Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
Full Version: When does this end?
QUOTE (scbev @ Sep 12 2009, 07:16 PM) 
Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
Hi Honey
I really feel for you.These times are very depleting and yes the continuous sense of unhappiness that overcomes is hard to deal with.As if there is no end in sight.
Am going to be very honest with you.Till now ,and this is almost twenty years after full Menopause,I do experience some really awful times.It is like my mind gets all jittery and that state of What the Hell are we here for?plays mind games with me.
I know that anti-depressents do not work for all but sometimes the Zombie like feeling you describe comes from being given too high a dose.Starting at 5mgs is ok and very slowly you monitor yourself for any positive reactions.This can take up to three months.After that you can work up to mgs and do well on that.My daughter is very Med sensitive like you so this is how she has done it.
Also joining a support group is a good idea.Am sure your Therapist could suggest one.
You are not alone although I know it feels that way.
The body,mind and spirit get off balance but you have seen some improvement over the year so build on that.Do not be hard on yourself.Spend time with one or two positive minded people and I think that working a couple of days a week is great.Slowly you might be able to increase the days but there is no hurry
I think the BHRT is a good thing for you,sweetie and sometimes one has to be patient to reap full benefits.
We are all with you and praying that better times are ahead.
Am sure there many ladies who have managed without Meds. but why even think about this.We all have individual physiologies and responses.
Am convinced that you will come out of this 'black hole'
There is no perfection but believe me it does get better and one day you will wake up and wonder where the pain has gone.
Please keep us Posted
Vent as much as you want.
We are all listening and caring.
Big hugs,my love
Elizabeth
[quote name='scbev' date='Sep 12 2009, 10:16 AM' post='309062']
Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
[/quot
How much time did you give the AD's before ditching them? I was extremely TERRIFIED for YEARS to try any type of med, but I was not functioning and I finally decided to give them a try. I had a horrible 6 weeks or so getting adjusted to them, but now, I would not give them up for anything! They have literally saved my life!
This is definitely no way to live. It is not living, it is merely existing and the stress alone will kill ya!
I hope you find your answer very soon. It is not easy, believe me, I know!!
bev
Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
[/quot
How much time did you give the AD's before ditching them? I was extremely TERRIFIED for YEARS to try any type of med, but I was not functioning and I finally decided to give them a try. I had a horrible 6 weeks or so getting adjusted to them, but now, I would not give them up for anything! They have literally saved my life!
This is definitely no way to live. It is not living, it is merely existing and the stress alone will kill ya!
I hope you find your answer very soon. It is not easy, believe me, I know!!
bev
Hey shugg,
I am so sorry you are having such a hard time with all this mess. I am a nursing student due to graduate in 3 months and during my rotation in mental health the Psychiatrist on the unit said that all depression eventually retreats, the problem with that is the length of time it may take , he said it can be weeks to 2 years depending on the person, environment and biological make up. I had a terrible time with it last spring and it lasted for 4 months, I started exercising and taking omega fish oils and flax seed, 1000mg of each a day.The exercise helped TREMENDOUSLY with both the depression and the anxiety.I am not a candidate for AD's, they made me terribly suicidal, which I was not while I was depressed, I just fealt utter despair, like it was never going to get any better no matter what.It was the worst feeling ever, but I swear that exercise got me out of that dark place.I started off slow just walking, than I added weights and jogging, cut out all caffeine and sugar and I fealt so much better in a relatively quick time, about 2 weeks.
I hope this will help you,
p.s. sometimes in certain individuals benzo's can cause depression or exaggerate it. Also the thing with AD's in general is that they are to be used for a short time, 3 months- a year is the ideal treatment.They were intended to help ease and improve the symptoms while the patient worked on what was causing the depression in the first place by means of psychotherapy, cognitive behavior and counseling.ALOT of psych's and GP have streared away from this method,Which is a shame.I learned in my mental health class and in my rotation at the Psych ward that all forms of Clinical depression, GAD, OCD is best treated with an AD and Counseling with a good psycholigist. There has not been any study done on AD's for longer than a 3 month period, so they are very unsure as to wether staying on a AD long term will cause more problems than what it's worth.
Scary I know...
A GP or gyno should NEVER prescribe a AD or and any Psychotropic med, but that is just my personal belief, it's like a Psychiatrist writing you a script for Blood pressure meds...lol
Many of the GP's dole out the AD's specifically based on what the Med representatives tell them, and we all know that Pharmicitical companies are far from honest and have one thing in mind....$$$$$$
So maybe you should try a Psychiatrist if your interested in trying an AD again, they know these meds far better and might be able to find one more suitable for you.
