Help please - PMT's getting worse and I really need some advice

[Dottydot]

For the past few months my PMT, (which has always been fine - minor mood swings but I've always known what it was and been able to get through it) has been getting a lot worse and I'm getting to the stage where I'm dreading the next time I get it.

Last week I was ready to book an appointment with my GP because I thought I was depressed - everything was bleak, I was crying constantly - at work and home and I couldn't see a way through it all. Then my period started and I'm fine - back to being me. I didn't/couldn't see that it was PMT, just felt like life was awful and I should give up my job/run away etc.

Soooo, I've got 3 and a half weeks until my next period! Can anyone advise on anything I can try taking to alleviate what feels like mini episodes of depression?

OMG Dotty this is exactly the same as me, I could have written your post in fact, down to the exact same timing/almost booking GP apptmt. My HUGE sympathies, it is absolutely awful/terrifying isn't it? Sorry I don't have the answers but would be v interested to see if anyone else does!
BIG HUG xxx

I went through the same as you and started taking Magnesium OK (from Boots Well Womens section £10 for 3 months supply - take one a day)and also Agnus Castus available from JustVitamins online.

They have changed my life. I am no longer the ranting bitch from hell every month.

ooh - thanks for the recommendation. I've actually gone ahead and booked a GP appointment as I have to take ds for something anyway. Bizarrely have got an appt. for 8.10am tomorrow! Will report back with what the GP recommends. Jacksmybaby - yes, it's really scary feeling so out of control emotionally for that one week a month. Just want to get back on an even keel...

Yes I booked a GP's appointment too. The morning before I went I then googled Pre-menstrual Syndrome (I'd recommend doing this) to read more about severe PMT. I read that the only thing the GP can do is prescribe anti-depressants which I didn't want as I'm fine the rest of the month.

I then cancelled the GP's appointment and started taking the Magnesium OK and Agnus Castus. I am not joking when I say they have changed me. I feel rational and sane now, before I was making mine, my kids and DH's life a misery (as well as feeling very low and depressed myself for a week each month).

Good luck, I know how awful this can be.

Dottydot, my sympathies as I too could have written your post!!

I have always suffered but the last year it

has increased 10 fold. I am 45 & wonder if

this has something to do with it? Also I am

a very unhappy with my life at present so

I'm also wondering if this too is making my

symptoms worse!

I have tried ep ,B6, angus cactus etc.

Only vitamins with iron & exercise used to

help.. Please let us know what the dr. says..

Yes, I think the fact that I'm very stressed at work at the moment, exhausted and trying to move house doesn't help..! I think I'm probably a bit down all the time and therefore just can't cope the week before my period.

Am worried I'll turn into a blubbering wreck at the GP tomorrow, but am taking ds2 for something else as well (have got a double appt. slot, how ) so will have to hold it together...

I have terrible PMT - I tried the Agnus Castellus as well but I kept forgetting to take it . In fact, my x dp used to ask me if 'it was that week or coming up' . I'm also tearful at the mo but that is probably Christmas stress. I'll be looking out for the magnesium ok. I wonder if this is down to age and/or more regular periods - ten years ago, I used to get chocolate cravings, now I'm like Atilla the Hun .

My friend says evening primrose oil, taken daily, really helps - wondered if anyone else has tried it? I'm finding my PMT has got much worse since I turned 40 a year ago, and at the same time my skin and hair have got much greasier, which is horrible. Any suggestions to improve this?

I have tried everything for PMT, - high strength evening primrose, agnus castus, vitamin b6, magnesium ok, regular exercise, good diet, etc and the only thing that works for me is regular exercise & cutting down on alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, sugar.

My PMT is getting worse as Im getting older. My GP told me last time I was there that if it doesnt get any better then I will ahve to get on the Prozac -apparently this is what GP's prescribe for really bad PMT. I only get 2 good week a month BTW .

not neccesarily prozac but A anti depressant.

Dottydot me too, not quite as bleak but I find it v v tough, feel v negative and stroppy etc. When my period starts it's like the sun coming out after a storm...

So I'll read this thread with interest. Apols, no solution but sympathy.

I';m 41 btw, feel it's got worse in past few years. Interesting about magnesium

Ditto here too - i turn in to a person i really hate to be - and to be around, 2 weeks before my period. It's not fair on my son or anyone who i come into contact with, i really do turn into a troll bitch from hell.

I have seen doctors and several gynae specialists but my options at this stage appear to be either the Mirena coil or a hysterectomy. I'm only 42 but have been suffering with this for 20 or so years. I am going to try the Mirena and have read all the posts about it on MN. It seems it is fantastic for 50% and totally crap for the other 50%...i can but hope.

As Missy mentioned, my last consultant said that Prozac used to be the best possible medication to take for PMT but is no longer licenced for PMT anymore due to European rulings.

Defo let us know how you get on at the docs tomorrow Dottydot.

Mines got a lot worse recently. I'll try the stuff suggested here. Someone once suggested omega 3's as a mood stabiliser (not necessarily for PMT but who knows might help).

This is all really interesting. Itsmyparty - how long did it take for the supplements to have an effect for you?

I was told on here a few months ago that agnus castus takes a few months to kick in . I'm really bad at taking supplements though.

Well, my GP was a real sweetheart and very gently told me (as I sat there sobbing) that he thought I was depressed... So we filled in the depression scale thingy and I came out at 14 (12+ = depressed), so not severely, but it didn't come as a surprise. I'm at a low ebb generally but haven't wanted to admit it - I haven't got time to be depressed! The PMT just exacerbates it and sends me spiralling for a week.

So, he's prescribed fluorextine (Prozac) to be taken every day to see if it can lift me and hopefully even out the PMT as well.

Fingers crossed it does the trick - and looking for a new job is definitely my New Year's resolution!

Glad everything went well at the GP's. I thought he might prescribe Prozac. I will be going back for the same reason next week.

Glad he was sympathetic Dotty, hope things start improving soon. x

Dotty, hope they work for you, prozac is used for pmt over in america.

Dotty are u still around? How are u getting on? Are the ADs kicking in yet?
Was thinking of u today as my pmt seems to have started again for the month, and you seem to be on roughly the same timing as me cycle-wise!
I went to the gp too today and now on fluoxetine too.
xx