saying Dr. says you are "well into menopause" and he wants to prescribe you Prempro..and to make sure you see a phychiatrist!! (I see him Oct 14)
I than asked if I could have a copy of my blood results---please, someone tell me what it all means?

THANK YOU..TO ALL!!
Helen

Results:
Estradiol 15 (postmenopausal females 0-37)

FSH 66.6

TSH 0.82


Guess it's time I read some more post to catch up on what to expect...thru this hell of a journey! (God grant me the patience..........)

Try reading "How to Stop Your Doctor Killing You" By Coleman.

The person most likely to kill you is not a burglar, a mugger, a deranged relative or a drunken driver. The person most likely to kill you is your doctor. This book explains how to protect yourself from this serious threat to your life and good health.



Glad you're starting to feel better.

((Hugs))

Well your estrogen is very low, you might want to take some estrogen replacement....however I personally would steer clear of Prempro when there are so many bio identical hormones available, not to mention the fact that oral estrogen is much higher risk than transdermal. It is believed that to feel well your estrogen should be at 80 or above, you are at 15.

Your FSH is high, typical for menopause.

I don't know a lot about thyroid, but I think yours is ok (I could be mistaken though on that one).

I have a daughter that is bi-polar, you don't "sound" like you are. Sounds more like Cymbalta was just not the medication for you.

Please don't leave the hrt decision up to your doctor...you must educated yourself. Steer clear of the Prempro-very bad stuff. Anyone who has a past history of low mood or depression should NOT even think about taking a progesin.

A TSH level of .5 to 5.0 is the normal standard lab range but The American Endocrinologist Association has a more narrow range of .3 to 3.0 that it considers normal. From your labs, it looks like you need estrogen and progesterone.

Hello and thanks to all...for your info on my lab results.
I didn't realize my numbers were considered low. Tho, I realize us women are all different, with different symptoms...are my numbers considered I'M ON MY WAY TO FINISHING UP WITH THIS HE** I've been feeling?

Floater--Perhaps you rem me? I am Helen, who went to Slave Lake, AB to spend 10 weeks with my daugher? (I couldn't log into my EVEWASFRAMED acct (but just rec'd update on the prob from Dearest) so perhaps tomorrow I will log in with that nickname again.

You say I don't sound bi polar? I don't feel bi polar either (I have a bro and a sister with BP)

EveningPrimrose- Thanks for the info on the book.

Gevalia- I had a very bad reaction with hormones 3 yrs ago (whilst I was still having regular cycles????????) I don't dare to take that route again!

Maybe I'm not getting this (and yes, I am extremely tired..esp since stopping the Cymbalta) am I hearing (ok seeing/reading )) that I "NEED" Estrogen ...what can/will happen if I don't "refuel"?

Hugs to you all!

Helen

Helen,

You don't mentioned your age? However, by the lab results you are low on estrogen and probably menopausal. Many women at this point do just tough it out and don't use hormones. But, many of us turn to the bioidentical hormones for relief. The hormones will help with things like energy, lifting brain fog, hot flashes, vaginal dryness (sometimes). There should be a list around this site that can be more accurate on what estrogen helps with.

For me, it just seemed to bring an overall relief to my moods, mental outlook and the physical things that felt out of whack.

I would agree with the others that prempro is not the way to go if you decide to try the hormone route. Hope that you feel better soon!

Juliann

Helen,

I do remember you. You were gonna let me know if you went to edmonton so we could have coffee?!! Guess you were busy with your daughter, and that is just fine.

I hope she is recovering from her awful experience. Some guys are just so inconsiderate, better she found out before they were married!!

When you tried hormones before, what did you take???

Some women will manage to do just find without estrogen. I wasn't one of them. I couldn't function without it. I just could NOT. I hope you are not one of us!!

Juliann--I turned 50 of August 08 (All the "changes" have been "noticable" since January 08). The latest have been crippling aches/pains in every bone/joint in my body. Sooo painful!



Floater- Yes, I was hoping to meet you whilst I was in AB (I thought I contacted you but didn't get a reply from you) I travelled to ED many times (I have a sister with 2 married sons/family living there). But yes, my thoughts/life was consumed with the incident regarding my daughter. She is doing much better but certainly not fully recovered as of yet (

The hormones I tried before (as I said, I was still having regular periods and bec of that I can't help but wonder if that would make a difference)--

Testosterone 7.5%
Premarin 0.675
Premarin vaginal cream

Another Gyno prescribed me Estratest..and when I changed Gynos, the newest flipped out saying "Estratest isn't for women WITH thier uterus">

Sure wish I was a doctor

Thanks EVERYONE!

Hugs, Helen

I might add---all these products were prescribed to me all at 1 time!


If I don't feel any worse than since I stopped the Cymbalta--I don't plan to take ANY hormone treatment--will I be so lucky!

Helen,

Hope you are one of the lucky ones that can manage just fine without hrt. However, if you find yourself unable to do without, please don't judge your past trials and tribulations on the Premarin and Estratest that you were prescribed in the past. Premarin is much stronger than the estrogen your own ovaries and adrenals produce. It is equine estrogen made from mares urine. Estratest is methyltestosterone (synthetic) and contains a high ratio of T in relation to the estrogen (synthetic) so it can be hard to tolerate.
Many of us do well on bioidenticals and there is much help to be found on this site, if you should find yourself in need.

Thanks Gevalia!!


When I informed my PCP about the reactions from his previous prescribed Estrogen...he simply said "well, there's nothing else I can prescribe for you...maybe the pychiatrist can help you"...hmmmm

So far (since stopping the Cymbalta) I'm just having a tad bit of anxiety (a tad compared to before starting the Cymbalta)..I'm still sleeping better than I have in 20 yrs. I'll watch any BIG differences and go from there before I decide to take anything else for this he** Menopause is putting me in

Hope you feel better soon!

Hugs-Helen