Wellness

[violann]

On 9/8/2014 F1wild said:

"Antidepressants" should be named as their classification, not just lumped together for their original usage, IMO.

Tricyclic antidepressants are more commonly used for chronic pain than clinical depression. And not for people depressed because they're in pain, but disruption of the nerve pathway itself.

Effexor is commonly called an antidepressant, but is more formerly classified as "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)". It's prescribed for mild forms of depression & anxiety, chronic pain, and has been very successful in treating severe hot flashes.

I think it's about time we realize the head/brain and all of its complex parts are as much a part of the body as the heart, lungs, and liver. There appears to be a continued stigma surrounding medication that positively helps with brain function. It's about time this stopped. Why criticize someone taking one of these medications, suggesting a "more natural" alternative? Would you criticize, as severely, someone going through chemo for breast cancer, taking insulin for diabetes, blood pressure medication for hypertension?

Excellent post.

[F1wild]

I hope all who are choosing "natural" remedies realize that these are not regulated. I'm sure there are many that feel that the Big Government is out to squeeze out all of us, thus regulation is the last thing on their agenda. Part of the non-regulation status includes, for many of these remedies (ie. Rescue Remedies) do not have any clinical data to back up the claims. The only clinical trials done show nothing more than a placebo effect. RR is based on Bach's "flower remedies" or the "5 flower remedies" from the 1930s. The actual product produced now is only based on the tremendously watered down version of the original. Hey, if a placebo works, I'm all for it!

Something for all of us to consider when contemplating any "remedy", whether it be Rx or "natural" - these are all chemicals going into our body. The body is made up of chemicals. The body recognizes these remedies as chemicals and processes them the same way. They all have side effects, all of them. When I review my patients' updated medical history I ALWAYS have them list all medications AND supplements, as they all could have the potential to affect or react negatively.

Putting all "antidepressants" in a single category is dangerous. There are several classifications of these drugs (St. John's Wort is in one of them) that all react and interact in different ways. Any medical professional, whether MD, NMD, etc., know this and would prescribe accordingly. They all have a number of uses. Stop lumping all of these medications together as a single drug. This is dangerous and ignorant!

[jbinrwc]

I took Effexor for depression a number of years ago before hot flashes were an issue. I did not like the side effects. I gained about 20 lbs. while on the Effexor and switched off as soon as I could. My oncologist has recommended that I take 400 IU of Vitamin E for hot flashes since I had breast cancer surgery in January 2013. I would much rather try taking vitamins to help with these issues than a medication which may have unpleasant side effects. Wanted to share the Vitamin E idea with those of you who are seeking relief from hot flashes and night sweats. Hope it helps at least some of you.

[F1wild]

On 9/9/2014 JBinRWC said:

I took Effexor for depression a number of years ago before hot flashes were an issue. I did not like the side effects. I gained about 20 lbs. while on the Effexor and switched off as soon as I could. My oncologist has recommended that I take 400 IU of Vitamin E for hot flashes since I had breast cancer surgery in January 2013. I would much rather try taking vitamins to help with these issues than a medication which may have unpleasant side effects. Wanted to share the Vitamin E idea with those of you who are seeking relief from hot flashes and night sweats. Hope it helps at least some of you.

Does/did the Vitamin E work for you? I sure hope so!!

[vac]

On 9/9/2014 JBinRWC said:

I took Effexor for depression a number of years ago before hot flashes were an issue. I did not like the side effects. I gained about 20 lbs. while on the Effexor and switched off as soon as I could. My oncologist has recommended that I take 400 IU of Vitamin E for hot flashes since I had breast cancer surgery in January 2013. I would much rather try taking vitamins to help with these issues than a medication which may have unpleasant side effects. Wanted to share the Vitamin E idea with those of you who are seeking relief from hot flashes and night sweats. Hope it helps at least some of you.

Thanks for this info. I have a doctor's appointment Monday to get some help for what are becoming frequent and severe hot flashes and night sweats, but I will give the Vitamin E a try in the meantime and will discuss with the doctor, too.

It would be great if Vitamin E alone could lessen the severity.

[VioletEyes]

On 9/8/2014 F1wild said:

"Antidepressants" should be named as their classification, not just lumped together for their original usage, IMO.

Tricyclic antidepressants are more commonly used for chronic pain than clinical depression. And not for people depressed because they're in pain, but disruption of the nerve pathway itself.

Effexor is commonly called an antidepressant, but is more formerly classified as "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)". It's prescribed for mild forms of depression & anxiety, chronic pain, and has been very successful in treating severe hot flashes.

I think it's about time we realize the head/brain and all of its complex parts are as much a part of the body as the heart, lungs, and liver. There appears to be a continued stigma surrounding medication that positively helps with brain function. It's about time this stopped. Why criticize someone taking one of these medications, suggesting a "more natural" alternative? Would you criticize, as severely, someone going through chemo for breast cancer, taking insulin for diabetes, blood pressure medication for hypertension?

I don't think comparing blood pressure medication, insulin and chemo for breast cancer has any bearing on this topic. All of the diseases listed can KILL a person without treatment but hot flashes will not. And menopause is a natural transition.

[NeNe1010]

I am 61. I started going thru Menopause at 38 (family trait). I have been on a low dose antidepressant since my daughters became teenagers which was 17 yrs ago- 10 mg. I had very little problem with menopause. I also take natural supplements, exercise, eat healthy, keep my weight in check- in short, respect my body and try to take good care of it. I go for blood work and a physical every year. My liver numbers are good, my blood pressure is low and my good cholesterol is so high they cant even measure my risk of a heart attack. I really think the antidepressant helped me thru menopause and I know it helps me to deal with life in general. I also have a high stress job. You shouldn't feel guilty about taking a drug that may give you a better quality of life but it is an important decision and you should give it a lot of thought. Take into consideration your Doctor's advice and then be comfortable with your decision. It is really nobody's business but yours. Good luck.

