Anyone else get severely down just before their period?

[Readysetcake]

I’ve always suffered PMS but since the birth of my second child it’s getting a bit ridiculous. The week before I’m due I know it’s imminent because I start to feel down, anxious etc (more than usual) as well as physical symptoms. But lately 2/3 days before I’m almost suicidal. I know why but I can’t lift myself out of the mood. I’m desperate for my period to start. I came on this morning and I feel on top of the world compared to this time yesterday.

I suffer with depression anyway but it gets almost unbearable just before I come on.

Anyone else have this? If so, how do you manage that week before your period ?

yes, I go a bit bananas the week before. I find taking a multivitamin supplement with all the B vitamins every day makes a huge difference. Doesn't have to be anything fancy - just a basic supermarket one. Also making sure I do enough excercise (dance & yoga) helps to a certain extent.

I was like this after having my second. I took Agnus castus tablets every day for 6m and then weaned off once they'd balanced my hormones. I read that the pill or antidepressants are commonly suggested by gps and wanted to try herbal first- but it is strong so do check it out well beforehand

I definitely felt more anxious during PMT and then when it came on, felt great, as if a weight was lifted from me.

If you’re feeling suicidal have you spoken to anyone?

Even if you only have this feeling for a few days it’s really important to share this. Can you speak to Dh or your dr?

Go and see your GP. Mine prescribed citalopram for the last 10 days of each cycle because I had exactly the same symptoms as you. The couple of days before I came on I would happily have slit my wrists as nothing felt like living for until I came on but 10mg of citalopram balanced my mood.

Should have added, it very common to feel down before your period. It’s not common to feel suicidal.

I dont suffer anxiety. But my word o do a few days before I'm due. Irrational anxiety which luckily I can control.

Also came on today and it's lifted. However I know once it's ended I have 2 days where I literally cannot talk to people I want to and know I'm struggling but cannot stop it.

As a teen, into early 20s, not since about age 30/having kids/past 20 yrs.

Knowing the big mood dip was temporary & learning to wait 36 hours to see if things got better was all I needed; I learnt to manage my low mood as a weird blip & not something to believe was real. Be kind to yourself, don't expect anything to be easy at those times.

There was something about this on Woman's Hour recently. It has a specific name. I'll try to find when it was on. They had a guest who suffered from exactly what you're describing. I'll try to find when it was on.

It was Wed this week and condition is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd/#.XLwaeqTTWEc

It could be PMDD.

Yes I did, but I started taking Agnus Castus and Magnesium OK, and it made a huge difference from the very next cycle.

I probably should have started just taking one or the other, as I'm not sure which one has made the difference - I'll have to cut one out and see what happens.

Yes, my mood goes really low, usually a week before rather than the days running up to and was much worse after 2nd dc, plus other unpleasant symptoms during actual period. I’ve just had the coil fitted as I was having heavy periods and was anaemic, but I’m hoping it helps with the lows.

You're far from alone, op. I get dreadful pmt. I know it's here when I want to stab my dh for eating / breathing / existing. Knowing it is "just" pmt doesn't help. My mood drops radically over night and I become someone different. Having a short cycle means I'm like this for about 10 days in 25.

I'm already on citalopram for depression. Does anyone know if you can take Angus Cactus alongside anti-depressants?

Me too. Sometimes it takes me a while to cotton on as my periods are irregular and I think I've gone mad. Then I realise.

Just throwing a me too in there.

EVERY, single period.

It's a wonder I'm still alive. It feels so real and intense. It's only in recent months that I manage to talk myself down as such and I remind myself that as soon as I actually come on that I will feel 95% better.

I have PMDD. I was first prescribed the contraceptive pill and then antidepressants.
Sadly neither helped ‘enough’. I use meditation and exercise.
Talk to your GP.

Wow I’m definitely not alone then. Thanks for all your replies and suggestions. I’m a bit reluctant to go to the GP as they will just want to put me on anti depressants and I’ve had bad reactions in the past. I’m going to look o to the herbal stuff and really make effort to exercise. I just find it so hard to find the energy. The only free time I have is in the evenings and then I’m just so exhausted I can’t face the thought of exercise. But I must as I’m sure it will probably help.

NAPS have some treatment guidelines which you might find helpful www.pms.org.uk/support/suptreatmentguidelines

I started getting utterly psychotic rages for about 12 hrs before I start each month. Took me a few terrible months to realise that’s what it was so now I just ride it out, knowing relief is coming soon. Women’s bodies are mad!

I get moody, irritable and my appetite goes nuts usually in the days leading up. On period and after I'm until the cycle starts again.

I know EXACTLY what you mean - I get it every time either weepy, irrational crying or anxiety or anger/irritation and stops as soon as the period starts.

I have been experiencing this for the last year!!! It’s horrendous. Thanks so much for or sharing all of your experiences.
My GP wanted me to take anti depressants but I’m reluctant and am trying vit B and exercise first.