Ladies, I don't know what has come over me the past few months. I am an emotional mess. I've been keeping track of it since Sept. It's always around the time my period starts, but I have never been like this before. I thought it was stress because I was worried about our finances. Well, that hasn't changed but I did confess it all to DH so were moving forward. Last month I was thinking weird crazy thoughts. I thought things I have never even pondered. I am the center of my childrens world, but I don't feel worthy of that loyalty anymore. Here is the thing, nothing has changed!!! Why suddenly am I so hard on myself and why does it go away for a few weeks? When it comes back it's fierce. I can't sleep. I have a knot in my stomach. I feel nauseated(sp?) all day. I can't eat. I feel so nervous. In Nov. and Dec. I could hardly breath sometimes.
I have been very vocal to DH about this and now I'm starting to see him worry about me. So I don't want to tell him anymore. His job is very stressful. I don't want to add to his worries.
When it goes away I'm back to my old self. Happy and content.
Two nights ago I woke up at 1:00 and could not go to sleep. I watched TV. I counted. I prayed. I sang. Finally at 4:30 I broke down and cried and ended up crying myself to sleep. Last night I woke up at 4:00 and tossed and turned.I feel so nervous. My stomach is upset. I ask myself what is wrong???? I don't have the answer. I worry about our finances, but we are still hanging in there so I tell myself to stay
positive. My family is happy and healthy.
Any one else ever feel this way? Any advice?
Thanks.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 09:46 am:

Sounds like anxiety to me. Anxiety can get so bad, that it's hard to breathe.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 11:31 am:

Sounds like it might be PMDD, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. PMDD is a condition where women experience emotional and physical problems, often severe, many women can suffer through PMDD symptoms for up to 14 days(following ovulation). Generally symptoms are worse during the last seven to ten days of the cycle, ending (lessinging in those that have underlying emotional imbalances) at or soon after the start of the menstrual period. The symptoms are, depressed mood or dysphoria, anxiety or tension, emotional lability, irritability, decreased interest in usual activities, concentration difficulties, marked lack of energy, marked change in appetite, overeating or food cravings, sleepiness or insomnia, and feeling overwhelmed. Symptoms usually go away (lessen) after menstruation begins, the time which they are present can affect work, school, and cause problems in your close relationships.

If women have a history of mental disorders such as bipolar, depression, or a diagnosed mental condition, PMDD can make these symptoms dramatically worse prior to the onset of menstruation. In most cases of PMS/PMDD, there are patterns of hormone imbalance, an increased ratio of estrogen to progesterone, or neurotransmitter (serotonin and norepinephrine) fluctuations that can be uncovered through testing.

Low progesterone levels can cause symptoms such as insomnia, dizziness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, extreme changes in mood, bloating, weight gain, muscle pain, joint pain, and urinary incontinence. Other possible symptoms of low progesterone may include frequent urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis, changes in appetite, hot flashes, cold chills, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. As I stated these can be found through testing.

An underactive thyroid can cause a decrease in hormone levels and an overactive thyroid can cause an increase in hormone levels. Both thyroid issues can cause emotional disturbances as the hormone levels increase at ovulation and during the 14 days (or so) prior to the onset. This to can be found through testing.

My suggestion, journal your feelings, both emotional (anger for no reason, sadness for no reason etc) and physical (always cold, always hot, tingling etc), when they come on and what they feel like and take yourself to the doctor.

You are likely causing yourself, your family and all those around you issues that don't need to be there. There are so many treatments out there now a days, there has to be away to treat your symptoms. Go see a doctor hun, don't suffer through this any more. ((((HUGS)))) anon, you aren't alone in these issues, many woman are suffering through with you. Take the steps to help your self, if for nothing else, for your children.

By Dana on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 05:44 pm:

Because of the cycles you describe, I would suggest PMDD as well. I have been diagnosed with it, and I swear it is like a light switch being turned on. I can be great and then with a "click of the switch" I am a different person. And it doesn't switch back til it's over about 2 wks later.

If you keep a journal of your moods, take that to your dr and go from there. I was given Sarfem and it was wonderful.

By Dana on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 05:44 pm:

sarafem I left out the a.

By Anonymous on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 09:12 pm:

Thank you ladies. I googled PMDD and emailed my doctor. I have an appointment on Fri. morning.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 10:30 pm:

Great news... Hope you are able to walk out with answers. (((more hugs)))

By Dana on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 08:23 pm:

if they do decide it is PMDD, go generic on the drug. The cost is something like $12 a bottle now vs the $80 it was about 5 years ago. And the actual Sarafem was around $120. Sarafem is actually prozac in lower dose. You only take it during your "weird" times. Studies have shown best results doing it this way rather than taking it daily as you would if you were taking prozac as an antidepressant. Prozac has a generic name that I can't think of.

