(no subject)

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

I know we've all been on the PMS rollar-coaster. We all get the up and down mood swings. I wonder sometimes if my own mood swings are very extreme and if there is anything I can do about them. I despise psychological medications of any kind and they seem totally pointless if I only need them for two weeks out of the month. When I get close to my period, I freak out. I feel irritable all the time. I get severely depressed. I sometimes cry for no reason at all. I get so angry that I can get violent. Once my period is over all this goes away and I'm one of the shiny happy people for about two weeks and it all starts over again. Suggestions not involving prozac or zoloft are welcome :)

Comments

[moonrose.livejournal.com]

if you want pills, you might try Effexor - unlike other anti-anxiety drugs you don't have to build up a blood level, you can take it only on days you need it. non-drug though, some people find relief from dong quai, others from st.johns wort... I would recommend contacting a local homeopath/herbalist, or possibly try accupunture?(worked for an old friend of mine in college)

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

I take oral contraceptives. There was a study recently on the news that St. John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of a birth control pill.

[hissyfit.livejournal.com]

the pill is actually what made me have those horrible fits. i quit taking it. you might want to explore other options, or at least a different kind of pill.

[urania.livejournal.com]

a couple points: there's *nothing* wrong with having medicines to take on an "as-needed" basis! two weeks out of a month--that's half your time to be suffering! I'd recommend you talk to your doc about what there is that you can take to stabilize and help you during those two weeks, without having to take the rest of the time; there *are* things out there. (it sounds like you're dealing with PMDD or something close to it, which is close to depression, just linked to your hormones. that's a real concern, not to mention being no fun!)

also: be *very* careful about herbal medicine-- if used properly (or *im*properly) herbs can be just as strong as prescription stuff or stronger, but they aren't regulated by the FDA and often are taken without a doctor's orders or care--can be dangerous. They can be helpful, yes, but if something is powerful enough to help, it's powerful enough that it *could* potentially harm you. Check any herbs with your doc before starting them, and make sure s/he cross checks them with any meds you're on! interactions can be *nasty*!

so far as other things go: you might try *subtly* altering your diet (don't do anything *crash* sudden, that will only screw up your body more!) but cut *down on* (not totally out unless your intake is very low already) some of the saturated fats, processed carbs, et c, and try to up fruits and veggies and lean proteins... some people find cutting out milk products helps, but if you do this *take your calcium!* (calcium is s'posed to help with PMS too by the by)... also, try getting a *bit* more excercise, and doing something relaxing. hey, that's a good idea anyhow.... relaxation will help make you less tense :) (i should try that!)

ok, i will get off my soapbox now.... good luck to you! i've dealt with some depression/anxiety stuff, and it sounds like that is what your sypmtoms often swing towards--no fun, and you have my sympathy. trying some or any of the suggestions you get might help...I hope you find something that does!

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

Don't most psychological medications like prozac and zoloft need to build up in the body in order to be effective? I don't think these sorts of drugs can be taken on an "as need" basis. I had a very bad experience with prozac, it made me feel totally dazed and not myself. I felt like some sort of mindless automaton.

Re:

[urania.livejournal.com]

prozac won't work for everyone... but the drugs work differently, since they're chemically different. It could be that the prozac-class drugs (prozac, paxil, et c) don't agree with you; but there are others out there and some of them don't work on a buildup basis.... your doctor should either know which ones or refer you to a psychiatrist who certainly will. Either way, if the side effects get too much (like they did for prozac!) get your doctor to switch you... it's not helpful to take something whose bad effects outweigh the good!

[deathchicken.livejournal.com]

excercise usually works for me...lots and lots of excercise. working out till i am dripping and exhausted, literally.
gives you a ton of nice endorphins, helps with the cramps (at least, it helps ME...i've heard it makes some peoples' cramps worse), gets any unnecessary bad emotion out in a constructive manner, when you're done you're too tired to feel bad, and hey, it also gets you in shape, which doesn't hurt anyway.

it also makes me feel good mentally! when i feel fat and bloated, excercise makes me feel not so anymore! then i feel productive and buff and get the "runner's high" so the world is just fine. which is better than being depressed.

before i started going to the gym, i used to cut a lot when i got my PMS depression. i like excercising more.

[myriadcolours.livejournal.com]

My dr suggested that I try evening primrose oil capsuls/pills. You take start taking them a few days before you're meant to get your period, and then stop taking them after you've had your first full day.

I have the exact same kind of symptoms, and she says they work for her, and everyone that she's suggested it to.

[kayren.livejournal.com]

i've been dealing with crazy mood swings during the ever so dreadful PMS time of my cycle for years & years (and it's up to 2 weeks of PMS hell/cycle), i *just* went and got myself a prescription of celexa (which i am to start taling 10mg once/day next week)....and you know what? i'm fucking really scared about trying this chemical path...i used mega-vitamin therapy (no help), i eat well (ie 90% of the time), exercise fairly regularly and need some relief from my hormonal hell...well wish me luck...please let me know if you come across something that works for you...

best wishes
k