Anxiety/perimenopause

I am 44 years old and hypothyroid, it is under control.  I was using the vivelle patch for about 2 years after seeing a DO, she thought it might level me out (I was having horrible episodes of depression and anxiety).  I stopped the patch and prometrium in December after visiting my GYN he did a pelvic untrasound and said my ovaries are up and running (he also said I could still have peri symptoms).  It is now March and I am at day 19 of my cycle and I feel alot of anxiety.  Here is an example:  I had a great day yesterday, went to bed last night very relaxed and woke up about midnight with horrible anxiety and have felt that inner shakey (shaky) feeling all day today but have fought with all my will to keep it at bay.  Could this anxiety be hormonally related?  Should I go back on the patch?  I am also on Lexapro 10mg and my GYN said he treats alot of his peri patients with Lexparo and suggested I bump my dose up to 20mg.  Do you have any words of wisdom?

Thanks - Sudan

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

The main thing for you to understand is that estrogen and thyroid hormones are linked together. When your estrogen is higher, your thyroid medication needs increase. So you need to work with your endocrinologist to make sure you are receiving the correct dose of thyroid as you stay on the patch or other estrogens.
As you know Lexapro is for depression and anxiety. If you had these symptoms before you went into perimenopause, then it might be a reasonable treatment. But if the symptoms came since the perimenopause window you are in, there is a good chance they will be effectively treated by getting the dosages of thyroid and estrogen hormones balanced. If you are now mostly needing treatment for anxiety and depression, it could also be very helpful to see a mental health specialist who can talk with you about why you are feeling that way. Sometimes that can eliminate the need for medication all together.
Machelle Seibel, MD

[phehott]

I have always had my periods like clockwork but havent had a period since 2/15/07. i am 48 yrs old so i thought it may have something to do with menopause.went to my o.b doctor she did fsh test it came back normal so she did a blood pregnancy test it came back 3 she wanted me to do it over so the next day had it again come back the same.the o.b says i'm not  menopausal and i'm not pregnant though i know i'm way to old to be i have all the symphoms of being pregnant' sick stomach white discharge etc.could it be possible i might be?this is driving me crazy if any one has any advise i'd appreciate it.

[CydneeC]

Hello, I had both ovaries removed in Feb 07 because of ovarian cysts.  I am not taking hormones as I do not feel the need to right now.  Hot flashes are not bad enough for me to use them.  Today, I started my period and I was shocked.  I was told by my doctor that I would never have periods again.  I did not have a hysterectomy.  Why am I having a period?

Cydnee

[idesofmarch]

Have you had your Thyroid hormones checked?  Or have you stopped the pill within a year before Feb.? I got off the pill once and a whole year later I had pregnacy symptoms so bad but the tests were neg.  The doctor told me that my body was now just getting back normal (the way it was before the pill start & stop).I felt prego for 3 weeks then I was fine, & my period was fine after that episode.

[idesofmarch]

Try taking vitamin b complex if your doctors agree. It helps with moods and pms etc.