[Jackielee]

On 9/9/2014 stevierocks said: I've also wondered if St. john's wort, which is a supplement for depression would be beneficial in the place of an rx anti-depressant for hot flashes or pain. I've read a bit about it but need to research more. I wish there was a holistic/homeopath near me but there isn't. Luckily I have a holistic vet in my area which is astonishing. I get lots of info from her as to how she treats herself. To answer your question about meds, you can probaby tell I'm not pro meds. No flu shots, and the last time I had a bout with an upper respiratory infection, I threw out the antibiotic rx and upped my daily dose of one Emergen C powder per day to 2-3 and was over it in about 5 days. A couple months back I had an infected tear duct, went to eye dr, got the rx eye drops but didn't fill the antibiotics he said I absolutely needed, just once again upped my Emergen C and was cleared up in about a week. Last year I had two cats with upper respiratory infections, one was on antibiotics and took forever to get well, the other took Standard Process feline system immune support and improved in a few days and it was gone in about a week.

I have taken a very small dose of St. John's Wort for years but I will say that , when I started menopause , at age 50, it didn't help at all with the hot flashes. I tried many "natural" products to ease the symptoms of hot flashes, brain "fogginess", mood swings, etc. SOme helped for a short time but then would stop working. One day , my mom pulled me aside and told me that I had to find a solution to my behavior that she knew was me going through menopause. Went to my doctor and had a long talk with him (He didn't rush me out of the office, etc.) Started on hormone replacement and my life changed immediately. Felt like my old self again. He watched me very carefully and made sure that I knew that I would only be on it for a short time. THis was not a life long solution. I stayed on it for a few years and then gradually weaned off of it. Honestly, I don't know how I could have gone through it naturally. Menopause is a natural part of life however, I have seen a few of my friends have it destroy their marriages as they refused to get any help for it and really made, not only themselves very miserable but their families as well. My mother in law was one of them. She was HORRIBLE during her late 50-early 60s. Then , all of a sudden she totally changed. A few years later, we all figured it out. She had been going through menopause and ,evidently, didn't use anything to help her through it.

[domel]

I am in the perimenopausal years but always had bad pms which was actually pmdd (pre menstrual dysphoric disorder). I would get very depressed and agitated for about 3 or 4 days per month and each month tried to talk myself out of those feelings but was not successful. We we trying to have children so I would never take any medication that may have effected the baby and also felt that stigma attached to the medications. Well we were not lucky enough to have a child so I finally started taking Prozac and my life and marriage is so much better. I don't worry and obsess about things and just take life as it comes. I am hoping it will make menopause easier and I plan on weaning off when I am through with the hormonal fluctuations. It is a personal choice but if they help you over that hump and take the edge off making your life and the lives of those around you better, I would say to try them. If I recall from my psych classes, tricyclic antidepressants may cause weight gain although SSRIs could do the same so if one doesn't work you can try another. GOOD LUCK

[vac]

On 9/10/2014 Jackielee said:

On 9/9/2014 stevierocks said: I've also wondered if St. john's wort, which is a supplement for depression would be beneficial in the place of an rx anti-depressant for hot flashes or pain. I've read a bit about it but need to research more. I wish there was a holistic/homeopath near me but there isn't. Luckily I have a holistic vet in my area which is astonishing. I get lots of info from her as to how she treats herself. To answer your question about meds, you can probaby tell I'm not pro meds. No flu shots, and the last time I had a bout with an upper respiratory infection, I threw out the antibiotic rx and upped my daily dose of one Emergen C powder per day to 2-3 and was over it in about 5 days. A couple months back I had an infected tear duct, went to eye dr, got the rx eye drops but didn't fill the antibiotics he said I absolutely needed, just once again upped my Emergen C and was cleared up in about a week. Last year I had two cats with upper respiratory infections, one was on antibiotics and took forever to get well, the other took Standard Process feline system immune support and improved in a few days and it was gone in about a week.

I have taken a very small dose of St. John's Wort for years but I will say that , when I started menopause , at age 50, it didn't help at all with the hot flashes. I tried many "natural" products to ease the symptoms of hot flashes, brain "fogginess", mood swings, etc. SOme helped for a short time but then would stop working. One day , my mom pulled me aside and told me that I had to find a solution to my behavior that she knew was me going through menopause. Went to my doctor and had a long talk with him (He didn't rush me out of the office, etc.) Started on hormone replacement and my life changed immediately. Felt like my old self again. He watched me very carefully and made sure that I knew that I would only be on it for a short time. THis was not a life long solution. I stayed on it for a few years and then gradually weaned off of it. Honestly, I don't know how I could have gone through it naturally. Menopause is a natural part of life however, I have seen a few of my friends have it destroy their marriages as they refused to get any help for it and really made, not only themselves very miserable but their families as well. My mother in law was one of them. She was HORRIBLE during her late 50-early 60s. Then , all of a sudden she totally changed. A few years later, we all figured it out. She had been going through menopause and ,evidently, didn't use anything to help her through it.

Thank you, Jackielee! I really appreciate your post. This is exactly my plan. The lowest dose of HRT for the shortest duration possible. I'm willing to take the risk. My quality of life is going downhill every day with these hot flashes and night sweats and it's becoming the focus of my life. I just can't have that.