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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
   
Location: South Central Florida | I'm writing here because I am looking for advice. I am overall healthy, very healthy. A little over weight but lost 70 lbs 3 years ago, still need to lose about 40 more. I get a lot of exercise.
I am a few years out from menopause...nothing since 2011. In 2012, I became extreamly depressed. It would hit for days at a time, then I could climb back out. My doctor put me on something for depression and it worked IMMEDIATELY. After year and a half figured I was doing okay and we discussed it and I weaned off of it.
The past week has been terrible. I don't cry all the time, but I can't seem to do anything. I'm terribly sad. . . I have the energy of a gopher turtle on valum and I can't even bring myself to draw (my only passion).
I feel like I did a few years ago but can menopause cause issues like this still? If this is cyclical, I can probably work through it. I really hate to go back on anything but I will if it can help.
The only medication I take now is Ambian because I DO NOT sleep. I stopped sleeping when menopause started and the sleep medication is the only reason I can function. When I don't take it the depression is worse and I not only don't sleep, I'm sleepy ALL THE TIME...
Normally I walk about 60 to 100 miles a month too. I love to walk, but I have had several things get in the way and since March, I'm lucky to get 30 or 40 miles a months in and last month only about 10. The heat and weather make walking difficult right now.
Okay, so that was longer than I meant and looking for advice before my next doctor appointment in 3 weeks.
Thanks
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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
 
Location: Dearing, GA | My suggestion at this time would be to investigate the side effects of Ambien. I have struggled with severe depression since 2008, and can only function "normally" on medication. Without meds, I've been known to be suicidal.
I know you don't want to be on anything else, but you need to do what is safe and healthy for you. There is NO SHAME on being on anti-depressants. I had to get past that, and I'm 23.
Not sure if its connected by menopause, I haven't gotten there yet.
Hugs to you! |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | How long have you been on Ambien? I would bet this has something to do with it.
Edited by UTAHCANCHASER 2015-08-11 1:33 PM
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | Ambian on and off for 3 years. Its not all the time. I have.gone as long as 6 mos with out ambian or anything else but the non sleeping takes its toll. This sounds odd but the only tile I really relax and sleep well with out help is after an intense day...seriously like 8 or 10 mile day of walking. The hours in the day just dont lend to that regularly. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | I was on Ambien because I can't sleep.....like ever. Becareful with it, I began to hallucinate right before falling asleep....made my depression even worse, and would be groggy almost hung over feeling in the morning after taking it. |
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | I dont mind needing medication for depression, I guess I just wonder it this will be forever or if it is something that might get better. Sigh . . . |
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Veteran
Posts: 120
| I would agree...first step...ditch the Ambien. Or atleast consider it could be making your issues way worse. I would focus more on natural sleep aids. Like calcium, magnesium and meditation. Also, what is your diet like? You would be amazed at how what we eat can change our moods and do crazy things to our bodies...(like make it hard to sleep and take away all your energy).......
I think as a society we focus so much on finding a diagnosis and getting medication for it. You seem to recognize when you are feeling depressed. Are there specific reasons for these feelings? Kids leaving home....a sense of losing sight of specific dreams......etc.....
I battle with occasional bouts of sadness......and this is going to sound crazy but I allow myself to have a night to myself where I cry and cry......I will actually turn on sad music or look through old pictures.....and then I go to sleep and pray....a lot......I just pray for strength and wisdom in the situation I am dealing with. I pray for forgiveness......and without fail.....I can see clearer the next day. Life is hard for us women going through menopause at the same time as our lives changing drastically. We need to go deep within ourselves at these times. Sounds like walking and exercise is a huge relief for you. Pick that back up..make it a priority.......I have heard from other women that life on the other side of menopause is fabulous. So I am keeping my eye on the prize.......lol
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | Also dealt with depression and med helped tremendously. Like a lot of people, decided I was doing so well I did not need the med anymore. Duh. Within a couple of years was in the black hole again -- so I started taking my med again per doctor's instructions to get back on it. Oh my - life is wonderful again. Energy. Smiles. Feel really good. Not good to try to be my own doctor.... |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Ambien can definitely impact depression. If you look at the warnings, it lists depression as one of the conditions to use with extreme caution.
