Severe PMS, or something else? Is this normal?!
Question: My period is irregular, it'll come either early or on time although I use the Nuva Ring. However, every month, I start feeling depressed about a week before it comes... and very anxious and paranoid at times. I never know what day exactly it will come, but I seem to become a mess the day before it comes, sometimes 2 days or more before. I feel extremely depressed, anxious, old issues with my boyfriend or friends seem to re-arise, and sometimes I just can't stop crying all day. I haven't always been this bad, but it's been going on for awhile now. Is this normal, and what can I do to help it?
Answers: My period is irregular, it'll come either early or on time although I use the Nuva Ring. However, every month, I start feeling depressed about a week before it comes... and very anxious and paranoid at times. I never know what day exactly it will come, but I seem to become a mess the day before it comes, sometimes 2 days or more before. I feel extremely depressed, anxious, old issues with my boyfriend or friends seem to re-arise, and sometimes I just can't stop crying all day. I haven't always been this bad, but it's been going on for awhile now. Is this normal, and what can I do to help it?
I used to go through the same thing, too. It was horrible to feel out of control for a week out of every month. I just couldn't take it anymore and finally went to my doctor. My doc told me last year that I had PMDD. He put me on the Yaz birth control pill. It has helped considerably. I don't feel 100% better but it is much better then before. It has helped my physical symptoms such as water retention and food cravings. I still get a little bummed out right before my period but at least I'm now able to function. The only downside to Yaz is the cost if you do not have health insurance.
I have also heard of doctors prescribing low doses of anti-depressants for PMDD. If the Yaz wouldn't have worked, I would have looked into this more.
Good luck!
That sounds like pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder. The birth control pill Yaz is approved for treating PMDD, but if you want to stick with the ring, you might consider talking to your doctor about antidepressants. They can also help a great deal with PMDD.
I'm going through the same types of feelings... may be PMS... try to eat foods that reduce the awful feelings.. mostly ones that have vitamin b-6, calcium foods(cheese, low fat yogurt, broccoli), magnesium. avoid alcohol, salt/salty foods, and caffeine... drink chamomile tea! It helps me alot and I hardly notice pms symtoms :) I hope this helps you.. it helped me alot!
get you some calcium tablets to take daily...they help w/PMS