Pre-menstrual rage issues

[ZeezMom]

I have a 13 month old & a 2.5 year old. I recognized my rage issues a while ago. When my period came back a few months after DS1 was born, the rage began. I was put on Zoloft temporarily. It helped a little. When I found out I was preggo w/#2, I sought therapy. I stayed on the Zoloft (prescribed by the OB, not the therapist) for longer after DS2.

And then it dawned on me. I feel normal 2 weeks out of the month. I can gently discipline & playfully parent with the best of them. But come a week or so before my period, I am a monster. And then I live with guilt & depression right up until it finally arrives.

Has anyone had this experience? Are we talking hormonal imbalance? Is there any remedy that doesn't involve taking a pill every day? For the record, I'm nearly 40 years old, so I want to avoid taking the pill, as I know there is one that claims to help with this sort of thing.

Also, I workout 5 days a week & eat a predominantly whole-foods diet rich in nutrient dense meals.

It's not helping.

[mbhf]

I don't really have a lot of advice but I do have a similar issue. For me just realizing that it's there and when I need to be more careful about my behavior helps a lot. When I can feel myself getting very upset I can usually tell myself I need to step out for a minute. It helps me to step back in the moment and realize that the yogurt all over the table (and the floor, and my son) is really not that big of a deal and it only feels like a big deal because of my hormones.

[earthmama369]

I'm there as well. I did the diet, stepping back and breathing, trying for perspective, nutritional supplements, counseling, the works. Maybe it's not "crunchy," but what it came down to for me was medication. If you're not talking a little cranky, having a bad day here and there -- if you're talking RAGE -- then that's more along the lines of PMDD than PMS. And for me, medication was a necessary part of the equation. It's taken a couple cycles to really kick in, but it's made a huge difference.

[mamalisa]

I tried everything, from changing my diet (no caffine, fish oil, all the things they say you should do) and tons of exercise.  I tried prozac two weeks out of every month (which helped) and finally as a last resort I went back on the pill (the daily, have a period every three months kind). After two and a half years of trying everything, I went back on birth control.  The pill truly works the best for me, though I don't enjoy being on it.  I'm actually not taking it right now to see if things are better and I can stop taking it.  

I hope you find something that works, it's so damn hard when it's completely out of your control.

[ZeezMom]

After I posted this, it dawned on me that what I might be experiencing is, in fact, PMDD. I read a Washington Post article about it here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/21/AR2010062104097.html And holy moly does a lot of it describe what I experience, especially the "foggy," and "anti-social" feelings.

I am glad to hear a positive report, Mamalisa, on the Serafem (that Prozac dose to which you refer.) I intend to ask my doctor for this & hope that it works. I do not want to have to take something every day.

MBHF: I wish I could take myself out of the situation, but it overtakes ME. I feel, well, out of control. And I KNOW it's happening WHILE it's happening. It's horrible.

Thanks, mamas, for your input.

[Surfacing]

Originally Posted by earthmama369 

I'm there as well. I did the diet, stepping back and breathing, trying for perspective, nutritional supplements, counseling, the works. Maybe it's not "crunchy," but what it came down to for me was medication. If you're not talking a little cranky, having a bad day here and there -- if you're talking RAGE -- then that's more along the lines of PMDD than PMS. And for me, medication was a necessary part of the equation. It's taken a couple cycles to really kick in, but it's made a huge difference.

Me too.

[tjlucca]

Have you had your hormone levels checked? I went through allot of what you are describing. I loved my family, and my life two weeks out of the month. The other two weeks, well......

I did a TON of research on Estrogen Dominance, Every resource I found, I had every single symptom on the list! Argh, I found a good Bio-identical progesterone supplement and it made a HUGE difference. I started to feel better within a few days of doing the supplementation. I recommend Emerita Pro Gest or the one I am using now I like better Gentle Pharmacy Clear Patch Natural Progesterone. If you try this, MAKE SURE you get a supplement that is bio-identical. Wild Yam cream won't do the job, though the person at the health store might tell you so. In any case, I hear you Mama. I've been there. Hope you feel better soon!

