Is anyone else completely unproductive during their period?

[Falcon1]

Just that really. For the first day or two (and often the day before) I really struggle to concentrate. I get this 'brain fog', whereby everything takes 10 times longer, I'm really scatterbrained and I just don't trust my judgement. This makes it somewhat problematic at work. I'm virtually useless. It's really quite debilitating!

I don't remember being like this before I had kids. My periods are so much worse now!

Yes except it lasts about a week

I am too, but on the up side, I am very productive the week before. I actually plan any decluttering for that week as I can get so much more done.

I'm the exact opposite. I'm useless the week leading up to it. But the second it hits I'm like superwoman, I could do anything.

Yes actually mine is mostly the week before and partly during.

So how do you cope at work? Any strategies? I've just started a new job and had such an unproductive day today that in worried they're going to think I'm incompetent!

Oh God, I'm just the same for about three days. It's awful. I feel like I'm wading through treacle and my brain is fogged.

I didn't have this before having my dd and I became a sahm, so we have lazy days when I can't engage my brain. I just have learnt to be productive when the feeling takes me. I work one day a week now and luckily it is somewhere that we work to a timetable and switch jobs every hour. Now written down that sounds awful but I love the job and it keeps me motivated. I'm also in view of the public so I can't be seen to be slacking. At home I do set a timer for ten minutes and tackle one job (drying up, tidying, paperwork). Once I've started it can be easier to carry on, but obviously those jobs don't require much brain power, so it depends what your job is! I've also started practicing mindfulness, which might help you focus.

Gary Gilmores that's exactly it - wading through treacle! I'd rather have excruciating cramps than the brain fog. At least with cramps you can take pain killers.

I'm similar to cranky, sluggish the week leading up then I get a day of cramps followed by period and massive energy surge. I feel so motivated it's unreal. To answer your q though on my sluggish, brain fog week I just plod through. I try to eat and sleep well (generally crap sleeper.) I do what I have to but outside of work try to be commitment free otherwise I get overwhelmed with how much i've taken on! You probably feel worse than how you've come across. Most people have the unproductive work days here and there.

I could have written this exact post today

Me too. I feel almost dangerous I am so scatty

Gosh yes me too, to the point that if I over do it on day one or two (I feel like super woman the week before) I am an absolute mess and have to lie about a lot trying to cope with extreme weakness. It's really frustrating.

I'm also outrageously irrational about everything for two days

Yep, completely lethargic day before and for first few days of period. (As well as total sense of humour failure, back ache and spots). Don't remember ever feeling like that pre-kids.