Re: perimenopause & depression ? Celexa?

Let me share my experience:

I'm 52 and have been having symptoms for a few years - some irregular periods, spotting. Also having trouble finding doctors or gynecologists who speak my language(s).

I didn't want to go on HRT.

A couple of times I tried some natural progesterone cream, which seemed to help, but then I would slack off.

Then the last year, I've had a really dreadful time. Lots of hot flashes, insomnia. I was waking up 8x in a night. And I lost my motivation to do much of anything. As I didn't work much last year (self-employed, freelance) I need to be motivated to get work and the economy is bad so I need to be twice as motivated and instead I was 100% less motivated!! (lol)

I was using Natural progesterone cream (following Vicki Queen's yahoo group call NaturalAlternativestoHRT) and, while it seemed to help some, I still got hot flashes.

And I did not exactly feel "depressed," but I just wanted to avoid anything emotionally difficult and was playing computer games continuously. And feel dreadfully spacey and foggy and distractable.

At one point, I realized that possibly I just wasn't getting enough sleep!! And this would be contributing to my lack of motivation.

Last September I began using natural Estrogen cream (some with Estradiol and now some with Estriol). I began sleeping immediately and the hot flashes stopped.

But I am STILL avoiding doing things that I need to do. I still seem to lack some kind of emotional robustness that I used to have.

And I really cannot afford to be like this!

Someone recently suggested that even if I don't feel "depressed," that if I am not doing things that I need to be doing in a way that could be self-destructive, this could be a definition of Depression and that I maybe should try anti-depressents.

I am doing this reluctantly. I now have a doctor who is knowledgeable about alternative medicine and hormones. And she recommended Celexa for menopausal symptoms like mine. I ordered some from Canada ($40 for 2 months supply instead of $150 from my local pharmacy!!!!) It has not arrived yet. But I am looking forward to seeing if it works. I've been asking around for opinions. And am hopeful. I hate putting something like this in my body, but I am also willing to try lots of stuff. And, if it works!! Maybe it can really teach my brain to produce more serotonin itself!!

Meanwhile I have also started some cleansing things: parasite, bowell, and candida stuff. But I am also drinking 1-2 glasses of wine nightly, which I know does not increase my motivation!!

So that's it!

I'll let you know if the Celexa helps!


Susan





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