Feeling awful (hormone related?)

[MagpieCursedTea]

I'm feeling really low today. I have bipolar but I take my meds and I think this is more hormone related.

Since having my 15 month old DS I haven't gone back on hormonal birth control. We struggled to concieve him (I had to go through 3 cycles of clomiphene which almost sent me over the edge), I think birth control contributed to fertility problems so decided to stay off it. We're now NTNP for number 2 (we wanted a more casual approach).

Anyway, my periods came back when DS was 5 months and I've suffered terribly with anxiety/low mood in the days before I come on (I have an anxiety PRN that I can take but I makes me really foggy). It's really effecting me today. I also have issues with food (long story and I've rambled enough) and that's been quite bad recently and is adding to how awful I feel today.

I'm aware I've just rambled on for ages and I'm not sure what I'm looking for really? Advice on how to cope? A bit of sympathy? I'm not sure but it's good to get it all out anyway. Thanks for reading if you got this far!

Slightly embarrassed bump

Magpie, sorry you are feeling so bad. Could just be an off day maybe? Can you say more about how you feel?

Thanks for the response mumblepot, it's very appreciated. I'm just feeling a mix of low/anxious/angry. I'm sure it's hormonal which means I'll feel better in a few days, it's just hard to get through those days.

Magpie hormonal changes after pregnancy and birth can have a major impact on your mood. Ime lots of friends have experienced worse pms after kids. And that incs low mood and increased anxiety. I found I was v irritable and easily angered. Like you say it is a temporary thing but keep an eye on it. Maybe if the number of days you're affected increases or you're simply finding it diff to cope with such a shift, speak to your gp/psych. Good diet, low sugar, caffeine, alc often helps tho I know thats not always poss. Take care.

Thanks for the advice colouring, will give it a try, though bingeing (especially during these times) is an issue for me. I've been off caffeine for a couple of weeks though so will try to keep that up.

Hope you are feeling a little better today magpie

It's not been a great one but DH has looked after me and I've had some anxiety medication so feeling a little calmer this evening.
Thank you for asking!

Hiya-I am currently suffering really badly with hormones affecting my mood and anxiety. My second daughter is nearly one and it started when I stopped breastfeeding at 10 months & my periods returned. I feel like a crazed fool-ragingly angry sometimes, panicky and scared, really down, shattered but can't sleep.
Am off to the doctors today to hopefully get some citalopram and see if that helps. I had this once before, before I had kids & it was when I came off the pill after many years on it. Hormones really seem to affect me badly-I empathise.

Anyway-hope you're feeling a bit better now

Maggie and doscooby I may be far too late for this thread as it was some weeks ago....only just spotted it.....but I wanted to offer one idea. I too developed terrible postnatal anxiety and depression after I stopped breastfeeding (I only did 4 months, DS is now 8 months). I couldn't drink a coffee or take a Nurofen without shaking and feeling like a panic attack was coming. So dreadful.

Anyway rather than go down the AD route (which I might still resort to at some point) I saw a Harley Street hormone expert about 6 weeks ago after a Christmas crippled with fear, dread and anxiety. He prescribed me 3 pumps of estrogen gel a day (yes, basically HRT usually used at menopause etc)....I put this on my upper arms and I must say that within a week I felt remarkably different. Especially a reduction in anxiety. I am aware there are health risks with HRT which I will address when I have been feeling emotionally stable for a while longer.

To be clear I am 39 and having monthly periods so I am not peri menopausal, I think my hormones have simply got totally mixed up following pregnancy. I had a number of Mirena coils in for 10 years with no periods at all, and then got pregnant within 3 weeks of having it removed so I wonder if my poor body has no clue what my 'natural hormonal state' might be. I don't really care why I just want to feel like I did pre-pregnancy!

Anyway, like me, you guys seem very sure your problem feels hormonal, so wanted to suggest something that has certainly helped me recently. I have had no (negative) side effects from using the gel whatsoever. It has vastly improved my sex drive too...also a great relief, although perhaps more so for my boyfriend....:-)

Forgive me, I meant Magpie and dooscooby.....this was my first ever post, so not perfect....:-(