PMS? Need some support :)

[Luvbug9956]

I know that this forum is mostly for childbearing women, but I thought maybe someone in here would be able to offer me some support. For the past two months, I have had horrible premenstrual symptoms. I went off of my birth control pill due to some health problems and it feels like things have gotten worse. I feel extremely anxious and fearful, feeling like I may lose control. I also get this overwhelming fear that I will die. I have also been very short of breath.  Anyone who suffers severe PMS, do you ever feel this way? It stops two or three days after I start my period. Also, anyone who has stopped birth control, did you experience any of these symptoms?

[Katieann]

HI,
I have experienced similar symptoms to the ones you decribed. I spoke to my dr. about them. He suggested that I was suffering from PMDD; prementsrual distress disorder. He prescribed a low dose of Paxil. Paxil is typically prescribed for anxiety and mild depression.

Paxil may not be the answer for you but I would suggest you speak with your dr. about how you are feeling.
Katieann

[classy-mama]

It sounds like we are in the same boat. I too am experiancing very emmotionally-taxing periods.

I have an intolerance for hormone fluctuations, I cant take OCPs. My side effects were that I would get nausea, dizzy, irrational, and depressed. Now the same things are happening with my period.  I binge eat, I cry. I feel like I can't take another day. I am sore all over, I have an urge to spend all day in bed. I feel that I can't cope with any stress at all. I feel like I am not able to give my daugher the attention that she deserves.

Pregnancy was a rough time for me, and though I want another child, I don't know if I can handle being pregnant again. I am considering having both of my ovaries removed after we are done having kids.  I want to remove the cause of this stress, not medicate the symptoms.

This is the 6th period that I have had since my cycle returned after giving birth, and each one is worse than the last. My symptoms leave after my period ends, about 8 days.

I had one doctor make a suggestion to me that might be of interest to you. There is an intrauterine device (IUD) called Mirena, which releases hormones directly into the uterus, making periods very light, (and I think) even affecting ovulation.  Apparently most women who do not tollerate oral contraceptives do well with this, as there is no stomach - bloodstream absorbtion.  If you have never been pregnant, you may have to fight to get it, as many doctors do not like to insert on women who have never been pregnant.  (At 17 I managed to convince a doctor to give me one, but it took 5 doctors before I found one who would listen!)

Good luck,

Leslie

PS- If you would like to keep in touch via e-mail, feel free to contact me at leslie_hamilton***@****