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It's minor in many ways but does anyone have any advice on PMS making me crazy?

13 replies

emeraldgirl1 · 05/02/2010 14:35

I've suffered from 'proper' depression before, so I know enough to be able to distinguish between just feeling a bit low and the actual near-physical pain of true depression. And increasingly the latter is what i get for 2 or 3 days before my period. I know it doesn't sound like much - 2 or 3 days is nothing compared to what a lot of people on here go through and what i went through myself for many years in the past) but it is pretty debilitating. I can barely work, I avoid going out, avoid speaking to people, all I want to do is crawl under the duvet and sleep...

It does seem to be getting much worse as I get older (I'm 33, and though I've definitely had a touch of teariness and lack of focus in the past, it's this last year or so that it keeps developing like this).

Does anyone have any advice? Herbal (?) supplements that could help? Anything??!

My DH tries to be understanding (he was AMAZING while I was suffering from depression) but he honestly doesn't seem to understand the feeling of overwhelming despair that is caused seemingly by 'nothing' but my hormones. Oh, and I'm unutterably vile to him on these days as well, poor sod, which doesn't make me feel any better. At the time I can't even explain why I'm doing it

OP posts:
NinthWave · 05/02/2010 14:41

My mum has similar problems and is now taking a low dose of Fluoxetine - it helps her a lot. I know a lot of people aren't keen on the idea of taking anti-Ds but for her it was preferable to suffering!

I've heard other people recommend Evening Primrose Oil too but no personal experience of this.

willsurvivethis · 05/02/2010 14:43

Are you on any form of contraception? If so or even if not it could be worth having a chat to your GP about that (assuming you're not TTC)

DEPECHEMODEFANISBACK · 05/02/2010 14:45

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emeraldgirl1 · 05/02/2010 15:52

Am not on any form of contraception willsurvivethis, but am not TTC. Do you think that's something that could help?

Depechemode, that sounds a good place to start, have heard about evening primrose oil but wasn't sure if it was more for the physical symptoms of PMT eg bloating etc. Do you avoid alcohol/coffe/fat etc only when you're PM or for the whole month?

Thanks too ninthwave, I can see how mild anti-d's could be extremely helpful for something like this but in my case it's really something I'd rather avoid if poss. I think I'll try some less 'drastic' remedies and see how I go... some people have told me having a baby helps!! So maybe that's as good a reason as any to start trying!!

OP posts:
willsurvivethis · 05/02/2010 15:58

If you are struggling that much a type of contraceptive pill comes to mind - but I'm no doctor

willsurvivethis · 05/02/2010 16:00

oh yes a baby can help - my ds is two, I'm not on anticonception and my pms is minimal these days.

gives you headaches though

DEPECHEMODEFANISBACK · 05/02/2010 16:35

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domesticslattern · 05/02/2010 21:14

Avoid too much sugar. Won't solve it but helps me amazingly.

If you know it is coming, try not to book in difficult things eg. trips to PILs, big work presentations etc. on those particular days, but to plan for low-key days. Just planning in advance and recognising that you will feel rubbish, and giving yourself permission to take it as easy as possible, really helps.

MitsubishiWarrioress · 05/02/2010 21:22

Evening Primrose oil, starflower oil can really help and places like Holland and Barret give good advice.

drinkyourmilk · 05/02/2010 21:25

I take: A high dosage of St Johns Wort for the week before I'm due and until I start, and the normal dose the rest of the month.

A good multi-vitamin each day

Omega oils capsule each day

Agnus Castus - in the same way as St Johns Wort.

This helps amazingly - and has taken a few years to get right. If I avoid alcohol and force myself to run in the lead up to my period I'm virtually symptom free. (alas I always crave alcohol at this time and generally cave)

Eurostar · 05/02/2010 21:27

A vit and mineral supplement formed for women that contains B6 and magnesium is a great help I find.

emeraldgirl1 · 06/02/2010 16:23

Thanks everyone!!

domesticslattern, I think you're right that it would help to take the pressure off at that time of the month (or, as I have irregular periods, at 'that time of the 6th, 7th or 8th week!' Trouble I have with that is partly that I work for myself so I NEVER feel I can take the pressure off (time always feels like money, especially these days) and so I have to be 'properly' ill (flu or food poisoning) before taking it easy doesn't make me feel so guilty that I get even more overwhelmed and low...

Some really good advice re herbal supplements here too, but I don't know about giving up the booze!

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BriocheDoree · 06/02/2010 18:31

I get like this and being on the pill stops it (not ideal, but don't want to be pg and don't get on with coils). Otherwise all the diet advice is good (but I take the pill as a. don't want another child and b. too stressed to give up booze competely ATM

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