I am 54 yrs. old, had a complete hysterectomy 4 years ago. Since then, put on 40 lbs., was on hrt for 3.5 years...decided to try and go without it now. Dr. said go for it, and see what happens. Well, since then things have gone downhill. Sure, it would be easy to go back with the hrt patch again, but is there something else that could and would help? Here are my many many complaints ...I am very disatisfied with myself, many aches and pains, sore back, sore shoulder, headaches, horrible mood swings, so much anger in so many aspects of my life. Scares the heck out of me. Fearful of so many things, low self esteem (unlike before), sometimes I think I am going crazy. Thoughts of suicide. Always tired, no motivation, things do not interest me as they once did, lack of interest in most everything. I want to sleep all the time, but then when I go lay down I can not fall asleep. Push my loved ones away, do not want to deal with them or talk with them..I do not have answers to tell them as to why I am behaving like this. I just want to be alone.
I have heard that perhaps progest creme could be of some help. Does anyone have any experience using this and does it help? Any suggestions would be so appreciated. I have a 2 year old grandson that is so precious to me and want to be around for him. thanks.
p.s. I was on prozac for 14 years and went off of it last October, I felt I did not need it any longer. I will probably call and see if there is something else that my dr. could perscribe for me. I need something at this point.

Softshoe,

I am so, so sorry you are going through this. I read your symptoms and it sounds like depression to me. I have experienced most of what you describe. I do feel anger but rage. Hormonal imbalance can lead to depression.

I have found this site so helpful. I now check posts every day.

Hope you find what works for you.

Lisa

Softshoe,

Wow...we could be twins!
I'm also 54...no hysterectomy, but, I took HRT for 5 years and came off Jan. of 2005, also had the weight gain.
During the same time I came off the prozac that I had been taking for 10 years. Just came right off of it because I felt they weren't working either.
Discovered shortly after, that my blood pressure is high. Heart disease in the family, so no more HRT.
It didn't take too long after coming off the HRT and Prozac, for me to discover all the symptoms of menopause taking over my body.
Tense neck and shoulders...lower back pain. Mood swings, anxiety, panic, health fears, headaches, nausea you name it.
Tingling of face, lips, arms, legs and unbelievable surges starting from my lower back and working it's way up to my head. Thought for sure I was having a stroke.
Had a period in Jan., after not having one in over 5 years.
Worst was NO SLEEP, and ANXIETY.
Can defiantly relate to your post.
After suffer with all my symptoms for over a year, I decided to try Lexapro...it has helped....hasn't removed the symptoms but, helped me to move through them.
Lack of sleep is still a huge problem, so I take the smallest 1/2 dose of xanax at night. Hopeful, this will help until my body calms down.
You have to find what works for your system, herbs, supplements, another round of HRT...what ever.
Menopause is not for sissy's that's for sure!
Waiting for the day...that this is all over with.

Softshoe

Welcome to PS

I was very sad and concerend to read you have thoughts of suicide - I went through these kinds of thoughts too earlier this year and they were very dark and scary - although it was related to the antidepressants I was on and once I was off them I was fine - I sought help when I had those thoughts - please make sure you have support if you are feeling like that. It doesnt mean you HAVE to go on drugs - but it does mean you need to talk to someone - you need to know that you can get past this and things will improve - you soudn like I was in a very confined space in your mind where you keep going round and round with no hope of release - but you have the key to get out - self belief and hope are the lights you need to focus on - however rotten this feels - it will pass.......

OK - you are going to be around for your grandson - no issues there - you are having the full onslaught of peri it sounds like - physical and emotional - it is a tough ride isnt it? This is your hormones playing sillies with you - you sound like a super lady with tons of strenght and character - you will get through this - we are all on same train with you - you will come through stronger and live to be a great granny - no worries!!!!!

So why did you decide to come off HRT?? Did you have any plans as to what you were going to do/expect? Had you had these symptoms before - or were they masked by HRT after the hysto?

You have many options - natural HRT - herbs - prog cream - and there are forums for all this on PS - so areas you can chat about each option. You need to find out and then decide what is best FOR YOU - be patient and be hopeful

I have been through some anger issues - it all seems to come out at peri doesnt it - that is OK - you are only human - and not odd or unusual in having these feelings - you sound like a very 'normal' powersurger!!!

Trust yourself to get through this cos where there is trust fear vanishes - if you need to take something to get you through this patch - that is fine - but dont worry that you will never get off it - cos you will - you just need to take you time and do things step by step - dont worry about lapses - we all have them - they dont have to be collapses just bumps along the way

So - get to that Dr - dont hang about if you really are having thoughts of suicide - self harm - get help and talk to someone - it doesnt mean you are weak it means you are out of whack and maybe coming off everything in a short time - was a bit too much for you - you could sort the depression first then think about what you want to do with the hormones - dont take on too much all at once

Hugs and best wishes to you Softshoe

Mele

Softshoe.....Well I could identify with alot of what you were saying. I'm 55 and have been post for 5 years. No hysterectomy but was on HRT for 7 years. When the Women's Health Iniative came out 5 years ago I went off of them immediately. All the symptoms of going through meno came back and they did so with a vengence.

I too gained weight after going off HRT, lots of aches and pains and at times felt like I was getting the flu. Anxiety and depression seem to rear their ugly heads immediately along with fears that made no sense. Blood pressure went up (probably from the anxiety and weight gain). Tired became my middle name and I just couldn't understand why everything seemed like a huge effort. I was diagnosed with IBS after having so many stomach problems and I began to feel like a hypochondriac......There didn't seem to be one bodily function that wasn't effected.

During peri and post we don't seem to handle stressful situations as well and the mood swings are caused by what I beleive to be hormone levels still fluctuating. Even though I'm post I know that I still have hormones that are fluctuating in my body.

There are lots of options out there. There are bioidentical hormones that you can take, there is a wide variety of antidepressants they can give you if you get to the point that you what to try those....There are diet changes you can make, exercise programs you can do, and the family of people on this site help greatly.

I have gotten into an exercise program and I walk 3 miles a day at least 5 days a week. My husband and I just joined a gym and I am going to be working with a trainer to help me with weights to build up bone density. I really watch what I eat and try to stay healthy most of the time (I do splurge at least once a week though). I have lost a total of 18 pounds of the original 30 I gained. My blood pressure has dropped to 118/68. I still have the occassional night sweat or hot flash but I keep a fan on me every night and that really helps.

I still fight the anxiety and I use Ativan for the really bad anxiety attacks. I opted not to take an antidepressant but that is not to say that if it didn't get really bad again that I would consider it. But overall I will tell you that it is definitely getting better. There really is life after menopause.

We are all here for you and please reach out to any of us. WE are always there to help our sisters at PowerSurge.