Depression and melancholy

[Stacey]

Hi Dr. Nicole,

I've been on the Insulite System for just over 2 months now. I have noticed improvements like increased energy, a rash type thing that has been under my armpits for many years has finally cleared up, a dark pigmentation between my breasts that has been present for many years has also dramatically lightened. I'm very impressed with the results of the system so far! I still have not had a period, but I'm hoping it will happen.

The only thing is that I am experiencing increased depression and melancholy. I have been on an antidepressant and the birth control pill for about 5 years now (ever since I've been diagnosed with PCOS). My depression was under control with this combination. I discontinued using the birth control pill when I started the Insulite system. And ever since then I've just felt an overwhelming return of my depressive symptoms. I feel somewhat empty inside, nothing really makes me happy anymore, and just a feeling like I am going through the motions. I have an excellent support system but it doesn't seem to matter sometimes. I've increased my anti-depressant but this has not seemed to help.

I guess what I am wondering is if you've heard of this before. Do you think it could be from stopping the birth control pill that may have been somewhat balancing some hormone levels? I do not want to go back on the pill, as I've read everywhere that it is basically a band-aid solution for PCOS, not really correcting the root cause. I've always believed that my depression is directly related to my hormonal imbalance, and I'm hoping that the Insulite system will start to regulate my hormones better.

In the meantime, as I don't know how much longer I can manage, do you have any suggestions for helping with these increased depressive feelings? I've heard sometimes progesterone creams or something along those lines can help.

Thanks very much for any information and help.

[drheather]

Hi Dr. Nicole,

I've been on the Insulite System for just over 2 months now. I have noticed improvements like increased energy, a rash type thing that has been under my armpits for many years has finally cleared up, a dark pigmentation between my breasts that has been present for many years has also dramatically lightened. I'm very impressed with the results of the system so far! I still have not had a period, but I'm hoping it will happen.

The only thing is that I am experiencing increased depression and melancholy. I have been on an antidepressant and the birth control pill for about 5 years now (ever since I've been diagnosed with PCOS). My depression was under control with this combination. I discontinued using the birth control pill when I started the Insulite system. And ever since then I've just felt an overwhelming return of my depressive symptoms. I feel somewhat empty inside, nothing really makes me happy anymore, and just a feeling like I am going through the motions. I have an excellent support system but it doesn't seem to matter sometimes. I've increased my anti-depressant but this has not seemed to help.

I guess what I am wondering is if you've heard of this before. Do you think it could be from stopping the birth control pill that may have been somewhat balancing some hormone levels? I do not want to go back on the pill, as I've read everywhere that it is basically a band-aid solution for PCOS, not really correcting the root cause. I've always believed that my depression is directly related to my hormonal imbalance, and I'm hoping that the Insulite system will start to regulate my hormones better.

In the meantime, as I don't know how much longer I can manage, do you have any suggestions for helping with these increased depressive feelings? I've heard sometimes progesterone creams or something along those lines can help.

Thanks very much for any information and help.

Hello Stacey,

Dr. DeLuca here.... this helped me with more information. I do feel that this will change but at any time the depression is too much for you to handle or you are not coping well, please contact your doctor.

Progesterone may be helpful if your levels are low. In women with PCOS, who are not ovulating, this tends to be common. Your doctor can prescribe this, but should check the levels first.

It is most likely due to the changes in hormones, from stopping the birth control pill, that has caused this change.

Also, I want to be sure that you are eating adequately, enough carbs, healthy fats and protein with each meal. As you know, we recommend 60-80 grams a day but this may be too low for you. So, you can increase by 10-15 grams to see if this helps. But be sure that you are choosing health options as we do not want to stimulate cravings or unbalanced glucose, which can make this worse.

I want to stress the importance of exercise in helping with depression. I know you may not feel like doing anything but it can help reduce these feeling and prevent future depressive episodes as well as some antidepressants.

As I said in my email, I look forward to hearing from you.

[Stacey]

Hi Dr.DeLuca. I'm very happy to report that I am feeling much better lately. And the most exciting thing to happen so far since I've been on the Insulite System: I got my period! I wasn't getting them without the birth control pill for like 8-9 months at a time, and while I was on the BCP I got them once a month but as I've learned, those were not "true" periods. But 3 months and a few days after starting Insulite, I got a real period. I'll be interested to see if it comes on time next month too, that would be awesome.

I've been feeling a lot better lately as well too. I still don't have the most energy but I haven't been feeling as depressed. I have even been trying to cut down on my anti-depressant dose (my doctor and I talked about this), and it has been going pretty well so far.

Overall, things seem to be getting better. I am still not losing any weight but I'm hoping this will get easier as time goes on and I have more energy to exercise more.

Thanks for following my progress!