Hi Everyone!

Is it just me or does depression seem to alleviate in the evening? But in the morning, watch out!!

Joanlam

Joanlam-

I find that my anxiety is worst in the AM and my depression as well. I think the depression is due to the anxiety and the peri stuff.

I can't explain any of this stuff. I wish I could because I would feel more comfortable with all of it if I could say "Oh my anxiety is worse because ....

Or "I'm feeling more depressed now because....

No dice. Most drs don't buy into the hormone thing and that adds to the problem.

Do you have moring anxiety as well or just depression?

Sandy

I'm worse at night, both with anxiety and depression. Don't know the answer to it. I just wish that we all didn't have to go through this.

Joanlam,

I am much better at night as well. I even start thinking maybe I'm finished feeling bad and I start making lists of things I will do the next day. Then BAM! I wake up and think there is no way I can do anything. I wander if its because when I wake up the day seems so overwhelming. At night I can get my mind off of me for awhile with TV etc. and all I have to do is go to bed...Who knows? It all s*cks!
jp

HI EVERYONE!

YEAH, BOTH MY ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ARE WORSE IN THE AM TIL AROUND
2:30 PM. ALTHO, I'M POST MENOPAUSAL (57), HAD A HYSTERECTOMY AND AM RECOVERING FROM CUSHING DISEASE.

I THINK AT NIGHT, I AGREE WITH JPHELP, YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BED AND FORGETTING ABOUT EVERYTHING AND THEREFORE YOU'RE IN A CONTENT PLACE AT THIS TIME.

HAS ANYONE TRIED REMERON?

JOANLAM

All-

Here is a helpful hint for depression (exercise) I know I don't do it either cause I am soooo tired when I get home from work

Sitting outside in the sun for a few minutes each day without sun glasses. This I do and it helps. I sit out in the afternoon.

The problem with this whole peri thing for me is the following:

1. I was never like this before (anxious, depressed, unable to sleep, cope with daily tasks)

2. This is worse than being a teenager. I was sad as a teen but I expected that. We had health classes that discussed this time in our lives. It helped me to prepare. I had no other issues as a teen.

3. This caught me off guard (worst symptoms came in a matter of weeks anxiety just showed up one morning and never left)

4. No one told me this was going to happen. Just thought periods would stop and I might have a few hot flashes

5. My Drs won't even acknowledge this is hormonal

So no wonder we feel nuts there is no real way to predict this stuff and most of the medical community won't acknowledge this, validate it, or fix it.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Sandy

WHAT THIS THING THE DOCTORS SAY IT'S NOT HORMONAL?!!

THEY MUST BE MALE DOCTORS AND DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE, THAT'S ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.

NEVER MIND MY DOCTOR WHO IS FEMALE, BY THE WAY, WROTE A BOOK ON MENOPAUSE AND STILL GOES AROUND IN CIRCLES, WHEN I ASK HER QUESTIONS, DOESN'T KNOW!

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

JOANLAM

My Drs were mostly female and it suprised me that they never heard of peri but not anymore.

The majority had no clue told me bloodtests were normal that I needed a sleeping pill and anxiety med.

Another one said yes I was in peri but she really didn't know what to do for me. She suggested Prozac. That is what she was taking.

I don't take anything except for NHRT now. I am afraid of side effects and a difficult withdrawal.

So that it why I am now spending $ on a "specialist". I am hoping that she has more info and can work some magic.

What is happening is what always happens with female issues IGNORED IGNORED IGNORED.

If discussed it is only hot flashes and night sweats- Mental stuff anxiety swept under the rug.

I don't know why as this is a money maker except that you can't patent natural hormones but there is still money to be had here.

It really makes me mad but I don't know what can be done about it.

If I was a reporter, I'd do a story.

