Cyclical depression/PMS becoming a real problem for me. Anyone found a successful way of dealing with it?

[Notquitesureagain]

Bit long, sorry. So I've suffered from depression in the past. Was on ADs for much of my 20s on and off, came off them and have been off them for 8 or 9 years. I've had two DC in that time and happily didn't suffer from PND (which was a big fear of mine) and have on the whole been managing pretty well without them.

But in the past year or so, I've had increasingly bad PMS, so for about 10 days - 2 weeks a month, I feel bloody awful. The kids drive me totally nuts (and they're not particularly challenging kids), I find it really hard to look forward to anything, I cry a lot and find everyone incredibly irritating. Little things worry me enormously. Last month was particularly bad, I really struggled to eat - felt very anxious and eating anything felt like swallowing chalk so I've lost a bit of weight and look properly scrawny. Then a day or so after my period starts the fog starts to lift and life feels ok again.

I would really, really rather not go on ADs again. Last time I came off them it took me about a year to feel 'normal' there were lots of ups and downs during that time. And the fact that I'm ok for half the month makes me even more reluctant to medicate but I'm worried it's getting worse and, for the time that I'm affected, I feel like a useless mum/wife. Any advice?

I've tried to manage moods with lifestyle until now, so I run regularly, try to get enough sleep etc eat fairly healthily (though as I said I've really had to force myself recently and it's very easy to get into the habit of not really eating because I just have no appetite or surviving on nuts and stuff), will drink socially but not excessively and try to make sure I have at least three booze-free days a week.

Any thoughts/advice hugely appreciated

I'll follow this thread with interest.
Only problem was, last thread like this concluded that giving up sugar helped hugely. I just couldn't begin to do that!
Have you ever been on the pill? That is sometimes prescribed for PMS.

For me the mirena coil has helped (though it doesnt suit everybody). I have also tried hormone patches but didnt get on with them.

I am afraid the only way I have managed to control this was taking a low dose (10mg a day) of Citalopram. (sorry no help at all!)

Thanks, folks - I did try the pill a couple of years ago but felt like it actually made things worse.

Sugar thing is interesting - I cut down massively over lent, which def boosted my energy levels but can't say it made a discernible difference to mood. But perhaps I wasn't ruthless enough...

Hazeyjane - has the citalopram made a big difference would you say? And have you noticed any side effects?

Thanks again

Sertraline for me - I never understood why it would help with hormonal/cyclical depression, but it has made a massive difference.

main side effect is that I have put on weight (it seems to have turned off my, 'no, no I couldn't have another biscuit' switch and cranked up my 'meh, pass me another biscuit' switch!)

but the positive effects have been huge, my mood was very low for a good 2-3 weeks of the month, plus i was suffering pmt headaches which have gone. in the weeks that i didn't have pmt, i would have anxiety about the upcoming low mood.

Hi I used Dr Maryon Stewarts method. She runs the natural health advisory service. It's a programme of exercise, specific diet suggestions. E.g. Oily fish, no gluten, caffeine etc, supplements and relaxation (10 minutes a day. It took three months but the pmt is gone and I'm about 5 years on. She has a book you can follow. I used her telephone consultations.

Hazey - thank you, that's v helpful. I've been getting terrible headaches but didn't link them to the pms

Shallen - have you found any side-effects with the sertraline?

Heather - v interested in a lifestyle solution but worry about the likelihood of me sticking to a v complicated regime. I think I will order a copy of the book from Amazon though and have a look

Thanks, LaQueen - I will def do that. Would be good to have a better understanding of what's going on...