PMS with Panic/anxiety attacks

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I am noticing a pattern with my anxiety/panic attacks and it seems to be related to PMS they are so bad that during them I feel like I am truly going to loose my mind. I also get very depressed either before or after that varies a bit.

Is there anything I can do to help either natural or meds I am not picky at this point.

I was on welbutrin but had to stop it due to it causing some side effects I couldnt live with. I have taken zoloft in the past but also have issues on it. Anything and every thing send it my way please.

[RiverTam]

Heavy cardio exercise for 30+ minutes per day can help relieve panic attacks.

[mom0810]

I'm having the exact same issue! My anxiety/panic is awful before my period. Close to ovulation, I am fine. Then the spiral begins.

I read last night in Dr. Amen's book about anxiety and depression that prozac works really well for women with this hormonal up and down stuff. He also said that xanax can help in the extreme anxiety.

It was funny to read because my pdoc just prescribed this exact combo for me. I had gained a lot of weight on zoloft and went off a year ago. I've been okay, but the constant battle in my head with the anxiety has just gotten to be too much for me. I am tired. I want relief. So I am going to start meds again next week.

[earthmama369]

I have cycle-tied adrenalin and panic issues, as well. Exercise can help, as can diet and sleep. Alcohol and caffeine (i.e. my beloved dark chocolate) are especially strong triggers for panic attacks. Ironic, I know.

Sometimes exercise, diet, and sleep aren't enough, though. If your panic attacks tend to hit your stomach (you know how roughly half of panic attack sufferers feel like they're having a heart attack, the other half get really upset stomachs?), a mild muscle relaxant/pain reliever can help. I found that uterine cramps right before and during my period really exacerbated my stomach problems, and getting a prescription for naproxen helped immensely. It smooths out the uterine muscles and reduces cramping to a more normal level. Since uterine cramping was triggering intestinal cramping, it prevented a lot of that, too, and I stopped throwing up every time I got my cycle. BIG improvement to my quality of life. I take it for about two weeks each month -- the week before and the week during my cycle. It targets the physical symptoms of a panic attack, not the source, but it does the trick. Might be worth a try if your doc finds that it won't interfere with anything else you're taking.

[mamahart]

I have SEVERE pms issues, pain and exhaustion being primary and then the lovely sense of impending doom and panic.
I take xanax and have for years. If life is intensely stressful I find myself more prone to more severe panic moments and lean on this medication more, some months I take maybe 1 or 2.
I have to qualify this with xanax being incredibly problematic and addictive for some people. I just have not had this problem and like the sort of "instant" relief and short acting quality. It can make me very very tired if I am not extremely careful about when I choose to use it.
I also regularly use other natural stress remedies and always try those first.
I have to admit that it is a lifesaver for me.
I also out of my childbearing and nursing years.
Good luck mama! It's really really hard to feel that high anxiety then the crash of depression when you are trying your best to be a good mother.

[sapientia]

I have this problem too-very bad anxiety/depression with my pms.
I can't/won't take any sort of xanax or anything like that. I've found that I get very introspective and that leads to my being depressed/anxious-so I do a bit of meditation in the tub, have learned to deep breathe through it-some bach flower rescue remedy helps.
I also up my bvitamins and that helps. I'm always looking for new natural stuff, though.