I have a friend who was going threw a really tough time and her Family doc put her on Lexapro 10mg daily and it made all symptoms 100x worse, she than went to a psychiatrist who kept her on lexapro but changed her dosage to just 5mg( half a pill) every other day, and it is the perfect combination for her, she feels like a new woman.She has been at that dose for 2 years and has not needed to ti-trait up.So maybe you need a good psych that knows his meds.
Dont give up hope sweetie !!! We are here for you and so is Jesus.
sending you big hugs
I am so sorry you are having such a hard time with all this mess. I am a nursing student due to graduate in 3 months and during my rotation in mental health the Psychiatrist on the unit said that all depression eventually retreats, the problem with that is the length of time it may take , he said it can be weeks to 2 years depending on the person, environment and biological make up. I had a terrible time with it last spring and it lasted for 4 months, I started exercising and taking omega fish oils and flax seed, 1000mg of each a day.The exercise helped TREMENDOUSLY with both the depression and the anxiety.I am not a candidate for AD's, they made me terribly suicidal, which I was not while I was depressed, I just fealt utter despair, like it was never going to get any better no matter what.It was the worst feeling ever, but I swear that exercise got me out of that dark place.I started off slow just walking, than I added weights and jogging, cut out all caffeine and sugar and I fealt so much better in a relatively quick time, about 2 weeks.
I hope this will help you,
p.s. sometimes in certain individuals benzo's can cause depression or exaggerate it. Also the thing with AD's in general is that they are to be used for a short time, 3 months- a year is the ideal treatment.They were intended to help ease and improve the symptoms while the patient worked on what was causing the depression in the first place by means of psychotherapy, cognitive behavior and counseling.ALOT of psych's and GP have streared away from this method,Which is a shame.I learned in my mental health class and in my rotation at the Psych ward that all forms of Clinical depression, GAD, OCD is best treated with an AD and Counseling with a good psycholigist. There has not been any study done on AD's for longer than a 3 month period, so they are very unsure as to wether staying on a AD long term will cause more problems than what it's worth.
Scary I know...
A GP or gyno should NEVER prescribe a AD or and any Psychotropic med, but that is just my personal belief, it's like a Psychiatrist writing you a script for Blood pressure meds...lol
Many of the GP's dole out the AD's specifically based on what the Med representatives tell them, and we all know that Pharmicitical companies are far from honest and have one thing in mind....$$$$$$
So maybe you should try a Psychiatrist if your interested in trying an AD again, they know these meds far better and might be able to find one more suitable for you.
I have a friend who was going threw a really tough time and her Family doc put her on Lexapro 10mg daily and it made all symptoms 100x worse, she than went to a psychiatrist who kept her on lexapro but changed her dosage to just 5mg( half a pill) every other day, and it is the perfect combination for her, she feels like a new woman.She has been at that dose for 2 years and has not needed to ti-trait up.So maybe you need a good psych that knows his meds.
Dont give up hope sweetie !!! We are here for you and so is Jesus.
sending you big hugs
QUOTE (joyceveronica @ Sep 12 2009, 08:58 AM)
Hi Honey
I really feel for you.These times are very depleting and yes the continuous sense of unhappiness that overcomes is hard to deal with.As if there is no end in sight.
Am going to be very honest with you.Till now ,and this is almost twenty years after full Menopause,I do experience some really awful times.It is like my mind gets all jittery and that state of What the Hell are we here for?plays mind games with me.
I know that anti-depressents do not work for all but sometimes the Zombie like feeling you describe comes from being given too high a dose.Starting at 5mgs is ok and very slowly you monitor yourself for any positive reactions.This can take up to three months.After that you can work up to mgs and do well on that.My daughter is very Med sensitive like you so this is how she has done it.
Also joining a support group is a good idea.Am sure your Therapist could suggest one.
You are not alone although I know it feels that way.
The body,mind and spirit get off balance but you have seen some improvement over the year so build on that.Do not be hard on yourself.Spend time with one or two positive minded people and I think that working a couple of days a week is great.Slowly you might be able to increase the days but there is no hurry
I think the BHRT is a good thing for you,sweetie and sometimes one has to be patient to reap full benefits.
We are all with you and praying that better times are ahead.
Am sure there many ladies who have managed without Meds. but why even think about this.We all have individual physiologies and responses.
