[Zen888]

I know that I have posted many times about my difficulties with PMS anxiety. But, I really need your help because my PMS is preventing me from keeping appointments. Or let alone going outside and enjoying the wonderful sunny weather!

When I have PMS anxiety my whole body feels anxious. I cannot think straight. I quickly cancel appointments that I have planned for the day and become a hermit. After becoming more mobile and not just laying on the couch beating myself up psychologically for not being able to keep appointments...etc I feel capable of keeping appointments...etc.

I never know exactly when my PMS is going to strike so I don't know how or when to prepare my brain for it.

The last two months my period has started on the 14th of the month and lasted about 6 days. So, I am assuming that my PMS would start about 10-14 days prior to my period starting...or at least that is the way it feels to me.

How do I get myself over this hurdle of anxiety that prevents me psychologically from being motivated to keep my appointments and following through with getting myself together (eating, showering, dressing, putting on make up, doing my hair, getting out the front door, taking care of my dog......etc)?

I do take anti-anxiety medication but find I have to increase the dosage (safely and not against doctor's orders) when I have PMS anxiety.

I have had all my female hormones checked out and they are normal.

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

[Lost71]

((((((((Zen)))))))) Sorry I don't have any advice, never had pms...just wanted you to know I do feel for you and hope you get some answers soon.

[Seabirdanne]

Do you exercise at all? I know this sounds trite, but if you ask me, exercise is the best cure for any general anxiety. (Pills never fail to mess up my sleep, which causes more anxiety.) Exercise mildly every other day (relaxing walk, for example) and then something more strenuous (brisk walk, bike ride) on the days you don't do that. You don't have to be military about it -- if you miss a day or two day here or there, no biggie -- but get your heart pumping and release some physical energy (which, in turn, somehow regulates adrenalin, which is a major part of anxiety) to the point (on strenuous days) that you are breathing a little harder than normal for a while. But for pete's sake, don't do this if you have health problems or whatever. Do whatever your doctor recommends. But if you're reasonably healthy, regular real exercise is (in my experience) the best cure for excess anxiety. Well, and drastically cut back on the caffeine and white sugar. Choose an activity that's enjoyable, and try to do it often. That's my opinion, anyway.

[Zen888]

As for exercise....

Today, I am painting my bedroom in 87*f and melting. It is helping to reduce my anxiety for the moment. I wish I had friends to help me paint my bedroom. I have a small master bedroom and it took me an hour and a half to do just 2 1/2 walls! I feel exhausted and want to give up and call to have someone finish the painting for me. But I might as well finish what I started.

Say a prayer or whatever that the painting turns out great! Thank-you!

[crazyjen]

Hi Zen. I haven't read any of your other posts about your pms so I may be repeating info, but have you ever tried an SSRI to help you. I have terrible pmdd and nothing helped until I started taking Lexapro. I double my dose the week before my period starts and now I am almost symptom free.

[Rhapsody]

My suggestion is to talk to your doctor about possible PMDD - there are medicines out there that takes the sting out of that time of the month.

[Zen888]

Thank-you for your helpful suggestions to ease my PMS symptoms! I don't want to go on extra medication since I am already on 4 different types of medication to treat my bipolar disorder and PTSD. But I will ask my doctor about PMDD. Are the medications for PMDD birth control or are there other medications because I had a bad reaction to birth control pills.

[Seabirdanne]

Originally Posted by Zen888

As for exercise....

Today, I am painting my bedroom in 87*f and melting. It is helping to reduce my anxiety for the moment. I wish I had friends to help me paint my bedroom. I have a small master bedroom and it took me an hour and a half to do just 2 1/2 walls! I feel exhausted and want to give up and call to have someone finish the painting for me. But I might as well finish what I started.

Painting is definitely exercise! But at least you have something to show for it when it's all done.

[jerrymichele]

I use to take that shot you get every 3 months, and it helped me. The only thing about it, is it can take your body a while to stop having periods. My periods get worse as I get older, and it sucks of course. My first day I can't even go anywhere because I bleed to much, and feel so drained. I would like to go back on that shot, but I'm afraid to because breast cancer is very common in my family. Somehow birth control and breast cancer can mix, so I would rather not try it.