Sandy

Sandy,
You have pretty much said it all . I have heard all the same things for over a yr.
Take this pill and that pill. It will help all your symptoms. I was told prozac, which i did not want. Then sleeping pills which i refused to take. Then one dr. i told her about the brain fog, and she said i wasn't getting enought sleep. No kidding, I have hot flashes all night and anxiety off the wall. Who could sleep !! And NO i don't want the sleeping pill. So off to amother dr. And tell her about the brain fog, along with the other symptoms. And she said well is there anyone in your family with Alltimers.( mispelled) I have had it up to my neck with all these dr's. Male and Female. I went to a specialist that cost me lots of $$. That did no better than the others. So i wish you all the luck in the world with your's. I hope you find the right answers. <_<
Teresa

As a strange co-incidence I was talking to a lady this morning,who is a couple of years older than me who said 4yrs ago she had to just leave work and come home and go to bed. She couldn't cope anymore. The doctor told her off for not seeing him sooner and put her on Prozac. The upside is that a couple of months later she was back to "normal" but the downside is that she cannot wean herself off. She says that she can really tell if she misses a few.

But it's yet another case of what do you need to do if you just want to "function"?

Hi Alice Theresa-

I don't think my specialist has the answer. I know I am taking too much progesterone but she said to stay the course. I have to wait until July to get test results and I still don't feel like the old me.

I could have gotten this kind of service for a $20.00 copay. But I need to stick with her to get the tests results and a recommendation of the course to follow since I paid for it all. I will then go back to the $20.00 copay it's all the same.

I think ADs are fine if they work for you but I am afraid that weaning off can be hard. I had two friends that weaned off after a year with no problem though so everyone is different.

Who knows. What ever it takes to get thru this miserable time.

Here's to better days ahead.

Sandy

It seems the same with HRT too. Never heard much good about that from those around me. It's about time something was done for women of our age. There wouldn't be so many members on this site if it wasn't a problem to some!

All-

Does anyone know what makes someone wake up feeling depressed?

I would love an explanation. Today my anxiety is low but so is my mood. I am on day 24 of my cycle so that might explain it. I have had one period this month already (daily spotting from the 13th to the 15th) but never any flow so am I expecting another?

I am taking Saint John's Wort 3/times a day but I am not sure if that is really providing relief.

I guess I need to get off my butt and start that exercise I keep talking about. It is 100 degrees at night here now and I hate the heat.

If it's not anxiety it's depression and always not sleeping thru the night. I pray my period ends soon so I can get to the other side of this thing.

Sandy

I'm very interested in why depression/anxiety are worse in the mornings. Claire Weekes has talked about this in her books - refers to it as "The Dreaded Morning Feeling." Also a couple of other books I''ve read about depression mention it.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the nature of sleep, the work the subconscious is doing at that time. Also, if I were to have any bolt-upright surges of adrenaline, it was always about 2-3 a.m. NEVER during the daytime or early evening.

So very strange. I agree, there is a world that is not known about menopause. Why doesn't SOMEONE with some medical know-how get on the ball? We could certainly fill them in on the symptoms. Hasn't there been at least ONE female doctor who has had this kind of trouble?!

JolieJacq

I was wondering if you have ever heard of taking an AD for fatigue. I have mentioned it to my doctor a couple of times and he really didn't seem too interested in giving me one. I need to try something Now and I know there are so many different ones. I just want to make sure if I go that route I would get one that does not add to the fatigue. I guess I will have to take things into my own hands since the doctor has not even thought of anything to help. Maybe there isn't anything but just thought this might be an idea. I don't think I am depressed, but then again I am not a doctor. You seem to be very knowledgeable in many of the topics so I thought I would ask you! Thanks for any thoughts you might have on this subject. I am a little worried because as it is now, I am having a hard time doing daily things with all the fatigue. Your input would be appreciated.

Kim

Hi Kim,

I'm not sure about the AD - fatigue link. For me, the fatigue HAS improved while I've been on the Lexapro, but then again, I also haven't had a period in 7 months, and I'm wondering if that's what's helping?

I have not heard of the SSRI antidepressants causing fatigue. The old tricyclics DO cause people to feel quite groggy, so that wouldn't be the route for someone trying to get themselves feeling less worn-out.

