Does this happen anyone else?

Sound Bite · 09-02-2014 08:49PM #1

Hi, I'm beginning to think I need help but just want to see if this is normal or not.

About a week before my period, I become almost unrecognisable. I get so angry and will have arguments for no real reasons. There is absolutely no talking to me. I'm aware of it but not fully if that makes any sense.

I can also go the opposite extreme where I cry for no reason at all. I focus on all the negatives in my life, feel hopeless and can't concentrate at all. It's like my brain shuts down.

This is so different from the person I usually am. I've lost relationships over this. I have a lot of female medical issues so wonder if it's connected.

I cannot continue like this. I'm not looking for medical diagnosis but wondering if this is extreme. People have suggested it's not and I'm concerned if I'm honest.

Can anyone relate to this?

EmmaGEM11 · 09-02-2014 09:22PM

Have you spoken to your GP about depression? Sorry mod if this is an inappropriate reply, I'm not trying to give any diagnosis, it's just what springs to my mind when I read the OP's post.

Merkin · 09-02-2014 09:25PM

You definitely should see someone. PMT can vary in severity from woman to woman but I think if its having such a negative impact on your life then it really needs to be addressed. Some Pills can really help regulate hormonal surges (and the resulting crazy lady behaviour) so you should probably keep a diary from the day your next period starts and throughout your entire cycle until your next period to record what exactly is happening.

Sound Bite · 09-02-2014 09:32PM

It's nearly like a two day depression if that makes any sense. In no way suicidal but very negative and miserable.

I'm fairly happy with life otherwise. It's complete extremes. It's gotten so bad that family and friends have commented on it in recent months.

It's been like this for as long as I can remember but seems to have worsened in the last year or two. I remember years ago in college breaking up with my boyfriend once a month! Crazy I know!

EmmaGEM11 · 09-02-2014 09:40PM

Are you on the pill? If so, have you tried changing it around?

Sound Bite · 09-02-2014 10:03PM

I'm on the pill and an using the same one for years. I've endo, pcos,and other issues so I don't to risk changing it if I can avoid it. It took a lot of experimenting to find one that suited me.

LegacyUser · 12-02-2014 03:55PM

Im exactly the same. What you have to remember is that it is hormones, you are not clinically depressed. It is a fact that two weeks leading up to period hormones go crazy. Some girls suffer worse, but its the same chemical reaction going on in all of us, its nature. I had to take anti-depressants during the two week faze and then i stop after tht, just to help get thru that time of my cycle. I am a completely different woman. I was getting seriously down in those two weeks, horrible negative thoughts too. I thought i was crazy or depressed or soemthing but it was just my hormones. Basicaly if u notice tht there is a definite cyccle to your symptoms and it revolves around your period then it is hormones and not clinical depresson or a personality disorder. First thing you need to do is visit your doc. If he/she isnt educated on this specific issue then find a doc who is. You dont have to suffer, it might just mean takin a tab for the two weeks to balance hormones. Google PMDD to get informed.

Saggyjocks · 14-02-2014 01:38PM

I can relate, this is exactly me, for about a whole week before I turn into a horrible moody cow, I'm not on the pill now but when I was on it I was worse. Im very sensitive to hormone changes throughout the month since coming off the pill. I can get so bad that now i have a holiday coming up and I've checked to see what part of my cycle I'll be at so I'll know if I'll be able to relax and enjoy it!

Babooshka · 14-02-2014 03:18PM

Sound Bite wrote: »

I'm on the pill and an using the same one for years. I've endo, pcos,and other issues so I don't to risk changing it if I can avoid it. It took a lot of experimenting to find one that suited me.

Have you heard of Agnus Castus? Please take a read of this article as it is very informative as to the dosage regulations and strange that the EMA have made it harder for it and a lot of other herbal medicines to be acquired in the doses that are considered effective enough to compete with pharmaceutical drugs. Good luck!

http://julietocallaghan.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/agnus-castus-and-pms-dont-buy-it-from-boots-or-holland-barrett-if-you-actually-want-it-to-work/

I got some myself recently for the same issues, too early to say whether or not it is working yet but I am hoping it will.

