Hormones

Franca.Canada · Post by **Franca.Canada** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:28 am

Similar to keepontruckin' I too experienced my first panic attack after the first time I took the pill. On the advice of my doctor, I tried a different pill... and then another... and then another... to no avail. My panic attacks and fears went completely away when I was pregnant, but came back full force 2 months after I gave birth -- around the time I got my first period after the pregancy -- coincidence? No way.

Since then, during my PMS time, my anxiety went through the roof. Now that I'm perimenopausal, it's bad again, and I cannot take any hormone replacement therapy, not even the bio-identical kind because ANY hormonal fluctuation sends me over the edge.

So I'm hoping that once my periods completely stop (please God let this be sooner rather than later) the panic attacks and phobias will completely go away, just like it all did when I was pregnant, because there won't be that fluctuation of hormones all the time.

In the meantime, I'm finding that eating a really healthy balanced diet consisting of fresh whole foods, minimal processed foods, additives, etc, and taking a multi-vitamin/mineral is really helping. I have cut sugar down to almost nothing and completely cut out all kinds of caffeine. I also exercise every day and do meditation and relaxation. All this has helped me feel tremendously better.

Having made a drastic change in my diet and lifestyle has almost completely eliminated my hot flashes. I rarely ever get them now and when I do they're very mild and last only a minute or two. I also sleep through the night again!!! It's as if eating a balanced diet and living a balanced lifestyle has balanced my hormones.

CMG · Post by **CMG** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:41 am

OH MY GOD!! I have been saying this same thing for years about my hormones. I got post partum panic attacks starting in 2001 and have been on various doses of Paxil ever since. I want to get off the meds but everytime I try the symptoms come back. I now notice anxiety around the time of ovulation and PMS rage, but not really anxiety. I am on 20mgs Paxil and I am so scared of perimenopause (I am turning 40 this year). I recently tried Yaz for a week, but I think that made my anxiety worse, so I stopped it. I find it really hard to find a doctor that will work with you on this type of thing and you really feel you are on your own. The normal ob/gyns and even the midwife practice doesn't seem to help. I have 3 kids and I felt pretty good when I was pregnant, so maybe it is the progesterone. Any suggestions would be great...I am so glad I finally found someone who verifies my theory...

EileenV · Post by **EileenV** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:17 pm

Hi CMG,

I found great relief primarily from the "Bio-Identical" Hormone Therapy which is different from the "synthetic" hormone therapy. If you find someone (usually only a Naturopathic Physician) to do the right type of blood tests for you (not the typical blood tests that the typical ob/gyn does), they can usually very specifically identify which hormones are too high and which are too low and then "custom" treat your needs.

Hope this helps,

Eileen

Deener · Post by **Deener** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:46 pm

This is a GREAT TOPIC! I am so glad that I ran across it. The past 3 years around my period my anxiety goes through the roof. It is a little different from my "usual anxiety" and has more nauseua and muscle tension in my neck and shoulders. Having my horomones tested is a good thought, but my fear is not being able to convince the doc. or very possibly not getting the type of horomones you guys are talking about. I live in such a little backwoods place. Is there a way to find the type of pharmacy or doc. who is NOT skeptical of this. A doc. I went to a doc. years ago with this complaint (I had a tubal when I was 27 and thought that was the reason for my feelings) and was told that I felt these feelings because I had been taught that it was ok to and it was typical to. Needless to say I never went back. If anyone has any suggestions on where to find the "proper professional" I would appreciate it. Thank you to all who have posted about this!

keepontruckin' · Post by **keepontruckin'** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:08 pm

wow - it feels great to know that so many women feel the same way I do about this subject!

I personally have had very bad side effects twice using the pill. The first time, was supposed to be a "low dose" pill and I completely broke out in terrible cystic acne. I had to go on accutane. The second time was when I went on Yasmin because the commercials make it look like the freakin miracle pill. That was when my anxiety started. Well, like I said in my previous post, I think I've always been anxious/nervous, but now I noticed the symptoms and had the panic attacks, scary thoughts, the whole bit. It was the scariest time of my life! I thought it was going to give me flawless skin and help me to lose the 5 pounds I wanted to lose before my wedding - YES, this all struck during me planning a wedding. Talk about torture...

Now that I've recovered (I still have low anxiety from time to time, but I'm not scared anymore) I fear that it will come back either when I'm pregnant or after I have a baby in the form of PPD. I really hope that doesn't happen. I know some women say they never felt better than when they were pregnant. I hope that's the kind of side effect I get from pregnancy.

EileenV · Post by **EileenV** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:55 am

Hi Deener,

I understand your experience. I use to have much of the same symptoms. Are you near a larger city? I have to drive 45 minutes to visit my naturopath. It's well worth the time. If you search the web, you will probably find some good info on "bio-identical" hormones and you could also search for a naturopath physician in the city closest to you. Ask your friends and family. Someone might know about a naturopath that they might recommend.

Wishing you the best,
Eileen

Nervous1 · Post by **Nervous1** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:59 am

I had anxiety before my pregnancy, no birth control. Then during my pregnancy it was completely wonderful! The first week after my pregnancy was great, now I'm a wreck and my son is almost 4 months old. I have pain, I freak, I take lexapro and have a mirena IUD...what do you do? Should I ask the dr. for a blood test to check hormone levels?

EileenV · Post by **EileenV** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:29 am

Originally posted by EileenV:
Hi CMG,

I found great relief primarily from the "Bio-Identical" Hormone Therapy which is different from the "synthetic" hormone therapy. If you find someone (usually only a Naturopathic Physician) to do the right type of blood tests for you (not the typical blood tests that the typical ob/gyn does), they can usually very specifically identify which hormones are too high and which are too low and then "custom" treat your needs.

Hope this helps,

Eileen

Hello Nervous1,

Getting the right blood tests might be very helpful and offer some clear answers about your symptoms. It might be worth getting it done.

Nervous1 · Post by **Nervous1** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:43 am

Do I talk to my ob/gyn or my family practice dr. about that? My ob is the one that gave me the lexapro to take. Now remember, I did have a baby almost 4 months ago.