PMT and depression - anti depressants/other remedies.

[hazeyjane]

Does anyone have bouts of extreme depression in the 2 weeks leading up to their periods?

I am 43, and since having ds at 41, have been suffering from awful pmt, and then headaches during and just after my period, which means that I am feeling shot to pieces for a large part of the month.

My gp originally diagnosed me with pnd, and I have been on citalopram for the last year and a half. I stopped taking them a few months ago, because I was feeling as though I was coping with stuff, and on a day to day level I am, but in the pre menstrual period, i am feeling awful.

If I have to i will go back on the anti depressants (which definitely helped with pmt), but I just wondered if anyone had any other treatments that worked for them.

I've posted this in general health as well.

Thankyou

I will be watching this with interest as I have the same problem. I am taking a very low dose of seroxat to help me cope with the horrible pmt symptoms which include feeling very edgy, thoughts racing and feeling like I have to do everything quick and paranoia. I know it is a physical thing rather than a mental thing as i know exactly what time of the month I will feel like it.
I don't like taking the seroxat it gives me a dry mouth. I am going to ask if there is something I can take just on the days I need it. If anyone can suggest anything else I would be very interested too. I really understand how you feel OP it can be quite debilitating.

Yup, me too. I never bother remembering or writing my cycle down because the first sign is always a cruel attack of anxiety or depression.

Drives me nuts. The GP suggested oil of evening primrose but it takes ages to work (like months).

The pill works too apparently.

Thankyou, good to know I am not the only one.

I don't like taking the pill, as I have had bad reactions to it in the past. Evening Primrose did nothing for me, and I took it for ages. I have started taking Vit b6 and agnus castus, but I am not placing too much hope in it, as I haven't really had a huge success with stuff like this in the past.

It is hard to explain to people just how awful it is, as i think people believe that pms/pmt is just 'getting a bit cranky'.

I've made an appointment with gp, to talk about it, but really hoped I wouldn't have to go back on anti depressants.

I get very tearful / emotional when I ovulate, then again just before a period also teamed up with a migraine - I do sympathise with everyone here and will keep an eye on this thread as well as see my gp. DH just tells everyone that it's pmt and just ignore me! Nice!

I have the same problem. Homeopathy has really helped me but I have to be strict in taking the remedies. Find a good homeopath and give it a shot. Last month my period came as a surprise!! Honestly!! Good luck. X x

Spoke to gp yesterday, she thinks it might be best to go back on anti depressants, but also wants to do a thyroid test.

A friend recommended an acupuncturist, which I am going to look into.

Tbh, I think I will probably have to go back on the anti-ds (I know I sound defeatist!)