americandancer
03-14-2005, 05:38 AM
Can you ladies give me your experiences with anti-depressants for perimenopause or pmdd? I suffer mainly from anxiety, moodswings and (note the time) insomnia! Thanks so much for responding! By the way, I am 37 and should have an appt. soon with an endocrinologist, my dr. said it may take awhile to get me in.
Sponsor
hannasnana
03-14-2005, 06:02 AM
Have you tried progesterone creme like progest? Many times it takes care of the symtoms you have. There are several books on treating premenapause and menapause with natural supplements.
molly123
03-14-2005, 04:21 PM
Hi Americandancer,
I take Paxil CR which is an anti-depressant and it also treats PMDD. I didn't have any side effects from it other than feeling a bit tired - but I was already feeling pretty fatigue already so I don't know if it was really a side effect even. I didn't feel weird or anything. I felt this "lift" taken off of me immediately. I am still on it.
I started having insomnia around your age too. It went on for years. I'm better than before but I still have occasional nights when I just can't fall asleep. I'm lucky that I work from home so I don't have to be anywhere in the morning so I just learn to put up with it. I do take a Tylendol PM (1/2) pill sometimes to help me sleep and if my back/hip is achy.
molly
I take Paxil CR which is an anti-depressant and it also treats PMDD. I didn't have any side effects from it other than feeling a bit tired - but I was already feeling pretty fatigue already so I don't know if it was really a side effect even. I didn't feel weird or anything. I felt this "lift" taken off of me immediately. I am still on it.
I started having insomnia around your age too. It went on for years. I'm better than before but I still have occasional nights when I just can't fall asleep. I'm lucky that I work from home so I don't have to be anywhere in the morning so I just learn to put up with it. I do take a Tylendol PM (1/2) pill sometimes to help me sleep and if my back/hip is achy.
molly
americandancer
03-14-2005, 09:09 PM
Molly, has the paxil cr caused any weight gain or increased appetite?
Thanks!
Kelly
Thanks!
Kelly
julie39180
03-14-2005, 10:10 PM
Can you ladies give me your experiences with anti-depressants for perimenopause or pmdd? I suffer mainly from anxiety, moodswings and (note the time) insomnia! Thanks so much for responding! By the way, I am 37 and should have an appt. soon with an endocrinologist, my dr. said it may take awhile to get me in.
hello,
i have the same problem as u and lots of women out there. i am on 60 mg of cymbalta but have only been on it for 3 weeks, i know i do have more energy, i have lost a few pounds and dont get hungry, but i havent had a full nights sleep yet, dry mouth really bad, a little constipated. i think it is helping. i usually get into the mood swings,ETC usually before i start my period, next week im suppose to have it and so far, so good. i feel a little on edge but not like i usually do.... hopefully this med. is working. i just really want to be a normal women or feel like one again.
ill keep u posted.
hello,
i have the same problem as u and lots of women out there. i am on 60 mg of cymbalta but have only been on it for 3 weeks, i know i do have more energy, i have lost a few pounds and dont get hungry, but i havent had a full nights sleep yet, dry mouth really bad, a little constipated. i think it is helping. i usually get into the mood swings,ETC usually before i start my period, next week im suppose to have it and so far, so good. i feel a little on edge but not like i usually do.... hopefully this med. is working. i just really want to be a normal women or feel like one again.
ill keep u posted.
molly123
03-15-2005, 12:00 AM
Americandancer,
I lost weight (10-15#) within 2-3 mos. when I wasn't feeling well with my peri-symptoms. Like most people, once you start feeling better, you gain the weight back - which I did. I don't think it's the Paxil CR that caused it - I think I'm just a pig! LOL! I am working out more now, trying to eat smaller portions (but I'm not on a diet per se nor am I restricting myself from foods I love to eat) but I fit my smaller size jeans now, look leaner but I weigh more than before so what does that tell you?
I have read that some people gained weight from Paxil as well as other anti-depressants. But then some don't, I took Wellbutrin for a short time and at that time, I continued to lose weight but felt worse.
molly
I lost weight (10-15#) within 2-3 mos. when I wasn't feeling well with my peri-symptoms. Like most people, once you start feeling better, you gain the weight back - which I did. I don't think it's the Paxil CR that caused it - I think I'm just a pig! LOL! I am working out more now, trying to eat smaller portions (but I'm not on a diet per se nor am I restricting myself from foods I love to eat) but I fit my smaller size jeans now, look leaner but I weigh more than before so what does that tell you?
I have read that some people gained weight from Paxil as well as other anti-depressants. But then some don't, I took Wellbutrin for a short time and at that time, I continued to lose weight but felt worse.
molly
americandancer
03-15-2005, 05:10 PM
ThanksJulie! Let me know how it does for you. I tried cymbalta awhile back, but only for a few weeks. I may try it again. I didn't realize cymbalta was approved for pmdd, though. Keep me posted!
