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Menstruation and anxiety

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Posted 11/2/2014 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Does anyone else get a major increase in physical symptoms, anxiety and depersonalization/derealization just before or during that time of the month?

I had been having quite a good spell of feeling well, but 3 days before my period began I went into a major downward spiral and it has been bad pretty much every day for the last week :(

I am trying to remind myself that this will pass and I will feel better once my hormones switch, but it feels like it is taking so long... And it's Soooo disappointing to feel so bad after having had that upswing previously.
Posted 11/3/2014 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi!
I do!
Usually a couple of days before my period starts I get SO anxious. Start thinking I'm worse and my panic is back, but then my period hits and I understand that was it. Everything goes back to 'normal' after a couple of days.
My doctor also told me that during menstruation you do not absorb the medication as well, so if you're on something, there's another reason for those lousy days.

I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 11/3/2014 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Your cycle can have a huge impact. Hormones basically push me over the edge and I'm always worse around that time of the month. The price we pay for being women.
Posted 11/3/2014 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
I think this is a very common problem among us women..I'm currently on birth control and I've been on the same one for years now... I use the patch... My doctor suggested that I stay on birth control for 3 months then the 12th week remove my patch to get my period that way I won't have to deal with the hormones so much.And he likes for me to be on the birth control patch because it levels out my hormones.
Posted 11/3/2014 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi searching-

Yes yes yes. Before my struggles this year, I always notuced increased anxiety some months.

This year during my rough time, I've noticed it way more. Another forum member Keaz & I have been having the same conversation in the depression forum regarding our cycles affecting our moods pretty intensely.

Are you taking any anti depressants or anti anxiety meds? I remember feeling so disappointed when I started feeling (slightly) better several months ago, for about 3 weeks then got that same depersonalization & anxiety feeling & it was PMS time. It's a rotten feeling. I'm doing better though.

Hang in there and know we're here to support you!

Sending love-
Lisa
Posted 11/3/2014 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi searching1 yes!!!!!! if you go to my post you will see that I suffer big time during that time of the month ughhhh!!!! I hope you feel better soon in time it will get better ;)
Posted 11/3/2014 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I do notice an increase in symptoms in around menstruation and ovulation. I have to remember to remind myself that it is the fluctuations of hormones and that things will even out and get better soon! My doctor also gave me a supplement to take the last two weeks of my cycle that does actually help to even things out. You're not alone!!
Posted 11/3/2014 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much!

This month it really came on fast and strong for me and I had been doing particularly well for about 2 weeks.

I had been on birth control for almost 20 years and had stopped taking it 2 years ago - about 1 month before all of my symptoms and anxiety began. For a while I was sure that all of this was connected to my hormones and the fact that I'd been on birth control for so long. But I am 2 years off of it and assume that my hormones would have regulated by now...

I was on a few different SSRIs in the past, but none of them seemed to be beneficial for me. I do take Xanax as needed. I rarely take it, but during *this time* I do take it more often.

I just began going to a D.O. and she is looking into several different things for me, including my adrenals and hormones and such. I'm hoping she can help me out!
Posted 11/3/2014 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
What type of birth control were you using, if you don't mind my asking.
Posted 11/3/2014 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sure.

From age 15 until age 27 I took Ortho Novum 777. I went back to it after my son was done nursing in 2005 (I was 30), but I found I was having trouble on it, emotionally. I was switched to Loestrin 24 Fe. I stopped that in early 2008, had my daughter late 2008 and began taking a mini pill a few months after she was born while I nursed her. Then after that I went onto Aviane.

After a while, I began having severe depression on the week of placebo pills while on Aviane - I had never experienced that before! By early 2012 I began feeling suicidal during that one week every month, so my husband and I made the decision that we were done having kids and I should stop birth control, which I did by that June.

My odd physical symptoms and DP/DR began 2 months later.
Posted 11/3/2014 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
For me it really seemed to make everything much worse. At first I thought I was imagining it but I don't think that is the case after what I've read here. Even before the anxiety I had a really hard time with emotions during that time of the month so it only makes sense that it would effect us witht his as well.
Posted 11/3/2014 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
I couldn't tolerate the pill again after having my first daughter. After my second, my husband and I agreed that we were done (second child for me, 1st for him) and he had a vasectomy.

Thankfully I have my anxiety managed, and am in a good spot currently...

...but fluxuating hormones (I'm 44) of perimenopause and my monthly cycles, which aren't showing signs of letting up anytime soon, are issues that make it more challenging.

Coping skills, exercise, good nutrition and rest are all key!

S.C.
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