I'm Kathy, and I am 41 years old, well...almost 42,
. About a year ago I went to the dr. for a physical and was put on antidepressants because of irritibilty, mood swings. 1st he put me on Lexapro, then because of decreased sexual desire I had him change it. I tried Wellbutrin, but had alot of side effects with it, and was switched to a new antidepressant called Cymbalta. Well things were going real well for a while, but after a month and a half it seems I have gotten really depressed and have no sexual desire AT ALL. I went off the medication a couple days ago and am going to try to do without it.
I have been wondering if I was in peri menapause, and perhaps that is the real root of my problems. I have night sweats, irritability, trouble sleeping. loss of libido, weight gain and memory lapses. And something else I have noticed that I don't know if it is related to it or not, but the Dr. just shrugged it off (male Dr.), like its no big deal. When I urinate, after stopping, or thinking I have stopped, I will begin to urinate again not just a teaspoon or so, but like starting all over. I saw that incontinence was a symptom, and didn't know if this could be as well.
Right now my main problems are with the night sweats , loss of libido, and biting people's heads off .
Does anyone have any suggestions how I can control these things?
Kathy
Yes! I think you are in perimenopause. I am 40 and these s/s have come and gone mild when I first started and then this last year I had surgery in May and it really stirred up the big pot of hormones. Go to another doctor!!! Have they checked your hormone levels? Have you seen your OBGYN MD about your s/s? I went in and told mine what was going on and he patted me on the back and said you will be fine, this is all normal. At first I was kinda mad then I asked him what to do and he put me on bcp. I am feeling much, much, much better since I have been on them! If you have had a change in your period at all and do have those s/s then think about it! It won't hurt to get a second opinion. I know the risks of bcp, but right now with my crazy busy family life I don't have time to deal with menopause issues. I have also been (walking) excercising 20 min three times a week! That has helped with mood, muscle soreness and libido!! Hope you find out what is going on soon! Take care!
Well, at least not any crazier than the rest of us! It's not that uncommon for you to be experiencing peri-menopause symptoms at your age (my periods STOPPED at 41), so instead of relying on a non-responsive doctor to tell you, use your instincts and TRUST yourself that you know when things are just not like they used to be. Read as much as you can, talk to other women and stay educated about what the symptoms are, what the alternatives are and which way you want to approach it. You might decide to take hrt for awhile or you might want to go the natural route. Whichever you decide is fine as long as it's best for YOU.