Menopause & Depression
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Menopause & Depression
June 2009
I've been experiencing some unpleasant mood changes now that my
periods have stopped. I am consumed by anger and sadness with very
little respite. There is lots of stress in my life. I have a history
of depression - most recently am trying out an Emsam patch. Any
positive results with HRT for depression? Other tips to share?
Thanks
anon
Hi,
Need to make this quick, but wanted to empathize and offer you
Sara
Gottfried's info. She is at the Center For Integrative Medicine on Lake
Merritt in Oakland, and she is wonderful. She is a Harvard-trained MD
but is very into natural and alternative means of treating hormonal
imbalance, primarily perimenopause/menopause. When I first saw her a
couple of years ago I was CONSTANTLY exhausted, pissed off, hagard, had
low-grade depression and did I say pissed off? PLUS chronic insomnia.
It felt like bad PMS that was becoming more and more my natural state.
She put me on bioidentical hormones and supplements, and I now sleep
through the night MOST nights, am not depressed, have very good energy,
and **LOVE** my life again.
It may take awhile to get an appt., and after that it may take a few
months to get yourself ''balanced'' (she does blood/saliva testing and
bases treatment on that) but it is SO WORTH IT!
Her website is www.gottfriedcenter.com/index.html
Phone is 510.893.3907
Best of luck to you!
Anonymous
My gynecologist says she is finding that a low dose of antidepressant
helps women making the transition. I am trying Wellbutrin, and it does
seem to be smoothing out the edges on my mood and making me feel
generally less tired and ponderous. Hope this helps you.
--Also there
March 2008
My partner, already treating for long-term depression, is having a really
hard time with a new job and now is pre-menopausal as well. It's become
pretty bad, and we're thinking she might get a fresh look at an old problem
with a different psychiatrist. She'd like to try a female doc this time -
maybe one who deals a lot with these issues, so she'd have a more invested
grasp of current meds or ideas that might help get us through this. Any
suggestions?
-anon
I usually prefer female practitioners myself, but I have to recommend Randy Bloch
in Walnut Creek. He's worth the drive. Google him & check out his website &
credentials.
Suzanne
Hi,
I do realize that your question specifically asked about a psychiatrist for your
partner, and I'm afraid I can't help there, but since you also mentioned medical
issues and depression associated with pre-menopause, I wanted to wholeheartedly
recommend Dr. Sara Gottfried.
Her Oakland practice is called Integrative Medicine
for Women. She is a Harvard-trained, board certified Gyn who specializes in
bioidentical hormone balancing in perimenopausal and menopausal women. She
provides a great balance between western/allopathic and alternative/holistic
medicine, and REALLY knows her stuff. At 46 with a 3-year-old (yikes), I was
having a horrendous time with insomnia, exhaustion, depression, terrible mood
swings, heart palpitations, zero libido, ETC. when I found Dr. Gottfried, and she
has truly been a Godsend for me (and my family!). All of my symptoms are now at
least 90% better, and I love my life again! I am a Kaiser fan, but their solution
for me was to offer me the Pill,
which makes me nuts and severely depressed. Dr. Gottfried's website is
www.doctorgottfried.com. Best wishes to you and your partner.
Feeling SO much better!
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