Am convinced that you will come out of this 'black hole'
There is no perfection but believe me it does get better and one day you will wake up and wonder where the pain has gone.
Please keep us Posted
Vent as much as you want.
We are all listening and caring.
Big hugs,my love
Elizabeth
I really feel for you.These times are very depleting and yes the continuous sense of unhappiness that overcomes is hard to deal with.As if there is no end in sight.
Am going to be very honest with you.Till now ,and this is almost twenty years after full Menopause,I do experience some really awful times.It is like my mind gets all jittery and that state of What the Hell are we here for?plays mind games with me.
I know that anti-depressents do not work for all but sometimes the Zombie like feeling you describe comes from being given too high a dose.Starting at 5mgs is ok and very slowly you monitor yourself for any positive reactions.This can take up to three months.After that you can work up to mgs and do well on that.My daughter is very Med sensitive like you so this is how she has done it.
Also joining a support group is a good idea.Am sure your Therapist could suggest one.
You are not alone although I know it feels that way.
The body,mind and spirit get off balance but you have seen some improvement over the year so build on that.Do not be hard on yourself.Spend time with one or two positive minded people and I think that working a couple of days a week is great.Slowly you might be able to increase the days but there is no hurry
I think the BHRT is a good thing for you,sweetie and sometimes one has to be patient to reap full benefits.
We are all with you and praying that better times are ahead.
Am sure there many ladies who have managed without Meds. but why even think about this.We all have individual physiologies and responses.
Am convinced that you will come out of this 'black hole'
There is no perfection but believe me it does get better and one day you will wake up and wonder where the pain has gone.
Please keep us Posted
Vent as much as you want.
We are all listening and caring.
Big hugs,my love
Elizabeth
Thanks so much Elizabeth for you words of wisdom. You know, I have tried the AD's and started out with small doses on each of them. The three that I could tolerate at all made me feel brain dead after about being on them for 3 weeks or so. It is like they build up in my system and my brain goes OKAY enough already. It is a very scarey feeling to be that out of it like your brain is being shot full of novacaine or something.
What AD did you daughter find that helped her and did she have to go through very many before she found the right fix. I would be willing to try again, but I don't understand why my brain can't be fixed without these things.
I can't wait for the day that I wake up and the pain is gone. You are so kind in your words and they mean the world to me.
God Bless,
Bev
[quote name='TidalWaves' date='Sep 12 2009, 09:11 AM' post='309067']
[quote name='scbev' date='Sep 12 2009, 10:16 AM' post='309062']
Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
[/quot
How much time did you give the AD's before ditching them? I was extremely TERRIFIED for YEARS to try any type of med, but I was not functioning and I finally decided to give them a try. I had a horrible 6 weeks or so getting adjusted to them, but now, I would not give them up for anything! They have literally saved my life!
This is definitely no way to live. It is not living, it is merely existing and the stress alone will kill ya!
I hope you find your answer very soon. It is not easy, believe me, I know!!
bev
How was your first 6 weeks on the AD's. I seem to do okay at first and then boom I go into this awful fog/ zombie feeling which I just can't live with. I have even tried 5HTP and St John's Wort and they do the same so who knows. I know that there are still some out there that I haven't tried. I though I would try the natural route first though to see if I get any help that way.
Thanks so much for your reply and I would really like to know what your symptoms were while getting on the AD.
Bev
[quote name='scbev' date='Sep 12 2009, 10:16 AM' post='309062']
Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
[/quot
How much time did you give the AD's before ditching them? I was extremely TERRIFIED for YEARS to try any type of med, but I was not functioning and I finally decided to give them a try. I had a horrible 6 weeks or so getting adjusted to them, but now, I would not give them up for anything! They have literally saved my life!
This is definitely no way to live. It is not living, it is merely existing and the stress alone will kill ya!
I hope you find your answer very soon. It is not easy, believe me, I know!!
bev
How was your first 6 weeks on the AD's. I seem to do okay at first and then boom I go into this awful fog/ zombie feeling which I just can't live with. I have even tried 5HTP and St John's Wort and they do the same so who knows. I know that there are still some out there that I haven't tried. I though I would try the natural route first though to see if I get any help that way.
Thanks so much for your reply and I would really like to know what your symptoms were while getting on the AD.
