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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you have bad PMT moods how do you deal with it? It's ruining my life.

51 replies

shonapop · 30/12/2022 19:03

Any tips? It is ruining my life & relationships. I am 40 and the run up to my period starting it is hell for everyone, particularly Dh. I become paranoid, hysterical and irrational, not to mention spotty. Getting far worse as I age. It's really getting me down.

OP posts:
2reefsin30knots · 30/12/2022 19:09

Went on the pill- Yasmin. I googled and there were quite a lot of reports of that brand improving mood for some. It has completely eliminated the rage and anxiety I was getting for 7-10 days before period. I also feel much more in control- things were starting to get unpredictable. I'm 43.

I didn't go to the doctor- went through an online pharmicist.

Datinghellscape · 30/12/2022 19:11

Sounds more like PMDD in which case speak to your doctor about medication

Digestive28 · 30/12/2022 19:12

Premenstural dysphoric disorder is worth looking up and can be treated, sometimes antidepressants at particular times, other times the pill. Just speak to your GP

QWE96 · 30/12/2022 19:16

Hi, OP. I'm in the same boat. I've cancelled on plans with my DP today due to it. I'm angry, anxious, and wholly irrational when I have PMS/on my period. The migraines don't help either. It's exhausting!

Also wondering what the solution might be. I tend to isolate myself as much as possible at the moment. Reading this back, I sound dramatic but the term "mood swings" really is an understatement.

Hope you're doing ok 💐

BrewandBiscuit · 30/12/2022 19:18

I have PMDD and take fluoxetine with great effect.

Flowerfairy101 · 30/12/2022 19:18

I've started agnus castus as I'm reluctant to go on the pill or anti depressants. On my first month of it and I think on the whole I feel a little better. Apparently it takes up to 3 months to feel full effects. I've been much worse since having DD, wasn't anywhere near as bad before.

ShampooSocks · 30/12/2022 19:22

I have been diagnosed with PMDD - exercise and healthy eating has been amazing for me, personally. I didn't want to take the pill or any other medication.

It's horrendous, I feel for anyone suffering! It took a good few months but I barely have mood changes now. Diet made the biggest impact, I couldn't believe it.

youshouldnthaveasked · 30/12/2022 19:24

Flowerfairy101 · 30/12/2022 19:18

I've started agnus castus as I'm reluctant to go on the pill or anti depressants. On my first month of it and I think on the whole I feel a little better. Apparently it takes up to 3 months to feel full effects. I've been much worse since having DD, wasn't anywhere near as bad before.

Yes, this worked wonders for me when I was trying to fix a hormone imbalance. Plus vitamin B6

Original poster
shonapop · 30/12/2022 19:49

Flowerfairy101 · 30/12/2022 19:18

I've started agnus castus as I'm reluctant to go on the pill or anti depressants. On my first month of it and I think on the whole I feel a little better. Apparently it takes up to 3 months to feel full effects. I've been much worse since having DD, wasn't anywhere near as bad before.

Can this be taken whilst on a very low dose anti-depressant?

OP posts:
purpledalmation · 30/12/2022 19:59

Explain to those nearest and dearest, and apologise beforehand.

Flowerfairy101 · 30/12/2022 20:01

@youshouldnthaveasked oh goody! Fingers crossed then. How long did it take to work?
OP I'm not sure, should probably check with GP.

mrstnov13 · 30/12/2022 20:44

I'm also wondering what to do. I'm 100% sure I have PMDD and it's ruining my relationships. I read somewhere that PMDD can be triggered by trauma and this makes sense for me as I lost my Mum suddenly and unexpectedly a few years ago and since then, I got considerably worse. The grief has eased but the mood swings, irritability and meanness has increased. Its like I'm me for one week of the month, then the other three months are horrendous. I'm going to make an appointment with my GP in the new year as something needs to change. Good luck OP I hope you find what works for you.

mrstnov13 · 30/12/2022 20:45

Weeks*

Googlecanthelpme · 30/12/2022 20:50

I have also started to feel like this, like I absolutely hate the world but also am heartbroken at the suffering and sadness in it. I alternate between extreme rage and crippling grief for about a week before my period.

