Energyy decrease on Depo

[depobeginner (imported)]

Hey all-

I have a new question. I've experienced a substantial energy drop recently.. and I am peaking into a depo regimen, so I assume it has some to do with my hormones.

I know depo can decrease energy and cause a person to be lethargic and depressend, but it is hard to be sure this is the cause.

Allergies, diet, etc. can all contribute, and it's so money/time-consuming and "hit or miss" going to doctor's about this.

I've read that hormone imbalance can cause decrease in energy and insomnia, but I am curious if anyone has a solution...

There's cortisol, hormone pills, and all kinds of other options, so I was hoping someone might have an effective solution.

thanks!

[Christina (imported)]

What you desribe is not the Depo-Provera causing the effects per say, but the lack of testosterone and the reduction of that hormone level. Muscles are fueled by testosterone, a reduction in that hormone will lead to less muscle mass. Hence, what was once physically easy to do may now seem much harder. You will feel weaker at the end of the day now. It may take several weeks, but you should adjust to these changes.

[bruce2 (imported)]

When I was on depo, especially at higher doses (like thre 150 mg shots in my system) i got what could only be described as "chronic fatigue". It was so bad i could barely function -- I would go to work out, but end up sleeping by the pool. I would drag myself through the day, and could barely do anything but eat and sleep. It sounds like this may be happening to you. Believe me, this isn't "testosterone depletion" -- it was a very severe lack of energy to do anything. Perhaps the depo is taxing the liver too much, or has completely turned your hormonal system upside down. In any case, this lack of energy really scared me as I was almost non-functional in every way during the month or so it hit me. I stopped taking Depo and went on a detox diet (including taking MACA, which other 'depo survivors' have used) and eventually my energy levels returned, though I still feel only 90% myself.

[Christina (imported)]

I'd like to add, that about the 6 month mark after my surgery (4 years of being chemically castrated), I experienced a strong lack of energy also. Of course over those years I felt a decline in physical strenght as well, but it seemed odd, that for a period of about a month I had no energy to speak of. It may have been due to an increased work load, but I thought having those effects that far after surgery was strange. Needless to say the energy returned in a few weeks and I was back to feeling good again.

[sag111 (imported)]

I to have a lack of energy but i have also had problems with post polio.But with all thoes problems i wouldent trade one day for my old life.But this is why i tell people to check it out first.We realey dont know how things will change until we check it out first.

[madscientist1 (imported)]

I can't remember any drop in energy, since I have been on DP for over 3 years now. I DO know that this heat is a bitch & the only time I have any energy is under the A/C. See how you feel when it gets cooler.

[Robby (imported)]

Doctor offers more info on nonprescription hormone replacement (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/12514440.htm)

Local remote copy in the event original text not available...

Posted on Wed, Aug. 31, 2005

BY BHARAT SANGANI, M.D.

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Knight Ridder News Service

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Dear Readers: Following is a continuation of last week's column, in which board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Beverly Lansden addresses nonprescription hormone replacement options.

Q. How do I know what is the best hormone therapy for myself?

A.

The symptoms of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone deficiency are myriad, and I will mention some of them later. Symptoms of estrogen excess can also be debilitating and, interestingly, some, such as hot flashes, are the same as those of estrogen deficiency. When symptoms of estrogen deficiency persist despite adequate estrogen replacement and even high estrogen levels, the problem is usually one of progesterone deficiency or an improper balance between the two.

The appropriate dose of bioidentical hormone therapy is best determined by testing these hormone levels in saliva. Kits are available through your prescribing provider, so the saliva specimens can be collected at home. Saliva levels reflect what is in the body tissues and vary many-fold from the levels measured in the blood.

Each woman treated with BHRT will have an individualized prescription based on her symptoms and the saliva test results before and during the therapy. Saliva testing is only done at specialized laboratories. Most medical insurance plans cover the saliva tests, unless they restrict clients to the use of only one laboratory. The compounded hormone creams typically do not fall under most insurance co-payment arrangements for prescriptions but must be paid for at the time they are dispensed, and then reimbursement for the pharmacy charge can be requested by the patient. Not all health care providers offer evaluation with saliva testing and treatment with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Q. What symptoms can I expect to improve with the BHRT?

A.

Relief of symptoms may be dramatic. Here are some of the symptoms that are often relieved with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, fatigue, abdominal weight gain, bloating, breast soreness, headaches, hair loss, mood swings, irritability, depression and anxiety, insomnia, inability to relax, loss of libido, memory loss and foggy thinking, loss of concentration, itching of the skin, fibrocystic breast changes, muscle aches, joint pains, frequent colds and infections, allergies, chemical sensitivity, cold intolerance, sugar craving and increased appetite.

Q. What other illnesses can cause these symptoms?

A.

Some of these symptoms can be from other hormone imbalances. Thyroid hormone and/or adrenal cortisol excess or deficiency also needs to be considered and treated. Thyroid levels can be measured by blood tests and should include the tests called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free Thyroxine (free T4) and total or free T3. Stress is a major factor resulting in many of these symptoms. Saliva tests for cortisol, a major adrenal hormone that responds to stress, is measured by saliva collected at 8 a.m., noon, 5 p.m. and midnight. Testosterone and DHEAS are also important to measure and are important for women as well as for men. Hormone testing for men is also indicated when symptoms are present.

Adrenal fatigue is a complex condition precipitated by chronic stress, affects millions of people and has only been touched upon in this article. It is treated with an adrenal support regimen of vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal supplements, adrenal cortex supplements, a low glycemic index diet and stress-relieving exercise, especially yoga, and with prescription cortisol in severe cases.

Q. Is there literature available to read on hormone replacement?

A.

There is an abundance of literature on the subject. Some popular references you may find interesting include these books: "Awakening Athena," by Kenna Stephenson, M.D.; "The Sexy Years," by Suzanne Somers; "Adrenal Fatigue: the 21st Century Stress Syndrome," by James Wilson, N.D., D.C., Ph.D.; "The Cortisol Connection," by Shawn Talbott, Ph.D; "The End of Stress as We Know It," by Bruce McEwen.

It is reassuring and encouraging that the medical profession is addressing these issues I have discussed, since a great multitude of people will benefit from the treatment that is now available.

Submit questions to Dr. Bharat Sangani at bsangani@encore.bz or 5601 Sound Bluff Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.