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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Colleen D. on July 5, 2005, at 13:18:44
I've found life so much better since I've been on Effexor and Klonopin that I can't even think about going back to the kind of life I was living before meds.
I'm soon to be 44 and am probably peri-menopausal but still having pretty regular cycles. During the 4 to 5 days before I start my period I am experiencing the worst PMS ever! It feels like I am not on meds at all and I have taken a nosedive into a hole of raw emotions and despair. Once my period starts, I climb back out of that hole and begin feeling somewhat "normal" again.
Does anyone have this problem? Are there any drugs out there to augment my current meds during this time so I don't plunge back into depression for this week every month? I can't take this much longer.
Thanks,
Colleen
Recurrent MDD, OCD, GAD and SP
Posted by partlycloudy on July 5, 2005, at 13:49:28
In reply to A question for the pre-menopausal on this board..., posted by Colleen D. on July 5, 2005, at 13:18:44
It's most probably due to hormonal fluctuations that we experience as we draw closer to menopause. You can really equate it to going through puberty in reverse, which explains why it's so dreadful!
You can check with your ob/gyn or regular doctor - I was put on birth control pills as my periods did become closer together and heavier and the PMS became horrendous. Many women swear by nutritional supplements like flax seed, red cohosh, and increasing their soy intake dramatically. Whatever you choose to do, I'd run it past the p-doc to make sure there isn't anything that would interfere with your meds.
(...and welcome to the Club!)
best,
partlycloudy
Posted by Colleen D. on July 5, 2005, at 16:49:32
In reply to Re: A question for the pre-menopausal on this board... » Colleen D., posted by partlycloudy on July 5, 2005, at 13:49:28
> It's most probably due to hormonal fluctuations that we experience as we draw closer to menopause. You can really equate it to going through puberty in reverse, which explains why it's so dreadful!
I figured part of this was due to hormones but it's so extremely awful! Worse than my PMS before meds.
> You can check with your ob/gyn or regular doctor - I was put on birth control pills as my periods did become closer together and heavier and the PMS became horrendous.
I can't take the BC pills because I am a smoker over 35. Even when I was young I had a hard time tolerating the side effects of the pill.
> Many women swear by nutritional supplements like flax seed, red cohosh, and increasing their soy intake dramatically. Whatever you choose to do, I'd run it past the p-doc to make sure there isn't anything that would interfere with your meds.
I will have to research this a bit more and run it past my docs.
> (...and welcome to the Club!)
Thanks so much! ;-)
I thought I had read somewhere about woman taking Prozac just during that PMS period. I have never taken Prozac but would be willing to try it for this reason.
Posted by Phillipa on July 5, 2005, at 17:38:20
In reply to Re: A question for the pre-menopausal on this board... » partlycloudy, posted by Colleen D. on July 5, 2005, at 16:49:32
Yes I've read about prozac too. But if you retain fluid before your p it goes to your head too. I had an OBGYN who put me on an antidiuretic for a week premensturally. It worked. Now I'm past menopause and everything has changed. Believe it or not wish for the days when that relief from anxiety would hit on day 2. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Glydin on July 5, 2005, at 20:20:46
In reply to A question for the pre-menopausal on this board..., posted by Colleen D. on July 5, 2005, at 13:18:44
You have my every empathy. I know what it's like.
I have tried various things singularly over the past few years. I also am not a candiate for HRT nor does it interest me - at least not at this point.
Currently, I am beginning a mix of essential oils - EPO, Flax, plus soy to see how it will go as a combo deal. Plus, the mix keeps me from having to down 40 million softgels per day. I have also trying to increase my calcium intake.
Some fairly decent resources for going the natural mode is "The Wisdom of Menopause" or "The Change Before The Change" --- I hope I have the titles correct. Whether you follow their suggesions, the info is good.
I'll keep you posted on how I do if you would like.
Posted by TerraJo on July 6, 2005, at 2:24:19
In reply to Fun, isn't it? » Colleen D., posted by Glydin on July 5, 2005, at 20:20:46
had a roommate put on prozac and it just saved her life. personally, chemo messed with all my chemicals and i started getting PMS in an intolerable way. i added lexapro to my wellbutrin, and my last cycle was fine.
Posted by Glydin on July 6, 2005, at 7:53:14
In reply to A question for the pre-menopausal on this board..., posted by Colleen D. on July 5, 2005, at 13:18:44
I'm not sure if Prozac is an option for any of us currently taking any med that already works on serotonin. I do know women who use Prozac or Sarafem for PMS problems but all I know use it as a single treatment or mixed with something that doesn't also target serotonin.
This is the end of the thread.
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