Depression, PCOS linked in study - Page 2

HellaFunGoodies · 10-03-2006, 07:27 PM

Hi Ladies:

I spent mannnny years in the depression & pcos boat with you guys but I am here to tell you that YOU CAN TAKE YOUR LIVES BACK! PCOS DOES NOT HAVE TO RULE YOU...IT IS NOT WHO WE ARE...IT IS JUST A PART OF US.

On January, 17th, I turned 31. There I was: 60lbs overweight, depressed, on Paxil that I was scared to wean from b/c of all the nightmare stories out there (I'd been taking it since a "breakdown" in '00 when our baby would've been due and my baby was birthing my 3rd niece), wanting desperately to have children, & I had also picked-up smoking again after failed IUI efforts and my grandfather's death in July '05...I finally made the decision to take my life back.

We see people make small changes every day that lead to big life changes. But seriously, with PCOS affecting so many different body systems - it is important to break it down into baby steps. I started with a bit of exercise, better nutrition (& moderation of sweets 'cause I can't cut the goodies out :}). A little bit of exercise every day or every other day really does help you to start taking better care of yourself all the way around.

Starting 2/17/06 and making it through today, I have done the following: 1) I have lost 30lbs the right way. 2) I am in my 6th month of no-smoking (& I don't miss it!). 3) I am in my 7th month of NO PAXIL (by far, the hardest part of this entire process. Paxil is the devil in pill form.)

AND I AM FEELING SO MUCH BETTER!

Of course, the journey continues. I would like to lose another 15-20lbs (the right way of course) and will continue to learn more about healthy cooking, exercise, etc.

Get moving ladies! Your lives will change...I promise.

Stand strong Soul Cysters! I LOVE YOU ALL!

xox,
Karla

HellaFunGoodies · 10-03-2006, 07:37 PM

I also need to add that the exercise recommendation is not simply b/c it is a weight loss tool...

EXERCISE DID MORE FOR ME MENTALLY &
SPIRITUALLY THAN ANY PILL EVER DID. You slowly start exercising (30min a day or even 10min of walking or something else 3 times a day) & before you know it...the endorphins are helping you feel better...you start to make healthier food choices...you actually start to feel strong & empowered! I worked-out for about 10wks before kicking the cigarettes and Paxil.

Oh, and a correction to my message below: My sister gave birth to my 3rd niece...not "my baby birthed my 3rd niece!).

I love you girls. You can do it. PCOS does not have to ruin the rest of your life. Find it in yourself, today, to do just a little something towards taking your lives back. YOU CAN DO IT! EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!

tunzi · 10-14-2006, 09:06 AM

I/m really glad someone did the research on it .I have suffered for the past few years with anxiety and depression attacks . I was diagnosed since 92 with pcos . What started bringing it on more was where I WORKED . My manager decided it was here right to tell me first of all I did not have the right to have kids if god did not make me to and that its my fault I am overweight . When I actually according to my collegues eat less than anyone else during the day . I had enough of her and our HR that sticks up for her . And told me she said it out of her concearn for me . ( by the way I am not the only one who has placed in complaints about this woman their is numerous ) Anyways the time away from stress did me god.My tests hscg came back positive . Good luck to you all !

Leopassion7 · 10-16-2006, 04:24 AM

Leopassion7 was dx with 'major depression disorder' in january 2004

Lakinni · 12-20-2006, 04:55 PM

And I thought I might've been sounding silly when I asked my doctor "Er... do you think PCOS could cause any mood swings?"

He actually said something like "of course, just like menopause and other hormone unbalances"

I've been diagnosed a few months ago, after stopping with the pill (after 7 years of using it straight) and not getting pregnant.
The fact that I'd gained weight (without eating sweets of junk food!) in the past couple of years, and the sudden acne attack (damn, gray hairs, wrinkles AND pimples at the same time!), made my doctor suspect PCOS.... ultrasound showed the cysts... blood tests confirmed crazy hormones.

The weirdest thing is, right after I stopped with the pill I stared having this HORRIBLE feeling (stronger at night), thoughts of death, a weird mixture of depression and anxiety but nothing like anything I've had before!

So now that I started on Metformin I have the feeling (maybe I'm fooling myself--wishful thinking you know...) that I'm having less of those "attacks"... I really hope once the hormones get a bit more balanced out that this stops or get at least better!

Meanwhile....
HellaFunGoodies you're right, and thanks for the support! I really gotta kick myself in the butt and go back into doing more exercise, my love tells is so supportive and my doctor also tells me that... it's good not only for the weight loss but really, for the mind and soul! Hard is to take the first step and keep at it!

