History of reproductive mental health issues - and now PMS again

[Outnumbered4to1]

I have a history of mental health issues, very closely connected with my cycle including debilitating PMS (mood, anger etc.), and then when my last baby was born 3 years ago Postnatal depression. I ended up taking sertraline from May 2012 and in April 2014 feeling perfectly well very gradually reduced my dose. Now, after around 6 months of reducing by 25mg per month I've been off for nearly 3 weeks.

I noticed mild PMS whilst on the meds, and now this is my first PMS cycle clear of the drugs and I'm really suffering. So much so that I've been off work for 2 days (usually I can get by 'normally'). My symptoms are just like the PND - really edgy, self-doubt and paranoia, crying for nothing, short temper. Screaming at my husband. Ugh - its like I've gone right back to square one.

If you have experience to share, please help!

Does anyone know if this is common when coming off sertraline, and whether it might get better... or is it more likely that I needed to stay on sertraline for PMS - maybe for the long term?

Does anyone have experience with combatting PMS with other methods, such as meditation? I feel like if I could accept that this is my 'normal' and find some coping strategies then I could avoid staying on the drugs.

One of the main reasons I came off - apart from feeling fine again, was that I've started getting bad 'brainzaps' - they are fading having come off the drugs and I really don't want to go back there.

Just one more thing - I have had a really rough week at work last week and this... so stress is at a high anyway.

[Outnumbered4to1]

No one can help?

[JaneyTea]

Hi outnumbered

I have bipolar disorder and I've found that my symptoms are hugely influenced by my hormones. Even during times when I have been relatively stable, just prior to my period I have found that I can become dangerously low. I find it frustrating because knowing that it's PMS related doesn't make the symptoms any less horrid. They normally stop as my period arrives and I feel silly about the whole thing.

This happened both whilst on medication and off. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer in the way of suggestions; I tried to cut out any non-essential stuff that I would have to do in that time, and just try to reassure myself that it would pass.

Brainzaps are nasty!

for your stressful week

[Kittykat7]

Alternative things to try are Vit B Complex, magnesium & evening primrose oil. Prozac can be taken in your PMS time to boost serotonin.
Maybe have a chat to your Dr. Going on the pill can help but some people find it can make it worse but it would be a case of trying different ones. Acupuncture or reflexology is another alternative. You can buy Women's vitamins just for PMS. Agnus cactus is supposed to help balance hormones.

[Kittykat7]

Also keeping blood sugar levels constant helps. Some useful info here www.pms.org.uk/about