Depression...Anyone else?

Alot of doctors don't routinely do the saliva test because it is not covererd by most insurance companies.. they prefer to do blood testing.. although saliva is more accurate.

You can purchase a saliva test kit thru any compounding pharmacy or have your doctor order one for you. They normally cost around $200-300 which includes all the lab fees.

I am working with a compounding pharmacy and hormonal pharmacist along with a family doctor to monitor my levels.

You can test thru blood and still see if you levels are very low or very high... and most insurance companies cover that cost.

You can definately test your hormonal levels at any time...

This is just my opinion, but my feeling is, after reading a lot and hearing people talk, that more women need to demand the tests that they think they need. It's our body and we need to be able to tell our doctors what we think we need.
If you are feeling depressed and want to know why, rule everything out. Depression is usually a physical disorder (chemical imbalance). If it is your hormones you need to know that.
Doctors are wonderful, I would never talk bad about them in general, but they can only do what we agree with. They are after all only people, they are not our authorities. We need to be able to speak up, it is not only our right, it is our duty to ourselves.
They work for us, not the other way around.
Make sure before you get all cocky with your doctor that you research your symptoms. Be informed and the doc is more likely to take you seriously.
Well like I said, this is only my opinion, take it for what it's worth, but if I had done this about 9 months ago, I would have saved myself from 8 months of HEAVY bleeding with pretty much no break to speak of, (maybe 3 weeks without bleeding..not all together) and then a transfusion for the loss of blood..3 pints.

Just wanted to know if anyone has taken Paxil and if you have had any numbness in feet as a side effect of the medication..

thanks

I have heard, that depeding on which point in your cycle you are (those of us that kept ovaries), the hormone tests can be different, so how do you know when to test??

I have also been told that sometimes they will check a couple times a month to make sure they cover all the bases.

I have always thought my hormones were screwey - I just want to know for sure - if it is not hormones, then we can go a different direction, but I want to know!!

$200 - $300 seems like a ton of money - YIKES!! But I guess it would be worth it if it helps get things straight. Is that about what they charge in the Dr. office too???

Is the blood test pretty accurate, or not???

So...if they do the tests and find out your hormones are messed up, then do they treat you w/ HRT, even tho you still have ovaries????

((Lucky Charmz))
I never did get over the naseua w/ Lexapro, I put up with it for over a month, and it didn't get better, I don't want to discourage you, but there are other options out there, so don't feel like you are out of luck if you just can't tolerate it. Good luck!!

Yes. I am using the HRT cream and I kept ovaries... and you can test thru bloodwork only if you want to...

Bloodwork checks through serum and Saliva is more thru tissue... or at least that is the way it was explained to me...

I think either is fine.. the main thing is to see if you are out or range.. or if your symptoms are telling you something is not right.

hope this helps some..

My story of depression is a little different than the ones posted. About 7 months before I was diagnosed with endo. cancer, I was diagnosed with depression and I tried a couple of medications and settled in with effexor. After my surgery, my attitude changed 100%, in part because the diagnosis was not as bad as my nightmares and in part because I continue on effexor. I went for another 8 or 9 months with this attitude and everyone noticed the change in me. Then I started feeling like I was alone--although definitely not depressed--and a little sorry that the 5 years+ or reproduction ability I thought I had left no longer exists. When I found this site, I did not feel as alone, that there are other women going through similar things that I am, and unlike my friends--who mean well-- do not act like I am talking a foreign language. Mentally I have been doing real well and when I hear that someone is going through a depression I have great sympathy and I hope they are able to get all the help that is available. I also wanted to thank hystersisters for listening to me and letting me share my thoughts without feeling I am putting upon anyone.
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L-endo. 1(b), 3; TAH/BSO