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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by starlight on September 12, 2004, at 11:39:28
Hi All,
Have you considered the link between hormones and mental health? Think about this, one of the first things to send me off the scale depression wise was birth control pills. We've got PMS issues, which make us depressed or agitated, etc. I wonder how much of a connection there is between mental health and hormones, and if so, the why aren't we tested for hormonal imbalance? I know that the last time I was tested in January of 2002, my estrogen came back high. Has anyone else been tested for hormones?It seems to me that one of the first things they should look at is hormonal balance, before prescribing us all these drugs. And then the second thing of course, would probably getting us off of caffeine "America's drug".
starlightI'm sure that men have issues with hormones as well. Take a look at men with violent tendencies, too much testosterone?
Posted by partlycloudy on September 12, 2004, at 11:58:37
In reply to Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies, posted by starlight on September 12, 2004, at 11:39:28
As a matter of fact, my ob-gyn started me on HRT about a year ago due to preimenopausal problems. That caused migraines, other problems. She has switched me 5 times to diffrent treatments, each time with only a phone consultation. She has never checked my hormone levels. I'm BP2, have GAD and panic attacks. I had a depressive crash since the succession of hurricanes started here in Florida. My migraines started again, the doc started a different HRT, and I got much worse. So I stopped taking any hormone treatment a week ago. I haven't called the doctor because I'm not planning to go back to her.
There's an obvious connection between hormones, depression, and bipolar. My T thinks it's such a misunderstood connection and no one knows what the effects of one is upon the other.
All I know is my migraines are gone, but my depression and anxiety and very bad. Due to hormones? The hurricanes? I don't know who to turn to with this.
Posted by holymama on September 12, 2004, at 15:09:05
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies » starlight, posted by partlycloudy on September 12, 2004, at 11:58:37
The first time I started having severe problems with my moods was after the birth of my first son -- severe depression and TORTUROUSLY severe insomnia lasting 18 months -- until the day my daughter was born. Now tell me that isn't related to hormones. Now, (I am now a mother of 3), I am diagnosed bipolar II, and have been swinging all over the place during this turbulent time of life. My kids are getting a little older (3,4 and 6) and my therapist assures me the worst part is over, since my hormones and life should be settling down. But noone has EVER tested my hormones. I've certainly talked about the link with all of my doctors, but noone has ever suggested that a test could be done.
Posted by 4WD on September 12, 2004, at 17:24:57
In reply to Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies, posted by starlight on September 12, 2004, at 11:39:28
> Hi All,
> Have you considered the link between hormones and mental health? Think about this, one of the first things to send me off the scale depression wise was birth control pills. We've got PMS issues, which make us depressed or agitated, etc. I wonder how much of a connection there is between mental health and hormones, and if so, the why aren't we tested for hormonal imbalance? I know that the last time I was tested in January of 2002, my estrogen came back high. Has anyone else been tested for hormones?
>
> It seems to me that one of the first things they should look at is hormonal balance, before prescribing us all these drugs. And then the second thing of course, would probably getting us off of caffeine "America's drug".
> starlight
>
> I'm sure that men have issues with hormones as well. Take a look at men with violent tendencies, too much testosterone?
>
I have been on HRT for menopause off and on now for a couple of years. I could swear that when I am taking progesterone it makes me feel much, much worse, as in suicidal. This is any progesterone, the bioidentical kind included. I feel better when I take estrogen but you can't take just estrogen if you still have a uterus, which I do. I don't know what to do. I'm scared to take the progesterone and scared not to ake the estrogen.Marsha
Posted by partlycloudy on September 12, 2004, at 19:24:25
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies, posted by 4WD on September 12, 2004, at 17:24:57
I've got to look into this further - my worsening depression coincides with when my perimenopause started and my cycle started going wonky. I even asked my doctor why you don't test someone's hormone levels, and she said then and since that it wasn't necessary.
Are any of you on meds for a thyroid condition?
pc
Posted by Colleen D. on September 12, 2004, at 20:12:47
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies, posted by holymama on September 12, 2004, at 15:09:05
It's been the same with me; my "child-bearing" seems to have triggered something that's made my depression, anxiety and insomnia the worst I've ever experienced. I had my hormones levels tested 3 years ago, but that was when I was undergoing ovulation induction to conceive my #2 daughter and that was done by a reproductive endocrinologist for the purpose of finding the best meds and improving my chances. My GP has never mentioned any such testing and she's the one who prescribed my ADs.
