PMS/Worsening Of Depression During Period--Options?
What do you do to help alleviate the symptoms of PMS? I get so down and depressed during PMS. I have an emotional breakdown for one day at least, every single month, and I was wondering what you ladies have done to help pick yourselves up from this? My period should be starting soon and I am already feeling the blues coming on.
What helps you? Thanks ladies.
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If the depression is bad enough to severely affect your quality of life, you may want to do a quick search on PMDD and see if it sounds like something to ask your doctor about.
For me, otherwise, sunshine and exercise both seem to help while they last (and with exercise 30 min - 1 hour after, about), and anything to get my mind off it -- reading, watching a movie, whatever. Chocolate and warm baths. I still get sad a couple days a month, though that's with the treatment for the PMDD. Without it I'm just inconsolable. Nothing helps.
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I don't have a breakdown...but I do get moodier. For me, keeping it under control got easier when I started to realize the connection. Once I figured out that it was hormonal, I was better at minding myself. And I'd make myself step back from situations that were frustrating me and pushing my buttons. I remind myself that part of the reason I'm upset is just hormones, and I'd try to think more objectively. Usually, that would calm me down...because most of the time there isn't really a good reason for me to be upset in the first place. I also try to take a bit of extra time to myself....take a hot bath, or go for a walk.
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I get more depressed around af time. I just try to do things that I like and make me happy, and remind myself that it will be over with in a couple of days.
You may wanna bring this up with your doc!
(((((hugs)))))
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Thank you for your replies, ladies. It's usually just one day and I just cry and have a little meltdown and it's over, but it's distressing to me although my husband is so sweet and says, "Hon, you do this every month. It's just hormones. It will pass" but I don't want to have to put him through it (or me). I'm going to try as you ladies suggested and go for a walk when I'm really down and also ask my doctor what she thinks.
*HUGS TO YOU ALL*
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I feel the same. My PMS lasts for at least 2 weeks, usually I notice a heavy mood swing after ovulaiton and it lasts until AF is about over. I know that it is all hormonal, but that doesn't help me. A few days of the month I feel downright suicidal. Don't know what to do against it. I wish I could pluck up the courage to speak to my doctor about that.
Sorry for the rant. I have not yet found a remedy. I find that exercisng helps against the blues but I have a hard time keeping a straight face and not break down into tears at work during these days, let alone exercise when I come home exhausted.
Do you take any kind of antidepressant? In your signature it says you are on Lexapro - is this an antidepressant? If so, maybe you can be switched to another antidepressant like Sarafem ("Prozac") which is supposed to help with PMS.
__________________ Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965)
Daughty, first of all, I am so sorry to hear that you suffer so much! Yes, Lexapro is an antidepressant. I've been on, lets see, lol: Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, Trazadone, Paxil, Luvox, Amitriptyline, Remeron, Serzone (allergic!) and Wellbutrin. Lexapro works the best for me, and I believe has given me my life back. I believe that through some more cognitive therapy and more exercising that I'll be able to stablize these mood swings a bit better. Maybe an addition of another anti-depressant during just PMS week would help, I'll have to ask.
I have been suicidal, I have tried to commit suicide, so hon, I know what it is like and believe me when I say there is no shame at ALL telling someone about it, especially a doctor. You can get your life back, but you have to tell someone what you are going through sweetie. I'm thinking of you and if you ever need to talk one on one, please PM me and we can even talk through email. *HUGS*
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Thanks for your kind words. I do not feel suicidal as in "about to commit suicide", I just think about it but I am not in danger.
I do not have any professional to talk to in my area - and if I talk to my gyn, she just wants to put me back on the Pill. Which I always hated.
__________________ Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965)
One thing that helps is for me to be a little 'selfish' and pamper myself. I do all the little things for myself that I might normally be too busy for. That really helps a lot.
__________________ I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. - Helen Keller
about 6 years ago I was suicidal 3 months in a row...the 3rd month I almost went through with it at 2 am when a friend called out of the blue and said she didn't know why but she HAD to talk to me. The next day I got my period and made the connection. All 3 months I was suicidal the night before my period showed up.
I still get moodier and sometimes more depressed but I also think because I know it is from my period that I can handle it better. I also agree that getting out, getting exercise, and chocolate definitely help.
Feel better.
Heather
__________________ Heather 28
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Heather, I know what you mean by being consoled by the fact that you know it is hormonally related and you can put a pinpoint on why it is occuring. It makes it less scary and easier to deal with, although we shouldn't have to deal with it at all. For a long time I accepted it as my cross to bear, but I continue to fight it and remember that I am not alone.
*HUGS*
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I've been having this problem for a few years. Recently it got to the point that I was feeling like it for two weeks out of every four so I've started taking Zoloft.
I have found that eating more carbs makes my PMT and depression much worse; but when you're depressed it's hard to stay on an eating plan! I have those weepy days too; it can be due to low progesterone levels so you could ask your Dr to check that for you as NPC could help.
Knowing it's hormonal can be a consolation but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. {hugs} to you
P.S. St John's Wort helped me in the past too - but I had to stop taking it as I recently started Dianette
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Got to wean myself off that carb overload I've been having lately...... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
it can be due to low progesterone levels so you could ask your Dr to check that for you as NPC could help.
I think so too; I most probably have low progesterone, as I always have spotting after I ovulated and my flow is very heavy.
__________________ Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965)
Just wanted to let you know that I know what you mean, I get that way too. If you ever need anyone to chat with just PM me. I am online often.
Take care!!
__________________ j_gee21nc ESL Teacher
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Thank you everyone for your kind words of support! It helps so much to know I'm not alone, although I hate the thought of anyone else going through this too. My progesterone levels are low but I can't take progesterone because I get my worst migraines on them. When I mean my worst I mean: I am in bed for three days, vomiting (s0 bad I get badly dehydrated), my blood pressure soars dangerously, I'm crying and curling up in a ball and my usual meds won't touch it! So I'm $crewed unless I get a narcotic shot from my migraine specialist, and I don't like the effect of narcotics on my body even though the pain relief stops my pain, vomiting and I won't need IV fluids from the dehydraton.
It's been 34 days since my last period. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Just come on already!!
*shakes fist at AF*
Anyway, I adore you ladies and can't thank you enough.
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PMS/Worsening Of Depression During Period--Options? 
Yes, Lexapro is an antidepressant. I've been on, lets see, lol: Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, Trazadone, Paxil, Luvox, Amitriptyline, Remeron, Serzone (allergic!) and Wellbutrin. Lexapro works the best for me, and I believe has given me my life back. I believe that through some more cognitive therapy and more exercising that I'll be able to stablize these mood swings a bit better. Maybe an addition of another anti-depressant during just PMS week would help, I'll have to ask.
