Questions For The Ladies

[SarahD]

I am wondering if anxiety and panic attacks increase when you are hormonal, or if it's just me because my trauma revolved around my pregnancies? If I'm not alone, what do you do to try to stay on a more even keel throughout the month?

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I do not know because I never had anxiety before the last year and that is because my husband has dementia and I am the head of the household and manage everything now.

I had a full hysterctomy and so I cannot say it is hormonal. I hope someone will come along and help you out on this one.

 

[SarahD]

Thank you for responding! I wanted a full hysterectomy after my last pregnancy, but my OB thought that was overkill, so we went with the tubal ligation. He was already making an exception for me doing the procedure as soon as he did, but we were in agreement that I should not get pregnant again. I knew PTSD was a possibility after hyperemesis gravidarum--I just didn't expect it to show up so violently 3 years after the fact.:(

 

[MiniKoi]

Hi SarahD,

Yes, I do experience this. Last week was my PMS week, and I reacted strongly to an issue at work that would have normally been a minor annoyance. It shocked me at how strong it was and I was edgy and distant all weekend long.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Ya know.. I deal with the symptoms so often that I've never paid attention. I probably should because I bet it does make a difference.

 

[Finding Shawna]

I try to pay attention, I have a woman's calender app and you can record symptoms, periods, moods, etc.... I have noticed my anxiety and depressionare usually worse around those times.

 

[SarahD]

My primary doc has mentioned birth control to act as a mood stabilizer. Unfortunately, I react badly to most hormonal treatments so I haven't said yes yet. Any thoughts about taking 'the' pill to help with anxiety? 'Course now this should be in the medication thread--but I'll spare the men two girly posts...

 

[Hashi]

My personal view, and others may disagree, is to stay away from medication as a catch-all or as a "this'll fix it". Again, a very personal view, but if my mood needs stabilising then I'd rather learn how to do that (eg with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills, relaxation etc) than take something that has umpteen different effects in the hope that maybe... possibly... it might also zap the thing I'm worried about.

I'm not generally a fan of medication, but if you want a medication for anxiety why not take a medication for anxiety rather than one for birth control? I had two weeks on propanolol (for anxiety) and it helped me get my head in a better place and find more sustainable ways of tackling the issue. Contraceptive pills? For me - no.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Umm haha.. just let me say now that I'm paying attention.. yes.

 

[rightkindofme]

I find that hormonal meds make me completely insane. My moods do flow with my cycle but in a way that I can prepare around and manage.

 

[SarahD]

If I start getting more agitated, my husband is usually the first to remind me what time of the month it is. Inevitably there is one day I just stay in bed, it's all just too much, and then things begin to improve. My regular anti-anxiety meds do little to nothing to counteract this rollercoaster, and hormonal medication really messes with me, so I guess I'll be researching other ways to calm this down...