His and Her Health

I am an almost 49 yaer old woman who is experiencing very severe peri menopausal symptoms, the worst being anxiety,irratabilty,and mood swings...i recently had my yearly pap and all done and my dr. decided to put me on anti depressant(efexor xr) make a long story short...i took these pills for 8 weeks, varing times of day to help allieviate some side effects...tired, fuzzy headed, wierd dreams,and could not reach orgasm...as just a fewwell i decided that although everyone around me says that my mood improved greatly..the side effects were too numerous to keep on. i went cold turkey a few days ago and am still suffering side effects......just a word of caution.....because of this site i have made arragements to have my hormones tested and hopefully will be able to just treat my imbalance instead of relying on birth control or anti deppressants.....so before you just accept what your doctor says be informed!!.....one quick question how long will these side effects last?...i have begun taking estroven to conteract some of the bad effects until i can get my hormones tested.....anyone else dealt with this issue???? what did you do????

Hope you have read the articles on the RedHot Mamas site. If not click on this
http://www.redhotmamas.org/content/

I highly recommend you start taking high dose fish oil. Take a look at Zane's diet on this site. I've been in menopause for three years and it's made a dramatic difference. I also take 800 units of natural vitamin E daily. This helps with menopause symptoms too.

Even if you go on hormorne relpacement therapy, the fish oil and vitamin E will still be of great benefit. Fish oil raises dopamine in the brain and is an excellent natural antidepressent. The low-level depression I dealt with for years has gone. My friends and family have even noticed.

While antidepressents are a godsend for many people, I personally believe they are very much over prescribed and the side effects can outweigh the benefits.

If you look at various menopause sites, including RedHot Mamas, you'll see lots of suggestions but no sure-fire cures. We're all different and you have to keep trying things to see what works for you. One size doesn't fit all. Hang in there, you're not alone!

There are several options for you other than antidepressants. These options include: diet, exercise, herbal remedies (i.e., black cohosh), calcium (1500 mg daily.

You should discuss estrogen therapy with your doctor. Estrogen therapy may improve irritability, sadness and help with sleep disturbances as well as treat hot flashes and night sweats.

The section on the Red Hot Mamas site regarding psychological changes is: http://www.redhotmamas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=124

They don't even bring up treating these mental issues with antidepressants! There are lots of good suggestions on this page. Let us know what your doc says about your hormone tests.

*****Moderator's Note
RJG is an Editor at REDHOTMAMAS.org

<small>[ 12-18-2006, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

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I just have to say that an antidepressant, particularly an extended release form, is supposed to be taken at the same time every day and not when symptoms are present! You never achieved a steady level! Going cold turkey off such a medication without supervision is not advised either particularly when a person has been on them for an extended period of time. While an anti-depressant may not be the answer for you there are numerous types out on the market and it can be a matter of just finding the right one, becoming educated about it, and taking it as intended.