Bad Day

[SBee]

Really weird @AurielI had a mini breakdown in the yoghurt aisle once too! What is it with dairy products then?

I have had had PMS since I was a teenager but the moods went so very bad once perimenopause hit me like a bus. My gp said the hormone fluctuations can affect PMS severely . She suggested an anti depressant on the luteal phases of my cycle and that, along with finally working the right hrt regime has helped enourmously. I still have the Nice slight dip, but not longer feel I am a danger to myself.

May be worth you speaking with a gp who has an interest in women's health to see if you may benefit from some help? Or look at a pms \pmdd website? Made a huge change for myself.

 

[Auriel]

Really weird @AurielI had a mini breakdown in the yoghurt aisle once too! What is it with dairy products then?

 

[Auriel]

May be worth you speaking with a gp who has an interest in women's health to see if you may benefit from some help? Or look at a pms \pmdd website? Made a huge change for myself.

Not sure if this is for me or not? But I know there's a condition that makes girl's dangerously depressed at "certain" times (I got mine pretty much under control, I do still have to be careful though)

 

[JamieMarc]

Switching over to male hormones cuz I want to join in on the fun. LOL.

Both men and women have "male" and "female" hormones. In different levels, and important for so many things in our bodies. Women certainly don't produce as much testosterone and men do not produce as much estrogen. I would guess that the majority of the global population thinks that testosterone and estrogen, for example, thinks that hormones serve one purpose only: sex and libido. But nothing could be further from the truth. Estrogens play an important physiological role in both sexes, although it is the primary sex hormone in females just as testosterone is the primary sex hormone in males.

In 2010, I started on a transdermal testosterone supplementation prescription due to low testosterone levels, most likely caused by a certain medication I take that has a common side effect of metabolic syndrome. My doctor at the time warned me that at first I might feel more aggressive among other things. He was right. For about a week, I was feeling much more aggressive, and I'm not an aggressive person generally. Assertive yes, but aggressive no. Some of my friends were not very happy with me that week. LOL

I started on one pump of the testosterone gel per day. Several years later and a different doctor, my dose was increased to two pumps per day. Just 6 months ago, my new urologist here in Pinellas County said my testosterone level was good, but he would like to see it higher. He asked me a series of questions as well to back up his recommendation. Sure enough, the four pumps a day turned out to be a blessing. Not only is my libido and sexual performance much improved, but also my mood, my energy, cognitive ability, socialization, muscle mass, healthier hair and just my overall sense of well-being. It will also help with my osteoporosis by helping to reduce bone loss.

Every 6 months when I get my blood work done for my urologist, we always test for not just testosterone, but also estradiol, the most potent estrogen and, of course, prostate specific antigen.

Having excessively high levels of hormones can be dangerous just like having low levels. It's important to keep the levels within the recommended range.

 

[SBee]

Ahh, sorry you felt left out a bit @JamieMarc -
all hormones welcome!
After the last couple of years of hormonal fluctuations I'm happy to talk to anyone about the mad affects! And my lengthy posts on here sure show I don't know when to shut up haha.

Am in total agreement regarding the best balance of hormones whether male or female. It is of course when they drop too far or go too high and symptoms become a problem then it's maybe time to seek advice.

My oestrogen levels went all over the place, very common in perimenopause ( the years prior to menopause when periods stop for good) to put it bluntly my body and mind crashed downwards something oestrogen levels fluctuated madly. I won't go into a full list of symptoms, but working with a dr sympathetic to, women's health, and with much tweaking, I ended up on oestrogen which is justified the recommended dose, and like so Many women I can't tolerate oral progesterone which is needed to keep to womb lining at a healthy thickness ( hope you aren't eating your dinner at this point...). No exaggeration but with our the high hrt and a low anti depressant to keep cyclical suicidal thoughts at bay I would not be here.

Hrt does not work for everyone, and so never see it as a total ' cure ' but as a support.