LYNEL
03-15-2005, 05:46 PM
Hi Molly,
My premenopause started at 35 and I have been to an endocrinologist and 3 different
MD's. I could not take the estrogen without taking the side effect med to prevent breast cancer since it made me bleed even more and caused me more problems. But
no MD would prescribe without it. The last MD I went to advised me to just ride it out and deal w/it. I took his advice and started a natural supplement called Black Cohosh-
over the counter at Walgreens etc. I have been on it for approximately 2 years w/great results. Moods - good, there are the normal problems etc. sweats - once in every blue moon. Periods monthly - sometimes they try to act up again. But so far
it has done as good as any other medication, just no side effects that I am aware of.
Would not give it up for MD's are other risky meds. Good Luck
My premenopause started at 35 and I have been to an endocrinologist and 3 different
MD's. I could not take the estrogen without taking the side effect med to prevent breast cancer since it made me bleed even more and caused me more problems. But
no MD would prescribe without it. The last MD I went to advised me to just ride it out and deal w/it. I took his advice and started a natural supplement called Black Cohosh-
over the counter at Walgreens etc. I have been on it for approximately 2 years w/great results. Moods - good, there are the normal problems etc. sweats - once in every blue moon. Periods monthly - sometimes they try to act up again. But so far
it has done as good as any other medication, just no side effects that I am aware of.
Would not give it up for MD's are other risky meds. Good Luck
americandancer
03-15-2005, 10:47 PM
Molly, does the paxil not make you too tired? Evidently not, if you are able to exercise and watch what you eat! Good for you! I agree, I don't think they make you gain weight, I think either you feel better, therefore you eat more normally. Or as in my case in the past with other ad's, I was too tired to get any exercise and I tend to reach for the junk food when extremely tired. My dr. gave me effexor xr for now, but I have quit taking it. I never made it to the highest dose. I might ask for the paxil, though. My gyn swore wellbutrin xl would work for my pmdd symptoms and my anxiety, but it made me shake uncontrollably(sp?) I think it was the wellbutrin anyway.
Lynel, thanks for your response...my friend takes black cohosh and she is happy with it also.
Kelly
Lynel, thanks for your response...my friend takes black cohosh and she is happy with it also.
Kelly
greeneyes100
03-16-2005, 03:22 PM
Wellbutrin is not good for anxiety and will usually make it worse. It does rev up your sex drives though! I was on it and Paxil for awhile before completely giving up anti-depressants. I just didn't like the way they made me feel. I actually felt more depressed when on paxil! It is good for anxiety, but I felt so numb and tired all the time. I heard it doesn't make you gain weight at first, but later on it piles on the pounds and they are hard to get rid of too.
Right now, I just take good ole xanax or valium for anxiety. A lot of doctors don't like to prescribe them because they can be addicting, but I haven't had that problem so far. I sleep like a baby on xanax and it has absolutely no side effects!
Right now, I just take good ole xanax or valium for anxiety. A lot of doctors don't like to prescribe them because they can be addicting, but I haven't had that problem so far. I sleep like a baby on xanax and it has absolutely no side effects!
molly123
03-16-2005, 04:00 PM
Thought I do one post to make all my responses...
Lynel - I tried Estroven for about 2 months which contains Black Cohosh and soy, and didn't notice a difference. I later just purchased a bottle of Black Cohosh by itself and it made me feel strange. However, I was taking this stuff when I was at my worse and I was desperate and willing to take anything to feel even a little bit normal. I hate taking meds too but when you feel so bad and not used to it and to the point that you even think about ending your life, something needs to be done! I really didn't start feeling better until I went on the Paxil CR. Paxil isn't suppose to rid peri-meno symptoms, it's suppose to just help you 'manage' things better. I was almost 51 at the time and probably transitioning from peri to actual menopause so my hormones might have been settling down too. It is hard to tell what actually helps you when you are experiencing lots of symptoms and then it gets better. You don't really know if it's the meds, the supplements, or just timing.
Kelly/Americandancer - I was already experiencing really bad fatigue where I had to lay down every 15 mins. so I don't know if the Paxil CR made me tired or not really. I know that once I was put on Paxil (in late Dec 2003), I was fine by Jan. 2004. I started to feel better and have enough energy to do walking tapes at home. From there, I slowly got by appetite back. My dr. said if the Paxil didn't work, he would try Effexor on me. The Wellbutrin made me feel spacey, like a robot and it made me feel just as anxious, I just felt worse. Because everyone reacts differently, we have to try a variety sometimes in order to find what works. Ask your dr. about the Paxil Cr and see what he/she says.
Greeneyes -
Do you know how long a person is on Paxil before the pounds start piling up?
Take care everyone!
molly
Lynel - I tried Estroven for about 2 months which contains Black Cohosh and soy, and didn't notice a difference. I later just purchased a bottle of Black Cohosh by itself and it made me feel strange. However, I was taking this stuff when I was at my worse and I was desperate and willing to take anything to feel even a little bit normal. I hate taking meds too but when you feel so bad and not used to it and to the point that you even think about ending your life, something needs to be done! I really didn't start feeling better until I went on the Paxil CR. Paxil isn't suppose to rid peri-meno symptoms, it's suppose to just help you 'manage' things better. I was almost 51 at the time and probably transitioning from peri to actual menopause so my hormones might have been settling down too. It is hard to tell what actually helps you when you are experiencing lots of symptoms and then it gets better. You don't really know if it's the meds, the supplements, or just timing.