[heatherdeg]

OMG... I had WICKED PMDD.  Like "leaving my family, driving 3 hours away and divorcing my husband" PMDD.  Know what cured it?  MDC.  So help me, I can't remember what forum  (ETA: Here's the thread in Health & Healing's Mental Health forum--where I went in desperation), but they pointed me to VITAMIN B6.  I already took fish oil and had an awesome diet.  But they had me take a B-complex in the morning (to ensure that all of the "uptake" stuff I needed was there, and then another B6 supplement so that my total combined B6 was 150mg/day for the first 2 weeks and 200mg/day for the second two weeks.

Seriously--nobody was more stunned than I was that this stupid little supplement fixed such a debilitating problem.  My husband works at home and if not for that flexibility, I have no idea how we'd have gotten through it.  But the very first month was NOTICEABLY better and I didn't even start on day 1 of the first month.  And actually, most people only take 150mg the entire month.  I take Solgar (you can get them pretty much anywhere) B-complex and then Solgar B6 before bed.

I would urge you to try this.  The difference was (and remains) profound.  And before I actually HAD PMDD, I (silently and to myself, lest I offend someone) seriously thought PMDD was a complete farce.  Funny how life bites you in the butt like that--right?

I will figure out what forum that had the ongoing PMDD thread with the other things that women had tried, but I would definitely get some B-Complex & B6 and get it in you immediately. I'm not completely anti-drug; but if this can work...

[ZeezMom]

Originally Posted by heatherdeg 

OMG... I had WICKED PMDD.  Like "leaving my family, driving 3 hours away and divorcing my husband" PMDD.  Know what cured it?  MDC.  So help me, I can't remember what forum  (ETA: Here's the thread in Health & Healing's Mental Health forum--where I went in desperation), but they pointed me to VITAMIN B6.  I already took fish oil and had an awesome diet.  But they had me take a B-complex in the morning (to ensure that all of the "uptake" stuff I needed was there, and then another B6 supplement so that my total combined B6 was 150mg/day for the first 2 weeks and 200mg/day for the second two weeks.

Seriously--nobody was more stunned than I was that this stupid little supplement fixed such a debilitating problem.  My husband works at home and if not for that flexibility, I have no idea how we'd have gotten through it.  But the very first month was NOTICEABLY better and I didn't even start on day 1 of the first month.  And actually, most people only take 150mg the entire month.  I take Solgar (you can get them pretty much anywhere) B-complex and then Solgar B6 before bed.

I would urge you to try this.  The difference was (and remains) profound.  And before I actually HAD PMDD, I (silently and to myself, lest I offend someone) seriously thought PMDD was a complete farce.  Funny how life bites you in the butt like that--right?

I will figure out what forum that had the ongoing PMDD thread with the other things that women had tried, but I would definitely get some B-Complex & B6 and get it in you immediately. I'm not completely anti-drug; but if this can work...

Oh! Thanks so much. And "wicked" is an appropriate word. My behavior/thoughts are stunning, and I am with you on the preconceived notion of PMDD. I'm usually skeptical about such diagnoses, feel that things like depression & anxiety are WAY over diagnosed, so PMDD never even crossed my mind until I started typing this thread.

Thanks for the tip. I shall run out for some Solgar TODAY. And yes, I just discovered the PMDD thread last night. Thanks for the direct link.

[ZeezMom]

Originally Posted by tjlucca 

Have you had your hormone levels checked? I went through allot of what you are describing. I loved my family, and my life two weeks out of the month. The other two weeks, well......

I did a TON of research on Estrogen Dominance, Every resource I found, I had every single symptom on the list! Argh, I found a good Bio-identical progesterone supplement and it made a HUGE difference. I started to feel better within a few days of doing the supplementation. I recommend Emerita Pro Gest or the one I am using now I like better Gentle Pharmacy Clear Patch Natural Progesterone. If you try this, MAKE SURE you get a supplement that is bio-identical. Wild Yam cream won't do the job, though the person at the health store might tell you so. In any case, I hear you Mama. I've been there. Hope you feel better soon!

My doctor appointment is scheduled for tomorrow. I intend to request a hormone level check. May I ask how you approach finding a "good Bio-identical supplement?" I'll do some further research myself, but anything you can point me towards is appreciated. As is your input - thanks for your response, tjlucca.

