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Honestly, I would rather take physical pain then the mental turmoil my head goes through prior to my period.

Given my age I could be peri-menopausal.

I cannot think straight. Whatever anger/sadness is in me, becomes forefront. I have to FORCE myself out the door and if we have plans to go out or be social in any way... I am a hot mess. Feel like a cat in a cage!

I go to the gym, I take my vitamins (esp. the B's), I eat fairly well during this time.

If you have this head space and find something that relieves it, please let me know. Mine usually lasts 24-48 hours before period and then it comes back again 7 -8 days in for another day.

Just been through this Spring to now. All tested out - nothing wrong with me - YAY!

But I'm still crazy and I'm still physically ill.

It goes from about 7 days before my period to the 2nd day OF it.

Got on prozac - all fixed. Had some tests one week - messed up my med schedule, didn't even get 1/2 the normal doses that week = this pms FROM HELL!

Mentioned it to IC today - why I got through 1 year post Dday then fell apart, got help, got better, then fell apart again. Today she says "hmmm, could be some PMDD going on".

I've spent most of the day trying to come up with a better name for it. IF this is what I'm going through, I'm thinking PMDestructiveDisorder LOL.

oh no, Jennifer! Sounds rough! I have always had some...head space issues vs. the crampy/headache issues some women get.

Pretty sure I am going back to my Naturopath to figure something out.

About two weeks before period is due I get:

Migraines

Bloated

EXTREME breast tenderness

Gain 2-5 lbs

Wild and Wicked Mood Swings

Anger Issues

Weepy

Cramps

Acne

Exhausted

This is all relatively new for me. I used to have periods that last three days and I wouldn't have known they were coming except for keeping track on my calendar.

I asked my OB/GYN and she said:

Congratulations your a woman... deal with it. Stupid Bitch!!!

PMDestructiveDisorder

good one!

Yep, I get PMS 7 days before the period now and when the "friend" arrives, its not as much as it was before. I'm like "you put me through HELL for one straight week and this is all you got??" I mean really, at least before I'd have something to "show" for it. Now, its like why all the freakin PMS if its just about to go away now. I'm 40 and thought I had longer to go before good ol menopause...now I'm wondering.

And then a day or two after it comes I get all bloated and irritable all over again. WTF?

I've been in the throws of peri menopause for about 10 years. it S.U.C.K.S.

There are some saliva tests that can be done to measure your hormones to see if you're peri, then if you are there are some medical options out there for relief. I did bio-identical hormone creams for a while and LOVED IT!!! They helped more than anything. Unfortunately, our insurance stopped covering them

It's definitely gotten worse over the past few years. The symptoms have not only gotten worse, but lately (past few years) there is no rhyme or reason or pattern to them .

It's like a severe case of the "meh's" mixed in with a dash of anger, sadness or melancholy, and scoop of amnesia alamode when it's on special.

Pre-planning helps me sometimes. Laying out clothes for a committed event days ahead of time. Self talk too. "If I go and last 1/2 an hour, I will reevaluate and go home if I'm not feeling better/more comfortable or just uncontrollably stabby". Laying off the caffeine was a biggie for me. Not only helps with a slightly less slaughter house scene in my pants, but also with mood. Sunshine, in addition to vitamins. I always feel a little better when I've been outside, even just sitting on the deck for a bit.

I was having terrible PMS. I was a basket case. Couldn't sleep, stomach in knots,my mind would go non stop... And yes I was very emotional.

I called my gynocologist & she suggested Prozac 2 weeks before my period.. It has helped me a lot .

In Chinese Medicine this is called Liver Qi Stagnation and there are herbs and acupoints that really help with this. I was able to become completely free of all PMS symptoms, including mood issues connected to my period. I suggest you see an acupuncturist who does herbs, or see a nutritionist that can guide you through a gentle nutritional liver detoxification process. You will be amazed at the improvement.

Magnesium helps me a lot, I take it for at least a week before my period is due, it has completely stopped the PMS migraines I used to suffer from. Starflower oil capsules are also definitely worth a try.

Thanks all! I love the sound of the liver detox InnerLight.

Unfound, your entire post was rich with material...I esp like the "slightly stabby" bit. My sister got me some bio-identical prog creame from the US. Do you recommend a brand? My Naturopath suggested one by a company called, Emerita.

As for the "you're a woman" comment. Yeah. Thanks a pantload, Doc!

Not to discount accupuncture, but As a medical professional I have to speak up about liver detox. This is nonesense, and can be very damaging, and cause some significant health issues. Please read up on it before trying.

The prozac 2 weeks before periods is kind of a new thing, and I am seeing it more and more. Most of the women who do it, seem to really get a lot of benefit from it.

I too am experiencing Perimenopause stuff. I had a hyst at 32, but they left my ovaries, so I have hormonal cycles, just not the periods. 3 months ago PMS was like I was 16 again. I had horrible zits, you know those giant ones that are connected to your brain they are so deep. Plus I couldn't stand to be touched for about 3 days. And I felt like a cat in room full of rockers. I was amazingly tense. Last month all the mood stuff, but not the acne so some better. I just keep telling myself that in the grand scheme of things this won't last very long, and I will survive it, and just suck it up. Oh and did I mention the HOT flashes at what would be the end of my period. Yah those are awesome.

No HRT for me, stong family history of breast cancer.

So in another 5 years I should be done with it. That's doable....I hope.

I forgot the Hot Flashes.

Also, Non-stop hunger

And one other thing that I forgot again...

(((((all the peri-m womenz)))))

oh my, yes... I wonder if anyone has divorced over perimenopausal pms? the week before I have a day where I could rip someone's head off. IT didn't used to be this bad!

Now, I up my Lexapro that week and it does work!

Not to discount accupuncture, but As a medical professional I have to speak up about liver detox. This is nonesense, and can be very damaging, and cause some significant health issues. Please read up on it before trying.

Yes it must sound scary to get random health advice from an anonymous website. So let me clarify what I mean by a nutritional liver detox...I am a professional nutritionist and have helped hundreds of women relieve PMS with nutrition and herbs.

A good liver detox involves eliminating caffeine, alcohol, sugar and possible food sensitivities like gluten and dairy. It ensures adequate protein and nutrient intake because the detox pathways in the liver require amino acids from protein and other vitamins such as B6. You do have to eat 7-10 servings of vegetables a day and drink plenty of water. Sound frightening?! Bhwaaah! The menu of the average american is way more scarey than this!

You say it's nonsense but since the liver has to break down and conjugate hormones directly involved in PMS, and since all our metabolic pathways are dependent on nutrients to function it only makes logical sense to go on a diet and lifestyle program that gives the liver the chance of operating at its absolute best.

If you don't want to take that trouble yes there are SSRIs to take. Hopefully the side effects of weight gain and lowered libido won't put you in a worse mood. And hopefully once you are addicted, as they are addictive medications, that your insurance coverage stays - they are also quite expensive and you won't be able to quit easily.

I know SSRIs help lots of people and thank goodness it is there. But do your research there too Prozac is way more dangerous than a properly done liver detox.