Re: Questions on estrogen/hormones.....

[Guest guest]

a

Dr. Cohen has told me at an appointment and mentioned at the conference in

Dallas that we should take estrogen if we don't have other risk factors. I

have taken it since I had my hysterectomy almost 20 years ago.

laurie

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Tue, 07 Sep 2004 20:06:17 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Questions on estrogen/hormones.....

>

> Hi All,

>

> I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

> people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

>

> I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back surgery.

> Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed to

> feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone downhill

> over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen use

> and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm almost 46

> and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods. I

> usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple days.

> I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

> could be partly hormonal.

>

> I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm still

> in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel very

> weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good with

> this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because he

> is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

> bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically am a

> shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me too.

>

> Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would improve my

> mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I CANNOT

> take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects. I've

> tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help me?? I

> don't want to make things worse than they already are.

>

> Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane and

> their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

>

> Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

> a

>

>

>

> Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein

> are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

> entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

> responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

> physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

> Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

> automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hormonal Birth Control is listed on the list of meds:

MEDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATED IN MITOCHONDRIAL DIESASE

On page 269 of the Syllabus for the International Conference on Mito

Disease, 1997 you will find the following recommendations:

paula_szekeres wrote:

>Hi All,

>

>I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

>people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

>

>I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back surgery.

>Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed to

>feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone downhill

>over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen use

>and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm almost 46

>and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods. I

>usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple days.

>I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

>could be partly hormonal.

>

>I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm still

>in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel very

>weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good with

>this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because he

>is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

>bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically am a

>shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me too.

>

>Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would improve my

>mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I CANNOT

>take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects. I've

>tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help me?? I

>don't want to make things worse than they already are.

>

>Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane and

>their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

>

>Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

>a

>

>

>

>

>Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are

not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

>Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hormonal Birth Control is listed on the list of meds:

MEDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATED IN MITOCHONDRIAL DIESASE

On page 269 of the Syllabus for the International Conference on Mito

Disease, 1997 you will find the following recommendations:

paula_szekeres wrote:

>Hi All,

>

>I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

>people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

>

>I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back surgery.

>Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed to

>feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone downhill

>over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen use

>and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm almost 46

>and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods. I

>usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple days.

>I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

>could be partly hormonal.

>

>I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm still

>in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel very

>weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good with

>this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because he

>is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

>bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically am a

>shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me too.

>

>Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would improve my

>mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I CANNOT

>take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects. I've

>tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help me?? I

>don't want to make things worse than they already are.

>

>Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane and

>their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

>

>Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

>a

>

>

>

>

>Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are

not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

>Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hormonal Birth Control is listed on the list of meds:

MEDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATED IN MITOCHONDRIAL DIESASE

On page 269 of the Syllabus for the International Conference on Mito

Disease, 1997 you will find the following recommendations:

paula_szekeres wrote:

>Hi All,

>

>I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

>people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

>

>I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back surgery.

>Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed to

>feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone downhill

>over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen use

>and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm almost 46

>and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods. I

>usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple days.

>I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

>could be partly hormonal.

>

>I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm still

>in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel very

>weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good with

>this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because he

>is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

>bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically am a

>shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me too.

>

>Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would improve my

>mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I CANNOT

>take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects. I've

>tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help me?? I

>don't want to make things worse than they already are.

>

>Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane and

>their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

>

>Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

>a

>

>

>

>

>Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are

not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

>Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry to hear about your health and problems at home. I think

we can all relate to family or friends not completely understanding

what we're going through. I'll send you a cyber hug and hope it

helps a little. As far as hormones are concerned, I've tried both

estrogen and progesterone and both made me flare. I have had

horrible periods for years (very heavy, painful and inconsistent).

Oddly enough, when I started the mito cocktail I had normal periods

after that. The problem was that I had to dc the cocktail because

of GI problems...so, I'm back to horrible periods again. I just

spent the past week going through exactly what you

described...extreme fatigue, back pain, depression etc... Wish

there was a simple answer. Best of luck !

bug

[Guest guest]

Hi, Laurie, and everyone

Thank you for mentioning that again. I remember reading that in one of

the papers by Dr. Cohen, or in a question to the Doc, that Dr. Cohen

had answered. I can't remember if it was for women who had had a

hysterectomy (me) or for all women. Does anyone have more information?

I guess I would like to understand why that recommendation - why

estrogen would helpl mito patients in particular. I was on estrogen,

and stopped taking it a while back. Now that I think about it, around

that time, (when I stopped the estrogen), I did start to have a

downward spiral. There were other possible reasons, so I never even

thought that the absence of estrogen could have been a major cause of

it! I would really like to understand the thinking behind it.

Anyone have an idea?

Thanks everyone for all your posts and information. I really appreciate

it, and I know that I, along with so many others here, benefit from all

the sharing that happens.

Warm Regards

Sunny

> a

>

> Dr. Cohen has told me at an appointment and mentioned at the

> conference in

> Dallas that we should take estrogen if we don't have other risk

> factors. I

> have taken it since I had my hysterectomy almost 20 years ago.