[tjlucca]

Both the supplements that I listed are available on Amazon, or if you live near a Whole Foods, they carry the Pro Gest. Though I would recommend the one I am using now (Gentle Pharmacy Clear Patch Natural Progesterone) as the hormone is more consistently distributed throughout the medium (lotion, or sunflower oil). In any case, both are bio-identical. Your doctor can prescribe one too, but it will contain parabens, which I would stay away from, as they are carcinogenic. Remember that cortisol (the stress hormone) will fill the receptor sites for Progesterone whether your body makes it or you supplement it, so try to minimize stress as much as you can to get the best result from your efforts. Best luck to you Mama!! 

[heatherdeg]

I should note that I DID try progesterone cream (and spent a fortune to ensure I had a good one and put it in all the right places) but it didn't really work for me.  I did suspect hormone levels being off because I have an insulin disorder (way too much of it--mis- and undiagnosed for 17 years because they kept checking my sugar! >:(  ) and it threw off my hormone levels (discovered after a few miscarriages because I started the whole baby thing older--when more damage had been done).  So I knew that the tendency was there, but it didn't do anything for me.  :/  

Good to get hormone levels checked overall.  My insulin problem cause YEARS of intermittent (but severe) depression that medicine rarely got completely under control (ummm... because it wasn't a depression problem caused by my neurology!!!!).  Had someone done a fasting insulin level on me 17 years earlier, I probably would never have had to endure what I did for so long.

Granted, it wasn't the source of my PMDD, but if you're going and getting bloodwork done... might as well get everything checked.

[Chicky2]

I am right where you are. 

I wanted to  point out that you could very well be perimenopausal.  I know I am, but am looking more into adrenal fatigue to help my issues.  That, along with prog. cream (like pp mentioned) and the b vits too.  (thanks pp!)

Being perimenopausal will cause that rage, and also the fogginess, and a whole host of other issues. I'm 38 and thought I was too young until I realized my mom had her last menstrual cycle at 44.

[Smidge]

I didn't read the other posters, but I wanted to say that I have PMDD too.  With lots of exercise...ya know, the nice sweaty heart thumping kind + lots of rest and curbing my sugars, I feel almost normal when I used to feel the RAGE.  I'm sorry you're dealing with this mama, it's hard :(

[ZeezMom]

Originally Posted by Smidge 

I didn't read the other posters, but I wanted to say that I have PMDD too.  With lots of exercise...ya know, the nice sweaty heart thumping kind + lots of rest and curbing my sugars, I feel almost normal when I used to feel the RAGE.  I'm sorry you're dealing with this mama, it's hard :(

Thanks so much. Since October, I work out vigorously 4-5 days a week. I even participate in a boot camp at my gym a few days out of the month. I've lost the baby weight, feel stronger physically & am happy I did it. But it hasn't helped my symptoms much. I feel better for, like, a minute when the endorphins are dancing around right after my workout, but the "darkness" returns soon after. I've always been a healthy eater. I curbed my sugar intake significantly a few months before I started my workout regimen, where I kicked gluten, refined sugar, etc. 

You are right on the sleep note, however. Unfortunately, both my boys are horrendous sleepers. I am also still nursing the 14-month-old. So these two factors, I suspect, are contributing to my state of mind.

Doc has confirmed PMDD. Hormone test pending.

Thanks, mamas, for all your input. Comfort really does come in numbers.

[Eeyore35]

I take zoloft for pmdd, and it really helps.

[june'smom]

I had at least 7-10 days of uncontrollable rage before my period started.  I started taking magnesium and a b complex, along with my fish oil and getting more exercise.  I feel like a different person.  It has done wonders for my overall well-being.  Good luck finding your answer.  It is absolute hell.

[ZeezMom]

I've been taking a 50mg dose of B6 & kicked the one cup of coffee I have in a day. It has helped in an indescribable way. I can't believe the difference.

[ZeezMom]

Originally Posted by Eeyore35 

I take zoloft for pmdd, and it really helps.

The zoloft makes me dizzy. I tried it post-partum for a little while, but it doesn't agree with me.

[heatherdeg]

Originally Posted by ZeezMom 

I've been taking a 50mg dose of B6 & kicked the one cup of coffee I have in a day. It has helped in an indescribable way. I can't believe the difference.

   

Are you taking the B6 straight?  Or as part of a B-complex with the uptake portions?  I never tried it any other way.

Isn't it insane?  I was drop-dead stunned.  Welcome to recovery!