ladies PMS quest (depression)

[luvmyfam444]

what if anything can be taken to deal with PMS depression? something that's not taken at all the time since the symptoms aren't all the time?

 

[Serena]

I'm sorry. I get that too, still. I don't imagine this is what you had in mind, but what used to work for me is a Frosty or a Snicker candy bar. It really did help.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

First, if you haven't speak with your doctor. Easing the symptoms of PMS may be the answer.

Some people find relief with St. John's Wort or kava kava. Again, check with your doctor before taking any sort of supplement of this nature.

There are elements in chocolate that really can help, so it's not so far fetched to learn that a frosty or Snicker's helped. Dark chocolate would be best to try.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I have to agree with chocolate. I am allergic to chocolate but can eat small amounts of milk chocolate in moderation (about 1/3 of a plain Hershey bar a day 1 or 2 days a month) and I CRAVE it like mad during this time of the month. It really is a mood booster.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I get major mood swings monthly (well mostly it swings down) and I take birth control. We have had to try several kinds to get the right ones in the past (things change as your hormones change) but having the right one has made all the difference! Talk to your GYN. Make a list of all of your symptoms and how things are each month and be completely honest. They should be able to help you.

I think that I have also heard that Vitamin B6 can help.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

This is going to sound obvious...but I still have trouble with it. RECOGNIZE the way you are acting or feeling is due to the PMS. For the longest time, I had no clue that my thoughts of hating my marriage or frustrated with life in general were associated with only a couple days a month.... It took me several years after our break up and my mood swings to realize the coincidence of timing..
I still haven't talked to a doctor about it, nor do I take anything for it (but, yes, the chocolate does help) but...just KNOWING that I am only feeling this way due to the PMS helps me keep my mouth shut when the mood strikes me not to. And, good music stops the depression...avoid country by all means!!

 

[MoniqueU]

I know the prescribe zoloft for about 10 days a month to help with the symptoms if they are severe. Bottom line talk to your Dr. I used to get horrible PMS and cramps and was just really psycho for a week a month, no amount of chocolate, excersise or vitamins helped me. Actually mine slowly just tapered off after the birth of my last child, I also got rid of my allergies too, so you just don't know. But if I had to suffer like I did before and more importantly make my family suffer vs getting the meds I need to ease the symptoms it would be a no brainer for me. I wish dr's had been more proactive with me back then and that I was a better advocate for myself.

 

[lauraDar]

I take Citalopram (gen for Celexa) 10mg every day, this is super for general irritability but such a lightweight drug I've not had any side effects, felt zoned out, etc. This is a really low dose so when I know THAT time of the month is coming I take 2. It is also VERY inexpensive, I think my monthly prescription at Walmart is around $10.

 

[julezdisney]

I'd say just go to your doctor! A low-dose antidepressant every other day may help to just even out your moods over the entire month.... also, if you're on BCP, you may need to switch- some can be associated w/mood changes and/or headaches. Good luck!

 

[luvmyfam444]

Thanks for the responses - I've talked to my GP & been prescribed pills - tried a couple - couldnt' tell a difference - but then again they may have NOT been during my really low times that I was taking them so I wouldn't have noticed. The last rx was for Paxil I think & y'all talked me out of that one...LOL its still sitting in my drawyer over 1 year later....

I've never talked to by GYN about it - never thought about it before - I'm just beginng to think there may be a pattern to my really depressed days & I saw on some site (webmd, maybe) that depression does happen to lots of women arond ovulation...and that would fit.

I get terrible headaches around the same time - usually I can take Advil & they'll go away - only Advil works & its been that way for years now...expect my liver to fail anytime now...(not really)

I used to eat chocolate all the time but I don't eat it at night anymore 'cause the caffeine keeps me up - don't drink caffeine either...but I don't mind eating my caffeine in the form of chocolate - LOL

Think I'll bring this up next visit I have....

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I take meds for anxiety and one really nice side effect from it is no PMS symptoms at all. Everything I used to experience physically & emotionally has gone away. Its one side effect I don't mind one bit. The weight gain however, not so much.

She had originally prescribed that I increase the dose 10 days before date to start, and then go back to regular dose when I started, but now I just stay on the same dose all the time.

Maybe they can prescribe it for just 10 days before & not the rest of the month? I'm not sure, but ask your doctor.