I do want to share a story about a friend of mine, tho'. A few years ago (when she was my age, low 50's, which makes this interesting to me in retrospect), this woman had such terrible fatigue she couldn't even watch TV! None of it made sense. She couldn't walk to her mailbox. Her days were spent lying on the couch. Some days weren't as bad, with some level of fatigue present all of the time, but the bad stretches were just horrid. I would call her and she would say she was having "that tired feeling." It went on - I hate to say - for months and months.

Then slowly things began to improve. This summer, this woman is running around like crazy. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. She is painting rooms, running to flea markets, etc. etc. I asked her recently if she thought her fatigue had been caused by peri, and she said she wouldn't have said that, but it was at about the right time. She assumed it was related to a bladder disorder that she and I share - one of the symptoms of it is unexplained fatigue.

I STRONGLY suspect peri is the culprit here.

Your posts just break my heart, Seahorse, because you are so clearly yearning to have some energy back. Please have faith that it will be better.

Luv ya my New England Bud,

Jacquie

Hi Jacquie

Thank you so much for answering my questions. I knew I could count on you! I will be 50 in August and I have had two periods since November. It was in November that the fatigue started and I thought it might be because I was skipping periods but I have had one in April and June and the fatigue stays the same. I know meno symptoms can last a long time but this fatigue is just doing me in. I am going to ask the doctor about AD's. I am at the point where I will try just about anything. Thank you for the story about your friend. It gives me a glimmer of hope that this is peri and will someday just disappear. In the mean time, it is a very hard thing to deal with as everyone has something different that is affecting them. I am a pretty strong person (the Leo in me) so I know that this is really having a serious effect on my life. My husband has been great through all this. At least in NH the weather this week has been beautiful.. that helps some. Thank you again Jacquie and I very much appreciate you taking the time to write. This site has helped me so much and I am hoping when I feel like myself again I will be able to give others encouragement. Hope your weather is just as nice in Maine..We are going up Sunday to visit my parents in Brunswick. Take care

XO
Kim

Were you writing about me JJ?

Seriously though, I think it's those darned hormones. After two years of on and off fatigue and feeling ill I seemed to get my energy back...but went too far I think and now I haven't a lot of energy. Ladies take note!

The last two periods also threw me for a loop after not having periods for almost a year then two this year. I was just starting to feel much better when my boobs were killing me and I knew someone was going to visit. I hate Auntie Flo!

Feeling like the wicked Mum, I wish for this wedding (7 days and counting) to be over. I long to see my daughter have the wedding of her dreams but not now (for me!). And I feel so bad about feeling this way!

Hey Kim,

I can't remember if you are taking something like ativan or Xanax. I am started to believe that what happened to me was I got so anxious that I was sick, that I got in that bad spiral and made myself sick with worry. I read one of those Claire Weekes books and she talks about anxiety and exhaustion like its the same thing. Even though you aren't depressed, i wander if it would help to take a "sedative" like ativan so you could give you mind a chance to relax. I'm certainly not an expert and I'm not myself right now.... but I do believe a huge part of my problem is that my brain can't think about anything else when its twitching and jerking...and that alone is exhausting.

PS Went to th neuro yesterday....still doesn't think mine is neurological...more muscle testing in July...

