Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: vintagefiend on June 25, 2019, 12:53:11 PM

Title: I'm v depressed and hrt exacerbates this;do SERMs work differently?
Post by: vintagefiend on June 25, 2019, 12:53:11 PM: Please help!
I'm very depressed primarily due to meno but when I take HRT (and i've tried just oestrogen as well as combined) i feel even worse if that's possible.
I've had a chemical meno in the past which was horrible and i feel exactly like that now.
I don't know what to do- I'm really low and despairing and going to my shit gp seems monumental.
i am on venlafaxine fairly high dose but don't feel it's working.
i need something- either different anti-dep or i don't know what
i've seen a bit about SERMs (tamoxifen/raloxifene) and wondered if they would work differently than hrt.
i'm so tired, my joints ache and i feel miserable- i'm sure i'm feeling the ill effects of zero oestrogen but don't know how to combat this.
I'm 47- no periods 6 months- bloods show no oestrogen and negligible testosterone.
Title: Re: I'm v depressed and hrt exacerbates this;do SERMs work differently?
Post by: racjen on June 25, 2019, 12:59:38 PM: Hi vintagefiend, I'm really sorry not to be able to offer you any advice about this - I'm going thru chemical menopause myself at the moment so I really sympathise - it's absolutely awful, I feel suicidal at times and HRT/ADs/anti-anxiety drugs just don't work. My cancer was triple negative so I have no idea about the effects of tamoxifen, but most of the stuff I've heard about it hasn't been good.
Title: Re: I'm v depressed and hrt exacerbates this;do SERMs work differently?
Post by: CLKD on June 25, 2019, 01:39:58 PM: Tamoxifen almost killed me and is generally used for those who have been treated for cancer. Not a drug I would think would suit menopausal symptoms :-\

Go back to your GP? Is there a menopause clinic within travelling distance?
Title: Re: I'm v depressed and hrt exacerbates this;do SERMs work differently?
Post by: vintagefiend on June 25, 2019, 02:29:11 PM: Hi there
thanks ladies-
i'm sorry that you've had such a rough time, RACJEN, i haven't has cancer to deal with- i just wondered about SERMs as an alternative to exogenous oestrogen- I do not understand why HRT doesn't work for us- it was the same when I had chemical meno- eventually my own hormones returned (obvs after i stopped the zoladex)- but this time around i don't have any oestrogen left.
Hi CKLD - yeah i'm prob grasping at straws- just spent a small fortune on a variety of supplements too! i don't even believe in homeopathy!
i was thinking of RALOXIFENE specifically as i think it's been used for osteoporosis prevention and treatment so is used outside of oncology.
and i've read some prob v small evidence that it might improve mood.
i am going to GPs tomorrow- thanks again, ladies x
Title: Re: I'm v depressed and hrt exacerbates this;do SERMs work differently?
Post by: CLKD on June 25, 2019, 08:38:16 PM: Why would anyone want to take a drug that can be quite powerful which lessens oestrogen production :-\
Title: Re: I'm v depressed and hrt exacerbates this;do SERMs work differently?
Post by: vintagefiend on June 26, 2019, 10:04:01 AM: Hi CKLD I think i might have misunderstood its function!
back to the drawing board :)
Title: Re: I'm v depressed and hrt exacerbates this;do SERMs work differently?
Post by: CLKD on June 26, 2019, 08:24:31 PM: Do let me know! Every day is a learning curve.
Title: Re: I'm v depressed and hrt exacerbates this;do SERMs work differently?
Post by: vintagefiend on June 27, 2019, 11:53:27 AM: Thank you x