 

[Katdb]

OP, I would very much suggest talking to your Doctor and perhaps being referred to a gynecologist as others have mentioned. I know exactly how you feel, as if that time of the month wasn't bad enough as it is, you have to add up to two weeks of extra "fun"

Taking a mood-stabilizer ('anti-depressant') for only a few days will not help your sx in the long-term. These meds take time (as in weeks) to achieve a steady-state that is adequate to manage the chemical imbalance, and I would worry that if you start-and-stop you're running the risk of (a) not reaching effective levels and (b) side-effects/withdrawl symptoms (particularly you mentioned Paxil which should always be tapered slowly to avoid the withdrawl symptoms. I've spoken with several patients who tried to stop their paxil 'cold-turkey' and went through some very difficult times).

If you are able to take the birth control pill, I believe there are a couple that are fairly effective at helping to reduce PMS symptoms, I believe Yasmin is one of them.

Unfortunately, our bodies are created functionally, but not always practically and there's really no quick fix for PMS. Your doctor would be the best person to help you make some of these decisions!

Good luck!
Katdb

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I get headaches really bad (often to the point of throwing up from the pain) the night before my period starts every single month, and also noticed depression and fatique around then too.

Finally found out I was becoming anemic just about every month and by the time my body would normalize it would start again. The anemia was cauing my headaches, fatique and depression like symptoms. I ended up going the minor surgery route and getting a Novasure uterine ablation. It's still recent so I am waiting to see full results, but my energy level if SOO much higher and the depression is gone. This month my headache was about half as bad as usual. An ablation doesn't affect hormones, so for true PMS depression it wouldn't help (I can still get PMS, period cramping, etc), but if your depression is caused by something like mine (a direct result of the amount of blood loss) that may be something to consider.

A gyn should be able to help you pinpoint the causes to know the best way to treat it.

 

[HeatherC]

I don't think anyone mentioned it yet, but Exercise! Truly...it really makes a difference because when you exercise your body releases the "feel good" hormones..endorphins.

Just give it a try when you start to feel depressed. Make yourself take a 20 minute fast paced walk. The hard part is when you are feeling crummy, who wants to exercise.

Also...for me eating every two hours makes a huge difference. But...while I love chocolate, what really makes me feel better is a snack with both protein and fiber. An apple with peanut butter or crackers and some cheese.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Thanks for the replies!

I would never in a million years thought about anemia - something I should research a bit - can't you take iron pills for that? Or am I thinking of something else?

I don't take any meds other than Advil for my headaches - no birth control, nothing.

I do have a GYN - just started thinking about this the last month or 2 & realizing the 2 might be connected (PMS & my really low days) so haven't been for a yearly yet this year....

And like Raynkays mom this is the time when I think most about divorce - ready to walk out any day - but when I'm POST PMS my marriage doesn't seem quite as bad. Weird I know - but would not have thought about that til it was mentioned. The more I thought about things that's when the dh drives me INSANE!


Yep HEather I'm sure you're right my diet & exercise both probably would make a HUGE difference - gave up on dieting (which I depserately need to loose weight) and there's little exercise.

But that all goes into my depression - why take care of myself when I feel so low.....I see that it's a cycle - but breaking that cycle is my problem...KWIM?

 

[Pooh Crew]

Please talk to your gyn. I lived with terrible pms for many years before finally mentioning it in passing to my dr. He gave me a low dose prescription that I take for about ten days before my period starts and it has changed my life. I usually don't take meds--I mean, I hate to even take an aspirin, so I was very reluctant to try prescription meds. Then I realized that it's not just about me--it's about how I treat my husband and children during that time frame. I tried it and was amazed at the difference it made. I was "normal" for the entire month--no more drastic mood swings, no more crying at every turn, no more flying off the handle at tiny, simple things! I don't feel "drugged." I'm not happy or energetic or anything other than NORMAL. I honestly don't feel any different--I am just in control of my feelings, emotions, and actions.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Thanks -

But POOH - I'd LOVE to get extra energy to do things -extra motivation & stuff - LOL

 

[disneymac]

Definitely talk to your doctor! I was going through the same thing an didn't like the idea of taking meds either, even after the dr gave me a prescription I didn't take it for about a month. I wish I took it right away! It made such a huge difference. I feel totally like myself again. All the time. You'll be surprised at how good that feels!

 

[luvmyfam444]

so what kind of meds are they giving? I know one of you mentioned anxiety meds - is everyone elses an anit-depressant or some other PMS kinda med? Do any of the over the counter meds help or do they only help cramps? (lucky there - I don't have cramps very often)