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Am I depressed??? Or is this Menopause???

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Posted 3/2/2009 7:10 PM (GMT 0)

 I am fairly new to these forums and really do need some advice and personal opinions.

 I have been seeing dr's for over a year now  because of chronic pain that I have in my left side that radiates into my back.It is very uncomfortable at times.Ive been to kidney dr,gastro dr,primary, have had numerous x-rays and cat scans and none can explain the pain that I am having.

   The last dr wrote me a script for some antidepressants.I havent started taking them yet because I am reading all sorts of side effects that they have and i cant afford to miss any work( I drive a school bus).

   My question is :Am I depressed and dont recognize it?

 Lately I am tired all of the time even though I sleep 7 hrs a night.

 I dont feel like doing anything because of the pain,

 Am not interested in things I used to be into.

 I can spend all weekend in my PJ'S.

  Am snappy at my family.

  And dont worry about looking my best.

  I really dont have ANY energy.

 I dont drink or use recreational drugs,I am going through menopause( I am 54) and am really confused

 Does menopause cause these symptoms? I just really dont feel well and it seems to be most of the time.Any help would be greatly appreciated.I just dont know what to do here.... smhair

Posted 3/2/2009 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Cindy,
I haven't gone through menopause, but I have had problems with my hormones & it absolutely can cause symptoms very similar to depression. Go see your GYN to get it checked out. Maybe you just need to be on some kind of hormones & things will get better.

Also, I take B-12 in the morning & that helps a lot with energy and feeling more awake during the day. Perhaps you can talk to your PCP or GYN about that as well. They can run a blood test to see if you're just a little low (can take vitamins) or very low (need injections of B-12). Lastly, dehydration can influence our energy levels. So be sure to drink plenty of water. I'm supposed to drink a gallon a day (I know that's a lot, esp. with you driving a bus, but maybe you can work something out to get more fluids in you). If you do get the B-12 test run have them check everything (I think it's called a CBC) b/c your sodium or potassium levels can be off which means that no matter if you're drinking enough water it won't get absorbed into your body enough. I had to add a bunch of salt to my diet b/c my sodium was very low & potassium was a little high.

If all those things check out okay, it could be depression. I'm just very weary now b/c I too was told I had depression, was on all kinds of meds that just made things worse. Turned out it was mostly the hormones & stuff, with a little bit of depression on top. I did have to work some on thinking more positive thoughts, but definitely didn't need meds. No shame if you do need meds, but if you think it's something else, get that checked out first. :)

peace,
frances
Posted 3/2/2009 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I do drink alot of fluids mainly because I had kidney stones a few years ago.Dont want to go through that again.I went for my yearly pap check up recently and they said that my iron and potassium levels were ok.She also wont put me on hormones.I smoke.I talked to her about being tired all of the time.She wanted to add calcium to my body(for osteoporosis) but calcium is what gave me stones!

  I also have a problem staying asleep at night,that is why I thought that maybe I am depressed.I have a script for TRAMADOL  that I was taking but I dont like feeling like I have a HANGOVER in the morning.But it does help me sleep.  CONFUSED IN ATLANTA idea    

Posted 3/2/2009 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cindy,

I had unexplained fatigue and pain and it turned out to be fibromyalgia. I had most of my pain in my back and shoulders and actually slept for two years before I got on the right medications to help me. That is something that you might want to talk to the doctor about. You cannot detect it in blood work or in xrays. You have to rule all other illnesses out before you can get a true diagnosis. I don't know if this is your problem, but it sounds similar to mine.

I hope that you feel better soon. I am fifty, but have been dealing with perimenopause for many years. I use to have some terrible night sweats and hot flashes. Still have some of the hot flashes, but haven't gone through the change successfully yet.

Take care, keep posting

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/31/2009 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
I have to same symptoms almost...but I have not had a period in almost 4 months...I am 34 and I am not pregnant...I take a test every stinking week...lol..I dont want to do anything...I have 5 children...16,11,5,3,and 1....I have no energy and it is not fair to them....I dont understand what is going on with me....could I be going through menopause....is it too early for me...
Just wondering what someone else thinks....
God Bless,
Ang

A-fib, anxiety-panic disorder.
Posted 4/2/2009 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
hi cindy, jamiee, 37, genetic disorder, hormone deficency, testosterone. have your fsh done, may be estrogen or progesterone deficent also. women also need small amounts of testosterone as well. best to see your or a endocrinologist. good luck. i wish you well. jamiee.

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