By Mlee on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 10:22 pm:

Sounds similar to what happened to me when I was in my mid 30's to 40's. It took me a long time to figure it out because I'd never had menstrual problems before. I didn't realize it could develop during adulthood. My doctor didn't have much to offer at that time, so I tried accupuncture. I did that weekly then monthly or every other month for a few years. It provided a moderate amount of relief. (I eventually had a hysterectomy for other reasons, and I sure don't miss those parts!) I'm glad to hear there are medicines now. I hope they can help. It's no fun.

By Anonymous on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 02:02 pm:

I completely feel for you. I have four kids, after I finished nursing the last one, BAM, i got hit with this hormonal flux that I did not understand. I explain it like this. I could tell by the calender that it was time to load up for the trip, I started off on the trip with anxiety, cravings and tiredness, after a few days of sleep deprivation, overeating and grumpiness, I began speeding down the road and no matter what I did, I couldn't stop the trip, I knew what I did, said and felt didn't make sense and were horrible to those around me, but I couldn't stop, I just accelerated and took anyone out who was in my path, mainly my family. My period was the destination, it was pure Relief I could get off the train, end the nasty trip I was on and live pleasently for about 20 more days
so in desperation to get help I did a clinical study for PMDD, the medication is now on the market as YAZ, it did seem to lessen my symptoms, however it was too much like being on the BC pill for me: nausea, leg aches weight gain. After the study was completed I really knew I needed help so I visited a OB/GYN that specializes in bio identical hormone replacement. I had ZERO testosterone and my progesterone fluxauated way low during pms time, I know have continual testosterone and use bio identical progesterone for 12 days per month. I also started taking thyroid after over a year of knowing I needed it, but was reprehensive for many reasons. So now I feel wonderful! Bottom line is really look at all of your symptoms, all of your options and treat yourself completely, not just one aspect.

By Anonymous on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 02:03 pm:

Duh, that should say apprehensive about the thyroid and not reprehensive. hit the button too quick.

Anon, good luck, let us know what happens on Friday

By Mlee on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 09:43 pm:

Anon said:
Bottom line is really look at all of your symptoms, all of your options and treat yourself completely, not just one aspect.

I second that!

By Anonymous on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 02:19 pm:

I had to cancel my appt. for today because my dr. wanted to do a routine pap also and Aunt Flo is still here. I have an appt. for next Wed. I have been researching a lot the past few days and now my questions are leading more towards medicating or trying herbal remedies. I have a lot of questions for the dr.! Do you guys have suggestions for things I need to consider or ask?Thank you guys for caring and taking the time to respond!!!

By Anonymous on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 11:40 am:

I went to the dr. on Wed. and she prescribed me a mild form of prozac for the anxiety and related issues. I have not started taking it because I have to educate myself more on its effects. Do any of you use natural remedies? I found something about St. John's Wort that is similar to prozac????
I am actually doing okay this week. I'll keep journaling and watching myself.

By Karen~admin on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 11:54 am:

Is it Sarafem? That is basically Prozac. Some side effects are decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and loss of libido.

By Kym on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 06:53 pm:

I take St John's wart twice daily! It has really helped keep my emotions and mood swings in check!
You can also take 5HTP during the 10 days before your period it has trytophan in it so take it before bed!
Keep up with the journaling, don't forget to write positive things too, don't just focus on your negative/anxious feelings.

By Anonymous on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 12:50 am:

Karen, it is fluxotene. A generic form of prozac. Kym I have been looking into the 5htp. Can I take it at the same time as st. john's? I also started taking valeria (or something like that) for my insomnia. Thank you for the reminder to journal positive! LOLOLOL . I need to remember to focus on what is good when I get stuck in that anxious rut!!

By Dawnk777 on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 09:45 am:

Prozac/Sarafem/fluoxetine are all the same thing!

Fluoxetine info

By Kym on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:49 am:

Yes you can take it with St. Johns, and you may not need the valeria(m) once you start with it, for me my "insomnia'is cycle related, so I take the 5htp to avoid sleep deprivation that is associated with it, it really gives me a good nights sleep. My friend takes it twice a day, but that would put me in a constant nap!