PS that blog is not mine nor anything to do with me, just something I found when investigating AC, and definitely worth a read.

sullivlo · 14-02-2014 03:58PM

Babooshka wrote: »

Have you heard of Agnus Castus? Please take a read of this article as it is very informative as to the dosage regulations and strange that the EMA have made it harder for it and a lot of other herbal medicines to be acquired in the doses that are considered effective enough to compete with pharmaceutical drugs. Good luck!

http://julietocallaghan.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/agnus-castus-and-pms-dont-buy-it-from-boots-or-holland-barrett-if-you-actually-want-it-to-work/

I got some myself recently for the same issues, too early to say whether or not it is working yet but I am hoping it will.

PS that blog is not mine nor anything to do with me, just something I found when investigating AC, and definitely worth a read.

And rightly so tbh!

Disclosure: I'm a scientist. I work in biological research / drug efficacy.

But the damage that can be done by certain supplements is horrendous. There needs to be regulation for homeopathic remedies. The reason there are more strict rules is that the trials that are published by homeopathy companies are not always reproducible. Drugs have to go through such rigorous screening and testing before any health claim can be made. That currently isn't the case with homeopathy and many trials have been recinded.

Take things with a pinch of salt. The placebo effect, while amazing for treating certain ailments, will do no good with serious life threatening illness. I read a tragic case (I can't post it here as it's subscription only) in a medical journal about a woman who died of breast cancer as she chose to treat it with herbal remedies.

I'm not saying it doesn't work. But herbal remedies that have shown to be effective as therapies are now licenced as drugs.

Merkin · 14-02-2014 04:09PM

sullivlo wrote: »

But the damage that can be done by certain supplements is horrendous.

Absolutely. Especially when contra-indicated with pharmaceutical drugs. I'm quite interested in herbal remedies but I think people underestimate just how potent they can be and self prescribing can be so so dangerous without people taking due care as to what effects they can have.

sullivlo · 14-02-2014 04:46PM

Merkin wrote: »

Absolutely. Especially when contra-indicated with pharmaceutical drugs. I'm quite interested in herbal remedies but I think people underestimate just how potent they can be and self prescribing can be so so dangerous without people taking due care as to what effects they can have.

Johns wort plus prescribed antidepressants = disaster.

Even simple things can be lethal.

Which is why I think there should be stricter regulation.

Merkin · 14-02-2014 04:52PM

John's Wort + contraceptive pill = renders Pill useless

LOTS of herbs + anticoagulants = potentially lethal!!!

pwurple · 15-02-2014 05:15PM

Not only can they have unexpected side-effects, but as they are completely unregulated, you cannot be sure if you are getting what is on the label, or if the strength is the same as the last time, or what else is in there as filler.

I'd discuss the severe PMT with your doctor. Maybe you are deficient in something (some vitamin?), or you can take your pill a different way to minimise effects.

handbagmad · 17-02-2014 06:09PM

Hi I was hoping there would be s thread on this
Im absolutely having the same if not worse symptoms as the op. I do also have clinical depression which makes the 2weeks pre period unbearable to an extent I try avoid all contact wit people
Its like the emotions be they anger,crying frustration starts building from me toes up I have no control over myself.
I was told to try evening primrose which turned me into a lunatic.
its very debilatating. Im 30 and don't have children.
I might get a blood test done to check the hormones. Does anyone know when is the best time in the cycle to have one done

Meow88 · 20-02-2014 02:38PM

Hi, I can completely relate to this.

My period started when I was quite young & I feel this really contributed to my mental health issues & affected my hormones greatly.

I have some "female medical issues" also. I was told I have PCOS too a few months ago & I suspect I have had it for years but it has got a lot worse since I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 2 years ago.

I definitely think your issues are related to your hormones. I know that PCOS can cause emotional distress when you are coming up to & going through your menstrual cycle. (Like crying for no reason, being very irritable/ frustrated & angry, depressed & so on).

A friend of mine also has PCOS but unlike me, she doesn't have any mental health issues but she does suffer from the above emotional distress.

I know that the contraceptive pill is supposed to be the only form of "treatment" or the only thing that can help (according to my GP), but due to my other mental health issues he won't give me a prescription for it.

