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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Premature menopause or anxeity disorder?
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Premature menopause or anxeity disorder?
by nadia, Jun 02, 2000 12:00AM
I have night sweats, hot flashes, depression. I am currently on zoloft for about 2 months, just increased the dosage to 100mg. 2 weeks ago, and still get the night sweats it seems when I am upset. Is it anxeity/fear or premature menopause? I am 36 years old, they started lightly 2 years ago along with acne (hot flashes). My periods are pretty normal. I have restless sleep, from waking up 2 to 3 times a night to lateley only getting 3 to 4 hours sleep at times. Shouldn't the med help this or is it too early since I just changed my dosage, or is it premenopause.? I should add my mother did stop mensturating at 40. How can I be sure? I am seeing a counselor but not a regular doctor. Before I went on zoloft my pms was emotionally unbearable since 2 years ago it just kept getting worse, but like I said my cycle is very normal.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Jun 04, 2000 12:00AM
Zoloft is usually helpful with the anxiety and depression you report, but may take up to 8 weeks for full benefits. Consideration may also be given to adding a benzodiazepine (such as Klonopin or Ativan) to help improve your sleep.
I recommend that you see your physician for referral to a psychiatrist and gynecologist, and to have your night sweats and hot flashes investigated; these could be due to medical causes. It is not uncommon for both psyvhiatric and medical conditions to co-exist.
I recommend that you see your physician for referral to a psychiatrist and gynecologist, and to have your night sweats and hot flashes investigated; these could be due to medical causes. It is not uncommon for both psyvhiatric and medical conditions to co-exist.
Member Comments (2)
by Kyle's Mom, Jun 02, 2000 12:00AM
Get a thyroid test and the blood test to check for menopause. Thyroid symptoms are sometimes the same as menopause symptoms. I had them both done and I am in menopause (I am 47) and am experiencing the same symptoms you are. My doctor put me on HRT, Paxil and Xanax. I take 400 mg Vitamin E daily for night sweats and it does help. I still sleep terribly though and like you wake up three or four times a night and sleep for about 4 hours. Symptoms of depression and anxiety and menopause are the same too. However my periods were irregular.