Ladyd, I wish I could do something to make you feel better... you're NOT a failure at ALL as a woman or in any way! We can't help having whatever problems our bodies have, we can only try to stay strong and work on it, try to solve the problem and when not possible at least minimize the symptoms...

Good luck to all you ladies fighting with this, with or without depression or anxiety as yet another symptom!!!
I know, I have so far little time suffering from PCOS and so far "lighter" symptoms, unlike many others, but I tell you, besides from the pregnancy difficulties, this anxiety-depression-death-attack is so HORRIBLE.... I really hope much more research and stuff would be written about it so so many of us out there that don't know why we're feeling this way at least understand, so we can know how to try to fight it and move on!

Lakinni · 12-20-2006, 05:08 PM

I was reading more on this.... so many sites don't even mention depression / anxiety as a symptom!
And some that DO only say that the women feel depressed because of other symptoms (weight, hair, infertility, etc)

Being one of the women with lesser symptoms (acne and weight bother me but I've started having it months before I stopped with the pill, and I wasn't feeling bad at all, so it seems like the pill was really "regulating" a bit more the hormones, and now that I'm off the **** hit the fan and PCOS is at it's strongest...) I can say that NO WAY it's "only" because of other symptoms, it really is something related to the crazy hormones!!!!

HOLLAND · 12-20-2006, 05:20 PM

Finally

Of course I'm depressed because of infertility

KatCarney · 12-20-2006, 08:35 PM

Another thing that made my depression worse, or sometimes even triggered it was a low fat diet. Also products with Splenda.

Either/or will TOTALLY throw me into depression.

Now I'm careful to eat a diet rich in omega 3's and I avoid Splenda products.

(run a search in this forum on FISH OIL and DEPRESSION...good stuff)

Lakinni · 12-20-2006, 08:41 PM

I keep hearing about the Omega 3.... if I wanna add it to my diet (and not in pill form) is there other good sources besides fish oil?

I remember I read somewhere something about nuts and Tofu (which I already eat sometimes)... problem is, I'm vegetarian (still eat eggs and dairy products though).

My doc says I gotta watch out more what I eat ... I can spend weeks without eating any sweets and no junk food, my weakness is the "bad carbs" (GI) white rice etc... and me not catching enough sun is also not good right?

I want met to work better / faster, also stay healthy, and if it helps with conceiving and with the depression even better!

KatCarney · 12-20-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakinni

I keep hearing about the Omega 3.... if I wanna add it to my diet (and not in pill form) is there other good sources besides fish oil?

What about Flaxseed oil? I love it on salads with a bit of lemon juice!
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/omega3.html

Lakinni · 12-21-2006, 08:37 AM

Thanks Kat, I'll look for it (find out what it's called) over here where I live... I just read a little about it so I guesse I'd just use it on salads since it's supposedly not good to cook it.

craftyshutterbug · 12-24-2006, 09:36 PM

I want to thank you for posting this link. It actually helped me in a paper I wrote for my history of psychology class (long story!).

Sisu77 · 02-07-2007, 01:43 PM

Hi there. I've been seeing a therapist for anxiety/depression which we've figured is most likely related to my PCOS. Getting my hormones controlled a little better seems to help some,but not so I feel "normal". I take Prozac for 10 days of my cycle for PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)and Xanax for the panic attacks-which may or may not be related. It seems to help some, but I hesitate to take an antidepressant daily. I fear weight gain. We all know the struggles of weight and PCOS. It's already a battle and I don't need to have a medications pushing in the wrong direction. Has anyone had any luck with an antidepressant and it not causing weight gain?

melissa-amy · 04-13-2007, 06:30 PM

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety over a year ago and never thought it was linked to pcos until now. i lost weight on prozac but had adverse side effects while pregnant. I am corrently takiing zoloft (100mg) and am doing well. Looking back depression kicked when my pcos was in high gear teen years an now post partum.
Miracles do happen ladies! keep faith love and best wishes to all!

Scribbs · 06-08-2007, 04:54 PM

Hi..I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16..I'm 39 now. While growing up, doctors didn't know much about it and more so..didn't know how to treat it. I've always been moody and when I was young, depressed. Lately(past 3-4 yrs.) I have lot's of anxiety. I'm happy to know (not happy that you are dealing with it) that some of you are feeling anxiety...I thought it was something else I had! In any case...I'm a true believe of not using drugs for everything. I take metformin and when I was young I sought therapy and it worked! I occasionally go to therapy, but it is not often as my psychologist was awesome and helped me deal with life in general. I guess I just want to say that I'm glad I'm not alone and also for those of you suffering mentally...try talking to a therapist before taking drugs. Don't get me wrong...I'm not against drugs...I just think talking is always an option and doesn't affect your body.