I know this post has been up for a while, but I'm brand new and just discovered it. I just found out about a month ago that I have elevated testosterone levels. I've always dealt with depression and anxiety but tried to control it on my own. Since I was 18 though, I wasn't able to control it. I used to miss school and now miss work for it. Frankly I think it's more anxiety that then turns into depression, but whatever. Also, I go into these angry rages. It's a good thing my husband is stronger than me cuz I'm sure I would've killed him or myself by now with the extremes I've gone to. I attempted suicide when I was 19. In July my doctor finally tried me on anti-depressants. First Wellbutrin that made me so anxious I thought I was psychotic. Now I'm on Celexa and it has made some difference for the depression, but I'm still anxious as could be. Since I'm TTC no one wants to give me anything which frankly I'm okay with. It's so good to know that I'm not crazy and maybe it has to do with my testosterone levels. I have an uncle with schizophrenia and was always worried I would end up like that. I loved reading this article and realizing there may be a reason for why I get like I do. It's not just cuz I can't get my act together like everyone tells me to.
Oh gosh, I think I have found my home . I am sooooo depressed and it totally goes in cycles. I am lucky (I guess) in that I do still have periods, usually 3-4 times a year. I find that the day I start menstrating I feel SO MUCH BETTER. And, I usuallly stay feeling good for about a month or so and then it creaps back up again untill I'm just sitting at home and crying all weekend. It's not infertility... I've had my children. And, it isn't actually "getting" my period that makes me happy. Usually I start feeling better the day of, before I even know that I'm going to menstrate. I can't think of a woman in the last three generations of my family that wasn't obese, depressed, and had female issues. Actually, I'm the first woman in three generations to not have a hysterectomy before 30. I'm positive it's PCOS. I hate to see my doctor... he is a total yutz. I wish that I could just take care of me and get better without medical intervention. Medication really isn't an option for me because my liver doesn't metabolize anything. I usually fell sicker when on medication... I can't even take tylenol without getting knocked on my kiester..... but do my doctors listen???? Instead I get sent over to the pain clinic I'm sorry for the rant.
i actually am new but i have noticed that my anxiety and depression went away a little once my doctor put me on metformin..I dont know if its the pills that are helping me or im just relieved i fianlly am getting sum where..who knows but im feeling a little better but the waiting and antisipating is the worse..hang in there ladies.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DH-25 Sam(ME)-23 Diagnosed with PCOS in July 07' HSG-All Clear 1500 mg Metformin daily since Oct 07' Prenate DHA Prenatal vitamins once daily TTC#1 For almost 6 years
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My levels of testosterone are very high (225 units - normal should be max 90 units), I also get anxiety attacks and I am so very sensitive at times. Is it all related do you mean? Its like that I get so edgy at times!!
I am have other issues too that make me depressed and I am not able to make out I am depressed n edgy b'cuz of all that is happening around me or because of my odd hormones. I am not able to concentrate on anything right now.. I really don't know what to do..
What do you ladies suggest me to do? I want to improve my condition and don't think I can live a life like that.. Its so hard n hurting! Please Help.
Thanks
__________________ Anu (25)
India
Diagnosed - 13th Nov,02
Meds - metformin 1000mg,
Cyproterone acetate & Ethinyl estradiol,
Herbal prepartion for hair fall.
do u find that the metformin helps u lose weight i've been recently diagnosed also in march 07 but they have not yet prescribed me metformin i'm not really taking anythinkg yet ezcept multivitamins, hair skin & nail vitamins & prenatals
I know this post has been up for a while, but I'm brand new and just discovered it. I just found out about a month ago that I have elevated testosterone levels. I've always dealt with depression and anxiety but tried to control it on my own. Since I was 18 though, I wasn't able to control it. I used to miss school and now miss work for it. Frankly I think it's more anxiety that then turns into depression, but whatever. Also, I go into these angry rages. It's a good thing my husband is stronger than me cuz I'm sure I would've killed him or myself by now with the extremes I've gone to. I attempted suicide when I was 19. In July my doctor finally tried me on anti-depressants. First Wellbutrin that made me so anxious I thought I was psychotic. Now I'm on Celexa and it has made some difference for the depression, but I'm still anxious as could be. Since I'm TTC no one wants to give me anything which frankly I'm okay with. It's so good to know that I'm not crazy and maybe it has to do with my testosterone levels. I have an uncle with schizophrenia and was always worried I would end up like that. I loved reading this article and realizing there may be a reason for why I get like I do. It's not just cuz I can't get my act together like everyone tells me to.
