BIG PMT issues since giving birth to my third child! GP suggests ADs

[Wills]

In fact major problems with my auntie flows. Stunningly heavy! Increadibly depressive tearful PMT! Anyone else suffered like this? I've been struggling like this for 6 months and the gp has put me on ads to try and resolve it but they're not really working and therefore I'd really rather not be on them.

well I tried Dong Quai (from health food shops) and massive doses of Floresse and it worked well (took 2 months)

If they're not working tell your GP and try something else.
You might be depressed, but it sounds like your hormones are all over the place.
Could you have the pill or coil to try and sort out your periods, that alone would get me down!

I was like this after DS (also no 3) v. heavy, v. emotional, etc. They started calming down when DS was 1. Now he is 2.5 and they are much better. Emotions especially. I can't suggest anything to take -- as I didn't take anything. Sorry, but can tell you that I got better . Though is still v. heavy, now are quite short about 4 days total.

So glad you started this Wills. I have had the same problem since my dses were born (ds2 is 1.3). I'm not sure that I understand why your gp has prescribed you ads. PMT is not depression after all. I have to say that I am not a fan of gps like this who prescribe ads as a cure all.

I have found that the last couple of months have been a bit better for me. Partly because my AF has been a little bit shorter (was 8 days, now 3 - 4) but also because I now recognise my PMT and avoid any potentially bad situations. Until I had the dses I had always had an easy time with my periods and had never had PMT.

Personally, I would suggest giving it a bit longer to settle down and perhaps looking for some alternative ideas. Go easy on yourself, try to recognise your PMT and also make sure you have plenty of iron rich foods in your diet.

my god wills, your prob sounds exactly like mine after birth of 3 rd. doc suggested me Ads but i refused to take them. recently started taking Agnus Castus (herbal supplement) and had 1 period since which wasnt heavy (dont know if thats a coincidence but before couldnt go out of house for 2 days without embarassing tidal flow leakage TMI sorry!) and No PMT!!!! try it its def done the trick for me i would say.

Fantastic to know I'm not the only one. I'm exactly like that in terms of flow by the way. I've spent the last couple of days wearing big knickers and pads because I was frightened of it starting during the night and going everywhere. It comes to something when you're dreading it THAT much. I've never had to wear heavy flow pads before! God its awful. AND I'm glad to hear about the PMT. For 20 days a month and happy and content but for 10 days a month I'm tearful and way way over the top for EVERYTHING. Right am off to a herbal shop. Cheers guys.

I'm taking agnus castus and a B-vit.
I think it has helped a bit.
Piglit... plenty of women with PMT/S experience it as a depression (I've had PND, and the two definitely have stuff in common). If the PMT is affecting everyday life, it's a serious problem, and an AD might help.
How long have you been taking them, Wills? They can take 4-6 wks to kick in.

If you look here and scroll down, it says that ADs work by increasing serotonin levels and are not being used just as antidepressants IYSWIM.

I've been on the ads roughly 4 months now. Part of the problem is that there are other things going on in my life and I think the gps almost want me to be depressed. I think they suspect that I'm hiding behind the excuse that its pmt but its not! Seriously I'm content 20 days out of 30 so I don't see how it can be! I have had PND which then rolled into depression and have had two sets of ADs before this to help me through and yes this PMT is very like that but it is definitely connected to my period. Last time I went back to her she proposed that I start counselling. I've refused as I really don't think that's the problem!! Grrr

Wills, I also had PND with DS. I think in my case was also linked to lack of sleep (DS was really really really bad sleeper). So that was def. part of it. As I got more sleep and the PND got better, my PMT with periods got better as well. I also started exercising, which helps me tremendously with PMT.

Agree with you but I've been getting loads of sleep. I had PND with dd1 and both dh and I concentrated with dd2 and ds on me getting enough sleep. I definitely can't handle the world with lack of sleep. Things grow exponentially out of proportion. To the extent that most weekends dh (sweetheart that he is) lets me have two days of lie ins (mind you I still handle all nights and whatever they throw at me!). So I don't think that my rather odd (pain in the ass!) periods are to do with lack of sleep.

Wills another thought. I also found that bf really affected my mood (but always forgot this while actually doing it). It was really apparent once I stopped.

Also you said you had a lot going on in your life plus you've had 3 DC. I don't know your gaps, but for me I had 3 DC between March 2001 & July 2004. Our middle son was stillborn at 20wks. I also think that I had so many hormones raging around my body, plus the loss of our child that I don't think my body really recovered & my mental health until about a year after DS was born in 2004. This could be a possibility as well. I have refused to go on to any hormone based contraception -- but of course the copper coil is also out because of already heavy bleeding. But think this also helps me.

Don't know if any of it is a possibility for you.

Unfortunately the pill made me suicidal as a young 20 something. Each time I have a baby I'm asked what contraceptive and each time I ask if the pill has changed enough that I can take it and each time I'm told no. So I really don't think the pill is an option for me. Not sure if this is TMI but we have to use condoms.