Hormones and Depression

[roz5]

I had a total hysterectomy last June, and since then have been battling depression. I never had to deal with depression prior to my hysterectomy and am now wondering if hormonal imbalance could be the root of my depression. I have tried so many hormone meds (HRT), trying to find the "right mix". The past month, I find myself having "good day & bad days". It seems like my bad days tend to spiral downhill early afternoon. Then, it just gets worse and worse. By late afternoon, I just want to crawl into bed and cry. I am so frustrated right now, and have so many doctors "in the mix", I don't know which way to turn. I am seeing a therapist, who also refered me to a psychiatrist. I am seeing a gynecologist quite frequently, who also wants me to see an endocrinologist. I am also seeing a rheumatologist for my Raynaud's disease. Are there any more "ist" doctors out there that I have not seen yet????
I am desperate to find the answer to my depression. Enough is enough already, and I just want to be "me" again.

[beachlady]

I WENT INTO MENOPAUSE EARLY IN MY LIFE, IN MY EARLY 40's, I HAD A REALLY HARD TIME FINDING THE RIGHT HORMONAL ROUTINE FOR ME. UPS AND DOWNS WITH ALL THE ESTROGENS AND ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AT THAT TIME. FINALLY AFTER MANY YEARS MY BODY CALMED DOWN A BIT AND I CONTINUED ON ESTROGENE AND PROGESTROGENE AND VARIOUS ANTI-DEPRESSANTS.

IT WAS NOT UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT "BIO-IDENTICAL" HORMONES ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO DID I FIND THE RIGHT COMBINATION FOR ME. LET ME EXPLANIE. I LEARNED ABOUT ESYROGENE, PROGESTERONE, TESTOSTERONE, ETC. FROM A BOOK BY SUZANNE SUMMERS CALLED" THE SEXY YEARS" AND BOUGHT THE BOOK READ IT FROM COVER TO COVER AND STARTED SEARCHING IN MY AREA FOR A DOCTOR WHO WAS USING THESE HORMONES.

I HAVE BEEN ON THEM FOR THREE YEARS NOW, AND THEY BRING YOUR BODY BACK TO THE WAY IT FUNCTIONED WHEN YOU WERE ACTUALLY PRODUCING YOUR OWN HORMONES. I WILL TAKE THEM UNTIL THE DAY I DIE.

I GO TO A HORMONE SPECIALIST IN BOCA RATON, FL AND HE MONITORS MY BLOOD LEVELS EVERY SIX MONTHS, AND MAKES SURE MY LEVELS ARE GOOD, AND ALONG WITH THIS I TAKE OTHER HORMONES LIKE DHEA, ETC. TO KEEP MY BODY AND MIND HEALTHY.

IT MIGHT BE WORTH YOUR WHILE TO CHECK INTO THIS, HOWEVER, THERE ARE NOT ALOT OF DOCTORS WHO HAVE THE RIGHT EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA. YOU MIGHT WANT TO PURCHASE THE BOOK "THE SEXY YEARS" BY SUZANNE SUMMERS AND GET AN IDEA OF HOW SHE DISCOVERED THIS.

HOPE THIS HELPS, LET ME KNOW.

JUDI

[roz5]

Thanks, Judi!
I already read the book by Suzanne Sommers (good book!) and thankfully, have a gyn who is incredibly up to speed on bio-identical HRT. I've tried compounded creams; compounded pills; Prometrium; Femring........so many combinations I have tried. I am sensitive to some meds, and do not respond to others. It is a jungle! My gyn has been a saint and I can contact her whenever need be with symptoms. She's done several saliva tests within that past year. My DHEA & testosterone levels were very high (I'm on taking anything for testosterone). Because of my elevated DHEA, she wants me to see an endocrinologist. My only fear now is getting stuck between the 2 doctors in regards to regulating hormone meds.
I just want to walk away from this depression. I can't handle it much anymore!!!