xoxo JP

Hi JP

I am currently not taking anything. I am going to call the GP next week and get in to see him again. I am not going to just go away and make believe there is nothing wrong. I am willing to try anything to help with this fatigue. I don't know if you read my other post but I had the neuro this week also. He says he has no idea why I am twitching constantly and now thinks it is because I have high arches! He told me to buy some arch supports, which I did and they are not doing anything. Then he said to make an appointment with a podiatrist. I am so sick and tired of these doctors just shoving you out the door because they don't know the reason. I am having my husband read up on AD's (he is a pharmacist) to see which one would cause the least fatigue since I don't need any more of that. I am not worried about the twitching anymore. I asked neuro if I needed any more testing and he said no. If there was something serious it would have showed up in the other tests he did last December. I don't know what to believe since he is sending me to a podiatrist. I haven't made an appointment yet because I am too tired to deal with that right now. Like I said to Jacqui I am willing to try ANYTHING at this point. I hope you are doing better. I was extremely anxious when all the twitching and cramping started for weeks, but as soon as the testing was done, I was alright but am now left with the severe fatigue. The twitching is worse at night when I try to sleep but I have been taking ambien to sleep. I have to get myself off that too. I have been taking it too long. What kind of muscle testing are they doing in July? Honestly JP I think it is either Benign Fascilication Syndrome or Hormonal. I have done alot of reading on BFS. That (BSF) is mostly in your feet and calves but you can also have twitching all over the body. If you want any more info on BFS let me know and I can get you there. It is not scary to read so you won't worry after reading it. Take care and please keep in touch.

Hugs XO
Kim

Hey Kim,

I am still fatigued as well, but I had a pretty good day yesterday. I am trying to get geared up to go to my neices wedding next week...8 hours in a car, 5 different events, I am scared to death. I wanted to tell you that i think the Ambien reacts wierd in me...I feel like I was knocked out, but I feel sleepier during the day. Try to get your doc to give you Ativan... it keeps your brain from spinning and when I take it at night, I don't have the foggy feeling like I do with the ambien. I am so sorry we are all still dealing with this crap. I am going to a CFS "expert" on Tuesday. Maybe he will at least give me a definite yes or no on that one. My muscles are more achy today, so of course I'm thinking fibro..... Have you read those Claire Weekes books? I finally got one and read the whole thing yesterday. One of the things she stresses is keeping our minds occupied while we are resting and healing. I think that is the hardest thing. How can you keep occupied when you are exhausted and twitching? I kinda think that is why writing here helps...even though we are writing about ourselves, it gets our minds off the physical symptoms for a few minutes...anyway, they are worth reading if you can get someone to get it for you at the library so you don't have to hunt it down. I called and asked first which saved me a trip. Well, hang in there, I know its hard. I have a massage tonight that gives me something to look forward to.

xoxo JP

Hey JP

I will be curious to hear what the CFS expert tells you since we both seem to have almost the same symptoms. Be sure to let me know how all that goes. My husband wanted to make plans for tomorrow but I told him I just can't and will have to see how I am feeling in the morning. I am taking myself off the ambien tonight. I will probably be up all night, but feel I have to do it and I think the weekend is a good time. I am sure I will be even more exhausted, but it has to be done. I will mention the Ativan to my doctor whenever I can get in to see him again. I had a good day on Monday. I felt like I could do cartwheels down the street. It is so strange.. I really don't have the achy muscles. Just the one calf that twitches all the time gets sore. It is more of a sore feeling than an achy feeling. I know my doctor thought CFS but he doesn't know and I think just to give me some type of diagnosis he picked that. I HOPE you don't have CFS. It sounds like it is even worse to deal with than this meno crap. I will be thinking of you next week at the wedding. It was so difficult for me to get through my son's graduation I am still angry and upset I felt so fatigued and terrible through the whole thing. I should have really been celebrating. I feel cheated sometimes. Well, wish me luck tonight. I am sure I will be up half the night cause I can't sleep without it now so it is going to be tough. Please keep in touch and I will do the same. If I survive the night I will let you know how it went! Take care...

Kim XO

Seahorse-

Drink a glass of warm milk before bed and take magnesium. That may help you get more sleep.

Also take a nice walk at least 3 hours before bed.

Hope that helps.

Sandy

Sandy

I will give it a try tonight. I have a feeling I am going to be up all night. I have some calcium/magnesium which I will take. Maybe I will put a little cocoa in with that milk..sounds good. Thanks

Kim

Oh wait, I think chocolate has caffeine in it. I don't want any of that..I think I will just drink the warm milk.

Kim