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Newly Joined
Member Since Dec 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2
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#1
Hi All,
I'm new here. I have a lifetime history of unipolar depression that has been managed pretty well by SSRIs, but since about May I have been responding to antidepressants and then suddenly not responding 2 weeks later. This has never happened to me and is honestly very upsetting. I am 54 years old and also "started" perimenopause this summer. (I missed a period for the first time). My psychiatrist wants me to start a mood stabilizer and thinks I may be bipolar (though it would be bipolar II as my high periods are pretty mild). I got a 2nd opinion and that psychiatrist suggested hormone replacement therapy first. Does anyone have experience with their moods changing based on female hormones and/or perimenopause? Thank you! |
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*Beth*, MickeyCheeky, Soupe du jour
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catches the flowers
Member Since Jul 2019
Location: Downtown Vibes, California
Posts: 15,701
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#2
Hi Chase5, welcome to PC!
It's somewhat difficult to know what causes what. However, I will say that I think I was perimenopausal when my bipolar disorder exacerbated intensely. I was 48 years old. My initial thought about hormone replacement is to suggest that you try it. I don't have any direct experience with it, though, as I couldn't take it because my sister had had breast cancer. But I remember wishing I could take it. __________________ |
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Tart Cherry Jam
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Wise Elder
Member Since Apr 2015
Location: US
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#3
i would say be very cautious. I had early onset menopause and had the Mirena IUD placed to try to balance my cycles. That's just a tiny bit of hormones and it made things really bad for me. I'm often very sensitive to meds but that was horrible. I was suicidal and IP twice in a few months because of it. When nothing controlled my BP symptoms we decided to pull the IUD and I immediately got better. Because of this my pdoc and gyn started watching for other cases of bipolar women reacting poorly to the Mirena and found several almost immediately.
I'm not saying hormone replacement is the same or that you'll have the same issues I had. Just be aware of what is going on as you go on the hormones and keep your pdoc and gyn both up to date on how you are feeling and if you feel it is affecting your moods. __________________ Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1700 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 1.5 mg clonazepam., 50 mg Seroquel |
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Legendary
Member Since Jun 2016
Location: Italy
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#4
Yes, certainly Be Careful And try to listen to Your doctors' advice. In any case, i Hope And Pray that whatever You pick Will Be the BEST Possible Option for You! i am so Sorry this post wasn't REALLY Helpful but i'd rather not make suggestions when i don't feel qualified instead or giving out bad advice! SEnding many Safe, Warm Hugs to BOTH You, @Chase5, Your Family, Your FriEnds And ALL of Your Loved Ones! Keep fighting And keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!
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