Just PMS...or more?

[summer-breeze14.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone, I was curious about something.

When I was in my teen years, I had slight physical symptoms right before my period. Nothing excruciating. However, ever since I turned 20 (I'm 21 right now), I've gotten some newer symptoms....

It's not so much the physical symptoms that get to me. I get the normal breast tenderness, headache, and slight cramping. I can live with that. My stomach has trouble digesting anything spicy and/or heavy and I get diarrhea for a day or two.

But as much as 2 weeks before my period starts, my hormones seem to go out of control. My heart palpitates at times. I get very irritable and there are times that I feel so depressed that I cry and snap at my boyfriend and family for no reason at all. I get overly tired and I find myself sleeping more. Depending on the month, sometimes I barely sleep at all. Also, I was diagnosed with an eating disorder at the age of 12 and usually, I have it under control...but when I have one of my PMS mood swings, the symptoms of my eating disorder creep on on me again.

Does this sound familiar at all to anybody? I swear, sometimes it gets so bad that I PRAY for my period to come already so that my mood stabilizes. Getting my actual period is nothing to what comes before it.

Comments

[girlofthemirror.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about all the symptoms that you talked about above. But I have to say I find that I long for my period to arrive as well. I get to apoint where I just now that I won't feel any better until it comes. I hate those few days. Sorry I haven't got any advice but I know how you feel about just wanting your period to start already!

[summer-breeze14.livejournal.com]

No, I am not on any kind of HBC. And thank you for that article on PMDD. The description pretty much matches up with how I feel.

[restlesspoetry.livejournal.com]

huh. that sounds like me as well. it never even crossed my mind. thanks for posting it! i love this community, i learn something new every day.

[cathubodva.livejournal.com]

Perhaps talk to your doctor about going on Prozac, or a similar drug? Prozac worked wonders for my severe PMS symptoms.

[summer-breeze14.livejournal.com]

I'll have to look into that....are there any major side effects associated with Prozac?

[cathubodva.livejournal.com]

From their website: Some people experience mild side effects like nausea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, anxiety, nervousness, weakness, loss of appetite, tremors, dry mouth, sweating, decreased sex drive, impotence, or yawning. These tend to go away within a few weeks of starting treatment and, in most cases, aren't serious enough to cause people to stop taking PROZAC.

Some people experience side effects like nausea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, anxiety, nervousness, weakness, loss of appetite, tremors, dry mouth, sweating, decreased sex drive, impotence, or yawning. Most of these tend to go away within a few weeks of starting treatment and, in most cases, aren't serious enough to cause people to stop taking PROZAC. (http://www.prozac.com/how_prozac/safety_facts.jsp?reqNavId=2.5)

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

You might also want to consider withdrawal symptoms too, before getting started.

I've been on antidepressants, and it was worth it. But when I started, no one warned me that quitting could be really hard on my body...I wish they would have.

[honeyassassin.livejournal.com]

I can relate to you as far as mood swings go. Starting 1 1/2 to 2 weeks before my period... i get irritable, depressed, angry, moody, sad... it fluctuates. i found that exercising and yoga helps A LOT.

All of your physical symptoms are also the same as what i get. I'm 23.

[lost-almost.livejournal.com]

I have exactly what you describe. And it seems to get worse with age somehow. Some of the things that seem to have helped: Cal-Mag and B12 supplements, minimizing dairy, plant protein and carbs (think lentil stew). My doctor suggested I used hormonal birth control + Prozac/Sarafem, but I have decided I am going to wait before going that way. Mostly, it is because I don't think I can handle the complication of extra side-effects and weight gain.

[summer-breeze14.livejournal.com]

I agree because I have heard that going on anti-depressants are sometimes quite risky. How did you find out about the Cal-Mag and B12 supplements and the plant protein and carbs? What symptoms did it help get rid of?