PMT - does anyone get premenstrual tension in the form of panic attacks?

[Twiglett]

I switched contraceptives about 3 months ago because was getting bad side-effects (temper / rages / irritability)

the new one seems like a godsend, but I am due on in a day or so and just feel heightened anxiety leading to panic attack style feelings ..

Am wondering if the hormones are / could be causing this?

Twigs - I posted on a thread about this last night!

What exactly are the symptoms you are feeling?

I have never suffered from panic attacks, but did have dreadful racing heart and fainting symptoms at the early stages of the menopause, which were quite alarming.

After a fair bit of investigation, it appeared that the hormone surges (that one would perhaps associate with hot flushes) were triggering an adrenalin response, which in turn led to the racing heart, which lowers the blood pressure and then leads to fainting. I can easily see that if one of these episodes had happened on public transport or while speaking at an event - I would have described it as a panic attack.

Can you describe a bit more the physiological symptoms you get?

tight chest, increasingly conscious of breathing which then feels difficult, sweaty palms, walk around flapping with heightened anxiety .. generally a panic attack really ... oh and then loose bowels which is a physiological response I know

I have in the past had panic attacks but they are under control so I recognise it I think

but am still feeling generally weird around chest .. like low level anxiety which makes falling asleep difficult

new pills have been markedly better for me .. but this is only 3rd cycle .. and this is first time have experienced these panic like feelings

DH thinks it could be, because I always get upset by mess just before period (a nesting style instinct I think) and start cleaning madly at odd horus

Hi Twig, I would say that stress is causing the panicky feelings rather than your hormones. Obv stress increases during PMT. How did you beat the panic attacks before?

I had them for a while and found this book absolutely blardy brill - they also do one specifically for panic attacks.

I also do: no coffee or alcohol, lots of supplements (spirulina, iron, b6, vit c) and early bed, plus some gentle exercise and always feel better.

I also recommend staying away from any threads to do with the Times article

hope you feel better soon.

I have no experience of panic attacks in PMT, but I do think that PMT can take many shapes and forms. I used to get constipated 24 hours before my period began and have dreadful insomnia the night before. All the doctors I spoke to about it rolled their eyes and didn't believe me, but it happened for so long and so predictably (and I had a pretty irregular cycle, so I didn't know before those symptoms when my period was going to start) that it just had to be PMT.

Twiglett - waht Enid says makes sense, but then like Anna, my experience is that hormones can have significant physiological effects.

I would focus on finding some tips for helping to relieve the stress - or maybe some anti anxiety drugs (I think some beta blockers do this) to take for say the week before your period?

yes interesting .. thanks guys .. I'm not good at taking drugs though .. taking drugs (ie putting some foreign chemical in my body) is one of the things that throws me into a panic attack ... I can manage the pill though and general analgesics ... I occasionally get bad reaction to food supplements too

sorry, I'm a bit of a freak in my later years

i get panicky 2 days before my period. Definitely hormones. I am not on the pill and in fact they were worse when I was on the pill. Its horrid but I know they will go away.

have you always felt like that mousemole?

yes but only made the link a few years ago ( now 33 !). Herbs have helped as well as big doses of vitamin B. I have had 2 episodes of panic attacks in my life as well -one when I was 11 and very stressed about a scholarship entrance exam and another set when I did my finals. Oh and I currently cant drive on motorways as had a PA when driving on one when DS1 was 6 weeks old.
PS - what is The Times article thread ?