I have never struggled with this before, low levels of general grumpiness yes, but this is a whole other level. I have to hold myself back from being an utter bitch to my partner, I was on the verge of ending my relationship two weeks ago - I don’t want that, I love him to bits the rest of the time.

I think mine is perimenopause, early 40s and it’s only been this past 6 months or so.

I am going to try the supplement advised above, I think I took this when trying to conceive if I remember correctly! Anything is worth a try.

You’re not alone OP

Original poster
shonapop · 30/12/2022 21:24

mrstnov13 · 30/12/2022 20:44

I'm also wondering what to do. I'm 100% sure I have PMDD and it's ruining my relationships. I read somewhere that PMDD can be triggered by trauma and this makes sense for me as I lost my Mum suddenly and unexpectedly a few years ago and since then, I got considerably worse. The grief has eased but the mood swings, irritability and meanness has increased. Its like I'm me for one week of the month, then the other three months are horrendous. I'm going to make an appointment with my GP in the new year as something needs to change. Good luck OP I hope you find what works for you.

I hadn't heard that it can become worse with trauma. I had 2 massive traumas within months of each other several years ago. Now, I'm beging to wonder if that was when the moods got worse. It probably makes sense.

OP posts:
Thepeopleversuswork · 30/12/2022 21:27

Mirena. Fucking changed my life. Haven’t had a period (or PMT) for 15 years and I never will again. Also far less of the hormonal side effects you can get from the pill.

Firtrees · 30/12/2022 22:06

Fluoxetine - it’s been life changing.

Firtrees · 30/12/2022 22:09

I still feel wobbly the week before my period but it’s light years away from what it was before. I can recognise it for what it is and be rational about it whereas before taking fluoxetine I would be severely depressed, angry and unstable if I’m honest! It’s given me my life back and made me realise just how much time I’ve lost due to crazy hormones!!

userh79 · 30/12/2022 22:10

This is me too OP, I've heard of PMDD but not taken any action as some months are better than others. Was completely dismissed when I tried to talk to my GP about it years ago. Won't take the pill as it was much worse (especially Yasmin that just put me in a depressive state). It's making me so scared for menopause.

Dancethenighttillday · 30/12/2022 22:12

I’ve not advice but the past year or so I have been suffering like this.
seems to happen couple of days before my period, I am awful, horrible person and I hate myself for it. I cry afterwards at how I have acted but it’s like I can control who I am. Im angry, anxious, it’s like a switch. I’ve nearly ended relationship with DH, who is such a lovely lovely man. I’ve read about PMDD and I’m pretty sure I have it.

candlelightflora · 30/12/2022 22:12

Watching this thread with interest as I’m the same, I’m like a different person the week before my period. I’m really reluctant to go on antidepressants as I’m fine the rest of the month.

Dancethenighttillday · 30/12/2022 22:13

Dancethenighttillday · 30/12/2022 22:12

I’ve not advice but the past year or so I have been suffering like this.
seems to happen couple of days before my period, I am awful, horrible person and I hate myself for it. I cry afterwards at how I have acted but it’s like I can control who I am. Im angry, anxious, it’s like a switch. I’ve nearly ended relationship with DH, who is such a lovely lovely man. I’ve read about PMDD and I’m pretty sure I have it.

can’t control not can

MassiveSalad22 · 30/12/2022 22:14

I manage it with sertraline. Life changing. Periods give me no warning now, just come when they should, silently and easily with no need for a week of recovering my life afterwards!!

Hibernatalie · 30/12/2022 22:15

Magnesium supplement - you need to take it for 3 months for full effect.

Also SSRI - citalopram, which worked for a year but isn't working so well any more for PMT/PMDD, so I am back on the magnesium and maybe I will consider pill if needs be.

neverbeenskiing · 30/12/2022 22:26

I've been diagnosed with PMDD. I've tried supplements, three different antidepressants and therapy, none of which had any impact. I'm now on monthly injections that have stopped my ovaries from working so I don't have periods. I do still have mood swings on a cycle but nowhere near as bad. Before this medication I was often actively planning to end my life the week before my period. The injections aren't a permanent solution and I also have severe endometriosis (so the PMDD symptoms were also accompanied by severe pain and heavy blood loss) so I'm waiting to have my ovaries removed surgically, as well as a hysterectomy, but will continue on the injections until then.

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