Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Flip

Original poster

PMS what can help?

8 replies

brazenhussy · 07/02/2011 14:31

I have suffered with PMS, depression and anxiety all my adult life in varying degrees.

My usual medication for the past 5+ years has been Citalopram which has been like a miracle drug for me. I haven't used it constantly for that time, just as and when I have needed it, increasing and decreasing as I was able to.

Five months ago I managed to wean myself off it completely using various methods, the best being skills that were taught to me in ERT

I have been almost completely well during those 5 months and have the benefit of not having the dreadful tiredness I experienced while taking the Citalopram.

My problem now is that my PMS (masked by the drugs) is now back with avengence, leaving me completely 'plot lost' for us to 10 days of every month.

I am in a new relationship and although he is very understanding, I cannot put him through this every month.

Talking to my friend this morning she said hers was helped by the coil.

Does anyone know if this would help?

OP posts:

ell1 · 07/02/2011 14:56

I'm really not sure, because of some problems with my own health I have been reading a lot about the Mirena coil lately and I read some horror storys! Some people suffered major mood swings whilst they had it fitted, I think I read that the Copper Coil? was better for PMS. I have refused to have the Mirena Coil fitted because of the worry of suffering worse mood swings than I do now.

I hope you find a solution. xx

Original poster

brazenhussy · 07/02/2011 15:39

Hmmm thats interesting, thank you.

That was the coil my friend was saying helped her.

I too am reluctant to have to resort to any type of birth control incase it makes me any worse (if that were possible)

So fed up , feel like ending things with new man just so I don't have to try and hide how I am feeling any longer

OP posts:

Lazyem · 07/02/2011 16:12

So sorry you are feeling like this. PMS can be awful. I suffered very badly with it before having the DCs and going on the pill (tried about 3 until I found one I was totally happy with) helped me a lot. It levelled my moods and aside from a little bloating I had no symptoms of PMS whilst I was on it. When I came off it to TTC the PMS gradually returned but I found that when I cut out caffeine (I was getting headaches and wanted to see if my 7 cups of tea a day were anything to do with it!! ) it helped with some of the symptoms. Might have been a coincidence, but it is worth a try as I am still caffeine free and my PMS symptoms are no where near as bad as they used to be, and it is an easy thing to try for a couple of months.

Do you have an understanding GP that you could have a chat with?

Original poster

brazenhussy · 07/02/2011 18:08

Lazyem Thank you for your post.

Interestingly enough I have been dieting and exercising since early December, I am very overweight and had really bad diet.
My PMS has been worse than ever since then although I look and feel so much better.

I don't drink tea or coffee so not really much diet changes to be made.

I do have a really lovely GP but am worried that if I go and see him he will want me to go back on medication, which I don't really want to do.
I think that is the only way forward though.

OP posts:

hillyhilly · 07/02/2011 18:10

My PMS was not as severe as yours but after never having any at all, it was becoming a major problem for 2-3 days around the time I ovulate each month.
I came on here and was recommended Agnus Castus which seems to be working for me - its only been 2 months but the effect was immediate.

Original poster

brazenhussy · 07/02/2011 18:17

OMG hillybilly am gonna look it up now

OP posts:

Original poster

brazenhussy · 07/02/2011 18:21

I see that Holland and Barrett have it and there is one very near to me, in the meantime i am gonna nip to Sainsburys just on the off chance they do too.

Thank you so much x

OP posts:

orangeflutie · 07/02/2011 20:13

I've suffered with PMT too over the years and it has got worse since having my DC.

I've tried the Mirena which made me feel foggy and I spotted continually. Had to have it out after six months as couldn't stand it any longer. There were too many side effects.

I'm now on dosulepin a tricyclic AD which does seem to help my PMT. I think because it evens out my moods and sorts out anxiety. It also is slightly sedating which is great as PMT played havoc with my sleep. It has been so good for me that I now see that I might struggle to do without it. It sounds like citalapram worked in a similar way for you.

As you don't drink tea or coffee that's a good thing, as caffeine does tend to make PMT worse. I also take Vitamin B6 which I think helps a bit. Magnesium is also good and I try to eat every 3-4 hours. Something like wholemeal bread so my sugar levels don't plummet.

It's tricky isn't it? finding something that works for you. Exercise also definitely helps me with anxiety which I've noticed increases around the time of my period.

HTH

Flip