Struggling right now

I'm struggling right now. I'm on mood stabilizers and still feel like I'm going crazy. I'm waiting to see my doctor to check my hormones. I'm 46 and think I might be starting the "change" talk about adding insult to injury. Everything I've read says it's worse for those of us with bi-polar. Does Anyone have experience with this?

I remember reading that somewhere, but as a male, I would not have any experience with it. I do remember hearing something about it. I looking into it, and yes, there have been several studies that have shown women going through the change, while also having biploar disorder, experience more frequent mood swings, mood instability, and longer bouts of episodes.

I also read some stuff just now that says that certain medication may not work due to going through the change. This is something you should definitely talk to your doctor about.

Tyler wrote:I do remember hearing something about it. I looking into it, and yes, there have been several studies that have shown women going through the change, while also having biploar disorder, experience more frequent mood swings, mood instability, and longer bouts of episodes.

I also read some stuff just now that says that certain medication may not work due to going through the change. This is something you should definitely talk to your doctor about.

Yay something to look forward to!

Yeah, It's not fun. Just when I thought my moods were "stable" as much as they were going to get anyway, my body throws this on me! super lame.

Hi Raphaelle,

Menopause is not fun for most women in general. Female hormones' fluctuation are at their worst in menopause, sorry to say. I suffered from terrible, incapacitating migraines with eye vision auras that triggered them, and night-time hot flashes that interrupted my sleep due to the fluctuations. I'm now out of this phase and haven't had a migraine since and the hot flashes have long ago subsided as well. So there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, menopause is not forever. At some point down the road your mood swings will stabilize.

I realize with bi-polar plus menopause, it will be tricky for your med regimen to balance things out between the mood swings and your hormones. Hopefully you and your doctor can work out an optimal program. It's not fun, but do try to work with your gyn and pdoc to get some mood balance.