OT: Antidepressants for perimenopause

[rhbrand]

I'm heavy into perimenopause and here in the last few months, I'm just not feeling myself. Moody, down, I just don't want to do stuff like I use to. At first I thought it was the winter, which was horrid, but spring came and I'm the same.

My research has shown that antidepressant usage in perimenopause can actually help alleviate symptoms and of course help with the moodiness.

Anyone here have to take an antidepressant to get them through perimenopause?

[JackieB]

I'm not really hip on antidepressants and their side effects so I'm doing some other sorts of supplements etc....treading very closely to topics against the rules here with that talk.

[laurajhawk]

Originally Posted by JackieB

I'm doing some other sorts of supplements etc....treading very closely to topics against the rules here with that talk.

Me, too, that ^ Feel free to PM me.

[suzannaerin]

Originally Posted by rhbrand

I'm heavy into perimenopause and here in the last few months, I'm just not feeling myself. Moody, down, I just don't want to do stuff like I use to. At first I thought it was the winter, which was horrid, but spring came and I'm the same.

My research has shown that antidepressant usage in perimenopause can actually help alleviate symptoms and of course help with the moodiness.

Anyone here have to take an antidepressant to get them through perimenopause?

A work colleague of mine who is a psychologist (PhD) told me that antidepressant use in perimenopause and menopause is normal and does help.

[Suzan66]

They definitely help... my hot flashes have stopped and the need to scream in frustration has lessened.

[clerkin11]

They've helped me a lot. I started taking a small dose a couple of years ago when I was in perimenopause and feeling down and moody and it made me feel like myself again. I tend to be very optimistic, but that doesn't mean depression can't get me.
For me, I found all the hormonal stuff so confusing and controversial. Plus with breast cancer in my family it wasn't recommended. I know other people have great success so I'm not knocking that approach, it was just not for me.
I'm really glad I tried the antidepressant and I'm still taking it. I'm on the smallest dose so I don't have any real side effects that I've noticed except not being depressed and anxious.
If you try it and don't like it, you can always stop.
Also, some antidepressants are recommended for perimenopause/menopause over other ones, so talk to your doctor about that too.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do

[Sollamyn]

I took an antidepressant for awhile. I was pretty stressed about my job and depressed about a number of things, including hot flashes every 30-50 minutes. Every. Single. Day! So I talked with my doctor and she prescribed an antidepressant and gave me some samples. They seemed to be doing the job, but just when I was getting up to speed with those (it takes a few weeks for them to fully kick in), I ran out of the samples and my insurance company wouldn't pay for it, so I had to switch to a different drug that was available as generic. It didn't work as well, but I kept taking it and I think it did help with my depression a little bit, but not with hot flashes. Retiring from my job helped with the stress, but I know that many people don't have that option.

After I started taking the antidepressant, which didn't help with my hot flashes, I decided to start HRT, which was so much more effective at alleviating my meno symptoms. A few months later, I weened myself off the antidepressant. Big mistake!! Work with your doctor on weening, if you should choose to start an antidepressant. You can PM me to find out which drug I was on. Going off it was a pain and half!! (putting that nicely!)

I'm doing OK, now, I think, without the antidepressant. As long as I keep moving! If I slack off my exercise, I tend to get moody.

HTH,
Donna

[Vintage VFer]

Originally Posted by Sollamyn

...After I started taking the antidepressant, which didn't help with my hot flashes, I decided to start HRT, which was so much more effective at alleviating my meno symptoms. A few months later, I weened myself off the antidepressant. Big mistake!! Work with your doctor on weening, if you should choose to start an antidepressant. You can PM me to find out which drug I was on. Going off it was a pain and half!! (putting that nicely!)...

Doctors rarely mention that some anti-depressants can be addicting and must be tapered down slowly.

[Sollamyn]

Originally Posted by Vintage VFer

Doctors rarely mention that some anti-depressants can be addicting and must be tapered down slowly.

Oh, I knew that I had to taper down slowly. I just didn't understand how slowly, and I probably could have gotten some lower dose pills to ease the tapering off issues, but I didn't consult with my doctor first, so that option didn't happen for me. At some point, I just had to go cold turkey because I was out of pills, and wow. I was feeling pretty ill for a few days, at least. Not fun!

Donna