I have read in several places that there is a coorelation between estrogen dominance and anxiety - I know that before I started trying to address my hormone imbalance that I would have anxiety attacks for no apparent reason, and now I no longer have them.
Recently my doc told me that PCOS results in high estrogen that can cause mood swings and maybe the lack of period causes some of that as well. I mean I'm waiting and waiting, and all the symptoms persist, but no period. He suggested to use the Mirena IUD which will take care of the symptoms of depression etc. Anyone else have that experience ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatCarney
Depression and PCOS
Depression is a prominent characteristic of women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. Part of the depression stems from the emotional difficulty of being infertile, overweight, too hairy, or having acne, hair loss or some other disturbing symptom. However, the primary cause of depression in PCOS appears to be hormonal in nature. A number of studies have shown a connection between a negative mood and elevated androgens, which are male hormones such as testosterone. In one interesting study, there was a correlation between the most intense depression and testosterone levels slightly above normal, but not when testosterone was low or extremely high.
Of course, depression is not limited to elevated testosterone. Depression has also been associated with insulin resistance and depressed thyroid function. Disturbed LH (luteinizing hormone) levels and rhythms have been found in depressed women compared to women who are not depressed. Disturbed LH is a primary reason why you don't ovulate. Abnormal estrogen and cortisol are additional hormonal factors connected to depression.
Women with mixed anxiety-depression disorder have high levels of homocysteine in the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and they have higher blood homocysteine levels as compared to healthy women. Women with PCOS commonly have elevated homocysteine, which is a byproduct of metabolic activity. Normally, homocysteine is broken down and made harmless. However, a poor diet that is deficient in calcium and B vitamins, and drugs such as Metformin (Glucophage) help to elevate homocysteine.
All of the above factors for depression are common in PCOS women. There are additional factors that we won't go into here. But you can see that if you have PCOS and depression, you have a complex situation on your hands, a situation that does not have a simple solution.
The good news is that you can favorably alter your hormones and thus lift your depression at least to some extent with a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, selected nutritional supplements, and possibly medications. The diet would include plenty of whole, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit in moderation, fish, poultry, some other meats, nuts and seeds in moderation, greatly reduced consumption of grain products, and possible reduction of some legumes. As for nutritional supplements, a high quality multi-vitamin/mineral would be a good place to start.
Sources
Dr. Nancy Dunne
Androgens and mood dysfunction in women: comparison of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome to healthy controls, Psychosom Med. 2004 May-Jun;66(3):356-62
Wow. Like many of you, I had no idea that my severe depression could be related to my hormonal issues (slighly raised testosterone). I am so glad I read this! I'm also going to insist on a test for Cushings, after I do some research. Thanks for posting this info!
Women with mixed anxiety-depression disorder have high levels of homocysteine in the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and they have higher blood homocysteine levels as compared to healthy women. Women with PCOS commonly have elevated homocysteine, which is a byproduct of metabolic activity. Normally, homocysteine is broken down and made harmless. However, a poor diet that is deficient in calcium and B vitamins, and drugs such as Metformin (Glucophage) help to elevate homocysteine.
Does this mean that Metformin is bad for someone with an anxiety/depression disorder?
I take Wellbutrin daily.
__________________ Andrea (34) Wife of Eric (34) Mom to Duck (aka Sam 07/05) TTC #2 since 03/2007 PCOS DX: 02/07/08
Metformin (2000mg)
Two doses of Provera did NOTHING
LMP: 3/22/08 (prior was 9/24/07)
T/V ultrasound showed O "not so distant past" on 4/15/08
WW 4/10/08 at 175.8
4/17/08 weigh-in 172.4
4/24/08 weigh-in 171.6
Does this mean that Metformin is bad for someone with an anxiety/depression disorder?
I take Wellbutrin daily.
My best advice is to take this article to your physician and make them aware of the link, and see what they say. If you're on metformin, based on the article, you may need to be monitored for any mood changes...
