Depression with peri-menopause

[Dromano1166]

I'm 48 years old and going into menopause. I'm still menstruating monthly but the periods are very light. My issue is about a week before my period I get severe PMS. I'm not sure if its so much worse because i'm going into menopause or if this is the new normal. It's SOOOO BAD! I can't really talk to anyone because I'm angry at everyone for whatever stupid reason. I become very emotional and cry alot, my face breaks out in huge welts-not pimples more like blisters in the same areas every time.The worst part is I get waves of such severe depression it scares me! It does subside after a few minutes but I'm still depressed. If this decides to come for more than just those few minutes about 4-5 times a day I can't see how I will cope! I'm very happy otherwise,just started a new job,moved to a wonderful home in a great town,my children are stable. I don't know why this happens..especially the awful waves of depression. I can feel it come on and I can't move or talk. It stops me dead in my tracks and I pray that it goes away! If thats how bad depression can get I understand suicide.

[Beamer01]

I had severe depression too.  Crying A LOT.  I chose the natural route.  I don't want to bombard my body with  synthetic hormones.  A whole set of problems come along with those either during the time you take them or after you are off them and down the line.  I had my hormone levels tested with a saliva panel through a Naturopath.  More accurate than bloodwork. With that information in my case, she put me on Progesterone cream.  My estrogen was low, but my Progesterone (the happy hormone) was even lower in ratio to Estrogen.  Progesterone can convert into Estrogen if your body needs it. She also gave me a homeopathic remedy that fit my symptoms.  I no longer feel depressed and am no longer crying at the drop of a hat.  It took a few weeks to a month.  I am under stress even today, and it continues to work for me.  I am in late stage peri at 53 years old.  I also do gentle yoga, breathing exercises, meditate, prayer, massage when I can afford it, and practice more "self-love.  In the very, very beginning of peri I had rages every once in a while, but just lived with it.  If I knew then, what I know now, I would have addressed this naturally much sooner.

[psyvamp71]

Are you sure these aren't really episodes of PANIC attacks??? Sounds similar to the way my panic attacks would hit initially. Definately worth seeing your MD or PSych MD for.

[Paxiled]

There are natural ways to try to deal with this to balance your hormones without the increased health risks of synthetic hormone therapy.  Might be worth a try to see if it helps.  I'd go see a naturopath or practitioner of integrated medicine if you don't know your natural medicine.  

[crafd]

I'm 46 and am finally realizing that I'm in perimenopause. I would go into rages!  Ended up showing my *** in the Verizon store (I mean really really showing my ***!) and that's when I knew something was wrong! Doctor put me on Lexapro for bad PMS and it has worked!  

[Dromano1166]

Me too! I can't even wait to get it because then it all goes away! Antidepressants make me more depressed so thats out!

[NH1234]

Hi! OMG I felt exactly the same way today . I'm 50 still getting my periods but felt like I was going to explode for no reason I'm due today