PMT - Peri- menopause

[DoIjusthavetoputupwithit]

Shamelessly posting for traffic but does anyone know how to cope with the black cloud, extreme anxiety which descends before & during periods when peri-menopausal?

It's getting worse and I feel absolutely horrific for up to a week each month. I am anxious beyond belief, have irrational thoughts & cant cope with anything.

Afterwards (rest of month) I don't have a care in the world.

Obviously I know PMT is a thing for women of all ages but this is different to anything I've had before.
It's been going on for about 2 years now.

Anyone have any explanations/ solutions?

AIBU to think I'm just going to have to put up with it until the menopause comes.

@DoIjusthavetoputupwithit I just wanted to thank you for starting this topic, it gave me the kick in the pants I needed to push a bit harder for a bit more help. I have a (NEW!) GP appointment on Friday to discuss options. I hope it at least makes you feel a bit better to have helped out someone else! I really appreciate it!

Raises Hand - I'm in the midst of this too, tests have been done and GP has asked me to consider the options of either low level anti depressants, hormones (ie going back on the pill) or relaxation techniques. Like you I'm terrified of the AD route, I feel totally disconnected for 1 week a month and I fear they won't help. I really can't go back on the pill it was awful (as was the coil and the implant).

So I'm going to try some relaxation techniques and see if they help at all before I look at the other 2 options.

I think anti depressants really can help some women. So don't dismiss them completely. HRT was right for me st my time of life...45 whe I started them. And the pill had been awful.

I'm exactly the same at 43.
It starts a week before and it's just horrendous. Things that wouldn't and shouldn't effect me seem like a huge deal and I just cry constantly.
I'm still getting regular periods, but they are so heavy (have to use a mattress-style pad as the standard ones don't last five minutes for me).
I dread leaving the house at that time and that also has a negative impact on my anxiety (scary panic attacks).
Also getting the anaemia symptoms and feeling dizzy and exhausted.
It's physically and emotionally draining.
Still trying to build up the courage to go to the doctors.

#tearinmybeer
You have helped me today - I did what you said and FORCED myself to get up and do something. It wasn't exercise but I went in the garage and tidied /cleared out like a woman possessed for 2 hours. I've even just had a shower and although I've got what irrationally feels like the weight of the world pressing on my chest (fearful feeling) I actually feel better for it. I keep thinking how tidy it is now.
In a few days I'll read this back and think 'absolute nutter' because I'll be back to normal.
We need a support group!!!!

Take magnesium, vitamin D and cbd oil

Goat: There are no risks of blood clots if you take transdermal HRT (patches/gel) and even a very low risk on tablets (which are less popular these days)

Thank you for this. I'll read up on it before I see GP next week re. Blood results x

I'll look for those supplements thank you. I was told by my GP to drink SOYA milk too.

Apoarently it increases Estrogen

Oh cleaning like that is definitely exercise! Glad it helped a bit :)

Following as I am an absolute nightmare the week before my period. Brain fog, sense of doom, terrified of nothing in particular, feeling overwhelmed, wanting to cry but no tears, zero patience with DC/DH, huge reluctance to leave the house, feel extremely confused...eg totally unable to park the car things like that

I exercise regularly and do a sport - my performance is hugely impaired just before my period and picks up a day or two after it’s arrived. Exercise helps but I’m still bonkers.

So good to read this and find I am not alone.

I have been experiencing symptoms on and off for nearly 18 months when I had my first night time panic attack. Sleep disturbance and total irrational anxiety has gone through the roof. And totally agoraphobic week before so school run is a nightmare. irritability has no gone through the roof and effecting a huge chunk of each month. two weeks ago I had an extremely bad 'episode' the day before my period started which made me realise something has to change. I went to see doc and they recommended ADs but reluctant too mainly because of an increase in anxiety first few weeks which I cant face. Anyway she rebooked app for two weeks time to review. In the meantime I have worked really hard to sort my diet, sleep, exercise an relaxation which has helped a little but not enough. I have also done lots of research which I am sharing some links for.

Liz Earle has done a series of episodes of menopause and this one with Diane Danzebrink who is in fact leading a petition called #makemenopausematter as drs do not get any training on PMT or Menopause ...there are just guidelines they can use in practise. She was in an inch of taking her life after a hysterectomy and all she needed was oestrogen via HRT!!

Here is the podcast lizearlewellbeing.com/make-menopause-matter-diane-danzebrink/

This is the petition:
www.change.org/p/rt-hon-elizabeth-truss-mp-make-menopause-matter-in-healthcare-the-workplace-and-education-makemenopausematter

And this is a Guidance for Workplace on menopause which I think is also vital
www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/culture/well-being/menopause

Anyway there are so many links for further info inside all of this but thought some of you might be interested and I am looking forward to getting a good outcome at docs tom be it ADs, HRT or whatever is best.