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General health

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Original poster

Help for frighteningly bad PMT whilst on citalopram, GP doesnt want to know.

20 replies

lucyellensmum · 29/05/2008 15:24

This is getting ridiculous now - ive spent most of the day in tears. My stomach is killing me and i feel miserable (and i feel better than i did this morning). YEs i have stress in my life just now, but every month (or two - i have a marena) i just fall apart. I told my doctor, its a locum, she was a bitch, and she basically told me to get on with it, despite me telling her i had contemplated suicide the day before . No advice, just a bollocking for being late and relying on ADs.

Does anyone have any ideas re herbal remedies that wont interfere with the ADs. I looked at magnesium OK, but it said it had lots of side effects that i wasnt wanting to have.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 29/05/2008 15:27

do you mean you have a Mirena coil?

because if you do, get rid of it and your PMT and depression will probably improve.

call your local Family Planning Clinic and do not take NO for an answer.

progesten-based contraception can be a REAL problem in women who have or have had a history of postnatal depression or any type of depression in general.

GET IT OUT.

mumoftwo37 · 29/05/2008 15:27

I would have the mirena out - I had one for 6 months but I got terrible mood swings and DH and DS's were always in the line of fire! I,also had stomach ache and bloating every month, it was more trouble than it was worth. Had it out 2 weeks ago and GP was ver sympathetic when I told her my symptoms. Can you not go back and see another doctor?

WigWamBam · 29/05/2008 15:27

See a different doctor.

There are many, many different ads you can try.

Did you have this problem before you had the Mirena fitted? Because it could be that the Mirena isn't helping.

expatinscotland · 29/05/2008 15:28

there are a number of threads in archives in the Health topic about the Mirena coil.

one is nearly a thousand posts long and the vast majority of posters in that thread had horrible, negative side-effects from it.

it works for some women, but it's definitely NOT for everyone.

Original poster

lucyellensmum · 29/05/2008 16:26

do you really think it coudl be the marena - i certainly was battling before i had it, but things came to a head within six months of it being fitted. My doctor (my nice doctor) was absolutely adamant that it wasn't the coil. Ive read the threads and agree taht it is certainly not for everyone, in fact i think its a pile of shit, but really cannot risk another pregnancy and the pill doesnt suit me

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 29/05/2008 18:31

YES, I really do think it's your Mirena.

There are many women who found that it exercerbated their depression and no doctor or healthcare will ever admit it.

Well, sorry, I can't see where all these women are making it up.

Many also put on weight they were unable to shift and had breasts so sore they were incredibly painful.

Try a non-hormonal coil, it's just as effective and don't contain the progesten.

A GYN ruled out Depo and the implant for me because of my depression.

DO NOT BE FOBBED OFF.

They will tell you it is not the Mirena.

And that is bullshit.

expatinscotland · 29/05/2008 18:32

See the family planning clinic if you get nowhere with the GPs AND be hardcore that you are not keeping that Mirena in.

CarGirl · 29/05/2008 18:36

I've booked to have my mirena out next week, I've had it for 2.5 years. It seems that I'm fine for a while and then have PMT like I am pregnant for a few weeks at a time. I'm not convinced it is the mirena but have decided the only way to decide this is to have it taken out!

I'm a bit nervous about relying on condoms but I don't like crying about everything for 2-3 weeks solid for no real reason. The combined and mini-pill didn't suit me either, I also have a history of depression. I've been pregnant, bf or on the mirena for 7.5 years I don't think my body knows if it is coming or going tbh.

Original poster

lucyellensmum · 29/05/2008 18:57

the nurse asked if i had a history of depression, but it was undiagnosed - i really feel it has made it worse, i have no sex drive either

OP posts:

NotABanana · 29/05/2008 18:58

Agnus Castus.

My GP told me to take them and I have really noticed this month when I was due on and hadn't taken them. Really really rec them.

Would tell your GP about the locum

expatinscotland · 29/05/2008 19:00

There are so many women with depression or a history of depression who had nothing but trouble with the Mirena or any type of progesten-based contraception.

CarGirl · 29/05/2008 19:00

Just to add the dr at the FPC spoke to me on the phone last night (when trying to book the appt) and she told me 1001 reasons why I shouldn't have it taken out but I am going to.

expatinscotland · 29/05/2008 19:04

Yes, I have found you have to be very firm with all these people.

They don't like to take them out, because apparently they cost about £100 to fit in each person.

And you will never ever hear any of them admit that the Mirena can fuck you up.

Not a one.

They'll make you think you are making it all up.

expatinscotland · 29/05/2008 19:04

Yes, I have found you have to be very firm with all these people.

They don't like to take them out, because apparently they cost about £100 to fit in each person.

And you will never ever hear any of them admit that the Mirena can fuck you up.

Not a one.

They'll make you think you are making it all up.

emma1977 · 29/05/2008 20:04

Please go back and see another GP about your depression.

It is difficult to say whether your coil is definitely causing problems with your mood, but it may be. If you are happy with a coil, then you could easily have it swapped to a non-hormonal one. Contact your local FPC to discuss it. As others have said, depression can be made worse with any form of progesterone-based contraception.

Good luck

expatinscotland · 29/05/2008 20:21

I didn't realise it could easily be changed, emma.

Thanks for that.

The OP had mentioned she definitely needs some reliable contraception, but it looks like from what she said other hormonal contraception forms aren't for her.

LEM, there are plenty of threads on here, too, from people who have the copper/non-hormonal coil if you want to search the archives.

Original poster

lucyellensmum · 29/05/2008 20:40

I had a copper iud before though and it gave me terrible tummy cramps and awfully heavy periods, is this likely to happen again?

OP posts:

emma1977 · 29/05/2008 21:01

Possibly not because the mirena will have thinned out your womb lining a bit. I suppose you will only know by giving it a bash.

Coils can be taken out and replaced at the same time.

Original poster

lucyellensmum · 29/05/2008 21:05

I'm quite tempted emma, i might make an appointment. As it turned out, the nurse who advised me re the coil was the same nurse i broke down on when my depression got too much for me, she may well sympathise. I'll make an appointment .

NAB what is this with the cactus called angus??

OP posts:

NotABanana · 30/05/2008 13:46

Agnus Cactus

You can get them from Holland & Barrett and I nkow they help me and work for me from the times I have missed them.

here hth

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