Kelly/Americandancer - I was already experiencing really bad fatigue where I had to lay down every 15 mins. so I don't know if the Paxil CR made me tired or not really. I know that once I was put on Paxil (in late Dec 2003), I was fine by Jan. 2004. I started to feel better and have enough energy to do walking tapes at home. From there, I slowly got by appetite back. My dr. said if the Paxil didn't work, he would try Effexor on me. The Wellbutrin made me feel spacey, like a robot and it made me feel just as anxious, I just felt worse. Because everyone reacts differently, we have to try a variety sometimes in order to find what works. Ask your dr. about the Paxil Cr and see what he/she says.
Greeneyes -
Do you know how long a person is on Paxil before the pounds start piling up?
Take care everyone!
molly
greeneyes100
03-16-2005, 04:10 PM
From different forums where people talked about being on Paxil, most of them said it took around 6 months or so before they started gaining. I think it sometimes does something to your metabolism. I know one girl said all she ate was one apple a day and could not lose weight. Some people said that even after they went off of Paxil, they could not lose the weight they gained. It seems to be the worst offender as far as weight gain, other than the older antidepressants like Lithium. Of all the antidepressants I took, I liked Effexor the best. It effects two receptors in the brain, dopamine and serotonin. The only bad thing about Effexor was extreme constipation--that's why I had to quit that one. Good luck! ;)
americandancer
03-17-2005, 09:18 AM
Julie, how is the cymbalta working for you?
julie39180
03-17-2005, 11:48 AM
Julie, how is the cymbalta working for you?
its working so far. next week i start my period and so far the "BEAST" hasnt come out in me. HEY HEY Whoooo! i also have no appite and have been loosing weight! whooo! i sure needed tooo. i still have a dry mouth and i havent seen a good nights sleep since i started taking it. i still have no sex drive :( im hoping that will get better.. i also have ENERGY and i havent had that in a while... so far so good... ill keep u posted! i have been on it for 3 weeks so far and im at 60 mg.
its working so far. next week i start my period and so far the "BEAST" hasnt come out in me. HEY HEY Whoooo! i also have no appite and have been loosing weight! whooo! i sure needed tooo. i still have a dry mouth and i havent seen a good nights sleep since i started taking it. i still have no sex drive :( im hoping that will get better.. i also have ENERGY and i havent had that in a while... so far so good... ill keep u posted! i have been on it for 3 weeks so far and im at 60 mg.
molly123
03-17-2005, 01:06 PM
Hi greeneyes,
Thanks for the info. It's rather depressing really - I been on Paxil CR 12.5mg since late Dec. 03 and I gained 10 lbs. I going to start weaning off of it this year when I see my doc in Aug. Hopefully, I'll be one of luckier ones that won't have any problems afterwards.
molly
From different forums where people talked about being on Paxil, most of them said it took around 6 months or so before they started gaining. I think it sometimes does something to your metabolism. I know one girl said all she ate was one apple a day and could not lose weight. Some people said that even after they went off of Paxil, they could not lose the weight they gained. It seems to be the worst offender as far as weight gain, other than the older antidepressants like Lithium. Of all the antidepressants I took, I liked Effexor the best. It effects two receptors in the brain, dopamine and serotonin. The only bad thing about Effexor was extreme constipation--that's why I had to quit that one. Good luck! ;)
Thanks for the info. It's rather depressing really - I been on Paxil CR 12.5mg since late Dec. 03 and I gained 10 lbs. I going to start weaning off of it this year when I see my doc in Aug. Hopefully, I'll be one of luckier ones that won't have any problems afterwards.
molly
From different forums where people talked about being on Paxil, most of them said it took around 6 months or so before they started gaining. I think it sometimes does something to your metabolism. I know one girl said all she ate was one apple a day and could not lose weight. Some people said that even after they went off of Paxil, they could not lose the weight they gained. It seems to be the worst offender as far as weight gain, other than the older antidepressants like Lithium. Of all the antidepressants I took, I liked Effexor the best. It effects two receptors in the brain, dopamine and serotonin. The only bad thing about Effexor was extreme constipation--that's why I had to quit that one. Good luck! ;)
americandancer
03-17-2005, 04:11 PM
Good for you, Julie! I wish I could say the same. I have wellbutrin xl, effexor xr, zoloft, and lexapro in my cabinet. Don't know which one to take and try to stay on. Did your dr. tell you the cymbalta was for pmdd?
julie39180
03-17-2005, 09:45 PM
no she said i was "depressed" and "PMS" is like depression.. anyway it seems to be working. yea i have tried all the depression med. and they didnt help...