Really really bad pmt post 40

[Feelingfortyisntfun]

I’m really suffering and it’s enbarrassing. I track my periods as I’m aware I suffer with pmt. This month I’ve been unable to concentrate at work, unable to work effectively under pressure, my husband is hardly speaking to me as I’m snappy and I had been feeling so angry. Today tearful and really overeating - not usually an issue but being over 40 and bingeing, crying having the day in bed. I’m finding it hard to function.

I’m aware it’s hormones but I feel so flat my thoughts are dark. My life is fine but work family all are stressing me. Has anyone else experienced this ? I don’t think evening primrose oil is enough!

I'd like to tell you the answer but I can only tell you that I completely understand as I too struggle. I sink into utterly blackness before it suddenly lifts and makes sense. Sorry op

I experienced exactly the same (and other perimenopause symptoms) and my gp has prescribed fluoxetine. It's early days but the difference is great. Maybe worth a trip to see your gp?

Hi thank you for replying - I did get prescribed fluid some time ago and this month took three tabs of fluoxetine but it didn’t give an immediate effect (3 tablets taken over the course of one week) and hasn’t helped yet. Really glad it’s helping you may I ask how much you are taking flying elbows ?

Holyandwild I’m so sorry you have this too. I’ve nwver felt darkness like this before for no reason. If I find anything that helps I shall share. Dark days ...

Xx

Prescribed some fluoxetine not fluid! I’m sure fluid helps too

I take 20mg a day. It's to try and combat the terrible pmt and hot flushes too. I'm only 6 weeks in but it's going well. My mood is definitely improved and there was only a very little bit of pre menstrual down-ness, nothing like as awful as usual. I know some people are dead against antidepressants being used to treat peri symptoms but I was willing to give anything a go and I'm glad I did.

I’m not 40 yet but my PMT has also been getting gradually worse over the past 2-3 years. I’ve veen on sertraline now for about 9 months, and while it initially seemed to really help the effect seems to have worn off a bit lately. You definitely need to take antidepressants for at least a couple of weeks though before you really feel the effect, so I’d keep persevering!

Hello Feelingforty,
I'm sorry you feel like this and you have my complete sympathy.
I feel absolutely the same. I become angry, tense, irrational, very sensitive to crticism and rejection. It is affecting my relationship and my work. This month it was so bad I had to take 3 days off sick as I broke down at work. Ridiculous!
I am seeing my GP on Monday to discuss this with her and am also considering anti depressants.

I'm hoping mindfulness will help too.
Have you tried this? I've dug out my old book and have started reading through it in the bath. It does help a bit!

Ashwagandha is very gud! Can buy it in a health shop!

Hi
Flyingelbows im glad you’ve found something to help I would be really interested to hear how you get along in the longer term with this. I did notice (I think) an appetite increase and feeling a bit hot at night and a little anxious - but then, all these are symptoms I have with pmt too. Do keep in touch though thanks for sharing.
Metal head weird how setraline appears to be wearing off hopefully temporary blip, yes I think I just didn’t bring myself to take the pills every day and maybe that’s the only was I’ll see an effect. Was a little concerned (as I’ve already said above) my appetite increased.
Kaki queen so sorry you get like this too. It’s horrendous, I hate the way each month I think I realise that’s what it is for two weeks I can only think about carbs, get snappy and tearful. It totally adjusts the way you think doesn’t it? Even though I know (as I am tracking) it’s due to hormonal fluctuations in the moment I don’t recognise it as such if that makes sense. I’m loving the idea of mindfulness but for me it would be a huge challenge as I’m so anxious during this lovely phase. A little manic!
Ashwagandha mmm I will have to go google this!
Honestly, really, really appreciate your posts.

I suddenly developed PMS at the age of 38. Now 40 and its getting worse.
I also have hot flushes and a lot of aches and pains. Also crazily heavy, painful periods with flooding. I feel tearful or angry then my period arrives and I'm just utterly worn out. I get about a week per month when I feel normal.
I'm considering asking to try HRT.
OP, you need to keep taking anti depressants as they usually need time to build up a level in your system. I took citalopram for PND years ago and I seem to remember it talking about 3 weeks to kick in.
As my granny used to say 'There's no good age to be a woman'

I had a Mirena coil inserted in my early 40's to manage very heavy, menstrual bleeding. It was only after a few months that I realised how much PMT has negatively influenced my life as my moods had also levelled out with this coil. Have you discussed this with your local reproductive health clinic or GP? Our cycles/hormones change with age, these effects can be managed

Hi rosebud,
Thanks for sharing that. The go had mentioned the coil but I had a slight fear it may cause permanent feelings of pmt what with progesterone and oestrogen being part of that. I once took the pill (for a week- see a pattern in my commitment to taking medicine here) and it made me feel a bit flat but that was 20 years ago.

OP, most friends I know who've had a Mirena (it's progesterone only) have had a good experience. I developed bad depression on combined oral contraception decades ago, yet am fine with low dose HRT (oestrogen-elleste solo) taken mainly for insomnia, a good nights sleep is a luxury. The Mirena coil is worth a try, & is easy to remove

OMG! I am getting this too. I'm 41. I had a sterilisation and some ablation thingy done six years ago. Was lovely. Almost zero periods and no PMT.

Then all of a sudden during the past year I've noticed PMT getting worse and periods getting heavier. I can understand the blackness. I literally spend a whole night crying at least once a month. Proper heart breaking sobbing. I've been on fluoxitine for 12 years now, and take 60mg a day (also had some trauma 2 years ago, which is why it's so high). I've been wondering if I'm perimenopausal but I don't get the hot flushes. Just the crankiness, blackness and craving for chocolate (I don't normally have a sweet tooth).

I'm sorry if it sounds bad, but I'm glad I'm not the only one. I will keep an eye on this thread for any good advice. Thank you for posting this.

This happens to me once a year. I just wait it out. I know that’s not very useful. Sorry.

I’m in my twenties btw. It’s always been like this for me.

My sister is older than me and was told by a herbalist to take Agnus Cactus to help balance her hormones! She found it really good!

I too was prescribed Fluoxetine about 8 mths ago and it's really really helped and radically changed my life. However I have also been prescribed with HRT (Evorol Sequi) since and I take both.

My problems were sort of as you describe. I was extremely tearful, so angry I could start a fight in an empty room, moody, stroppy, anxious, suffering night sweats - the works. I went to the drs after a particular low moment on my birthday and to be honest if I had carried on like it I would either be divorced, in jail or would have lost my job.. (sort of joking..). The Fluoxetine totally sorted out the anger and rage but sadly did nothing for the anxiety. I then notice the anxiety was directly related to my monthly cycle and went back and prescribed HRT and this is now resolved. I definitely think you are peri menopausal and there are lots of things that can help. HRT guidelines have totally changed and are not just suitable for woman going through the menopause..I am 48 and take 20mg of Fluoxetine a day, but to be honest I am thinking of weaning off them as I think the HRT is doing the job anyhow.

I really appreciate you sharing this cosmos! Did you just go to your local gp? Or did you go privately?

I went to the GP and she was great.. funnily enough I was discussing this with a colleague earlier and she went to her GP and he refused to prescribe HRT - so it does seem to be hit and miss. The guidelines have now changed surrounding HRT so if GP's are not healthy go to a private hormone clinic - My sister did this and I think it cost £140 and the monthly cost is the same as a prescription from the GP - so in other words don't give up!

I really appreciate that- the thing is how did they know it was menopausal did they take blood tests? I am still having the monthly nightmares!