It is bad enough being bipolar, but if you have a young teenage girl, add in the emotional roller coaster of her monthly cycle, and watch out! As Caroline says, it is like PMS on steroids! Today I took her to a female gyn who specializes in balancing hormones in women using both all natural supplements as well as prescription medications. Caroline seems to be estrogen-dominant, maybe having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, exhibiting many of the symptoms, including a burst ovarian cyst at the age of 11 which required surgery! Poor girl. She has been suffering from terrible acne which, no matter what the dermatologist prescribed, wouldn't go away. So we got a prescription today for Loestrin 24 Fe, birth control essentially, but with the sole purpose of lightening up her cycles, making them more regular, and improving her skin. This med includes five tablets of iron to take during her period. Great idea! Except that iron can interfere with the absorption of some of her meds. So maybe we will skip those.
By the way, Depakote has been linked to developing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Caroline was taking Depakote before she suffered from the cyst. Coincidence, maybe, but still very suspicious.
The Rozerem didn't work that well last night. Dr. Parker says that if a female is estrogen-dominant, her sleep can be affected. Maybe if her hormones get straightened out, she will sleep better.
Hi- new follower here!
ReplyDeleteI have heard that bc can interfere with psych meds as well. Is that accurate do you know? I do know a few people on both that seem to have no problems with it so I wonder if that is one of those rumors that gets started on a listserve or something.
Anyway, hope things are well today!
Hi Essie! Caroline has been on bc pills before and we did not notice any negative effect. In fact, I think that most bp females are helped by the pill because of the fact that their cycles can greatly affect their mood, and the PMS is lessened considerably by the pill. I am sure there are individuals who cannot take artificial hormones because they mess with their moods, as everyone's body chemistry is different.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to getting to know you!