Is it depression or menopause?
May 27th, 2010 | 
Author: Ok, I need to get this under control.
I have basically been in the house since Dec. 2006.
I switched from Paxil (20 years) to Lexapro 15 mg in Dec. 2006 because I felt the Paxil was not working.
I have crying spells, depressed mood…..like no hope.
My body aches so badly. I even went to a chiropractor…
I don’t know if it is depression or hormones. My hormone levels came back as being in the correct range??
I feel like I am crazy….I can’t make decisions, I can hardly stand up i am so weak…..could it be physical?
Anyone have any luck with a certain medication.
Did I mention that I had a full check up and all is ok??? Everything
My mind is slow…..never use to be this way.
I avoid people.
I have many regrets about things that I wanted to accomplish in my life…..
I don’t know what else to say any suggestions??????
I am seriously considering checking into a hospital, but I don’t know if I would go to a mental or physical one.
:please help
Dianne
Hi Dianne:
You don’t say how old you are, so it’s hard to tell if you are menopausal or not – but you certainly do need help. You say you switched medications – was that on the advice of your doctor or on your own initiative? You could be reacting to the medication.
One thing for sure – if you haven’t been out of the house in eight months, you aren’t getting enough exercise, and lack of exercise can exacerbate whatever symptoms you are having, whether they originate in depression or in menopause. There are support groups that can help you get back in society – to experience the stimulation and pleasure that comes from interacting with other people.
Check with your public health nurse to find out how to locate a support group, and get yourself out of the house. That’s the first step! Then find something to occupy your time and your energy. There are hundreds of organizations crying out for volunteers and believe me, when you help someone else, you help yourself more.
It’s good that you recognize that you have a problem and are willing to work towards a solution. So – talk to your doctor about the medicine, call the public health nurse, join a library discussion group (they’re free, and very stimulating) and volunteer your services for some upcoming charity event.
Good luck to you.
Posted in Menopause Depression
check out both mental and physical, probably depression, seek professional help, good luck to you
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I LOOOOOOOVE Effexor XR- It is an snri instead of an ssri- so it is better for anxiety and panic. anxiety will make your body ache and it will turn you into a hypochondriac. I heard lexapro is good for anxiety too but I heard that it is not as strong or effective as effexor. I WAS A BASKET CASE BEFORE I WENT ON IT- LITERALLY! it also works very well for depression, which it sounds like you have pretty bad as well…… you might need to go as high as 225-300mg a day.
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Hi Dianne:
You don’t say how old you are, so it’s hard to tell if you are menopausal or not – but you certainly do need help. You say you switched medications – was that on the advice of your doctor or on your own initiative? You could be reacting to the medication.
One thing for sure – if you haven’t been out of the house in eight months, you aren’t getting enough exercise, and lack of exercise can exacerbate whatever symptoms you are having, whether they originate in depression or in menopause. There are support groups that can help you get back in society – to experience the stimulation and pleasure that comes from interacting with other people.
Check with your public health nurse to find out how to locate a support group, and get yourself out of the house. That’s the first step! Then find something to occupy your time and your energy. There are hundreds of organizations crying out for volunteers and believe me, when you help someone else, you help yourself more.
It’s good that you recognize that you have a problem and are willing to work towards a solution. So – talk to your doctor about the medicine, call the public health nurse, join a library discussion group (they’re free, and very stimulating) and volunteer your services for some upcoming charity event.
Good luck to you.
References :
If you stopped taking Paxil and all this started happening…maybe the Paxil was working and you didn’t know it…altho I’ve heard some bad things about Paxil. Maybe Lexipro isn’t good for you..maybe these are side effects from it. For goodness sake…get off the lexipro and change to something else. And if your hormones are ok (I don’t know how old you are)…and your dr. doesn’t know…go to another dr. Haven’t you watched that medical show on tv…medical diagnosis ..or something like that…where the people go to different drs. until they finally find the answer? I sure wouldn’t go on like this…You didn’t say what the reason was you got on Paxil in the first place…depression? My sister takes Cymbalta and loves it. Keep trying different ones until you find the one for you. She had to try different ones too. Be careful about checking into a mental hospital. Don’t feel alone about those regrets…I sure have a lot and I know a lot of other people do too. Sounds to me like the change of life blues. Sometimes you just have to MAKE yourself get out and do things. It’s called SELF discipline. I have to MAKE myself take a shower. Maybe we should start a club! lol PS..Taking the wrong medicine can be worse (make you "crazier" than not taking any at all. If it makes you "crazier"…get off it. Medicine is supposed to help…not hurt)
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If you’ve been taking Paxil (and absolutely after 20 years it can stop being effective) I would guess it’s still depression.
You said "I have basically been in the house since Dec. 2006" – (been there too) I’m sorry… that just makes things worse
"My body aches so badly." – is this because you don’t move around much? (I spent weeks in bed watching tv)
"My mind is slow…..never use to be this way." – Your brain NEEDS stimulation. Work, a reason to think.
The longer you stay away from people and life, the harder it gets. I suffer from depression and it angers me that I have to go to work to pay my bills, etc; when I just wanna stay home. But when I take some days off from work and crawl into that hole – it doesn’t get better!
YES, if you have the option of checking into a hospital, PLEASE DO SO!. You need a hospital that will deal with your depression.
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Been there… and there is help available.
ask your doctor to check you into the hospital soon. I have been there recovered raised a family worked for 50 years now retired
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Make an appointment with an endocrinologist and have him/her do a work-up.
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