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Original poster

Seeing Doctor tonight about pmt - but will I get fobbed off?

32 replies

lisasimpson · 30/06/2008 14:24

I have had it for years, but is definitely worse since Ds2 was born two years ago. I only have psychological effects but it's getting bad enough to think I can't go on if it isn't sorted. I feel angry, irritable, depressed and dissatisfied for a week before my period is due.

What has finally prompted me to make an appointment is for the past two months I have also had it for five days around ovulation!

Will he just fob me off with epo vit b6 etc? all of which I have tried over the years but I don't think I can wait months while trying all the herbal options again. Besides there are so many 'alternative' therapies they would cost a fortune and what works for one may not work for another...

OP posts:
oneplusone · 30/06/2008 15:03

Sorry I can't help but I'm the same, i feel like i could murder someone before my period and it is like you definately worse since I had DS also 2 years ago. (I had DD nearly 5 years ago). I'm 38 btw, how old are you if you don't mind me asking?

I'm wondering if it's age related and could be the start of the peri-menopause or something?

Please post again after your appointment, I would be very interested to hear how it went.

Original poster
lisasimpson · 30/06/2008 15:18

oneplusone I was just reading your other posts on 'who regrets becoming a mum!' I'm 38 too! my poor dh and children (I also have a five year old and a 2 year old) have to keep out of of my way. I also have an underactive thyroid but apparently it's fine at the moment. Appointment is at 6 but I will report back at some time tonight.

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oneplusone · 30/06/2008 15:48

hi, very interesting thread that is, what's your feeling about becoming a mum?

Original poster
lisasimpson · 30/06/2008 17:06

Well although i love my kids dearly and couldn't imagine being without them now, if I knew then what I know now...probably wouldn't have touched parenthood with a barge pole to be honest! I still 'grieve' for my pre-children life and the flexibility/spontineity I used to have. I got the impression you felt similarly I really felt for your honest posts.

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lizziemun · 30/06/2008 17:13

I'm 38 too and have bad pmt. It did get worse after i had dd1 (4.5yrs) and went back on the pill. It was very bad to the point i woke up one night and if DH had woken and spoke to me i would have attacked him .

I have found that coming off the pill i have been much better, still bad but no more voilent urges.

I find it get angry, irritable a week before my period and then the week after i get depressed and dissatisfied, so i'm a bundle of joy for 3 weeks a month no wonder dh hides in his office of a night .

I do think i'm peri-menopausual as both my mum and nan went through menopause early.

Original poster
lisasimpson · 30/06/2008 20:07

well I'm back and he prescribed fluoxetine (prozac) 20mg. He was better than I expected and said that in his experience hormone treatments weren't that effective. I mentioned the mid cycle problem and he said that was probably coincidence and not hormone related I've to try them for two months and see how I get on, so looks like I will be trawling for prozac posts now to see what others think! at least he took me seriously and I was desperate enough to take any lifeline to be honest.
He did not even consider the menopause lizzimum-have you tried anything other than the pill?

OP posts:
Twizzler · 30/06/2008 20:12

Hi Lisasimpson - have just posted for this exact thing! No replies as yet though.

I was unsure about going to GP but may think about it now.

Hi Oneplusone! Was just about to do another post on "Who regrets becoming a mum"....had tough day! PMT as well-deep joy!

Twizzler · 30/06/2008 20:17

Don't know which thread to post on now - LOL - yes, let us know how it goes.

Good luck .

mumtofour · 30/06/2008 22:16

HI
Just posted on Twizzler's other thread. My PMT has seemed to get worse as I get older, I am 38. I have been using a RIO Light Mask for the last four months and I must admit I have been amazed at how much it helps. I too have divorced my husband on a monthly basis and screamed at kids and felt totally out of control at times. Yet I do feel less of these symptoms since using the mask.

Ledodgy · 30/06/2008 22:17

Just wanted to wish you luck I need to see my GP about this too. Mine has got so much worse since having ds2 I truly get the red mist which is weird because I was like this through the pregnancy too.

Original poster
lisasimpson · 01/07/2008 10:23

it seems like 38 is the unlucky number! I spoke to a couple of friends about the prescription today and got very negative responses. I am a bit concerned about the potential side effects but at least I don't have to pay for these unlike the epo, starflower oil, vit b6, agnus castus, relflexology, accupuncture etc. etc. Doctor said I should notice a difference in about two weeks but I would have been feeling better then anyway.
I also find I need to eat very frequently as low blood sugar makes it worse - anyone else?
Thanks for all the good luck wishes

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oneplusone · 01/07/2008 13:25

hi, sorry if i sound thick but why has your GP given you an anti-depressant for PMT? Is prozac an AD? I'm not entirely sure but i thought it was.

Last year i saw a herbalist about some other issues and she gave me something which completely eradicated the pmt within about 2 weeks. The effects lasted for a few months but has obviously worn off now as i was murderous at the weekend. My periods have also been very irregular since having DS, previously they were like clockwork, every 4 weeks. In fact I'm sure i was due a few days ago but no sign yet and i'm definately not pregnant as DH has had the snip!

Have you tried all those things you mentioned in your last post? I presume none of them worked?I have had a very stressful 2 years since DS was born, due to various family issues, i feel like i've been on an emotional rollercoaster for the past 2 years and it's only slowing down now. The herbalist i saw said that long term stress plays havoc with everything and can throw your hormones out of balance etc and i'm sure that's what's happened to me, the stress has messed everything up and hence the irregular periods and mega PMT. I might actually go back to the herbalist and give it another go.

