menopause - Menopause Message Board

livinginagony · 09-30-2008, 09:35 AM

hello, ive been going thru meno now about 3 years, hot flashes come and go i eat healthy, vits blsckhosh etc, but everytime the hotflashes comes back there worse this last week i thought i would land up in the nut house, (really), im afraid to take antidepressants, like they want me to, also cant take hrt because of family history, please some one help me i cant take the pain anymore, im a active , morning person but this has ruined my life im willing to try things to help me but dont know where to start..

lani88 · 10-12-2008, 03:35 AM

when you have a hot flash just ignore it.. you it will pass i get them too. mine is worst i get heart palpations thats more spooky. the hot flashes will go away just dress cool and think of something good,dont take those pills just go in a cool place and just think its gonna pass,good luck,aloha lani88

Tracey2205 · 10-12-2008, 04:54 AM

I sympathise with you "livinginagony", but you shouldn't be scared about taking antidepressants.

It took my doctor 2 years to finally get me on antidepressants and my life changed so much for the better. If you have faith in your doctor and you feel he or she really knows you then take his/her advice - you can always come off them if you don't get on with them.

Antidepressants replace hormones in the brain which you need. One cause of depression is an inadequate amount of serotonin, a chemical used in the brain to transmit signals between neurons, norepinephrine has a positive effect on concentration and motivation and dopamine which has many functions in the brain, including important roles in behaviour and cognition, motor activity, motivation and reward, inhibition of prolactin production, sleep, mood, attention, and learning.

My doctor said to me - "If you were diabetic and needed insulin would you take it?" - my answer was yes. Then she said "Your brain is lacking in certain chemicals and needs them to stabilise it?

Okay I gave in - I can't say it wasn't a bumpy and uncomfortable ride for at least two/three weeks of shear hell but they worked and I was 100% better.

This is just my opinion - we are all different and what suits one person doesn't suit another.

Don't be scared - be informed but don't read everything so literal being to informed can cause you more worry and upset than needs.

Take care xx