Ladies! tell me if you have anxiety problems around your time of month

[Deleted member 37868]

Yeah I’m not in a the “normal” hormonal experience of most, my cramps are not normal eit...

I feel ya with the exam, it’s the absolute worst for me especially if it’s your family doctor, f*ck my last one was so stressful. I don’t think I’m normal on the cramps side either, my mom and my sister both had cysts on their ovaries, I’m just watching for my turn. Maybe this is stupid advice but maybe you could take someone you really trust along? And request a female gynaecologist if it’s possible I know sometimes they make you jump through hoops.

 

[DandylionWishes]

Ermehgürd...anxiety? I transform from your average mommy of three, already struggling her butt off with cPTSD, into the single most useless and massively suicidal wackjob ever. I already struggle with identity/reality but this goes to an extreme where I do not recognize this creature in my head.

My folks ~ thank GOD for them ~ live in town and are able to take my children for an extended “visit” when this happens and I’m not even able to fake mommying for the few hours between their homework and sleep. The despair I feel as this huge burden on those I love too much to continue making them help me so much ~ pick me up when I’m laying in the fetal position on my bathroom floor (where I always end up), requiring so much patience & understanding, that I don’t function as I did. I’m not the same woman I used to be. They have to write everything down or remind me/nag or retell the same story over and over because my brain’s freaking broken or they have to step in and parent my children because I am too messed up to be a good mom all of the time.

This doesn’t happen each and every month. I’d say once a quarter, but even at once a month I have anxiety, full blown panic attacks, night terrors- I stop being logical and run off of pure hormonal emotions not in check. It’s cost me friendships, family and loves.

The worst part?

I am fully aware I’m doing this and what I’m doing is stupid and self sabotaging!

That this will pass. That I’m suffering from distorted thinking and not from a rational place - and am utterly powerless over it. There’s no forcing myself from that rabbit hole. Sooo frustrating! I actually look forward to starting so the pms hell will just go away already - gack!

 

[Deleted member 37868]

That sounds very tough, at least I only have to worry about my cat during that time! It does sound like it’s hormonal, so that is well and truly NOT your fault. It’s good that your family is helping you out, and I even think if you haven’t already you could explain it to the children in a way that they can understand. You sound very strong, but if you haven’t already keep on this with your doc sometimes it takes 30 blood tests to finally have the problem show up, or it could be a sensitivity to progesterone which can cause massive emotional and mental problems as well. I’m always hovering just above being officially anaemic so my doctor told me to take strong iron supplements which overtime do actually help with the physical and mental problems, I never knew this but anaemia or just low iron can cause unstable mood, depression and anxiety which gets worse when you lose blood especially if you have heavy periods, not to mention horrendous cramps. It makes me really happy to see so much support on here from women, it’s not all kittens and twirling in white short shorts like the Tampax commercials make it seem ! Some women go through hell.

 

[Sunfl0wer]

For me, I tend to get either even more depressed and suicidal, or really angry as in anything pisses me off. I may be a bit more anxious but I guess it's just not the biggest problem at the time since I had have to be extra careful not to hurt myself.

it’s not all kittens and twirling in white short shorts like the Tampax commercials make it seem

I think that if it ever got like that, I would wonder what I was on :D

 

[Deleted member 37868]

For me, I tend to get either even more depressed and suicidal, or really angry as in anything pisses...

I feel ya, it just seems to exacerbate everything! Some of those period apps can be helpful, I use Clue, if I’m feeling extra shitty I’ll log it and I can see on a screen that it’s pms, and for some reason that can be very reassuring. Doesn’t make it any less shitty though.

 

[EveHarrington]

Sometimes I’m like RAWR! And explode on everyone.

Sometimes I get a killer migraine.

Most of the time I have 0 PMS symptoms. I was lucky in that regard cuz I hated being reminded that I was female.