Original poster
lisasimpson · 01/07/2008 16:59

Haven't tried the acupuncute or reflexology but have tried the rest. Yes Prozac is an AD but is also a recognised treatment for pmt. Don't really have any other stresses myself as I recently finished work but it has definitely got worse since the underactive thyroid was diagnosed. Pretty sure that the two are related! Let us know how you get on at the herbalist.

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pannetone · 01/07/2008 22:36

I was first prescribed prozac for PMT 8 years ago. I'd done my web research and found that it could be prescribed for 'pre menstrual dysphoric disorder' which is pretty much PMT or PMS. Had been to GP on and off over the years - tried B6, evening primose oil, and St John's Wort but none of them did enough. Years ago prescribed progesterone suppositories which were a complete nuisance to use and didn't seem to help at all. 8 years ago had had miscarriage followed by raging PMT when my periods resumed. Was trying to conceive DC no. 3 and thought I'd rather use a PMT remedy that was medically prescribed. GP checked he could prescribe prozac for PMS and confirmed it would be OK if I conceived whilst taking it. (Had a friend who carried on taking prozac for depression during her pregnancy)So I took it and it was good... much better than anything else I'd tried. Still know when it's that time of the month but the anger, aggression, irritability and depression have really diminished.
Took prozac for almost a year before conceived DS3. Then managed without whilst BFing him, followed by a miscarriage, becoming pregnant with DD and BFing her. Within a couple of months I returned to the GP for prozac - struggled after No 4 pre menstrually. My PMS seems to have got worse with subsequent children or my age! (now 42). So now been taking prozac for 18 months and it really helps - don't notice any side effects either.

Original poster
lisasimpson · 02/07/2008 12:14

pannetone - thanks for that it is useful to hear from someone who has taken it for this reason successfully. I have not cashed in the prescription yet as it feels like a big step to take, it just helps knowing I have it incase I need it.

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woodenchair · 02/07/2008 14:08

Hi, another 38 yo with raging pmt here. I went to the gp about mine about 3 months ago. I have it for about 2-3 weeks every month, and it seems much worse since having ds. She was really good and gave me all sorts of blood tests for thyroid, hormones, perimenopause etc. all of which came back negative. I'm going back next week to talk to her about getting my coil removed as I don't think the hormones are helping.

I'm currently trying bach flower remedies as suggested by someone on another thread, and I think they helped this weekend. I was in my normaly black hole on saturday so took some and definitely felt a bit better by sunday. Has anyone else tried them?

wasabipeanut · 02/07/2008 14:12

I've had a bloody nightmare with this since stopping bf and cycle returning to normal - I posted about it recently too. I was really upset after shouting as ds and just felt like a mean, horrible mum.

Have started taking evening primrose and watching foods intake more closely. regular meals, dropping sugar etc. Blood sugar does apparently make a difference. Been better the last few days but I'm now mod cycle ish when presumably it would be better anyway. The real test will come in a week to 10 days.

Lisasimpson I hope you start to see an improvement soon whichever route you opt for.

oneplusone · 02/07/2008 14:32

I currently seem to have PMT (was ready to murder at the weekend) but no period! I know I can't be pregnant so what on earth is going on?!

Original poster
lisasimpson · 02/07/2008 14:52

oneplusone - maybe (as mine does) you are starting to get the symptoms earlier now? mine used to vary from being the first few days of the period, to a few days before and is now usually a week before. Other than that maybe it is something to do with the menopause? (how long ago did hubby have the snip?)

OP posts:
Original poster
lisasimpson · 02/07/2008 14:53

do you have a mirena coil woodenchair? my friend has just got one and swears by them - no more pmt but I know for some people it just makes it worse!

OP posts:
oneplusone · 02/07/2008 15:02

hi lisa, i think you are probably right, i do get the pmt and then there is a gap before the period, but am sure my period was due a few days ago (although admittedly i haven't been keeping a proper note of dates etc).

Hubby had snip in sep last year and we got the all clear in jan this year, so the op does appear to have worked...could it somehow reverse itself a few months later?

I think i am going to buy pregnancy a test kit just for peace of mind. Hopefully just buying it will bring on the period!

woodenchair · 02/07/2008 16:13

Lisa, I do have a mirena and love the fact I haven't had a period for 3 years, and the convience, but I'm not sure if it's making my pmt worse. I was on the pill years ago and it was pretty ugly, very bad pmt for 3 weeks every month, I started to really doubt my mind until I came off it. A few months later it was like a huge fog had been lifted.

DP thinks it's as bad as it was before ds, but I think it's worse, I'm becoming more withdrawn, which I think I'm using as a mechanism to stop me lashing out iyswim.

ManxMum · 02/07/2008 16:47

The prozac has been a life saver for me, PMT has definately deminished and the Dr said it's okay to take long term.
I am starting to get erratic periods, (I'mm 44) and have even recentl missed some altogether. I had a blood test about 18 months ago that said I wasn't menopausal, could I be now?
My PMT starts a week before and I get severely depressed on days 3 and 7 of my period. 35 years of hell, no man would up with the same!!

ManxMum · 02/07/2008 16:49

you can tell I'm pre menstrual atm by my spelling!

woodenchair · 02/07/2008 16:56

Manxmum, do you take it daily? If you do, what are you like on the days you don't need the prozac? Do you feel normal still?