Hmmm...
Colleen
> The first time I started having severe problems with my moods was after the birth of my first son -- severe depression and TORTUROUSLY severe insomnia lasting 18 months -- until the day my daughter was born. Now tell me that isn't related to hormones. Now, (I am now a mother of 3), I am diagnosed bipolar II, and have been swinging all over the place during this turbulent time of life. My kids are getting a little older (3,4 and 6) and my therapist assures me the worst part is over, since my hormones and life should be settling down. But noone has EVER tested my hormones. I've certainly talked about the link with all of my doctors, but noone has ever suggested that a test could be done.
Posted by holymama on September 12, 2004, at 20:15:38
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies, posted by partlycloudy on September 12, 2004, at 19:24:25
Partly Cloudy,
I am on meds for a hypothyroid condition. What is the connection between thyroid/hormone/mood changes? I've had my thyroid problem under control for years though, and still have been havaing major bipolar issues. Why did you ask about the thyroid issue?
Posted by Colleen D. on September 12, 2004, at 20:16:40
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies, posted by partlycloudy on September 12, 2004, at 19:24:25
I used to take a low dose of synthroid for hypothyroidism, but my blood tests for that became so borderline that I discontinued the medication. Each time I've sought ADs, I've had my thyroid levels checked and they've been normal. But 3 generations in my family have had hypothyroidism!
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD> I've got to look into this further - my worsening depression coincides with when my perimenopause started and my cycle started going wonky. I even asked my doctor why you don't test someone's hormone levels, and she said then and since that it wasn't necessary.
>
> Are any of you on meds for a thyroid condition?
> pc
Posted by saw on September 13, 2004, at 1:13:17
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies » partlycloudy, posted by Colleen D. on September 12, 2004, at 20:16:40
I went on the birth control pill, Yasmin, prior to my wedding to skip periods. I can't have children so it wasn't for birth control reasons. Very soon into taking the Yasmin it became evident that something was very wrong. At the time, we didn't put it down to hormones. I became a raging bull, my personality completely changed. I am convinced that what I went through with these added hormones is part and parcel of my relapse. I stayed on the pill for two months when I realised what it was doing to me. Within a week of stopping, much of the rage dissipated. Sadly, the most dibilitating depression was left behind that I fought and denied for months before being treated a little more than a month ago.
I really believe natural hormones, pms hormones and added hormones such as birth control play a critically major role in depression.
Sabrina
Posted by partlycloudy on September 13, 2004, at 5:39:34
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies » partlycloudy, posted by holymama on September 12, 2004, at 20:15:38
Whenever I have seen a doctor for depression, they have asked me if my throid function was OK - so I'm guessing that it can be a symptom of a problem with it.
pc
Posted by Starlight on September 13, 2004, at 15:44:26
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies ? holymama, posted by partlycloudy on September 13, 2004, at 5:39:34
I can't remember any worse depression other than when I was depressed on birth control pills. When I first moved here, I was doing really well and then wanted to try a BCP to control heavy periods and let me tell you - bad, bad move, I was crying at work for no reason, which in a professional environment is pretty ridiculous.
I just think there is way more to this than just 'brain chemistry'. Take for instance fibroids; fibroids use estrogen to grow, so they cause an increase in estrogen production. Ovulation, breast feeding, post partum depression, menopause are all related to hormones. It just doesn't make sense to me that they wouldn't take blood a few times at different times of the month to see where you fall balance wise in the spectrum of what they consider normal.
I don't know how they can ignore it. Is it cheaper to mess with my brain? The other thing is, if they found out this stuff was related to hormonal imbalances, there would be less of the stigma and it could protect you from other problems in the future, like breast cancer which also has a correlation to higher than normal estrogen.
starlight
Posted by 4WD on September 13, 2004, at 20:50:13
In reply to Re: Hormones, Depression Bipolar, esp. Ladies, posted by Starlight on September 13, 2004, at 15:44:26
It isn't right. Even when I went to my ob/gyn because I thought I was in perimenopause, she only tested my FSH level and didn't test estrogen, progesterone, etc.
I am off all hormones now. I am going to be off (if I can stand the hot flashes) for long enough for my levels to normalize. Then I am going to a compounding pharmacy and have my levels checked befor having them design a replacement program for me.
If progesterone rises sharply in the week before your period, and that's when women get PMS, then it makes sense to me that taking too much progesterone (or maybe any) could send me spiraling into a horrible depression.
Marsha
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