To ask why I always feel panicky at this point in my cycle

[Hunny89]

It's a fairly new thing. Ties in with lockdown but also I was trying out the mini pill in march too. I only stayed on it for a month as I just bled on it.

Since then I have an awful night/panic attack on cycle day 18/19. Just one night. I'll be on edge. My mood will drop. I'll often wake up feeling extremely unsettled. It comes out of nowhere. I'll end up feeling shivery. My breathing goes out of control. Mouth gets extremely dry. Usually I take paracetamol and lie down and it will go off.

Had a wonderful three days with the kids. Enjoying the sun. Lots of fresh air. Was expecting a perfectly good night's sleep tonight. But I've got that horrible feeling of doom. I have taken paracetamol and I'm currently sat on my sofa writing this. Looked at my calender and this is the fifth month this has happened. It skipped last month. So it's happened 5/6 times.

Please can someone tell me what happens at this stage in your cycle? I'm due on in 8 days.

Thanks.

Anyone?

I’m not sure if the exact mechanics of it but I get the same. I’ve had cbt and been on medication for anxiety for over a year and I think it’s to do with the shift in hormones.

Can I ask how old you are and if you’ve drunk any alcohol the nights before it happens ?
The feeling of doom certainly seems to be an anxiety thing.

I have the feeling of anxiety in my body (fluttery heart etc), but not in my brain if that makes sense, for a couple of hours at a similar time in the cycle

Was wondering if a supplement would help, I often crave food at the same time which could indicate that?

I know that oestrogen levels drop after ovulation so maybe for you that ties in with day 18? Do you have a long-ish cycle?

Could it be the change in hormones in your cycle (pointing out the obvious!) and be linked to your anxiety too, so at a certain point they combine and you’re getting this feeling? Some of what you’ve put sounds like anxiety attack symptoms.

I get horrendous insomnia a couple of days before and then during my period, if I’m feeling anxious/down this can combine to make for some unpleasant nights for me.

I try essential oils, mindfulness/meditation and eating and drinking well (I don’t really drink alcohol and try cut tea on the head by lunch time).

I know I’m pointing out nothing much really 😁 but just hoping it makes you feel slightly better that you’re not alone 😊

I go more tired, and doomy about a week before my period arrives. It's been particularly noticiable in the last 6 months with much less external distraction and the whole media being doom-laden.

Once I've looked at the calendar and know that it's that point of my hormones talking, that helps.

Oops also forgot to put, I use the period tracker app (it has a pink flower) and that’s been fantastic for logging symptoms over the years and leaving notes about how I’m feeling. It’s so useful to looks back and check for patterns linked to your cycle

It could be the pill and / or Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder. I have it and it is a lot worse in stressful times, and got worse after having kids.

This is a useful link: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd/about-pmdd/