Perimenopausal? at 40? - Monee,IL

Dear Karen
find yourself a Chiropractor that will evaluate your adrenals via saliva testing. These glands produce cortisol,DHEA and the precursors to your sex hormones. As woman go through peri-menopause estrogen levels drop, cortisol levels are usually low and a condition called Pregnenolone steal occurs. because adrenal Health is so important for woman. Unfortunately, by the time most of us are 40 or 50 we have been stressed out for quite some time. Balancing out your adrenals will help tremendously. Also, Lexipro and other antidepressants effect your pancreas and quite often induce states of hypoglycemia. You most likely are experiencing states of hypoglycemia in the middle of the night which is causing you to wake up.
feel free to call me and I will be more than happy to put you in touch with someone in your area. I see this kind of problem every day in practice. I'm not sure if this site allows you to leave phone numbers so visit my site. www.bolingbrookchiropractor.com
Dr Rich
Good luck!

With three little ones under 4 years old, you can't have a lot of time for yourself and it has to be very tiring and physical. I would talk to your doctor. Sure you could have some depression, it can also be seasonally related. It's good that you are starting to get back to exercising and making sure that you are eating well and that is the best thing that you can do for yourself and your family. I would talk to your doctor and let him know how you feel. You want to start off the new year on a good course. He may adjust your meds. or he may monitor your behavior as you continue to make changes in your routine. Upping your medications may be deemed necessary down the road if the changes that you make in your diet and exercise program aren't enough to regulate or alter your mood. Your life has got to be stressful - make sure you are letting people help you-you don't have to do it all yourself. Let people help you! Good luck.

Hi Kara ,

Personally, I have NO reason to think you're perimenopausal at 40 yrs. I'm a physician and a mom who's struggled with depression too, and, you have ALL the classic symptoms of depression.

Lexapro is a great med, but you're on a sub-adequate dosage. 10 mg is HALF of the MINIMUM effective dosage!

I'd have your psychiatrist or MD ramp it up to at least 20 mg ( if not 30 mg), and also add Wellbutrin (brand only) which is another antidepressant that works differently, as well (assuming you don't have a pre-existing seizure disorder or bulemia).

There's no reason to struggle with depressive symptoms and the meds are great. I had post-partum depression that went unrecognized for a while, and then for some reason I was resistant to taking meds for a while. I now take Zoloft and it had changed my life. My husband says I'm back to the sweet woman he feel in love with, and I'm much happier and have a good frustration tolerance now and am no longer impatient and snappish with my family, instead am loving and patient.

Write me for more info!

Boy, does your question sound familiar! I'm turning 41 in a few weeks, and my doctor mentioned the dreaded "perimenopause" word a few months ago. Also taking Lexapro 10 mg (just started a couple of months ago, because of extreme work stress.)

Anyway, perimenopause can last years, from what I've read. I remember my mom got really moody and cranky around this age, even though menopause was still 10 years away. So I'm not worrying about what you call it, but trying to deal with the symptoms however works best.

I'll be reading the answers you get with interest! Good luck.

I personally don't have these issues, but you sound just like my neighbor who turned 40 this year and is hypotyroid and she's been on Welburtrin for a while too.

Her doctor put her on Syntroid (I have no clue how to spell). It helped in the begin but her mood wasn't good so put her on Welburtrin (spelling again). It helped but her energy was low.

She did some research (on-line books) and learn a soy based diet (we're both vegetrian) counter acts the tyroid med. And do not buy generic Syntroid. I forgot what but there's a time release or something that generic doesn't have.

She ended up going to an endocronolist (spelling). Even though her levels were good, he up'd her Synthroid since she wasn't feeling good. Now she's fine... hopefully it lasts!

Good Luck.