I can thoroughly relate to the depression, lack of sleep, weight even with meds, exercise, and the diet that the doctors recommend. It has not worked for me AT ALL.
The last few years I've researched and paid very close attention to what my body reacts to. I'm learning that food has a huge impact on my mental status and sleep -- most doctors will tell you they don't.
Soft drinks, pasta, breads, sweets cause me to be a lot more depressed. I can see a difference in less than 24 hours. Soy milk or soy protein powder - even non-gmo has the same effect if not worse.
Whole grains, dairy have a big impact on my breathing and energy levels, and my sinuses.
As far as sleep, I try very hard to get no less than 7 hours. If I stay on a routine and get that much, I sleep better but if I miss a night it completely re-sets my sleep patterns and I never drop off into a deep sleep. Also, I don't sleep if I eat after 4pm (going to bed at 9:30).
Progesterone cream is the bomb!! That has helped a lot -- although I can not take the kind that has any estrogen in it. Apparently I have way too much estrogen already.
There's a lot of studies out now saying that depression is caused by inflammation of the brain, and that simple carbs and an imbalance of the bacteria in the gut are big contributors to it. I would do a lot of reading on that -interesting stuff. Also, look into Jon Gabriel, and adrenal fatigue.
Here's the link to my blog where I talk about what has helped me so far....
http://cowgirlswithcurves.com/2015/06/02/it-seems-to-be-working/
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | What you said did not sound weird. Dr. Asked me what.do you do when you feel like this? I said I go to bed and cry, watch old movies, cry then cry more...then decide its been long enough and drag myself up. Yes, there have been some situational issues that are pressing me down, but its been a couple weeks and cant seem to drag myself up this time. Situations themselves sort of keep me from the ability to lock myself in a room and cry :/I spent about 3 years prior to the ambian trying relaxation, brething...otc and homeopathic stuff to sleep. Finally Thought I was going toblose my mind and asked for help. Iv tried a few but Ambian has been the only one with really no side effects. I do normally feel awake when I wake up, no nightmares and none of the things Iv read about regarding side effects. Honestly, now I sound like an addict...the thought of going back to not sleeping at least at night terrifies me.I will bet my diet is contributing...and maybe the heat. Ac is broken in the house and in my truck. The heat doesnt bother me like a lot of people, but right now everything bothers me. |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | you should really investigate ambien. Also adding that I know nothing about menopause really. Have you had a sleep study done recently? If not I would really hope your doctor is encouraging you to have one done.
Other then that, you say you love to exercise, which is amazing to hear! Have you looked at your diet? Obviously with losing a ton of weight you probably didn't do it with exercise alone. But have you analyzed your diet or any potential sensitivities or allergies? Or really even WHEN you're eating and drinking? I'm just trying to bounce some ideas for you.
::Hugs:: I hope you can find some relief soon!
Edited by Crowned Image 2015-08-11 5:12 PM
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | I made time again to walk. It was a relatively slow 3.5 miles but I felt markedly better when I came in. That and the other posts here have encouraged me to talk to my doctor sooner and to start a sort of mood/food diary.
I have always loved exercise...almost any kind so making myself exercise is not usually a problem.
When I lost the weight, I didn't use a specific diet, or anything. I kind of ate what i wanted, just a lot less of it and walked a ton.
I know that a few foods that never effected me in my youth, now have a major influence on my biology...not depression, but gastrointestionally. So if those things have changed probably others have also.
I'm not a gigantic sugar eater and not much dairy either. Cheeze here and there but possibly wheat could be an issue. I could probably live on salad and protein with a treat once a month or so. I am hoping the mood/exercise/food diary may show something I never noticed before.
Thanks for all the posts! I appreciate the support and the ideas. I'll try to write again if I stumble across any totally new insight!
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I'm glad you're going to start with your nutrition! I can always tell when I'm not eating properly and hammering too many carbs, life starts to pretty much suck.
One of my husbands friends stayed with us a few months. He was also on Ambian, and honestly was pretty psychoticly depressed and just weird when it was in his system. If that's the main thing you're on, please check and see if there's something better for you to take.
I personally take Xanax when I'm worked up, can't cope, or just cant sleep. It works like a charm and I don't suffer. |
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