Thank you Jules60344 that is very helpful, I have ordered a couple of books but I will also try the one you suggested, I'm still holding off taking the Citalopram but will let you know if I start them. Good to hear you are feeling like yourself again, I hope that continues for you. Thanks for your support
Hi Tearful1 - I'm not sure where you are in the scheme of things - have you decided to go with the Citalopram yet? You havent mentioned if your doctor tested you for low thyroid function or Vitamin D deficiency. I ask because I have both of these and when I was going through the menopause (which was from about 50-56. I am 58 now) low mood did become an issue. Whilst I have been hypothyroid for about 15 years, menopause certainly messed me around in this respect and I needed to adjust my thyroid medication accordingly. But it was only a couple of years ago that I was told I had very low Vitamin D levels.Taking Vitamin D supplementation did help my mood and even if you havent been told you have low levels, after the winter we have had I would imagine most of us are deficient and taking a low dose supplement may help. Also getting as much natural light as possible can help. As we come out of the winter and into longer days I know I feel as if I am coming out of a fog and my mood starts to improve. It wont hurt if you wait until we get into March/April to see if the promise of longer and lighter days gives you a boost.
My husband suffers quite badly with what we think is SADs and we have bought a reasonably priced light box - again this does definitely help improve things. And, despite all the bad press sun beds get, during the winter months it isnt going to cause massive damage if you use a sun bed 2 times a week at its lowest time levels - I use just 3 minutes for a boost. If you read the articles about this you will see it will not increase your risk of skin cancer, as will getting out in the sun (when it finally gets warm enough!) for 15 minutes a day without sun cream protection.
The menopause has been for me a roller coaster ride. It seems to have gone on for ages and at its worst, when I had hot flushes night and day and wasnt sleeping properly, I was at the end of my tether. I was offered anti-depressants at one stage and HRT, but with a strong history of breast cancer in my family I decided against the HRT and when I saw what anti-depressants did to my Father, I decided I would try to work through it my way. He just became a Zombie on them.
You have to remember that when a patient presents to their GP with depression the easiest way is for them to write a prescription. I think some of them work on the basis that is what the patient came for anyway because many people see them as the answer. And just like handing out statins and many other drugs, you also have to remember that GPs are driven by the incentives to hand out those drugs by drug companies and Government initiatives which give them rewards for every patient they sign up with a particular health problem - GPs tick boxes to meet their statistics - patients are very often just that - statistics!
Tearful1 - YOU are in control of your health! NOT GPs, not the drugs. The less crap you can put in your body medication-wise, the better. By eating well, reading relevant publications, by talking to others, by perhaps taking some supplements, continuing to exercise, get out in the sunshine and exercise the power within your own body, you can work through this. As the menopause progresses this too shall pass and if you can come out the other side without drugs in the knowledge that you and you alone did it, think how good that is going to feel.
I wish you all the best and hope the clouds lift and the path ahead is less troubled.
Thanks Janice31, I found this very helpful. My GP didn't do any tests, she just asked if anyone had passed away & then prescribed the Citalopram. The box is still unopened!! I have wondered for a few years if I suffer from SAD as I do feel low in winter months. I have spoken to people on HRT who have had to go back on it after trying to come off & I really don't want to take either ADs or HRT, like you say there will be an end to it at some stage. I did buy Menopace & started that last Monday & I do feel slightly better. I have also tried eating nuts & soya & drinking lots of water. I am determined to go through this without drugs if I can & I appreciate your post. I may invest in a light box too. I will read up on the sun beds as well as I had thought them to be dangerous. Many thanks for your advice, much appreciated
I totally understand. I'm 53 and have been going through menopause for 3 years. I am depressed and have decided not to take antidepressants. I tried them once and I was a total zombie..i just read, pray and listen to music. No one would ever understand what we go through unless they have or ate currently going through it. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy...evert day a struggle. Can't wait for this to be over...