Anyone else feel WORSE when taking HRT? - Menopause Message Board

oceandreams · 09-11-2006, 11:27 AM

I have tried bioidentical hormones and FemHRT. Both seem to make me actually feel worse emotionally -- more depressed, more anxious and more irritable (though they did help with hot flashes).

How can this be? I always thought that hormone treatment should help these things, not make them worse. Now I don't know where to turn for relief of these symptoms.

Red Maple · 09-12-2006, 10:44 AM

oceandreams-I am on bioidentical hormones for hot flashes and it works like a charm. But it doesn't seem to affect the emotional part. I take a antidepressant called Celexa that helps tremendously, and an anti-anxiety called Ativan as needed when the anxiety gets to me. These drugs in combination with the hormones help me to feel pretty much normal again. Both of the prescriptions for the emotional issues really calm me down so I sleep well most of the time. When I can get a good night's sleep it makes all the difference in how I feel overall. It's worth a try to ask your doctor about emotional support during this time also. Good Luck

oceandreams · 09-19-2006, 03:43 PM

Thanks, Red Maple, for your response. I recently started taking prozac and klonopin (similar to ativan) and they are helping, for now anyway.