>

> laurie

>

> >

> > Reply-To:

> > Date: Tue, 07 Sep 2004 20:06:17 -0000

> > To:

> > Subject: Questions on estrogen/hormones.....

> >

> > Hi All,

> >

> > I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

> > people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

> >

> > I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back surgery.

> > Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed to

> > feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone downhill

> > over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen use

> > and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm almost 46

> > and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods. I

> > usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple days.

> > I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

> > could be partly hormonal.

> >

> > I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm still

> > in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel very

> > weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good with

> > this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because he

> > is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

> > bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically am a

> > shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me

> too.

> >

> > Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would improve my

> > mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I CANNOT

> > take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects. I've

> > tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help me?? I

> > don't want to make things worse than they already are.

> >

> > Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane and

> > their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

> >

> > Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

> > a

> >

> >

> >

> > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements

> contained herein

> > are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of

> this e mail is

> > entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of

> their

> > responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult

> with their

> > physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

> >

> > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends

> one is

> > automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the

> attack.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Sunny

Not all the doctors agree, but Dr. Cohen feels that in the normal person,

estrogen slows down the aging process and since aging is due to damage to

the mitochondria, he feels that we don't need to add both kinds of mito

mal-function to our bodies. He feels that it might be protective for us.

This was relative to menepause. He didn't talk about birth control.

laurie

> From: z39z@...

> Reply-To:

> Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 01:02:47 -0400

> To:

> Subject: Re: Questions on estrogen/hormones.....

>

> Hi, Laurie, and everyone

>

> Thank you for mentioning that again. I remember reading that in one of

> the papers by Dr. Cohen, or in a question to the Doc, that Dr. Cohen

> had answered. I can't remember if it was for women who had had a

> hysterectomy (me) or for all women. Does anyone have more information?

> I guess I would like to understand why that recommendation - why

> estrogen would helpl mito patients in particular. I was on estrogen,

> and stopped taking it a while back. Now that I think about it, around

> that time, (when I stopped the estrogen), I did start to have a

> downward spiral. There were other possible reasons, so I never even

> thought that the absence of estrogen could have been a major cause of

> it! I would really like to understand the thinking behind it.

> Anyone have an idea?

>

> Thanks everyone for all your posts and information. I really appreciate

> it, and I know that I, along with so many others here, benefit from all

> the sharing that happens.

>

> Warm Regards

>

> Sunny

>

>

>

>

>> a

>>

>> Dr. Cohen has told me at an appointment and mentioned at the

>> conference in

>> Dallas that we should take estrogen if we don't have other risk

>> factors. I

>> have taken it since I had my hysterectomy almost 20 years ago.

>>

>> laurie

>>

>>>

>>> Reply-To:

>>> Date: Tue, 07 Sep 2004 20:06:17 -0000

>>> To:

>>> Subject: Questions on estrogen/hormones.....

>>>

>>> Hi All,

>>>

>>> I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

>>> people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

>>>

>>> I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back surgery.

>>> Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed to

>>> feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone downhill

>>> over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen use

>>> and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm almost 46

>>> and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods. I

>>> usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple days.

>>> I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

>>> could be partly hormonal.

>>>

>>> I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm still

>>> in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel very

>>> weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good with

>>> this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because he

>>> is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

>>> bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically am a

>>> shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me

>> too.

>>>

>>> Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would improve my

>>> mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I CANNOT

>>> take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects. I've

>>> tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help me?? I

>>> don't want to make things worse than they already are.

>>>

>>> Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane and

>>> their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

>>>

>>> Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

>>> a

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements

>> contained herein

>>> are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of

>> this e mail is

>>> entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of

>> their

>>> responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult

>> with their

>>> physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>>>

>>> Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends

>> one is

>>> automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the

>> attack.

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

[Guest guest]

There is research in animal models and humans to support the notion

that estrogen may protect muscles from exercise-induced damage, but

these studies have been done in healthy women only and may or may

not have any application to women with mitochondrial disease.

http://www.caaws.ca/Health/estrogen_aug24.htm

NY Times article about Dr. Priscilla son's research.

One quote from Dr. son: " Muscle soreness is presumed to result

from the body's reactions to exercise-induced microtears in the

muscle tissue. Gender may play an important role in the

susceptibility to soreness. While research is still in the early

stages, it is possible that estrogen may be able to insert itself

into cells such as muscle membranes and stabilize them, which would

protect them from tearing. "

Mark Tarnopolsky, MD, PhD, and Tiidus, PhD, are studying the

effects of estrogen in exercise-induced muscle pain. See

Tarnopolsky's book: _Gender Differences in Metabolism_ (CRC Press,

1999). Chapters include " Gender Differences in Exercise-Induced

Muscle Damage " and " Estrogen and Oxygen Radicals: Oxidative Damage,

Inflammation, and Muscle Function. "

That said, there is also evidence to support the notion that

hormonal changes, such as those that occur monthly at the onset of

menses, may play a role in triggering muscle breakdown in certain

mitochondrial disorders. Years ago I was given Provera to treat a

hormone imbalance, and it triggered a major flare.

