Recommendations for menopausal emotional symptoms?

Hope_M

When I went into chemo, I was okay with losing my hair but wanted to be spared the vomiting and I was. Now that I'm in menopause I'm okay with the weight and the hot flashes and the lack of sleep but I REALLY wanted to be spared the emotional craziness.

But here I sit, more than a bit wacky. Does anyone know of herbs or medicines that help the following: Things that used to "bother" me or stress me at a normal level are now making me truly distraught (like the extra car pool line traffic at the beginning of the year, before everyone figures out the system and it moves more smoothly). I quit my part time job partly because I can't handle any emotional stress at all. I feel as though I don't have the energy for it.

I know that some of you use anti depressants, and I don't feel bad all of the time, but are these used also for these emotional irregularities? I cannot take hormones or phyto estrogrens due to the cancer.

I appreciate your suggestions!

Hope M.

Member_of_the_Club

Effexor. I was on it for a year because the hormonal fluctuations of treatment fueled my anxiety. A friend of mine who did not have bc was put on it and couldn't be happier.

sjoc

Hi Hope - I know exactly what you mean. I too found I was really irritable and extremely edgy. I have xanax because I used to have panic attacks. My PCP talked me into trying effexor and I wish I had listened to him sooner. I feel much calmer and saner on the effexor. I started out at 37.5 mg for a week, the 75 mg for a week and now take 150 mg daily. I am finally feeling more like myself. Hope you find something to help. - Sandy

MrsBee

My doctors put me on Effexor XR and had to adjust the dosage a couple of times, but this has helped me tremendously. I was a basket case a few months ago - really unable to function and couldn't focus on one thing long enough even to enjoy some of my favorite activities - like reading. It's made a huge difference with me.

I highly recommend speaking with your doctor about this.

LuAnnH

Hope,

I take lexapro, it helps keep my moods normal most of the time. Lately I have been flying off pretty easy again and I use the xanax to call me down, they work really fast to ground. If you don't want to try long term meds the xanax would probably help. They kick in very quickly.

LuAnn

wallan

Well....is emotional craziness due to lack of hormones or is it "life?"..

I mean, I too am very weepy these days. Not all the time. But things bother me alot more now. And I can't seem to cope with too much stress.
So is it because of my life stressors, or lack of estrogen, or what?
Or does it really matter? I am on effexor. Maybe I should up the dose. Or maybe I need to deal with things that bother me. I really don't know.

Wendy A