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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I posted in the newbs area and asked if anybody here had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was told I was a "poster child" for the disorder but they just kept pumping me full of depakote (i was up to 1800 mg/d when I stopped taking it) and wellbutrin, which just made the extreme symptoms I had at the time even more extreme, IMO.
I lived in mexico for 6 months on NO MEDS and was wonderful- ate good food and LOTS of it, exercised all the time b/c I had to walk everywhere I went, I lost weight, had a tan, and I felt awesome.
Then I came back and they put me back on meds and went through a horrible reverse-culture-shock/depression.
I have the hirsutism, obesity, high testosterone, low estrogen, insulin resistance, all that stuff. But I DO have a period. And how. Right now I don't want to move a millimeter because I have had 3 toiletbowls full of blood since yesterday. I know this can't be normal.
But every doctor I talk to about it just says, "well, it's dysmenhorria" and says it will get better with diet and exercise. So I have been working on that stuff and now I'm on metformin (glucophage) for the second week. I am just waiting to see what happens, at this point.
I am so f***in' depressed I don't want to look anyone in the face or go to work.
My job is pretty stressful, and I have to be all rah-rah-rah and social for it. I cancelled a meeting with my boss this morning. I have been very open with him about this condition, but it seems like I am not getting well quickly enough. I mean, it's an activist job, I knew that when I took it, but it could take months or years of being on top of this condition for me to get well enough to do my job well.
I am in a crisis! It feels like everything is falling apart. Thank Jeebus for my partner. I love her. She has been packing me lunches and helping me out a lot with this diet thing, even though it's not anything she needs to worry about.
Sorry for ranting, I just feel like I am at a boiling point. I don't know what to do. I don't have other people to talk to who understand. I appreciate y'all's patience.
I know this post has been up for a while, but I'm brand new and just discovered it. I just found out about a month ago that I have elevated testosterone levels. I've always dealt with depression and anxiety but tried to control it on my own. Since I was 18 though, I wasn't able to control it. I used to miss school and now miss work for it. Frankly I think it's more anxiety that then turns into depression, but whatever. Also, I go into these angry rages. It's a good thing my husband is stronger than me cuz I'm sure I would've killed him or myself by now with the extremes I've gone to. I attempted suicide when I was 19. In July my doctor finally tried me on anti-depressants. First Wellbutrin that made me so anxious I thought I was psychotic. Now I'm on Celexa and it has made some difference for the depression, but I'm still anxious as could be. Since I'm TTC no one wants to give me anything which frankly I'm okay with. It's so good to know that I'm not crazy and maybe it has to do with my testosterone levels. I have an uncle with schizophrenia and was always worried I would end up like that. I loved reading this article and realizing there may be a reason for why I get like I do. It's not just cuz I can't get my act together like everyone tells me to.
OMG when I was on wellbutrin I thought I could chew through walls. I have had the rages too, for as long as I can remember. I beat the CRAP out of my ex-bf a couple of times (which was years ago and led to the bipolar diagnosis). I have been diagnosed also with PTSD. I think i am ovulatory; i have been pregnant once, 5 years ago.
Gah. So much to process. So little time to read everything.
for some crazy reason this is excellent news! 
. I am sooooo depressed and it totally goes in cycles. I am lucky (I guess) in that I do still have periods, usually 3-4 times a year. I find that the day I start menstrating I feel SO MUCH BETTER. And, I usuallly stay feeling good for about a month or so and then it creaps back up again untill I'm just sitting at home and crying all weekend. It's not infertility... I've had my children. And, it isn't actually "getting" my period that makes me happy. Usually I start feeling better the day of, before I even know that I'm going to menstrate. I can't think of a woman in the last three generations of my family that wasn't obese, depressed, and had female issues. Actually, I'm the first woman in three generations to not have a hysterectomy before 30. I'm positive it's PCOS. I hate to see my doctor... he is a total yutz. I wish that I could just take care of me and get better without medical intervention. Medication really isn't an option for me because my liver doesn't metabolize anything. I usually fell sicker when on medication... I can't even take tylenol without getting knocked on my kiester..... but do my doctors listen???? Instead I get sent over to the pain clinic 
