I am so irritable and nasty with it - how can i control it?

[EvilDragonWoman]

I'm not sure if it's the migraines (I get grumpy the day before one occurs if it's due to stress or weather changes), or the PCOS (which {unprovenly?} causes irritability) or PMT (although this is hard to predict with irregular periods).

All I know is that today, as on many days when I have been like this, I have bitched at DH so much that I have scared myself. I am worried I am driving him away but I don't know how to stop it. Has anyone else got this problem, and how do you cope, because I am sitting here blubbing now.

Anyone?

Does DH know about the pre-migraine effect, the potential PCOS and PMT? So he at least knows it isn't really you being a cowbag?
I turn into stroppy bitch with hair-trigger temper for around week before when my period would be if the pill I take hadn't made them vanish ( and also ) but is is SO much better on this pill than the last.
Have you spoken to GP about the moods?

I have spoken to the GP about the migraines, but I'm still in the process of finding a medicine that works. I've tried about 5 so far and nothing works to prevent them.
I hadn't thought about telling the GP about the mood swings as I assumed there was nothing that could be done.

DH does know, but I think he sees it as an excuse. Shouldn't I be able to somehow tell that I am getting angry because I'm ill, and not that DH is doing anything particularly bad.
At the time I feel that I am justifiably annoyed though.

Oh, and I have got PCOS, the unproven bit was that I'm not sure irritability is a definite symptom of it!

"Shouldn't I be able to somehow tell that I am getting angry because I'm ill, and not that DH is doing anything particularly bad.
At the time I feel that I am justifiably annoyed though."

No. At the time I feel ike DH is being incredilby unreasonable. Sometimes it lasts well beyond my initial flare up of snappy stroppy squawking, sometimes disappears straight afterwards and everytime I end up feeling bad.
I think ther might be somethingb to be said for general anger management techniques to be used all the time even when you are not "in the zone" so when the zone hits you are better equipped even if you don't realise you need to be IYSWIM.

I've had anger issues before and my counsellor recommend doing a sport where you can hit stuff like tennis, squash etc. It did help release a lot of built up tension. Might be worth a go if you're able to do sporty stuff. Even just a walk round the block has helped me in the past.

Unfortunately that's not really an option. And I'm not just saying that because I don't enjoy sport either!

I guess I will just have to stay being evil and hope DH understands!

What about the anger management idea?
You know, the count to ten stuff etc?

Visit to GP?

Are you on contraceptive pill?..different ones affect different women in different ways. So worth chat to GP to try another one (microgynon made me irritable and really depressed. Was bit crazy on femodene too. Cerazette is my saviour so far!)

I will try it, but earlier my reactions to everything were so quick I wouldn't have thought of it!

Can the GP do anything though? That's what I am asking. I'm not on any contraceptive pill for two reasons - one, the migraines. Apparently I have to be on certain ones or they could kill me. And also most pills have the side effect that they make you put on weight - with PCOS i already have weight issues.

Sorry tigana i seem to have not read your earlier post very well. Do you know of any good websites with anger management techniques on?

No website recommendations i'm afriad...you could google (but beware all the crap trying to sell you a lifestyle!).
Tbh being aware of it can be enough to start improving it. bit like cognitive behavioural therapy...

Have you tried keeping a mood/health diary? Can help to spot the patterns in terms of causation (that's what lead to the guilty verdict on microgynon) but also your awareness of it. If you can sort of semi predict it's going to be a risky day/week you can be on your guard for lid-flipping. Much harder to be on guard all day everyday 'just in case'.

No, I haven't tried that yet, but it would help with the migraines I think, too, so I will start one. Also will google anger management...but I expect it would be more helpful to either get a book (library?) or see the doctor.

I don't know if it is any help. I had severe migranes for 1 year due to sleep deprivation, stress and probably a bit of depression to go with emotional exhaustion. Take your pick.

I was given amytriptlyene 5mg/5ml. it was a low dose of antidepressant that controlled my migranes -stopped them completely and chilled me out slightly. How is the sleep pattern? distrubed sleep is enough to trigger migranes and that could lead to your pre migrane issues - you could be permenatly on the board of a migrane

I did have disturbed sleep until I moved house recently, and also was prescribed amytriptyline. It helped to chill me out at the time as I was very stressed - but didn't stop the headaches.
Now I am on no meds but my sleep is fine. My triggers appear to be weather and stress related, and if I exersize too much (as in hours of walking) that seems to give me a headache unless I have a protein/carbs snack.

is it a blood sugar thing? - is it possible to be pre-diabetes? (pre-diabetes is sensetivity to blood sugar levels and not quite diabetes -my memory is failing me but i think its to do with insulin ratios)

ok just realise brain is fried - off to shout at tumble dryer so i can finish packing and go to bed.

Hope you feel better soon (temper or headache wise you can pick)

Thanks (for hoping I feel better!).

It may be related to blood sugar, but I am not insulin resistant (common with PCOS) as I have been tested for that.

Went to see my GP yesterday. I have been prescribed some very iffy (IMO) tablets. Sodium Valproate. they're usually fro epilepsy, and reading the possible side-effects I have been quite put off taking them.

He also has told me to call 'Open Minds' for anger management. I am getting annoyed though - he doesn't seem to use a very holistic approach. I think the migraines/PCOS/depression (yes, that too!) need treating as one rather than separately.

Dragon: not sure about how it fits with PCOS, but the contraceptive Cerazette is safe to take with migraines, and may do wonders for the PMT, as periods basically stop (your body just thinks you're pregnant). I found it helped massively with the migraines too.... wish I were still on it!