Bev
[quote name='scbev' date='Sep 12 2009, 01:43 PM' post='309083']
[quote name='TidalWaves' date='Sep 12 2009, 09:11 AM' post='309067']
[quote name='scbev' date='Sep 12 2009, 10:16 AM' post='309062']
Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
[/quot
How much time did you give the AD's before ditching them? I was extremely TERRIFIED for YEARS to try any type of med, but I was not functioning and I finally decided to give them a try. I had a horrible 6 weeks or so getting adjusted to them, but now, I would not give them up for anything! They have literally saved my life!
This is definitely no way to live. It is not living, it is merely existing and the stress alone will kill ya!
I hope you find your answer very soon. It is not easy, believe me, I know!!
bev
How was your first 6 weeks on the AD's. I seem to do okay at first and then boom I go into this awful fog/ zombie feeling which I just can't live with. I have even tried 5HTP and St John's Wort and they do the same so who knows. I know that there are still some out there that I haven't tried. I though I would try the natural route first though to see if I get any help that way.
Thanks so much for your reply and I would really like to know what your symptoms were while getting on the AD.
Bev
Hi again,
I was having what I considered the most horrible anxiety. Serious depression. Very deep feelings of inadequacy and serious suicidal tendencies.
Absolutely could NOT handle the anxiety. Unable to do my grocery shopping. Could not handle being around people. Became reclusive. Unable to ride in a car with anyone. Totally freaked out. We are surrounded by water and have to cross a bridge whereever we go. Would become nauseated when crossing bridges. The anxiety was almost unbearable. Robotic. Dead. All pleasure gone.
I tried everything as you have done. The ad was the only thing that worked for me. Ativan got me through the first few months, but I hardly need it anymore. I still use it if I have to, but rarely.
It took time for my body to adjust, but once I got through the initial stage, it totally transformed my life.
I truly hope you find something that works for you. This seems to be a VERY long road and I don't even know if it's possible to come out of it totally unscathed. I do believe it can become a thing of the past, but it's gonna take patience and time.
Please don't give up.
Wishing you the very best,
bev
[quote name='TidalWaves' date='Sep 12 2009, 09:11 AM' post='309067']
[quote name='scbev' date='Sep 12 2009, 10:16 AM' post='309062']
Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
[/quot
How much time did you give the AD's before ditching them? I was extremely TERRIFIED for YEARS to try any type of med, but I was not functioning and I finally decided to give them a try. I had a horrible 6 weeks or so getting adjusted to them, but now, I would not give them up for anything! They have literally saved my life!
This is definitely no way to live. It is not living, it is merely existing and the stress alone will kill ya!
I hope you find your answer very soon. It is not easy, believe me, I know!!
bev
How was your first 6 weeks on the AD's. I seem to do okay at first and then boom I go into this awful fog/ zombie feeling which I just can't live with. I have even tried 5HTP and St John's Wort and they do the same so who knows. I know that there are still some out there that I haven't tried. I though I would try the natural route first though to see if I get any help that way.
Thanks so much for your reply and I would really like to know what your symptoms were while getting on the AD.
Bev
Hi again,
I was having what I considered the most horrible anxiety. Serious depression. Very deep feelings of inadequacy and serious suicidal tendencies.
Absolutely could NOT handle the anxiety. Unable to do my grocery shopping. Could not handle being around people. Became reclusive. Unable to ride in a car with anyone. Totally freaked out. We are surrounded by water and have to cross a bridge whereever we go. Would become nauseated when crossing bridges. The anxiety was almost unbearable. Robotic. Dead. All pleasure gone.
I tried everything as you have done. The ad was the only thing that worked for me. Ativan got me through the first few months, but I hardly need it anymore. I still use it if I have to, but rarely.
It took time for my body to adjust, but once I got through the initial stage, it totally transformed my life.
I truly hope you find something that works for you. This seems to be a VERY long road and I don't even know if it's possible to come out of it totally unscathed. I do believe it can become a thing of the past, but it's gonna take patience and time.
Please don't give up.
Wishing you the very best,
bev
QUOTE (scbev @ Sep 12 2009, 11:16 AM)
Hi All,
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
I have been having a very rough year and a half. I am becoming increasingly hopeless that there is any relief in sight from this horrible depression which I am experiencing and it scares me to death. I was a perfectly happy person up until this time and then the bottom fell out from beneath me. It all started when I had some plastic surgery done while in the midst of peri. I thought I could deal with all of the peri symptoms without any hormonal help and up until that time I was doing pretty well. Then one month after my surgery I totally lost it and I can't seem to find my way out of this hole I am in. My perfectly happy life is gone. I haven't been able to work during this time, but I am now working about two days a week which is an improvement.
