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Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptoms
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An_243880 posted:
Do any of you who are going through or nearing menopause notice a change in your Bipolar episodes? Over the past year my episodes have increased, 3 requiring hospitalizations for mania with psychosis. Also my depressions have gotten longer and more intense. Anyone else notice these kinds of changes?
8 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsDo any of you who are going through or nearing menopause notice a change in your Bipolar episodes? Over the past year my episodes have increased, 3 requiring hospitalizations for mania with psychosis. Also my depressions have gotten longer and more intense. Anyone else notice these kinds of changes?
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bpcookie responded:
Hello, because of the hormonal changes I have a hard time determining if its the menopause, Bipolar or something else causing my emotional changes. Its annoying and frustrating not knowing what to blame it on. Because your case is so severe then you would probably have to treat both the menopause and Bipolar aggressively. Perhaps have your pdoc up the doses of your bp meds and your gyno up your estrogen dose. I just recently asked that my estrogen dose to be raised as well.

I hope that you can find an answer soon. Take care
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning. ~Ivy Baker Priest
Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsHello, because of the hormonal changes I have a hard time determining if its the menopause, Bipolar or something else causing my emotional changes. Its annoying and frustrating not knowing what to blame it on. Because your case is so severe then you would probably have to treat both the menopause and Bipolar aggressively. Perhaps have your pdoc up the doses of your bp meds and your gyno up your estrogen dose. I just recently asked that my estrogen dose to be raised as well. <br /><br />I hope that you can find an answer soon. Take care
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melly2210 responded:
Looking back...I noticed a change in the bipolar after the hysterectomy which has put me into perimenopause. The depressive episodes come more often (previously I've been hypomanic or manic all the time), the anxiety has shot through the roof and the mood swings are much more drastic around what would have been that time of the month. I get super severe migraines then and I am much more irritable than normal. This is also the time when I tend to dissociate more as well. You're not alone.

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all. ~Emily Dickinson
Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsLooking back...I noticed a change in the bipolar after the hysterectomy which has put me into perimenopause. The depressive episodes come more often (previously I've been hypomanic or manic all the time), the anxiety has shot through the roof and the mood swings are much more drastic around what would have been that time of the month. I get super severe migraines then and I am much more irritable than normal. This is also the time when I tend to dissociate more as well. You're not alone.
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bpcookie replied to melly2210's response:
perimenopause and menopuase can cause some unexpected issues. I expected to have the hot flashes, irritability, dry skin, hair falling out, face breaking out and mood swings but all kinds of other issues are happening too. I finally got rid of the hot flashes, my mood swings arent as bad any more but Im starting to get headaches, anxiety, manic, cant fall asleep and there are other issues too. This menopause things SUCKS!!!!!!!
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning. ~Ivy Baker Priest
Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsperimenopause and menopuase can cause some unexpected issues. I expected to have the hot flashes, irritability, dry skin, hair falling out, face breaking out and mood swings but all kinds of other issues are happening too. I finally got rid of the hot flashes, my mood swings arent as bad any more but Im starting to get headaches, anxiety, manic, cant fall asleep and there are other issues too. This menopause things SUCKS!!!!!!!
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Anneinside responded:
I just realized recently that I am having hot flashes from menopause. It is my only symptom as I had a hysterectomy (partial) so no other cues. Boy do I get drenched! I really don't like this.

My sister had breast cancer so she can't take hormones so she and I am going through this together.
Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsI just realized recently that I am having hot flashes from menopause. It is my only symptom as I had a hysterectomy (partial) so no other cues. Boy do I get drenched! I really don't like this.<br /><br />My sister had breast cancer so she can't take hormones so she and I am going through this together.
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melly2210 replied to Anneinside's response:
When I had the partial hysterectomy I had the same issue. Hot flashes from the wazoo. They eventually passed about a year later. And about 3 years later the ovarian cysts appeared. Along with the dry skin, mood swings, anxiety, etc. Just gotta hang in there. I would start addressing the issues with your primary care and gynecologist to make sure your hormone levels are where they should be. Then after you've ruled that out and been officially declared perimenopausal or menopausal then talk to your pdoc about the extra symptoms.

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all. ~Emily Dickinson
Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsWhen I had the partial hysterectomy I had the same issue. Hot flashes from the wazoo. They eventually passed about a year later. And about 3 years later the ovarian cysts appeared. Along with the dry skin, mood swings, anxiety, etc. Just gotta hang in there. I would start addressing the issues with your primary care and gynecologist to make sure your hormone levels are where they should be. Then after you've ruled that out and been officially declared perimenopausal or menopausal then talk to your pdoc about the extra symptoms.
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bpcookie replied to Anneinside's response:
Those hot flashes are horrible, especially at night. I used to wake up with my pillow and bed sheets wet. I would put towels, sheets and pillow cases next to my bed before I went to sleep each night. Thank goodness I dont have hot flashes any more. I think the estrogen and progesterone replacements helped that. Now if I could find something to stop my hair from falling out.
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning. ~Ivy Baker Priest
Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsThose hot flashes are horrible, especially at night. I used to wake up with my pillow and bed sheets wet. I would put towels, sheets and pillow cases next to my bed before I went to sleep each night. Thank goodness I dont have hot flashes any more. I think the estrogen and progesterone replacements helped that. Now if I could find something to stop my hair from falling out.
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bpcookie replied to melly2210's response:
Melly honey, you know, my Gyno had me take a blood test to determine if I was menopausal or perimenopausal and she told me that the tests came back normal. After that a different Dr. told me I was perimenopausal. My Gyno failed to tell me that they needed to do multi blood tests because of the hormonal fluctuations. Sometimes Dr.s can be pretty useless. I thought it was irresponsible of my Gyno and she is a specialist too. gggrrr
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning. ~Ivy Baker Priest
Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsMelly honey, you know, my Gyno had me take a blood test to determine if I was menopausal or perimenopausal and she told me that the tests came back normal. After that a different Dr. told me I was perimenopausal. My Gyno failed to tell me that they needed to do multi blood tests because of the hormonal fluctuations. Sometimes Dr.s can be pretty useless. I thought it was irresponsible of my Gyno and she is a specialist too. gggrrr
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PetPrincess responded:
Mine seem to have gotten worse after my hysterectomy. Fortunately, I haven't been hospitalized due to my bipolar, but that may be because I threatened my husband with a divorce if her ever committed me. As for the depression, yes mine is worse but so is my manic, even though I'm medicated on 4 different meds. I have also noticed my temper is shorter.
Report This| Share this:Menopause and changes in Bipolar symptomsMine seem to have gotten worse after my hysterectomy. Fortunately, I haven't been hospitalized due to my bipolar, but that may be because I threatened my husband with a divorce if her ever committed me.<img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/litesmile.gif" align="top" border="0"> As for the depression, yes mine is worse but so is my manic, even though I'm medicated on 4 different meds. I have also noticed my temper is shorter.
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