Major Depressive Disorder w/ Severe Mood Swings

I am going to be 50 years old in July, but it is of no

concern to me, other than the fact that I am believed to

be peri-menopausal. (I guess THAT could be a biggie.) I

have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, and a

few pdoc's have even (more than) considered (and treated

me for) Bi-Polar Disorder as well as ADHD.
At present, I am being weaned off of Effexor, mostly

because of my complaints of the sexual side effects. I am

currently taking 450mg of Wellbutrin, as well as 3 mg per

day (1/2 am; 1/2 aft and whole at bedtime.) I also take a

myriad of vitamins, recommended by my GP, who was well

aware of my other meds.
Here is the problem:
MY MOOD SWINGS ARE OUT OF CONTROL. I can be "ok" (no

better than "ok"), and then BAM! If ONE thing, however

small it may seem to others (esp my boyfriend, who gets

the brunt of this), I EXPLODE! I get sooo angry, I yell

and cuss and bang around the apt. Sometimes I stay angry

for a day, sometimes an hour. I am so paranoid, I don't

believe a word my boyfriend tells me (and he is NO liar.)

I am jealous, and I can't stand myself at times.
That said, I do consider myself an intelligent,

attractive (almost 50 year old) who has a LOT to

offer...either to the opposite sex, OR to any employer (I

am currently unemployed).
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ME? I FEEL LIKE I AM LOSING MY

MIND...LITERALLY.

Thank you in advance for any insight you are able to give

me. I AM going CRAZY with these mood swings!!!.

[looloo141]

Hello and welcome!
I don't know if I read it wrong but what was the other med that you said you were taking. You said Wellbutrin and then 1/2 tabs of what?
I think considering that there has been a lot of talk about a possibility of Bipolar, that a mood stabiliser would be the next step. I have heard of people that have major depressive disorder that are on mood stabilisers so even if you don't have Bipolar these meds could definitely be an option..
The other thing here is if you are Bipolar, I don't think the Wellbutrin is doing you much good, anti depressants can make people with Bipolar worse, they cause mania and can make moods cycle rapidly. This would explain the rapid changes you describe, I think this is what is causing the anger too, although irritability is a symptom.
Obviously I am not a doctor but I so think you need to speak to your pdoc about your medication, as the wellbutrin isn't doing much for you! Wellbutrin is a great AD but if you suggest a mood stabiliser to your pdoc you can have a conversation about changing meds and hopefully reach an agreement on what should be the next step. There are quite a lot of options with mood stabilisers but they do have side effects like all meds and it can be tricky to find the one that suits you..
I have said this to a few women on here in the last few days, I can totally relate to you about your hormonal issues. When you add bipolar and hormones it equals a pretty horrendous situation. You need to see your general doctor about this, there are things that can be done, you are already taking vitamins which is great but there is hormone replacement, and lots of remedies, but it might be worth having some blood tests done to check your thyroid function, and female sex hormones, this will give the docs an indicator on how to help you.
I came off the contraceptive pill 4 years ago and I have felt peri menopausal ever since.. I am so sensitive to hormones, and I would say 50% of my episodes are around menstruation or ovulation, they totally reek havoc on my body and mind!

It sounds like you need a review of your meds with the pdoc and a long chat to the general doctor about your hormones, I think you would feel a lot better if they could sort that out for you.
good luck