Question... sudden mood changes and alt meds

[delectric]

I've got a close friend that I've known for 20+ years, recently in the past year she has been under a lot of stress, and her moods swing rapidly, temper and disposition irratiable to the extreme, complains of exhaustion, her husband says her sexual appitite is near zero, she had a galbladder removed about six years ago, it was a acute case and nearly killed her.
Her age is 42, still has regular periods (according to hubby)and extreme PMS several days prior, weight about 160, height about 5-8, large frame. He told me she sleeps very hard, on weekends can exceed 14 hours and still wake up exhausted. Anything can set her off, her 6 YO daughter is starting to see the problems, and wants to act like mommy.... hubby Ron is about ready to beat some sense into her head.... he's reaching his limits with this issue.
Both are real close friends, not too well off, budget tight and doctors want to put her on anti-depressants..... I say it's homones and possibly border line low thyriod, any ideas???

 

[astrogirl]

Get a full thyroid panel before taking anti-depressants.

 

[goatlady2]

Really sounds like thyroid dysfunction though it very well could be menopause - lots of women go through it in their late 30s.

 

[Herbmountain]

Classic symptoms of meopause. What happens is the estrogen is not opposed my progesterone. This depresses the thyroid also. You might suggest having her buy a bottle of progesterone (the natural wild yam cream) and get her on it right a way. The progesterone balances the estrogen and the kick starts the thyroid.

Do not let the husband be mean to her. She is feeling out of control as it is and having someone not supportive can make the situation impossible for her. She needs loving support at this time.

The cream takes about one month to level off the estrogen but she should get some relief right away. Bless her. This is so tough to go through. Email me if she needs help on how to use the cream properly.

 

[delectric]

Now I'm not rocking the boat but the woman is six months into age 42, and according to Ron her periods are as regular as clock work, not on the pill for 8 years, wouldn't menopause be a ceasation of regular periods followed with hot flashes?
Ron told me this has been a constant feature in her life for 3+ years, and she does a real good job of hiding it from her sister and close friends, I only found out recently when Ron approached me and asked if I had ever heard such problems. Just recently has it gotten worse, she's really easy to loose her temper and Ron is fearing she might lash out at their six year old. That's why he approached me, I guess to allow me to bear witness or watch her a little closer.
By the way Ron's well disciplined, his only reaction would be to fend off any blow that she would have to deliver..... he and I work out in the martial arts together, so discipline and self control are part of our routine, and he knows if he wants to beat up on someone I'm here to take it and dish it back just as quickly.

Last second entry.... her sister informed me that she has thyiod problems and is on synthyriod, so there is a history in the family.

 

[goatlady2]

delectric, yes, your definition of menopause is correct BUT it does not happen all at once. Mostly a woman will miss her period once or twice a year, then the second year maybe miss 3-4 times, etc until cessation totally and not all women have hot flashes, during or after. There is really no set pattern as each woman's body and hormones are individual to that woman. Regularity aside, it also counts if the flow is the same length and volume each time. There, more than you wanted to know, I'm sure. I was through it and done by age 36 with no flashes or attitude changes. A lot depends on genetics also. With your lastes info concerning synthroid, she probably needs to get that checked real close, modification may need to be made in her dosage, the body hormone levels do change with time.

 

[AddisonRose]

I am chiming in with: a good multivitamin, add a good B vitamin complex, SAM-e for the depression (also helps with arthritis and liver detox), stay away from chocolate, red meat, caffeine, and eat fresh fruits and vegetables with lean white meat (chicken, fish only). No white sugar, flour, rice, bread etc., no processed foods. No soy because it interferes with thyroid function. AddyRose.

 

[Herbmountain]

Sorry. I think the correct word is Peri-menopause. This means before or around menopause. It is a time when a woman can ovulate, have periods and no eggs are available. We have so many eggs when we are borne. When they are used up...that's it.

Yes a woman can still have periods. Some can have really heavy periods that last longer than 5-7 days. Medically treated a doctor will give estrogen or combination of estrogen and progesterone.

Herbally and using the alternatives we believe that not only is estrogen dropping but progesterone is dropping faster. What this leaves is a woman with a little higher estrogen level than progesterone. When pregnant a woman makes 300 mg progesterone. When adding natural progesterone the mg is about 72 to 75 mg a day. Just enough to balance the estrogen. When the estrogen is elevated it is like experiencing PMS all the time. Add thyroid medication and you have a double whammy of PMS.

First remember any weight change that occurs, the thyroid dose needs to be adjusted as well. Taking supplements along with the thyroid medication can also block the thyroid medication. Calcium only 4 hours after taking the thyroid dose as well as any supplements. Things like GLA can also block the hormone.

Another little glitch with taking the thyroid medication. I find it better to take it in the morning as it slowly elevates and then decreases in the evening to allow sleep. She has to take it on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating. If she eats it can block the hormone and it will not have the full effect.

If she is getting to high a dose she will be restless and aggatated. To low and she will feel tired all the time. It depends. Get a thryoid level done and do not go for just the TSH level. Request the TSH, T4 and T3 to get the most accurate reading of her function. Most doctors do just the TSH. All three levels tell what her she is making, using and what is curculating in the blood stream. Very important to remember.

 

[delectric]

Thanks guys, I'll pass the information along to Ron, hell get her to the doctor and run the full thyriod battery you suggested.