[Skitz13]

All you guys out there can sit this one out.

I'm appealing to all the women out there who have BP and are or have gone through menopause and how it has effected their illness.

For anyone who has been following my posts, you know it's been a real challenge this last while and that I've been looking at alternative treatments rather than continually putting chemicals into my body.

I saw a naturopath today looking for a treatment for my disorder. Well a question was posed that I really hadn't given much thought to.

It appears that I started showing signs of menopause at the same time my symptoms started to reappear. As I have complained over and over again, this episode has been much different than what I've experienced in the past. Namely the mixed episodes.

This doc does not dispute that I indeed have BP but she's thinking that maybe this isn't all illness because a lot of my symptoms mimic menopausal mood swings.

She's suggesting acupuncture to regulate my hormones because she feels that maybe I just may get some relief.
I'm desperate and am willing to try anything at this point and it would make sense that menopause could in fact exacerbate my symptoms.

Any thoughts????

[Curiosity77]

I haven't reached menopause, but i'm guessing the hormones would be brutal on moods, considering the havoc they can cause monthly. Acupuncture seems safe, so maybe worth a try?

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[BipolaRNurse]

My family basically thought I was psychotic during perimenopause. Perhaps I was, because the only things I really remember from that time period was working and being exhausted all the time. They tell me the only consistent thing about me was my inconsistency and I screamed at them a lot. And I tend to believe them because they remember and I don't.

Having hot flashes and night sweats was hell until I got onto a combination of Paxil and Ativan (this was long before I was diagnosed BP). That way I slept through it all and was calmer. Thankfully it only lasted 5 years and was all over with by the time I was in my late 40s. Having BP and going through perimenopause is NOT fun. I wish you the best as you try to put things together.

[Skitz13]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

My family basically thought I was psychotic during perimenopause. Perhaps I was, because the only things I really remember from that time period was working and being exhausted all the time. They tell me the only consistent thing about me was my inconsistency and I screamed at them a lot. And I tend to believe them because they remember and I don't.

Having hot flashes and night sweats was hell until I got onto a combination of Paxil and Ativan (this was long before I was diagnosed BP). That way I slept through it all and was calmer. Thankfully it only lasted 5 years and was all over with by the time I was in my late 40s. Having BP and going through perimenopause is NOT fun. I wish you the best as you try to put things together.

Thanks so much for that. I've been doing a lot of research on this subject tonight and it's all making sense to me. It's all right there.

It helps to know what I'm dealing with and no it's not fun. This has been the worst part of my history with BP.

If I know what I'm dealing with than I can try to be as proactive as possible. I have options and I intend on utilizing them.

Thanks again

[BipolaRNurse]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful.

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[grandmaof3]

I haven't gone through menopause yet but it makes sense that the hormones would play havoc with your moods. I know that its not the same thing but when I was pregnant I was not fit to be around because my moods were all over the place.

[Skitz13]

Originally Posted by grandmaof3

I haven't gone through menopause yet but it makes sense that the hormones would play havoc with your moods. I know that its not the same thing but when I was pregnant I was not fit to be around because my moods were all over the place.

Hormones are hormones and it really screws with the disorder.