Barbara

>

> > a

> >

> > Dr. Cohen has told me at an appointment and mentioned at the

> > conference in

> > Dallas that we should take estrogen if we don't have other

risk

> > factors. I

> > have taken it since I had my hysterectomy almost 20 years ago.

> >

> > laurie

> >

> > > From: " paula_szekeres "

> > > Reply-To:

> > > Date: Tue, 07 Sep 2004 20:06:17 -0000

> > > To:

> > > Subject: Questions on estrogen/hormones.....

> > >

> > > Hi All,

> > >

> > > I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

> > > people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

> > >

> > > I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back

surgery.

> > > Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I

seemed to

> > > feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone

downhill

> > > over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about

estrogen use

> > > and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm

almost 46

> > > and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular

periods. I

> > > usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple

days.

> > > I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if

it

> > > could be partly hormonal.

> > >

> > > I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm

still

> > > in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel

very

> > > weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not

good with

> > > this at all and there have been many stressful episodes

because he

> > > is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago,

but

> > > bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but

basically am a

> > > shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah,

me

> > too.

> > >

> > > Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would

improve my

> > > mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I

CANNOT

> > > take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects.

I've

> > > tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help

me?? I

> > > don't want to make things worse than they already are.

> > >

> > > Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and

Duane and

> > > their blessed partners for all they're going through right

now.

> > >

> > > Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

> > > a

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements

> > contained herein

> > > are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author

of

> > this e mail is

> > > entirely responsible for its content. List members are

reminded of

> > their

> > > responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and

consult

> > with their

> > > physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

> > >

> > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who

sends

> > one is

> > > automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity

of the

> > attack.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

-a, Sorry to hear you are feeling so low. I always used to feel

really bad around my period too (but a hysterectomy for fibroids cured

that). Now I take estrogen. i don't think it has harmed me, but I'm

sure there are more expert people than me to comment on this. (I was

given the estrogen to try and lower my cholesterol, and for a while it

did), Take care, Celia

-- In , " paula_szekeres " wrote:

> Hi All,

>

> I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

> people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

>

> I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back surgery.

> Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed to

> feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone downhill

> over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen use

> and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm almost 46

> and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods. I

> usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple days.

> I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

> could be partly hormonal.

>

> I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm still

> in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel very

> weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good with

> this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because he

> is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

> bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically am a

> shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me too.

>

> Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would improve my

> mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I CANNOT

> take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects. I've

> tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help me?? I

> don't want to make things worse than they already are.

>

> Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane and

> their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

>

> Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

> a

[Guest guest]

a, Just another thought. How are your iron levels, since you are

still menstrating?, Celia

> Hi All,

>

> I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

> people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

>

> I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back surgery.

> Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed to

> feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone downhill

> over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen use

> and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm almost 46

> and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods. I

> usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple days.

> I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

> could be partly hormonal.

>

> I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm still

> in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel very

> weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good with

> this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because he

> is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

> bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically am a

> shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me too.

>

> Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would improve my

> mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I CANNOT

> take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects. I've

> tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help me?? I

> don't want to make things worse than they already are.

>

> Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane and

> their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

>

> Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

> a

[Guest guest]

> > Hi All,

> >

> > I have questions regarding the use of birth control or HRT for

> > people with mito. I don't have a dx....possible MG or Mito.

> >

> > I've been doing poorly lately, still recovering from back

surgery.

> > Stopped the pill about a year and a half ago and though I seemed

to

> > feel better at first, I feel like I may have slowly gone

downhill

> > over the long term. I've read conflicting reports about estrogen

use

> > and wondered if anyone knew if it is dangerous or not. I'm

almost 46

> > and believe I'm in perimenopause, but still get regular periods.

I

> > usually get much weaker just before and for the first couple

days.

> > I'm very moody, depressed and emotional lately and wonder if it

> > could be partly hormonal.

> >

> > I've had a very hard time dealing with the level of pain I'm

still

> > in despite back surgery (severe sciatica). Plus I still feel

very

> > weak and still can't do much most days. My husband is not good

with

> > this at all and there have been many stressful episodes because

he

> > is so far in denial. I became really sick about 3 years ago, but

> > bounced back somewhat and have had ups and downs, but basically

am a

> > shadow of my former self. He wants his old wife back....yeah, me

too.

> >

> > Anyway, I think I was just hoping that the hormones would

improve my

> > mood and maybe help me deal with things a little better. I

CANNOT

> > take any type of anti-depressants due to severe side effects.

I've

> > tried several, but have pretty much given up. Can anyone help

me?? I

> > don't want to make things worse than they already are.

> >

> > Also wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to Barry and Duane

and

> > their blessed partners for all they're going through right now.

> >

> > Thanks all for your help. It is much appreciated.

> > a