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[PP22]

Hi,

I am 50 and was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder as a young adult. I keep largely well on lithium (although I was unwell pre and postnatally). My moods have been much more varied over the last 2 years though I haven't reached the menopause yet. I was wondering if anyone in a similar situation has tried HRT? Menopause and bipolar seems to be a bit of a double whammy so if anyone can help that would be great.

Thanks 

[CLKD]

  are you stable on Lithium with regular blood tests?

Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful.  How are your periods?  Are the moods worse pre bleed?  How is your diet?

Do browse round.  Make notes.  Maybe approach your GP Practice to see what options regarding HRT are available, prior to requiring relief from any symptoms. 

[Freckles]

Hi there,

There is lots of clinical research evidence to indicate psychiatric diagnoses such as bi-polar disorder and other affective (emotional)conditions  are often linked to hormone imbalances, including pre and post natal emotional problems across the life span, which have been largely neglected by psychiatrists.
Do a Google and look up Professor John Studd's web site, who is an expert in HRT.  He  has downloadable papers he's written  (left hand side of his home web page)  including a very reader friendly one on bi-polar and similar conditions, and the use of HRT to alleviate the symptoms.
I'd post a link here but as I'm  probably not allowed to, I won't!
Do check it out though- it's very helpful.
Good luck! x

[CLKD]

 

[Woodlands]

Hello there.
I definately been affected by my hormones......had PND with my first son......and very much influenced by hormonal changes.I am now almost 54 and started peri at 48....boy it was hard work.
I have no answers but hope someone does honey......for now one day at a time....
Woodlands xx

[Hurdity]

Hi PP22

 

Have your periods become irregular at all yet or are perhaps you are suffering more severe pms? You mention mood changes but are these linked to your cycle - ditto your Bipolar 2 - do you know whether this has a hormonal/cyclical component?

As Freckles says the fact that you experienced problems post-natally suggests this (oestrogen levels plummet suddenly) although pre-natally both oestrogen and progesterone levels are very high.

Here is the link to the information about reproductive depression http://www.studd.co.uk/pmsbipolar.php

Hurdity x

[PP22]

Thanks all for your comments ladies. I have had a look at Professor John Studd's website which is useful, thanks. Yes I have been stable on lithium (with blood tests) for years and my mood associated with my cycle has been ok - but have certainly been much worse mood wise pre-bleed over the last couple of years, and it is increasingly irregular. I am looking at ways of easing this sooner rather than later as I have read that symptoms can increase as the menopause progresses - I don't want it to trigger a bipolar episode.

 

[Hurdity]

Pre-bleed progesterone levels drop sharply - giving rise to pms symptoms in many women (headache, irritability, anxeity, depression), but in addition oestrogen levels also fall to their lowest and it is this that is thought to be the major cause of the low mood element of pms and which Prof Studd (amongst others) treats with oestrogen.

It may well be that a low dose of hRT could help at this point - to reduce the oestrogen dips anyway. The problem is when you are not quite at peri-menopause yet (ie periods are still regular) too high an oestrogen dose can apparently give rise to high oestrogen symptoms in some women (not low mood though - women talk about jitters - but not experienced this myself that I know if) - because there are oestrogen highs as well as lows.

If you were younger then a type of contraceptive pill with oestrogen in it the same as HRT could be advised - as it controls the cycle - but I'm not sure a specialist would prescribe this in your case due to age (50 appears to be the limit). Might be worth asking though as you have specific requirements re hormones? The product is called QLAIRA and would stabilise your hormones to some extent - although the oestrogen dose is variable, but there are onlyu 2 tablet free days.

There is another called ZOELY with more tablet free days but an even dose of oestrogen, which might also be worth considering if a consultant would prescribe it post 50. Can you ask for a referral to a gynaecologist/menopause specialist who will take into account your mental health history?

Nick Panay also specialises in PMS and is available on NHS in London (as well as privately) and there are other gynaecologists  here geographically listed: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/clinicfinder.php

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Do eat little and often as this can avoid sudden dips when the body gets hungry (did I say this already  ) which can ease anxiety surges.  Maybe make a list of symptoms etc. and give the Secretarys of Prof. Studd and Nick Paney to see what they advice?  Don't wait until there's a crisis 

[PP22]

Thanks Hurdity and CLKD. I was very interested in your comments re progesterone and oestrogen levels and it is good to know there are alternatives available apart from HRT, which may or may not be appropriate in my case. I will sort out a referral and let you know of any outcomes which might be helpful for others.

Thanks for your support 

[CLKD]

I thought of you as I was waking up this morning  >wave<

[PP22]

Thanks. I appreciate it

[CLKD]