How do you feel in the days leading up to your cycle?

[stuckinarut21]

Just wondering if others feel similar:

Since starting the pill my mood is better but I still get this horrible severe body ache and brain fog. I can't think in a logical manner. It fees debilitating.

I also get a lot of pain in and around the sacroiliac joint which I think is due to having moderate spd in two pregnancies.

How is it for you?

So often I have a lethargic, irritable, maudlin day, wonder what's wrong with me and check the calendar and realise it's day 20-21 (27-29 day cycle) That's the worst bit, but I am heavier and more sluggish until it starts. Day 1 I may need ibuprofen but it's a relief that that's the worst done for another month.

I have recently been prescribed anti depressants SSRI as I feel awful from around day 18 until my period. Main issues are headaches and breast pain but also increasing irritability. I was sceptical but they really seem to have levelled all the symptoms off!

@Spudlet

Stressed and / or murderous. Physically I’m ok, but emotionally I do lose the plot a little. DH can always tell when it’s imminent as I tend to have the changeover day about a week before my period starts where I am ready to disembowel anyone who crosses me (or breathes too loudly)

Exactly this. DP knows when it’s a week to go.

[quote bloodyhoodedeyes]@nomorespaghetti how old are you?? [/quote]
I’m 35 bloodyhoodedeyes

Physically tired, so I don't schedule in my PT that week as I know it'll be a waste of money as I won't maximize my workout. Things like chocolate and biscuits become more appealing, even though I don't eat them for the rest of the month. A little teary.

All of these plus terrible.

@MynameisJune

I’ve just been diagnosed with PMDD, I’ve started on antidepressants taken only on the two weeks after ovulation. 5 days in and the change this time is already noticeable. Why I didn’t push for this before I don’t know.

Antidepressants or the pill are the first line of treatment for severe PMS/PMDD.

@MynameisJune if you don’t mind me asking, have you had any side effects with the ADs? I’m supposed to do doing this too, but I’m very worried about side effects, especially at Xmas which is when my next hell week will be x

I’ve had very few side effects, for the first few days I had headaches but nothing some paracetamol didn’t fix, I do feel nauseous but again nothing too bad. I had 2 nights of insomnia but that’s stopped now.

On the plus side I’m calmer, less irritable, more focussed at work, I don’t have a desire to eat everything in sight either.

Right now I’m wondering why I didn’t do this months ago.

Thanks for the reply @MynameisJune. That’s really encouraging to hear, I’m pleased for you!

2 days prior I have a disrupted sleep (awake all night, with hot feet and hot palms). Irritable and short with the kids and dh. Feel fat, get down about the world and my looks.
Then on the first day of my period I feel a sense of lightness and relief.
That's it.

How long before fluctuates, but from a day to a week before, I start to get headaches, migraines, my hypotension flares up (or more literally down) so I get muscle weakness and lightheaded and a lot of brain fog & angst & my skin tends to be very to sometimes too sensitive.

When I actually start menstruating, it can be the whole range of amazing relief to all of that getting worse for a day two and then again for day just as my period ends.

This was how it was when I first started menstruating, then it went away & I had issues other than moods until my periods returned after my youngest was born. Since then, it's been like this, sometimes with hot flushes and such thrown in.

The week before my period I’m like Jekyll and Hyde.

I get insatiably horny, but I also get murderous if anyone breathes in the wrong direction. It actually takes real effort not to be horrible, which then makes me tired and want to cry.

My sleep also goes to pot as I’m either too uncomfortable in my joints or too warm.

Do other joints ache too? I seem to have developed awful joint pain in a lot of areas. Specifically hands and I’m due on in 5 days. This has never happened before

I’ve been listening to a podcast called 28ish days later which is a day by day charting of what happens to our bodies during a cycle and it’s fascinating. May be of interest to some of you.

I feel really depressed and sad, like I have no friends and my life has no purpose!

I always feels much better once my period arrives.

Me too! I’ve started on sertraline after being on fluoxetine for many years. I’ve been reading up on Antihistamines too and I’ve ordered some of the ones people recommend. It’s very interesting and lots of studies about how they work to help PMDD symptoms. H2 blockers also, there’s one in particular called famotigine that I’m trying to get hold of.

I plan to start on the pill next year (when I’m settled on sertraline)

Constantly hungry and anxious

Murderous, horny af but would cry on anyone who came near me. Pot belly, boobs like bruises, carb-eating machine. I could sleep the days out and rage at getting up for work.

3 days before - I want to eat junk food and I'm grouchy and bloated
2 days before - I have a terrible night's sleep, hot hands and hot feet and I feel The Rage at everyone
1 day before - I don't want anyone to talk to me or do anything
Period comes, I feel utter relief and happier, often feel like exercising
Period day 2 - flooding, uncomfortable but not angry
Then fine
Day 3 after period, horny.

Oh and I ALWAYS get a migrainy headache the day my period starts. Always.