I have tried five AD's which I can't stand because I always end up feeling like a zombie. I have been on BHRT for months and my numbers are great, I am on thyroid meds, and I am now seeing a Naturepathic Dr. I just don't feel that I am getting much better. I am definitely better than I was a year ago but I am still very unhappy and each and every day is a challenge to get through. If it wasn't for the Ativan I don't know where I would be.
I haven't even had one day of normalcy since this horror began and am VERY discouraged and don't know where to turn. I CAN'T live the rest of my life like this!!!
I guess I just feel the need to vent and am wondering if anyone has made it out of this madness over time without meds?
The suggestions re the exercise and omega 3 in the post above were great. I came across a book last month by psychologist Stephen Ilardi called The Depression Cure. I have posted about it before but am going to post it again here.
Dr. Ilardi has put together lifestyle program as part of a university research project which has had a good success rate. He recommends a combination of Omega3 supplements, bright light therapy, exercise, sleep regulation, anti rumination strategies, and social support. If you want to read more about it here are a couple of links.
http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cac...hl=en&gl=ca
http://www.psych.ku.edu/tlc/index.htm
Another good book which uses a non medication approach is "When Panic Attacks" by David Burns. His focus is cognitive behaviour therapy.
Just curious. What stage are you at early peri, late peri or post?
Best of luck!
(((((((((scbev)))))))))))))
I wish I had some anxwers for you but can only say that I have been fighting this depression since one year after my son was born. I have been on zoloft for 10 years (50 mg a day). It helped me alot previously but have always been scared to death to increase the dose. I still have some rough days but when I think about it, when I started the zoloft I was so much worse than now. I could barely sit still for fear that something would get me back then.
My goal is to be off this medicatiion within the next 6 months and see if I can deal with things on my own.
I pray that you find peace.
Hugs to you,
Jeaninne
I wish I had some anxwers for you but can only say that I have been fighting this depression since one year after my son was born. I have been on zoloft for 10 years (50 mg a day). It helped me alot previously but have always been scared to death to increase the dose. I still have some rough days but when I think about it, when I started the zoloft I was so much worse than now. I could barely sit still for fear that something would get me back then.
My goal is to be off this medicatiion within the next 6 months and see if I can deal with things on my own.
I pray that you find peace.
Hugs to you,
Jeaninne
Thanks everyone for you help. I guess I will continue on the natural route for now to see if I can get any relief from this. It seems that many people are helped by the fish oil and exercise regimen. Thanks for that link by the way. I know that I need to increase my exercise. I will exercise daily for a week or so and then get so discouraged because I am not CURED!!!
Today I got up and walked four miles with some running thrown in for good measure. I need to find a way to this daily and see if there is any difference. I know that I have read before that exercising for 3 months is the same as taking an AD. I will try for that.
Also I have just switched to Synthroid from Naturethroid so maybe that is making me feel a little lower than normal I am not sure.
I just want to thank everyone for their kind words which I cling to during this difficult time.
God Bless you all,
Bev
Today I got up and walked four miles with some running thrown in for good measure. I need to find a way to this daily and see if there is any difference. I know that I have read before that exercising for 3 months is the same as taking an AD. I will try for that.
Also I have just switched to Synthroid from Naturethroid so maybe that is making me feel a little lower than normal I am not sure.
I just want to thank everyone for their kind words which I cling to during this difficult time.
God Bless you all,
Bev
QUOTE (scbev @ Sep 13 2009, 06:03 PM)
Thanks everyone for you help. I guess I will continue on the natural route for now to see if I can get any relief from this. It seems that many people are helped by the fish oil and exercise regimen. Thanks for that link by the way. I know that I need to increase my exercise. I will exercise daily for a week or so and then get so discouraged because I am not CURED!!!
Today I got up and walked four miles with some running thrown in for good measure. I need to find a way to this daily and see if there is any difference. I know that I have read before that exercising for 3 months is the same as taking an AD. I will try for that.
Also I have just switched to Synthroid from Naturethroid so maybe that is making me feel a little lower than normal I am not sure.
I just want to thank everyone for their kind words which I cling to during this difficult time.
God Bless you all,
Bev
Today I got up and walked four miles with some running thrown in for good measure. I need to find a way to this daily and see if there is any difference. I know that I have read before that exercising for 3 months is the same as taking an AD. I will try for that.
Also I have just switched to Synthroid from Naturethroid so maybe that is making me feel a little lower than normal I am not sure.
