Can anybody relate?

I'm waking up soaking wet. At least 10 times a day, I flash & not just "Gee is it warm in here?" but sweating. I'm in Arizona staring down 100+ degree days. Not fair. Saw my gyn yesterday & she rx'd a patch - estrogen & progestin. Has anybody taken hormones to get through this period?

I know the lack of sleep is feeding my depression/irritability. I'm hoping the estrogen boost will move me out of it. SSRI's make me really stupid, but I take a small amount to smooth out the rough edges - mainly so I don't bonk my DH over the head for leaving his underwear laying around (again! Grrr!! Was I put on this planet to pick up after this man?? I digress...) See what I mean?

Part of me - the 60's flower child - says that I should move through this without meds - learn the lessons of life- etc. The fact is that suicide runs in our family - my mother tried twice & my brother was successful so I'm very alert to depressed feelings in myself. All of the docs say "take the pill" but if your only tool is a hammer, doesn't the whole world look like a nail?

I'm just rambling, so I'll stop now. I'm hoping that some TE sisters can at least tell me that I'm not alone!