really bad periods please help!!

[jess990]

I am 34 years old with 3 kids. My symptoms started drastically 8 years ago, after the birth of my 3rd child. About 8-10 days before my period, I get weird - balance problems, VERY grumpy, tired, bloated, usual pms I beleive. About 2 days before, I get a head ache and get physically ill, near vomitting, very weak, VERY dizzy, my mind feels really fuzzy. Then when I start, somtimes I feel better, sometimes I don't, these symptoms last until about day 10. I have gone to the er several times thinking something is wrong. I don't cramp and when I do, it is not very bad. I have been checked for endometriosis, had scan of my abdomen and pelvic ultrasound,nothing! I cant take this this anymore. I also have extreme anxiety during this time. I get soo dizzy I feel like I am going to pass out of fall over I don't know what to do. I tried exercising, but it didn't help. It can't be anemia becuase the dizziness starts before my period. What can I do the help these symptoms?? I am really frustrated and cry a lot because of this.

[Misserable007]

My wife has been really going quite mad about 7-10 days before her period.  It's been like clock-work for the past 9-12 months, maybe longer (I've actually tracked the bad days on a calendar).  She basically becomes irrationally angry and screams at everyone around her, especially her kids (ages 2, 3, and 5) and I.  By the time her period starts, she's back to normal and apologizes for the way she was acting.  She's is on an anti-depressant called cymbalta, which she takes daily.  How would you suggest I help her get some kind of help for this or what could you suggest I do?  We pretty much get to the point of divorce at this time each month.  We could use some help before our family falls apart completely.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Sorry for the delay in the response--I can't get to the column every day, but try to make it at least every 2-3 days!  It sounds like you have fairly severe PMS.  There is a medication called Sarafem that can sometimes be helpful, and if you were my patient, I might try it first line.  I also would consider having you evaluated by a neurologist to rule out something unusual such as Multiple Sclerosis.  It would be extremely unlikely that you would have something of this nature, but I would not want to miss anything either.
The dizziness is an UNusual symptom.
Also, typical PMS resolves within 5-7 days of the beginning of the period, so it could be that you have a generalized anxiety disorder that is worsened by PMS and hormonal shifts.  I would want the opinion of a good psychiatrist as well.
One thing that a gynecologist can do is to stop your periods or stretch them out--for example by using something like Seasonique or Lybrel.  These are birth control ;pills that reduce the number of periods per year, and therefore the number of times you would go through PMS.
I hope this is useful!
Dr B

[jess990]

I wanted to add that along with these symptoms, I have emotional issue a well as extreme anxiety. My periods make me literally sick like I have a bad flu from a week before to about day 10.
Also, why haven't I gotten a resonse?