pre-menoupause question

So were you having severe mood swings and night sweats before that very last period? I'm sorry your depression is worsening. It sure seems unfair that when we already have so much going on, we have to go through a worsening of mood issues, too. Do you not want to take meds?

Actually the night sweats and mood swings let up through the last year before my last period. Not gone, but less frequent and severe.

It's been my pattern to try to go off meds every few years to see if I can do without. I thought maybe at my stage of life things might have changed, but no, they haven't. I don't mind taking meds if I have to, and I've learned I have to permanently. I've been back on zoloft for a month now and feeling much better.

My perimenopause was a slightly less intense difficulty than when I first got my period/was in my 20s. Then I would get suicidal a couple days before my period but in my 40's I only would get slightly depressed, moody, etc. that time of the month.

Yes...I went off my AD with the same thought - that now I wouldn't find myself as depressed. Within a week of being off it I was having very clear symptoms (physical as well as psychological), so went back on the AD. I'm glad you're feeling better, IrisBloom.

Well, at least it's an improvement.

Ladies, I just remembered another symptom I had. I would cry very easily. Not for no reason like regular depression, but if something was sad (tv show, commercial, sad post on facebook..etc) I would cry. Or even a happy event like getting a present, seeing friend or family after a long time. It didn't bother me too much, but I wondered if it was part of going crazy.

Thank you for posting this, Iris bloom. I also thought I was completely insane. I was taking all of my medication, so it was so freaking scary when I checked into the psych ward.

There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

Erma Bombeck

When I went through pre-menopause I had night sweats and hot flashes and some crying spells. I also have depression and anxiety and was taking my psych meds. The symptoms were transient and bothersome as it felt like someone turned on a heater right in front of my face. Those were the worst symptoms for me at that time

Now that I have been menopausal for 3 years I am having severe mood swings. A few hot flashes again. A few crying spells again. I am very tense. I am irritable and edgy. I feel a little aggressive and I have noticed that I feel like isolating myself from anyone I could be this way around.

Every woman is different with their symptoms as I don't know why I am having such bad mood swings 3 years into menopause. I am going to my GYN doc to have my hormone levels checked. I just saw my pdoc and told him I was so agitated and moody and explained all my symptoms and he said it was attributed to my depression.

He agreed to let me take gabapentin for anxiety that I requested to go back on. Gabapentin has been studied to help some woman with hot flashes. I am hoping that it will help me with my moods and hot flashes as well.

I hope you feel better!

I cry easier as well. I hate it because I feel that other people see it as a sign of weakness.