Has anyone experienced a worsening of the mental fog that accompanies bp depression with menopause? The profound fatigue and impaired cognitive abilities are making it impossible for me to function and work.

Any thoughts? Thx.

I am 44 and had a complete hysterectomy 2 years ago......instant surgical menopause. I was just diagnosed with bipolar 2 months ago. I believe that the surgery is what "stirred things up". I have been trying to find hormonal bliss with hormone meds (both synthetic and bio-identical). Nothing worked, so I gave up on the hormones. I am on 3 bipolar meds (Lamictal, Abilify and Wellbutrin). I recently went to a holistic nurse practioner who specializes in menopause, hormones, etc. She put me on more hormones and voila.....the bipolar depression got worse and I was sinking deeper and deeper. So, I quit the hormones and am dealing with the menopause symptoms, but focusing on the bipolar meds and feelings. Menopause is not fun.....and add bipolar to that and you have a "cocktail" of symptoms! All I can say is HANG IN THERE!!!

Maybe you guys can help me ..im not bp, but do suffer from what i would say is mild depression . i feel that before my cycle i am SO much more depressed and swear that im having some pre-menopausel symptoms. I have night sweats and have alot of anxiety a week before. I am almost 44, could it be possible???

Colleen,

i have read that menopause can worsen BP symptoms during the transition - your pdoc should be told you're menopausal in order to monitor the meds.

Jules,

My symptoms are always much worse when I'm pre-menstual. In fact that's where I started 8 yrs ago with the diagnosis - yes depressions were worse but monitoring the rest of the month day by day indicated that i was rapid cycling all the time just hadn't noticed as much (everyone else had though). So, you could be menopausal or BP and menopausal I guess.

Juliet

Thanks for your input, Roz5. It sounds like you've gone through some difficult periods.

Take care.

Colleen,

i have read that menopause can worsen BP symptoms during the transition - your pdoc should be told you're menopausal in order to monitor the meds.

Jules,

My symptoms are always much worse when I'm pre-menstual. In fact that's where I started 8 yrs ago with the diagnosis - yes depressions were worse but monitoring the rest of the month day by day indicated that i was rapid cycling all the time just hadn't noticed as much (everyone else had though). So, you could be menopausal or BP and menopausal I guess.

Juliet

Glad to hear that someone has heard of worsening bp symptoms with menopause. I never thought that things would be this debilitating. Thx for input.

Hi Colleen And Everyone....
I Like Others At 40 Had A Complete Hysterectomy And I Am Not Bipolar. I Have Had Situation Depression. My Son Is Now 16 And Was Diagnosed Bipolar 3 Years Ago And My Daughter Now 13.9 Is Adhd. Their Dad Is Bipolar And My Brother Is Adhd. So Anyway I Now In Menopause Before I Started A Med Called Femtrace Was Nuts. I Had Panic Attacks, I Was Up And Down, I Dont Still Sleep Good And I Have Had Thoughts Like Never Before. I Have A New Respect For Bipolars Like My Son And My Ex Untreated And I Been Single Mom 9years Now. Some Days I Dont Get Out Of Bed And Some Days I Am Ok. I Dont Focus Like Before, I Dont Finish What I Start Alot So If I Feel Like This, My Prays To All Who Feel Like This All Time. My Doc Tried Depression Meds, You Name It. So Far Only Thing That Helps Is The Femtrace, A New Med For Complete Hysterectomy. It Does Really Help Me Also My God The Heat Flashes Were Crazy. I Dont Now On The Med. My Son Bipolar For 3years Now, Told Me I Now Know A Bite Of How He Feels Some Days. So I Would Think If Bipolar You Would Have It Much Harder Then Me.
Good Luck
Mslainie

Hi Colleen And Everyone....
I Like Others At 40 Had A Complete Hysterectomy And I Am Not Bipolar. I Have Had Situation Depression. My Son Is Now 16 And Was Diagnosed Bipolar 3 Years Ago And My Daughter Now 13.9 Is Adhd. Their Dad Is Bipolar And My Brother Is Adhd. So Anyway I Now In Menopause Before I Started A Med Called Femtrace Was Nuts. I Had Panic Attacks, I Was Up And Down, I Dont Still Sleep Good And I Have Had Thoughts Like Never Before. I Have A New Respect For Bipolars Like My Son And My Ex Untreated And I Been Single Mom 9years Now. Some Days I Dont Get Out Of Bed And Some Days I Am Ok. I Dont Focus Like Before, I Dont Finish What I Start Alot So If I Feel Like This, My Prays To All Who Feel Like This All Time. My Doc Tried Depression Meds, You Name It. So Far Only Thing That Helps Is The Femtrace, A New Med For Complete Hysterectomy. It Does Really Help Me Also My God The Heat Flashes Were Crazy. I Dont Now On The Med. My Son Bipolar For 3years Now, Told Me I Now Know A Bite Of How He Feels Some Days. So I Would Think If Bipolar You Would Have It Much Harder Then Me.
Good Luck
Mslainie

Mslainie, It sounds like you have your hands full! I'm glad that the Femtrace is working for you. Hang in there!

Absolutely! I am 46 and have just skipped a period again. (no, I'm not pregnant) My "foggy" brain races then stops. Then it races again.
I'm having "very warm flashes" and anxiety attacks. I don't know if I'll be able to work like this for very long! I'm in customer service and often have people yelling at me. I can't take the stress. My pdoc knows all this and insists treating the bipolar is the answer. Just haven't found the right mix of meds, he says. Anything you guys do that works?

Absolutely! I am 46 and have just skipped a period again. (no, I'm not pregnant) My "foggy" brain races then stops. Then it races again.
I'm having "very warm flashes" and anxiety attacks. I don't know if I'll be able to work like this for very long! I'm in customer service and often have people yelling at me. I can't take the stress. My pdoc knows all this and insists treating the bipolar is the answer. Just haven't found the right mix of meds, he says. Anything you guys do that works?

Hi, Greenidme,

I'm a bit older than you and have gone through upsetting symptoms, too. If I were in your shoes, I would see my gynecologist and get your fsh tested. I was still having periods, but my fsh was elevated which signaled menopause. I went on hrt patch right then and there, and things improved immensely.

I have a bp older sister who never went on hrt, but has been taking risperdal, neurontin (good for hot flashes), lamictal, lexapro, buspar, klonopin. She says that she's never had any menopausal symptoms (other than vaginal).

Right now, I'm struggling b/c I went off hrt for two months and then the panic, sweats, etc., came in full force. I can't take meds like sister--too sensitive--pdoc says I don't metabolize meds well.

If I were you, I would seek gyno relief and pdoc relief--best of both worlds. Take care.

Greenidme,
You are singing my song! I'm 47, almost 48, and crazier than I used to be. I change BP meds all the time and I am now seeing a menopause specialist. I'm just destined to be a nut or as my grandson says "A Crazy Grandma."

Thanks Colleen! I will do that- I'm desperate to do something!

It's nice to know I'm not alone! I figured I ought to seek out another doc for the menepausal symptoms- now I know I ought to!