Severe PMS - Mirena/estrogen anyone?

[Ceetee23]

I have really bad PMS (sometimes called PMDD). I get very depressed, bleak, hopeless, exhausted and generally have to drag myself through the days during and just after ovulation then prior to period (when im also v stressed) and until my period finishes. Generally any fluctuations in my hormones causes the above symptoms leaving me with maybe 7-10 days a month feeling absolutely fine.

I can’t tolerate ssris and I’ve tried the combined pill which plunged me into a deep depression and I felt suicidal. I take B6, calcium and starflower oil. Doctor is fitting the Mirena coil in a couple of weeks and poss estrogen patches or oestrogel.

Does anyone have any experience of this treatment or any other recommendations?! X

I too have terrible pms suffered for years and getting worse now i am older. Have been offered the pill and prozac, been to the doctors so many time and this is all they offer apart from b6. Took the contraceptive pill out of desperation and it made me feel like a zombie awful weird low mood doesn't agree with me at all. I have picked up the prescription for prozac/fluxoteine again because my symptoms were so bad but haven't taken it yet as i find it would just mask hormone problems.
So my last resort before fluxoteine is Angus castus. Took it this month as soon as my period had finished .. take in the morning. I also take Vitamin B6 and Zinc which i get on prescription. Zinc is meant to help with hormones too. Also to help with low mood i am taking 5htp. So far this month i have seen an improvement by taking these things. I have had less anger and my mood hasn't been as low. The angus cactus is meant to take a few months to really kick in. It made my cycle a bit longer and i did feel hormonal the last couple of days before my period came but much better than before. I am going to give it a few more months. I am reluctant to take fluoxetine because of the side effects but will do it if i have to. My main concern is that something obviously is going on with my hormones that no one can help me with which is so frustrating. Would be interested in taking Oestrogen but no one has offered this to me?
A good read and info is a naturopathic Dr called Lara Briden. If you search on her website she has lots of articles on pms, angus cactus, b6 hormones, zinc so search them.

www.larabriden.com/the-end-of-pms-vitamin-b6-and-other-serious-cures/

Hope this helps anyone that suffers.

Has your Dr said its ok to have oestrogen patches for pms?

Thanks for your reply willow and I’m sorry you suffer this too. It’s truly debilitating and not just your run of the mill pmt is it.
Thanks for the Agnus castus recommendation. Do you just buy from the health food store?

I did lots of research online and help from the naps website www.pms.org.uk/ it’s quite helpful and has treatment guidelines for you and your GP.

Apparently estrogen patches can help a lot as they suppress your cycle in the right dose. You also have to have some progesterone to protect the lining of your womb hence me having the Mirena coil fitted in a couple of weeks.

Have a look at that website and you can also get gp to refer you to a gynaecologist as they should know more x

As for fluoxetine I’ve tried several ssris and have terrible reactions and ongoing side effects. But I do know they can really help those who can tolerate them. It’s the first line treatment for PMS as is a simple solution for some. But for those like us who may not tolerate them there are other options. Just involves some trial and error I think which is so hard. X

I had the Mirena about 3 years ago due to bad PMS which just seemed to be getting worse as I get to perimenopause. Also have fibroids which gave me heavy periods. It took a good few months to settle down and stop bleeding but since then it's been great.

About a year ago after night sweats, insomnia, brain fog and anxiety got too much my GP offered me estrogen patches and these started working more or less straight away. With the combination of both Mirena and patches I feel almost normal again. I still have occasional periods and feel a bit of PMS aggro in the few days beforehand but nothing I can't cope with.

Yeah i will give them a go if this doesn't help... just a bit scared of side effects. I can't carry on without anything that is for sure it effects my life too much. Will take a look at the website you recommended... thanks.
Angus cactus is by Vitex and in a tincture so drops into water. You can buy it from Amazon probably health food shops too.. have look. It balances hormones. I think there is
a website with loads of info too so google Vitex angus castus.
Please let me know how you get on with the Estrogen and coil. I have read about oestrogen helping pms but i thought it was only given on private prescription .I would take that but all the docs i have seen haven't given it as an option. Thanks for all the info .. good to share.x

Sounds like the Estrogen patches are something i should pursue then as that sounds very encouraging..
Do they need to test your hormone levels through a blood test in order
to qualify if that makes sense? Or will they give them based on the symptoms you are describing?

Thanks washewihersen that’s v encouraging. I’m so glad this helped you. I’ve heard mixed things but I’ve got to try Mirena as it may be the solution.
Willow I’ll look into agnus then. GP’s can definitely prescribe estrogen for severe PMS. I’ll let you know how I get on x

Apparently hormone levels often look absolutely fine. I had mine tested and all normal. They should go off symptoms x

washewihersen - when you say it took a while to settle down, in what way? Also what kind of symptoms were you getting prior to Mirena? Thanks x

I just had continuous spotting for a few months after insertion and I also felt a bit weird, I think from the new hormones. It was a sort of weird low level buzzing and anxiety feeling constantly for a few weeks and it affected my sleep and I nearly went back to get it taken out again but after a few weeks that went away.

I was 43 when I had the Mirena and my PMS was a week or so long, got sweats, not sleeping properly, feeling really dark and angry and hopeless about everything. Then I'd get a really heavy period and although it was a relief for the PMS symptoms it'd just go on for about a week and a half and so I only had about a week every month of respite. Sometimes my periods were every 3 weeks. I now get very light but erratic periods it's such a relief.

Thanks for that. I’m a bit nervous about having it in, in case it makes me go crazy like the pill!! Need to give it a go. I can deal with spotting anyway. Xx

How did it go; Ceetee?

I know it's about 7 years later... 😂 How did you get on? I've just been put on Mirena and oestrogel for PMS (38 and can't take combined pill because of migraines). Very worried about the oestrogel!

Again late to this @Elizabeth181183 😅 how did you get on?

I am intereted to find out too - I have tried HRT with prog tablets and oest gel, but the tablets messed with my head. I am considering the Mirena instead as the hormones are localised .
I will do this with sertraline . Anxiety is awful ATM