Hope you are feeling better soon

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:50 am:

The key to this is not only realizing there is a problem but doing something about it. Please, become proactive about this. I have a dear friend that put her kids and husband through the mill all because she didn't want to be drugged. Even after she knew their was a name for her issues, she fought being medicated. She finally broke down and started taking something to help, when she started noticing the way her kids had been effected more than she had assumed. She can't believe she had resisted now and the difference in her mood and behaviors have changed so much for the positive.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:54 am:

I should have stated it took her years, from the time she knew there was a real problem and when she finally took the steps to help herself. She is on herbals, she discussed this option through her primary care and they set a time frame to try them out before she took the steps to start a medication regiment. They seem to be working rather well for her, but they don't always work for everyone in the same manner.

By Anonymous on Monday, February 4, 2008 - 12:40 pm:

The beast is back ladies. I am feeling crazy again and thinking crazy things! I was up all night feeling nervous and anxious. I just can't go on like this!!!! I checked my calendar this morning and discovered I am between ovulation and menstrating again!!! I was trying to take St. John's Wort, and I know I need to give it time to work, but this morning I was so desperate I took my first fluxotine instead. I know it takes time to take effect. I need something to help me and St. John's was a hope. The fluxotine (according you you guys and my dr.) sounds like it'll work. Why is this happening????

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 10:25 am:

Oh, I am so sorry you are going through this.. Big hugs... Why? It is linked to the surge of hormones during to the weeks prior to your cycle starting. Do a search, there are tons of sites that talk about it.

I will tell you, that I read that a lot of people suffer through in silence because they think they are just going "crazy" and that they are the only one. You aren't and you can do this.. You just need to take the edge off of it so that you can regain your control over the situation. You are in my thoughts.

By Anonymous on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 03:21 pm:

Did the doc do a complete female panel on you? For your hormones? There really are hormones that can calm these issues for you if it's hormonal, and it sounds like it is with the calender pointing to right between Ovulating and Menstrating. Please if you did not get a hormone panel done, go back. You may have to see your ob/gyn. This is the anon from above who was going through exactly the same thing. I'm treated only with hormones and FEEL GREAT!!

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 05:24 pm:

I agree, a complete female panel is a good idea. I had a lot of *female* problems *back in the day*, and I know that I was horrible to be around. I felt like I wasn't in control of my emotions, and I'd become VERY angry at the least little thing. It was like watching someone who wasn't me, and I couldn't stop it.

I had had endometriosis and adenomysis for years, but what I didn't know was that one ovary was no longer working, my hormones were a mess, and *I* was a mess.

That's something a lot of people don't think of, and even a lot of docs don't bother to totally check out the hormones before doing anything else.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 11:49 pm:

Kym,
What dosage of Saints Johns wort
And 5htp do you take?
I am considering taking them. I deal a lot with insomnia.

By Mlee on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 12:58 am:

Antidepressants have changed my life, but I still have occasional episodes. When I have my bouts of depression this is what I do: Talk to yourself. When the anxiety hits, remind yourself that really everything is still as okay as it was before. You know that it's physical, you know that it's temporary. One way or another you are going to get help for it. In the meantime, distract yourself with a book or something so you don't just spin your wheels all night. If it's possible get a babysitter or arrange a rest time for yourself during the day so that the nighttime wakefulness doesn't create more stress.

Good luck.

By Anonymous on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 07:39 pm:

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to update you all and let you know that I have been taking my prozac for a few months and I have been much better. I still get restless at night but my mental health has been so much better. Hopefully, I don't have to live this way forever, but for now it's whats working and that was needed!!! Thank you all for your time and advice!!!

By Annie2 on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 08:01 pm:

Well, that's great news. Glad you are feeling better

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 07:18 pm:

I am very happy for you. Depression is really the pits - you know how it colors your whole life. I am so glad that the medication is working for you. I would urge you to also get into some kind of counseling if your insurance (or budget) will allow. My experience, and my son's experience (and he has struggled with really serious depression for most of his life) is that the right counseling is a really big part of learning how to live happily and without medication or minimal medication. But, if you are one of those people with a chemical imbalance, you might need the medication for a long time, and that's alright. After all, if you had a hypothyroid condition, you'd think nothing of taking a synthetic thyroid tablet every day.

I also want to caution you to be very careful about any other kinds of medications, especially including herbal medications. Many medications don't mix well with one or another of the antidepressant medications, and you should remind all of your doctors about the prozac when medication for some other condition is recommended. The other thing to be careful about is that you can't just suddenly stop taking antidepressant meds. You have to wean off carefully with dosage reductions over a period of time, or you can have a really bad over-reaction.