Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
I have been treated for depression for the last 14 months. I am still suffering from severe depression. I am now on 150 Desipramine. Hormone levels are normal. I tried Progesterone, when weaning off of it I had good periods of no depression. After that I have not had any good days other than the days of my periods. So my mood only improves when I am menestruating. Shouldn't I be tried on Estrogen? Dr wants to try Lupron Depot for 3 months - If it treats the depression he will then remove my ovaries. I need help and no one believes my mood improves during my period. It is obvious to me that my hormones are involved with my depression.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment22 Comments
Hi shellyfoster,
It sounds like your doctor does believe you, in regards to hormones playing a factor in your depression. Did your doctor explain how Lupron Depot works in your body? It actually is a hormonal agent that reduces your estrogen levels (your estrogen levels are lowest during menstruation).
"Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension), a GnRH agonist, is a hormonal agent that significantly reduces estrogen levels. The medication works in two distinct phases. Phase one stimulates the ovaries causing them to produce more estradiol, the most potent of the three estrogens produced by women. In phase two, the messenger hormones that tell the ovaries to produce estrogen decline dramatically. The resulting drop in estrogen causes women to experience menopause-like side effects. "
GnRH is significant, as this is a hormone that works with all of the other hormones in your body to regulate your menstrual cycle --- there are many other hormones other than estrogen to consider, including: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone.
"During your menstrual cycle, GnRH is released first by the hypothalamus. This causes a chemical reaction in the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of FSH and LH. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone (yes, the "male" hormone) are produced by the ovaries in reaction to stimulation by FSH and LH. When these hormones work harmoniously, normal menstrual cycles occur."
Sources:
- Women's Health: Lupron Depot
- Women's Health: Understanding Menstruation
It sounds like you may be on the right track with trying this new estrogen-decreasing treatment for 3 months. It is important to know about the medications you may be taking: how they work in your body, potential side effects, etc. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist. Please keep us updated!
February 13, 2011 - 8:58amThis Comment
The doctor who recommended using this isn't my Dr - he is the only Gynocologist in town. It seems like I am annoying him when I come in. He hasn't looked over my case. Just whats happened recently. When my mood improved while decreasing prometrium I'm thinking that my estrogen would have been more dominant. I was on 300 Prometrium. I dropped 100 my mood lifted for about a week, I then fell back into depression. I dropped another 100, my mood lifted for another week. My mood fell. I dropped the last 100 and my mood remained the same, deeply depressed. The next time my mood lifted was when my period came. It only lasted 5 days and then I've been deeply depressed/crying constantly. Now I'm having a period and mood has lifted but I'm causing myself anxiety worrying about having the right treatment. I have symptons of Estrogen Defeciency -Headaches,forgetfulnesss, difficulty falling asleep, poor concentration, forgetfulness, decreased verbal skills, episodes of rapid heart beat, depression, anxiety, feeling of despair and crying easily.
February 13, 2011 - 12:54pmThis Comment