 

[freebird]

From reading on endometriosis and pmdd, there has been countless women suffering so horribly and doctors tell them it's all in their heads and/or refuse to listen. Only to find out later these women actually did had endo, pcos, or what have you.

For me, the pain has been so bad I have vomited, had crazy episodes, been suicidal, been bedridden from the pain, causing lost work days, and birth control didn't help. I was infertile for 5 years. Doctors called it dysmenorrhea. One doctor told me it was probably in my head. I never got answers.

I was only able to get pregnant taking chinese medicine a couple years ago after leaving the US.

My diet has changed since leaving. I don't eat butter. I drink less milk, and eat less chocolate and cheese. I eat more fresh vegetables, and less meat. I walk more often. I think that has helped too. I still have pain and have to stay in bed, but it's only 1 day now not 3 days. And the vomiting has stopped. I feel lucky but I'm pissed about the US not getting it's shit together with women's health. Having a uterus sucks.

Wonderful thread! I think mental health is linked to menstrual health based on my experience and reading your guys' experiences and online about it. There really needs to be more study on it.

 

[RoadtoHappy]

What a great thread. Thank you so much for making it. I get horrendous period pain. The cramps are so bad I can find myself on all 4’s rocking and crying with a hot water bottle. My poor husband now knows to make sure I have lots of painkillers. He works in the medical field so he k owe what works best. My doc prescribed me ponstan to Take before I’m sue and said not to wait for the cramps. This does help. This happens the day before I im die and for about andorhed day or two then I’m fine. My period is very light and lasts about 2-3 days so I’m very lucky that way but such pain for such a light period is bizarre to me. Doc has me booked for a gyno app and I’ve already had a scan that came back clear. I’m dreading gyno as all exams down there are traumatic. I’m
Lucky I have a great doc that takes this seriously.

I always wonder though is this all hormonal or is it related to the r***?

The week before I’m due I get terrible pelvic pains, not really cramps like spasms and I sometimes have body memories that it’s happening again, I actually feel the pain of it.

Seems so bizarre and abnormal but I know it’s not in my head.. maybe my mind causes it but the pain and feelings are real.

 

[Deleted member 37868]

What a great thread. Thank you so much for making it. I get horrendous period pain. The cramps are so b...

maybe the cramps trigger the ptsd about your trauma? Just an idea but it could be the other way around as well, either way if sucks, and I feel your pain quite literally, as I have horrible cramps as I’m writing this. Stay strong and I’m wishing you all the best in your recovery!

 

[RoadtoHappy]

Oh Tracy I hope your pain has eased a little today. Has your doctor prescribed you painkillers? I would recommend discussing ponstan with her as I find it definitely helps. It does not relieve them completely but I can function and they become very mild. I take them 2 days before I am due, I’m very regular. I normally won’t take medication including antibiotics, I try to suck it up naturally for most things but for this it’s not possible.

Apologies for the mistakes in my last post. Bloody predictive text!

Again thank you for a great post. It’s so comforting knowing I am not alone, unfortunately there are sooo many/ too many of us..

I send you my deepest thoughts and support Tracy for what you are going through. I hope your cramps have eased.

 

[MyWillow]

I took Ponstan in my late teens/early 20s. Pain was excruciating. Nothing worked. Nothing medically wrong. Started taking the pill straight through with the occasional break. Best. Decision. Ever.

 

[Deleted member 37868]

Oh Tracy I hope your pain has eased a little today. Has your doctor prescribed you painkillers? I would...

Thank you for the suggestion, I’ll talk to her about it! The support and love on here is overwhelming. I needed the kind words today. Hugs

I took Ponstan in my late teens/early 20s. Pain was excruciating. Nothing worked. Nothing medically wr...

I’m going to try it again, my sister has had quite a few health complications from being on the pill for years, her doctor told her she had to stop, which scares me a little, but we have quite different builds. I know birth control was one of the most important medications ever invented for women, but I don’t think, until recently at least, anyone really considered the draw backs. If I do I’ll have to get my doctor to keep a close eye on certain things.