Interestingly I am also on testosterone, because as you rightly say makes and female share hormones in varying degrees! I started only in Jan of this year. Testosterone for menopause is still a bit controversial, the UK only licences testosterone replacement for women very carefully, and with 3 month checks to see the levels don't go too high. It's hard to find a gp willing to prescribe it and of course vigorous checks and warnings.
I needed to try it for much the same reasons as some men, libido, brain fog, lack of energy, and just feeling meh. I'm not a fook, I know these symptoms can be from many conditions,but so far I do feel a little bit brighter in all ways.

I research carefully of course before embarking on any form of hrt, or any medication.

 

[JamieMarc]

@SBee
What a fascinating post! I love learning about all of the new things in our forum. And that's a lot! I love youy sense of humor also. And no, I wasn't eating my dinner, not that something like that would diminish my appetite anyway. It's all good bodily stuff! And did I say fascinating! I am tirelessly fascinated about our bodies. They are such amazing works in the most indescribable ways!

I'm glad that what you're doing is keeping those suicidal thoughts at bay. I suffered with MDD for years, and have been on antidepressants on and off for decades. Thank God I don't need them anymore. Ultimately, all antidepressants, since I've tried them all now pretty much, have the unintended effect upon me. They make me wake up to suicidal ideation every morning, and I can't shake it for 2 hours at least. Not the way you want to wake up! But I'm a rare exception, and I do believe that antidepressants help tens of millions of people. Hundreds of millions! Depression and suicidal ideation are such dark places to be, and I would not wish that on my worst enemy.

Thanks for sharing. I got to go walk the dog. My baby boy. But I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your post, and I had no idea testosterone was ever prescribed for women. But it makes sense because I do know that estradiol is sometimes prescribed for men.

 

[Auriel]

I got all blushy and giggly when jamiemarc mentioned his sexual performance, you'd never think I was a fully grown adult, (I'm not really )

 

[SBee]

Oh @Auriel really!!! It's not our fault though, if you are like me we were brought upon a diet of Carry On films which conditions us to do the nudge nudge wink wink thing at the barest sexual innuendo!

I do have a lovely mental image of you quietly giggling away. I'm willing to be a grown up too, but sometimes it's much more fun to act like a juvenile ! ❤

 

[SBee]

Hi @JamieMarc

I send the fascinating read back at you ! I do appreciate your open honesty in living with depression and suicidal thoughts. Like you I would not wish that on anyone. Strange that the anti depressant now have the opposite affect on you? My husband feel is body gets used to pain killers and they lose their affect. Maybe something similar?
I am on literally a 1/4 depressant day. 1/2 was too strong. And so chose the anti depressant which does not affect the libido as many AD ' do. Yep, sexual response has increased again, and I feel ' stranger's and clearer if that makes sense?
( there's another giggle for @Auriel!)

I should say womens dose of testosterone is far smaller than for men, keeping the m\f hormone proportions in balance I guess?

I do enjoy a sense of humour, my husband and I spend much of the day gently trading banter. Its like a barometer for me, if my humour goes then I know something is out of alignment for me. Although as you know with depression it's hard to functioning alone laugh or smile,you can't imagine ever clawing out of such blackness.

Always think being honest and opening as open as we can as individuals, may help just one single person who may be experiencing a bad time may, feel less alone and seek help. I receive these assurances myself from this and a specific menopause forum, if you can give back then that's a kindness returned.

 

[JamieMarc]

@Auriel and @SBee
You too crack me up in a good way. Thank you for giving me laughter and smiles this morning. Lol.

Sbee, I cannot express how happy I am that you seem to be in a good place with the antidepressants. That's music to my ears. You know, having been there myself. I like what you said about humor being a barometer of sorts. I guess I find something similar in myself. Although I do not have a partner, when I begin losing my sense of humor or interest in things that used to make me happy, etc, it's time to have a good think, reset my sails and take a different course.

Hey Auriel, unfortunately I'm not getting any. Lol. I hope you're getting all giggly again. Seriously, my testosterone supplement has made a huge difference sexually, but unfortunately I don't have a partner to put that into practice with. LOL. In time, I pray. I've been single for way longer than I would like, and sadly, if you've got some kind of disease like fibromyalgia, so many potential partners discriminate. That's a sad and dark side of the world. So much stigma.