The only advice I can give you is to start recording when you find you start to feel this way, what your menstrual cycle is like, pain etc.

Then have a chat with your GP & ask what your options are & if it would be beneficial for you to try another contraceptive pill.

Any key? · 21-02-2014 12:08AM

I have to say regardless of any of our personal experiences you have posted in your post that you might need help....so maybe that's what you need.

eeichi_girl · 06-03-2014 12:34PM

Sound Bite wrote: »

I'm on the pill and an using the same one for years. I've endo, pcos,and other issues so I don't to risk changing it if I can avoid it. It took a lot of experimenting to find one that suited me.

This sounds exactly like me 4 years ago. I became totally irrational about a week before my period. Just like you I was aggressive with an explosive temper, the world felt like it was crashing down on me and I thought everyone was against me.

I was on the same pill for years and tried changing which made the moods worse or different. I eventually gave up and just stopped taking the pill entirely. As soon as I was off it I became human again, plus I got my sex drive back. I told some of my friends and they had become the same when they got into their mid 20s! Myself and my husband just use condoms now and I will never go back on any hormone altering contraceptives because I was mental on them!

panda100 · 08-03-2014 09:21AM

meow23 wrote: »

Im exactly the same. What you have to remember is that it is hormones, you are not clinically depressed. It is a fact that two weeks leading up to period hormones go crazy. Some girls suffer worse, but its the same chemical reaction going on in all of us, its nature. I had to take anti-depressants during the two week faze and then i stop after tht, just to help get thru that time of my cycle. I am a completely different woman. I was getting seriously down in those two weeks, horrible negative thoughts too. I thought i was crazy or depressed or soemthing but it was just my hormones. Basicaly if u notice tht there is a definite cyccle to your symptoms and it revolves around your period then it is hormones and not clinical depresson or a personality disorder. First thing you need to do is visit your doc. If he/she isnt educated on this specific issue then find a doc who is. You dont have to suffer, it might just mean takin a tab for the two weeks to balance hormones. Google PMDD to get informed.

I don't know who is prescribing you anti depressants for two weeks, but anti depressants can't be used like that. You need to be taking them for at least 4 weeks to see any effects, and then you have to withdraw from them in a very regulated and safe way over about a month.

Op, I would chat to your gp about it. Maybe you could try and do some mindfulness to try and relax and centre yourself a bit?

Sound Bite · 30-06-2014 10:20PM

Hi, Just a quick update.

I went to the well woman clinic shortly after I last posted and the person I spoke to took me very seriously (much more so than my gp or gyn surprisingly!).

After some trial & error over the last few months, it appears that all I needed was a daily dosage of B6 (not as part of a multi vitamin).

The difference is extreme. So much so my sister, mum & 2 close friends have mentioned it. It doesn't fix the cramps etc but it appears to have really reduced the short temper & the tears!

Tigger99 · 30-06-2014 10:32PM

That's brilliant, I'm glad you found something that worked

It took me trying 5 different pills but I've found one with no side effects. It's wonderful when that happens. Just glad I persevered.

Merkin · 30-06-2014 10:43PM

That's brilliant Sound Bite, must be such a blessed relief for you!

Sound Bite · 30-06-2014 10:50PM

Thanks guys. Can't believe it was something so simple that fixed it. Delighted!

castaway_lady · 25-07-2014 09:27PM

Have you tried Evening Primrose Oil too? I find it great.

pwurple · 25-07-2014 10:15PM

Sound Bite wrote: »

Hi, Just a quick update.

I went to the well woman clinic shortly after I last posted and the person I spoke to took me very seriously (much more so than my gp or gyn surprisingly!).

After some trial & error over the last few months, it appears that all I needed was a daily dosage of B6 (not as part of a multi vitamin).

The difference is extreme. So much so my sister, mum & 2 close friends have mentioned it. It doesn't fix the cramps etc but it appears to have really reduced the short temper & the tears!

Delighted to hear you got it sorted. Vey often it's a low level in one of the b vitamins alright. Clinic was a good resort.

Does this happen anyone else?

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