On the very edge (period trouble)

[slovesg]

Hi Everyone

Just having some real difficulty with my periods lately :-(

Sometimes, when I am on the approach to my period and during, I feel a complete hormonal mess. I feel on the verge of tears all the time (no apparent reason), highly stressed, anxious and emotional. Also weak, shakey and a very short fuse which scares me.

To make matters worse, I have the copper IUD (non-hormonal) which has resulted in my periods being longer...and so this means suffering longer with these symptoms.

When I get my periods now, they are barely there for 3-4 days and then I have a ridiculously heavy bleed for 2 - 3 days before they start to wear off. I can be managing a period for ten days of the month. I thought it was wearing off quicker this month but today it’s showing no sign of being finished any time soon.

I sometimes get very snappy before my period and have a short fuse...this is quite disturbing to me as I’m not like that usually. I snapped at my partner the other day and then had the guilt to deal with :( he’s a lovely, gentle man, doesn’t deserve that. I am usually so calm and friendly so even though I apologised immediately and explained it was hormones and even though he said he understood and it was fine, I could tell he was a bit shocked and I was concerned I had hurt him. :(

Just went out shopping and felt on the verge of tears and just highly, highly stressed (nothing particularly stressful going on in our lives). Like...on the edge...like I could just snap or crumble at any minute. I do have some experience of anxiety but hormonal anxiety is something else. It feels different to normal anxiety.

I got some treat food in for later and lunch and I’d usually be enthusiastic about this but today I wasn’t fussed about eating. It felt like I was eating for the sake of it.

This old man in a big, posh car came whizzing around the corner in the car park whilst me and some other shoppers were crossing. His wife and I raised a friendly hand at each other as they let me continue crossing the road. However, I noticed the old man was angry about this and looked at me in a snobby/angry way...like a really nasty look so I gave him the bird :-/ and it wasn’t a flick of the bird either it was a deliberate ‘I’m going to stand in front of your car doing this right at you until you have to move you car around me’ :(

Sigh.
Usually I’d just be like ‘whatever’ over things like that. When I’m like this it’s almost like I am confrontational :’(

I can’t wait to feel normal again.

I don’t suppose anyone has any experience or tips for this? Anyone been made better my anything?

Oh in two days I put on 6lbs of weight. I had had a few naughty days but not 6lbs worth. Spent a couple of days non stop peeing before it came off again overnight. It is truly awful. There’s just so much going on, it’s overwhelming.

Boyfriend told me to go to see female neighbour for a chat or come on here 😊 when I talk about girl stuff he gets embarrassed and feels awkward lol.

Thank you so much for reading and for helping if you can xx

Honestly, I'd ask for a different coil. I was fitted with the copper coil after DD was born and it was okay at first, while I was breastfeeding, but the few years afterwards were horrendous, PMT for days, melting down for no reason, anger issues up the wazoo. I also tried mooncups but was so heavy they would flood in a few hours, deeply unpleasant. And I don't want to talk about the period cramps.
I went to the doctor when it was time to be removed and he was horrified that they had fitted me with it, was the first Dr to agree that that sort of heavy bleeding wasn't normal (I was told oh noone bleeds that much you much be mistaken ), suggested a different coil for a few months just to see.
It has been completely different. The only way I know I'm due on is that I am synced with DD and she warns me. I get maybe one day of horrible PMT, just weepy and tired and a bit more bolshy, but nothing major. And I don't bleed. Hardly at all, I wear a pad that can do me all day and it lasts a few days in all. It's insane how much difference it has made.
Go back to the Dr and insist this is not working, get it removed at the least. Some people get on with it, some, like us, absolutely do not.

Mallorie
It is so kind of you to post all that. Thank you so much.
I was really interested in what you had to say about the IUD.
Although mine is not hormonal...my periods, PMT, everything has been a great deal worse since I had it fitted. I have previously associated this with....well, they said my periods may be longer when they fitted it so I assumed these symptoms weren’t worse as such, more a case of me suffering them for longer which resulted in me feeling like they were worse. Now I think otherwise !!
What you say about your symptoms...mine are exactly like that right now.
I will make an appointment on Monday at the centre where I had it fitted. Maybe I’m just not agreeing with the copper...I’ve had it a year now...I need to try something else.

Again - thank you so much for taking the time to post that xx

I have a Mirina coil, it is hormonal, but it’s bloody brilliant.

It took about 3 months for me to settle, I had intermittent bleeding during that three month settling in time, then I’ve never had a period since. No bad moods, no sore boobs, no bloating etc.

If you can have an hormonal contraceptive, I’d absolutely recommend the Mirina.

The relief that I wasn't t going mad was ridiculous. You aren't either. Also randomly swearing at grumpy old men happens, don't beat yourself up over it.
I did mean to say your bf sounds lovely and patient as well!
I had asked for the mirena but turns out I was given the other one instead, I was bfing a 3 month old and had a toddler so in no state to listen to what had actually been discussed!
Go and get it out at the very least, can't do any harm.

Op ive had the copper coil for about a year as well and gradyally started to feel more and more as you do. My periods are tge same, staining/pantyliner required for a few days then full on flow. Not over 10 days though thats awful. Im fone over my period, its beforehand i feel everything you describe. Exhaustion, snappy and irrationally angry , weepy and anxious. I even went to the GP as i was worried i had depression. She took some bloods which i am waiting on the results of. Do you think yiu could be anemic or low on iron? Since ive been ive beem feeling a million times better, i dont know why, maybe the extra daylight or something.

Anyway, i haven't had proper periods for years, ive always been on hormonal contraception, pregnant or breastfeeding. I stopped bf about 6 months ago so what im sure Im feeling are pure PMT symtoms. Its just been so long since ive had normal cycles it is taking a bit of getting used to....I wouldnt rush into the Mirena, i hated it. Sure there was minimal blood loss and no mood swings like Im having now, but i was completely flat. Felt fine. No lows but no highs, once i got it out i felt back to normal. My sister was telling me a funny story shortly after and i realised i hadnt belly laughed in months and months!

Basically I'm saying dont rush into getting it out. Speak to your GP about treating your PMT as the alternative on the mirena isnt pleasant either.