I just want to thank everyone for their kind words which I cling to during this difficult time.
God Bless you all,
Bev
Just a thought, but have you ever tried Sam-E or St. John's Wart. I've occassionally used 400 mg. of sam-e, quality can vary from mfg. to mfg so you need to get a really good quality. I've read that 800 mg. is the recommended dosage, but I would consult with a physican who is knowledgeable about its use before embarking on that high of a dose.
That combined with exercise and perhaps thereapy my do the trick without the ADs. It certainly couldn't hurt to try.
Hi sweet,
I wrote something earlier on about this in this forum(Is it Depression with a capital D?).......having suffered severe clinical depression in the past related to mental illness.......I realised it was not the same.....
I have been on anti-depressants, mood stabilisers, anti-psychotics and gosh knows since the age of 18. 5 years ago, I took myself off everything(under the dutiful eye of my shrink!) and had about 4 years of minimal distress but my body started to break down about a year off the meds due to undx peri. 2007 I was admitted to my favourite psych ward and dx bipolar.......put on bucketloads of lithium and anti-psychotics. I spent 6 months severely suicidal and had to leave my job of 5 years and my degree. My psych tried 3 AD's that I had been on before, but this time they made me worse, not better like before! Why? because I do not have a mental illness.......5 months ago I was dx peri.......the bipolar dx has been retracted and I am off the psychotropics.......
Due to my long psych history, I am intimately familiar with depression and this is not the same........but I have the skills to deal with it........that is the only reason I think I have made it this far.......
I stand by my strongest conviction.........talk therapy with a psychologist is the best way.......I can honestly say that without my brilliant team of shrinks, that I would not have gotten this far. And it was due to them that I finally got the dx of peri and the help that I need......
It is brilliant that some people get much comfort from AD's.......ANY relief is good, but if the meds don't work for you, then you are not alone.......feel free to PM me if you wish to discuss it more......
Take good care of you........there is only one!
Michah
I wrote something earlier on about this in this forum(Is it Depression with a capital D?).......having suffered severe clinical depression in the past related to mental illness.......I realised it was not the same.....
I have been on anti-depressants, mood stabilisers, anti-psychotics and gosh knows since the age of 18. 5 years ago, I took myself off everything(under the dutiful eye of my shrink!) and had about 4 years of minimal distress but my body started to break down about a year off the meds due to undx peri. 2007 I was admitted to my favourite psych ward and dx bipolar.......put on bucketloads of lithium and anti-psychotics. I spent 6 months severely suicidal and had to leave my job of 5 years and my degree. My psych tried 3 AD's that I had been on before, but this time they made me worse, not better like before! Why? because I do not have a mental illness.......5 months ago I was dx peri.......the bipolar dx has been retracted and I am off the psychotropics.......
Due to my long psych history, I am intimately familiar with depression and this is not the same........but I have the skills to deal with it........that is the only reason I think I have made it this far.......
I stand by my strongest conviction.........talk therapy with a psychologist is the best way.......I can honestly say that without my brilliant team of shrinks, that I would not have gotten this far. And it was due to them that I finally got the dx of peri and the help that I need......
It is brilliant that some people get much comfort from AD's.......ANY relief is good, but if the meds don't work for you, then you are not alone.......feel free to PM me if you wish to discuss it more......
Take good care of you........there is only one!
Michah
QUOTE (scbev @ Sep 13 2009, 05:03 PM)
Also I have just switched to Synthroid from Naturethroid so maybe that is making me feel a little lower than normal I am not sure.
Bev, check out all you can about this. I honestly believe that the Synthroid is adding to my depression and dr/dp. The older we get, the harder it is for us to convert the inactive T4 (Synthroid is only T4) thyroid hormone into the ACTIVE thyroid hormone T3. I think this may be what is happening to me. Research, research, and research some more all you can about taking Synthroid during the meno years. For some it is great and for others like me, very questionable.
I am assuming you have had your FREE T3 along w/ the FREE T4 checked. Have you had your Ferritin levels checked? This is the iron storage and we should have plenty of this w/ thyroid issues. Also, have you had your Vitamin D level checked? This too can lead to depression if low.
I think the combo of low active T3, low iron, and bouncing around estrogen is my biggest culprit. I am working on the iron, taking an iron supplement, but still have a ways to go to get this up. I hope to get on some T3 by next week.
Hope you get to the bottom of it very soon and will soon have some relief. I hope we all will soon have some relief.
love and hugs.....mood_swinger
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