Sbee, I'm all about openness and honesty. Not just for the reasons you mentioned, in order to help one another, but also because it's healthy. We are only as sick as our secrets. It's healthy and good to open up to others, those with whom we feel safe of course, and I have always felt safe here. I call this a safe space.

 

[Auriel]

( there's another giggle for @Auriel!)

It's like you knew!

 

[JayCS]

That's interesting that you feel relationships in your life have contributed to feelings of complications hence the desire to achieve a simpler life. I have a small circle of friends, and am reasonably close to what is most of my decreasing family. But when I am in contact with less close people who can " suck " some of our energy from us ,I know to keep them at bay a little. So maybe subconsciously I choose easier people to enhance my life whilst always being there for all I love? Trying to share an equality of need and giving?

Bit differently: actually, the complications I meant (that may have favoured desire of a simpler life) were in childhood, inside myself. However now you've said it I guess also relationships with my parents.
Rest I can again definitely relate to.

 

[JayCS]

when I begin losing my sense of humor or interest in things that used to make me happy, etc, it's time to have a good think, reset my sails and take a different course.

In my first half year of this fibro full flare I did. And searched my best to find something old or new. I don't think I was successful in terms of media since then, but laughter during (outdoor) table tennis from the antics of the ball (at the mercy of the various weather types) and my mates is such a refreshing part of it.

 

[SBee]

@JayCS that's interesting you felt the need for a simpler way of life when you were a child, to form that yearning quite early on. It can be hard for me to grasp that need, given as my personality\character, whilst loves to learn, or discuss just about any subject, or research best ways to help myself, I think deep down I have always been quite content. I am not one to strive upwards in say work, or social standing ( more of a background person in real life)
whereas you have, I believe described yourself a needing to exercise your body and mind as much as you are able. Even if your body is not cooperating you seem to be wanting your mind to become more active? As for me, or my body is having a bad day, I prefer my own mind to slow with it, alkaline so think they both need to rest together? aren't people wonderfully unique?

You'd have a job with the table tennis here right now - it's blowing a hooley! 🌬

@Auriel

@JamieMarc touch wood the tiny anti depressant is doing it's job. If I get cyclical mood dips the amazing women on my menopause forum reassure me, as so do for them, that now matter how scary it is, it will pass in a few days. I know what to look out for and have options should I need them. My husband is a great support and knows why I get a bit clingy, it's because I am afraid it may dip too far again.

You sound a strong person, having the internal knowledge to ' reset your sails ', especially if you are at a time when motivation can be low.
That's not easy, but like many on here say, it's celebrating the small things because they really are so worthwhile and are all around us, it's hard to see them some days, or acknowledge them, but in my heart I know they are always there waiting for us again.

 

[JayCS]

I think deep down I have always been quite content. I am not one to strive upwards in say work, or social standing ( more

Hmm, I'd describe myself as having been very unhappy, learning learnt to be happy. Striving to help people as best possible, not for career or social standing at all.

I believe described yourself a needing to exercise your body and mind as much as you are able. Even if your body is not cooperating you seem to be wanting your mind to become more active? As for me, or my body is having a bad day, I prefer my own mind to slow with it, alkaline so think they both need to rest together? aren't people wonderfully unique?

Definitely wonderfully unique, I love that too!
I felt the need to always overdo things, cos I felt inadequate, anxious/scared, needed to earn my right to live - started with childhood.
But I also enjoy being as active as possible, pre-fibro even if I felt bad.
Fibro taught me to slow down my body, but my mind doesn't need as much slowing down, it needs to be active. I don't decide this, it just is, and that helps me: my mind & motivation is what helped get me from unhappy to happy (with the help of many others).
But no way do I want it to be more active than it already is! If it needs to be slow, I let it be slow. But I don't have much fog. Today was a bad day for my body, and my mind needed to go slow too, no problem to let it do so.

You'd have a job with the table tennis here right now - it's blowing a hooley! 🌬

Yeah, a "job", but great fun, we love playing in a good breeze.... - we've never ever called off play cos of wind.