[LynD]

I was wondering this week why I felt so anxious, and then I remembered that lately about 2 weeks before I get my period my anxiety skyrockets. This has happened before, but was not always like this, its only been happening for about a year. I'm 38, and periods are starting to slow down in duration. I'm wondering if anyone else has has this problem as they get older.

[Sventek]

I know some women who experience this. They have Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Some of them have found that their iron levels are particularly low at those times, and some have said that taking SAM-e has helped.

[Psyched]

Hi LynD,

It sounds like you have PMDD. I have it, too. My mentrual cycle hasn't changed, & I've always been overwhelmingly depressed & anxious about a week before I finally got it (even more so than usual, as I've been dx with both severe depression/anxiety). All of my suicide attempts coincided with that "period" of time, without my realizing it until later, & I've lost a few jobs in the past due to it, too. You mentioned that your menstrual cycle is changing- what does your gyn say about that? He/she might suggest Yaz, a birth control pill, to ease your symptoms.
(I would take it, but I can't fool around with hormones, as cancer runs rampant in my family.) I found that when I was taking Celexa, it alleviated my PMDD tremendously.
Also, avoiding junk food & sugar really helps, too, as does taking a multi-vitamin & Omega 3 fish oil supplements.

[Sventek]

I've also heard that Omega-3 supplements are beneficial (with a wide range of things, actually). I believe they're best taken along with a natural Vitamin E supplement (d-alpha-tocopherol, not dl-alpha-tocopherol).

[LynD]

Thanks for your replies. I haven't seen my gyn in a while, so I guess i should make an appt with one. I will def try the supplements though.

[Rhapsody]

YES, please do make an appoint with your GYN and talk to him/her about medication that help keep us females sane during that dreaded week every month one fears when they have PMDD. (ask about: Serafem or Celexa)

I have suffered with PMDD for almost five years now and I can tell you that I would not be today if it was not for my doctor placing me on Celexa 20 mg 1x daily - then 20 mg 2x a day during the week of my period. Before taking Celexa I would become suicidal during my period and it really scared my husband and how he might find me one day when he came home from work.

I also was adviced by my doctor to eat two peices of a large "Dark Chocolate Bar" during my period (usually starting a day before). The cocoa bean found in dark chocolate helps replace the chemicals we loose during our period.

[BlackCanary]

Yes, the PMS-linked anxiety got much worse in my 40s. I would cry at anything, be angry, had out-of-control worries. Told my primary care doc and she sent me to a therapist, who referred me to a psychiatrist.
All were women, NONE doubted me for a second that this was a real problem.
I've been taking prozac for 2 yr. and it has helped a great deal. I may have one day where I'm a bit off, the next day it is over, ahem.
This fall I talked to my older sister and she went through the exact same thing, also takes anti-depressant for it. It was such a relief to know this!

[salukigirl]

I have PMDD and am on Yaz which has helped a lot. I used to have ovarian cysts rupture every cycle and used to get so depressed right before that sometimes I would even become suicidal. I would go absolutely insane. Throwing stuff for no reason etc... My boyfriend finally told me that I had to get this under control and my mom said the same thing. So I went on Yaz and Lexapro. I still get pretty tired right before but everything else has ceased. I haven't had cramps or a ruptured cyst in months.

The main difference between PMS and PMDD is that PMDD is bad enough that it interferes with everyday activities. I would talk to your OBGYN about going on Yaz or some kind of medication. This sounds like a hormonal change and not just stress. I denied for a very long time that it was something I couldn't control. Once I finally admitted to myself that I really did need help, it got a lot better.

I hope you can find a way to control this. I know had bad it sucks

[splitimage]

I've always had massive anxiety and paranoia before my period, right from my 20's onward - I'm 40 now. For the longest time, i couldn't figure out why one week out of every month I was convinced I was going to fired, and then I started thinking people were trying to kill me. Finally I clued in that it always happened the week before my period, which at least made me feel better about it - it was just biology - nothing bad was really happenning to me. It's been better since I've been on meds, Effexor, Celexa, and Risperidone, but i still notice a slight spike in my anxiety the week before. In fact it's one of the ways I know i'm about to get my period as they're really irregular now, due to the Risperidone.

Definitely talk to a female Dr. about it.

Good luck.

--splitimage

[laurapeters]

when i am still single i don't feel any anxieties, i live a normal life like most teens do. but when i get married, i had 3 kids, i most of the time feel anxiety and it doesn't go away especially when i have my period. i don't know why, i get so upset, depressed and so uneasy. i am now taking up MX Resveratrol Complex as i would want to reduce any of my anxieties. i tried drinking tea instead of coffee because too much caffeine isn't good to the health and it only worsen the condition.

maxalife.com/mx-resveratrol-complex/

[trixielou]

yes i was wondering this same thing when i ovulate i get insomnia & worse anxiety i guess with increase in hormones im 36 & i didnt used to be like this either

[Perna]

I think peri-menopause can do that; it often starts in late 30's and will go through 40's until your menopause. Think back to when you first got your period in your teens and what that was like? Were you anxious then (but more so than now?). I use to get practically suicidal a day or two before my period and so the anxiety and slight depression in my 40's just seemed a milder replay of that.

[lone_twin4]

I started mensturating when I was 11, so I didn't notice much of a pattern during adolescence because my hormones were everywhere all the time! But now everything has settled down, and I have fallen into a pattern, I notice this too. I should be ovulating right now, or about to, and I feel awful! All the symptoms of what I guess would be moderate-serious depression, were it not for the fact that it only ever lasts a week at most.

I took Evening Primrose Oil for a while which seemed to work, maybe, but I never got around to taking it regularly because I find the capsules hard to swallow.

I was recommended Prozac but I am reluctant to take something like that all the time, for what passes so quickly. I have had bad experiences with the type of pill I was on (I forgot what kind it was) but I guess I should try a second one.

[possum220]

I have had anxiety as long as I can remember. If I am going to be suicidal.... thats the time it happens. And what do I do to cope with the anxiety...??? ..... binge. I am now 48 and possibly in some stage of 'the change of life'.

So now (doesnt take me long at all to get there) going to see a doctor who can test hormone levels.

Anti depressants take a slight edge off things. A week before my period I drop things, I have nightmares, I am teary, I have mood swings and would run you over if I drove a Truck. Good thing I live by myself.

Anxiety is a pre cursor to depression. So get yourself checked out. Any less bumps in the road is a good thing.

[Idealsummerluvv]

Originally Posted by LynD

I was wondering this week why I felt so anxious, and then I remembered that lately about 2 weeks before I get my period my anxiety skyrockets. This has happened before, but was not always like this, its only been happening for about a year. I'm 38, and periods are starting to slow down in duration. I'm wondering if anyone else has has this problem as they get older.

Yes, I feel this way as well. I'm being treated for pmdd and depression.
Have just started abilify yesterday.
Birth control pills seemed to make my depressive symptoms worse.

take care,

[trixielou]

i get more anxiety & insomnia during ovulation this month was even harder as it varies from month to month harder cramps worse anxiety worse insomnia my period itself doesnt bother me its the 2 weeks before i also have a paraguard iud had it put in in place of that stupid mirena as that thing was causin all kinds of bad side effects as maybe it agreed with some but i went on a website & there were over 20 pages of women who experienced the same stuff lol had them switched over same day one went out other went in have had 2 kids & i wouldnt advise that same day thing 4 anyone who hasnt had any cuz they gave me an 800mg motrin 4 pain before i left but trust me when i got home i got me somethin a lot stronger than that! anyways yeah i just live with the ovulation effects for a few days then my body crashes & feel fine