Helloooo to my favorite women in the world!

I have had a helluva PMS bout this period. Used to be it was normal for me to have one night where I ate 2 bags of chips. This time, I double-bagged it on two separate nights. Also had very intense salt cravings. And at work the other day, it was as if Satan compelled me down that stairs to Baskin-Robbins for a double-scoop of extra-extra chocolate.

I can deal with all of that. (Nice to have an excuse to eat crap, I always say!)

But what is getting me is this: It used to be that once my period did actually arrive, I would find immediate emotional relief. It was almost like this aura of comfort would pour over me and I would feel a sense of "being back."

But now it seems as though the anxiety might be even worse during my period.

Last month, I had PMS symptoms (those classic episodes where one's patience is absolutely fried) a few days after my period. But until recently, I would only experience that very specific sort of "snappiness" exactly one week before my period.

Anybody else out there find that the PMS blues/anxiety don't seem to go away with the coming of the period any more?

Just curious.

I'll close with a big shout out to my sisters out here. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that you and this board often help me get through the day.

Big XO

Sukie

Hi Sukie,
I haven't had "regular" cycles in a long long time, but I will tell you that right before mine went irregular ( skipping, lighter etc) I began having more severe PMS symptoms at the beginning of my period. The blues and mood swings were my biggest issues. Then it changed to no symptoms until my period ended when I would get the symptoms I should have had days prior to everywhere in between. I think our bodies are so messed up by hormones that it can't make up its mind what time of the month it wants to drive us nuts! Hang in there. You're as normal as the rest of us!

And I agree...this board is a God-send.......((Hugs))....Ajay

Ajay,

Thank you for the note. It's amazing how much it helps just knowing someone else experienced the same, isn't it?

I was really relieved to hear that someone else out there had experienced PMS-type symptoms after her period. That was really strange for me. (My experience of that last month was that I found myself getting really short with a dear, dear friend on the phone. After I hung up the phone, I reflected back on the conversation and had to ask myself, "Who WAS that talking on the phone earlier?" Of course, I called my friend, explained and apologized.)

I'm really at the early stages of all of this, it seems. So I'm still a bit befuddled by it all.

Thanks for the ever-conforting reminder that I'm not alone.

xo

Sukie

ukie, You're very welcome. That's what we're all here for. I have had the same experience as you in that I snapped at my own mother once and left her in tears. I felt so bad, so I called her back. After a few moments she said, "Honey, are you going through the change? " Thank goodness she understood. And the cravings??? Oh my gosh, I had to laugh when I read what you said about the cravings of chips and Baskin Robbins! That's ME!!!!
Keep reading and asking questions on this wonderful board. The ladies here are more than cyber-sisters to me, they're more like family and the compassion is overwhelming. The more you read and learn the more likely you'll have a better understanding as new symptoms plague you. Hang in there!
~~Ajay

OOps....spelled your name wrong on the last post. Sorry! Another meno-symptom perhaps?? EEK!

Hey Suki- My anxiety use to get worse BEFORE my period... then it changed and got worse DURING my period.. then it changed again and got worse AFTER my period!

I'm a year now without my period and the anxiety is gone!!! Well... sometimes, if I'm under stress or put in a stressful situation I might get a little bout of it, but for the most part it's behind me, so HANG IN THERE! Things DO get better!

XOXOXOX

Ajay,

You're so right about the women on this board. I have to confess: I haven't had many close female friends in my life over the past couple of decades. Something about this experience, however, has given me a new-found appreciation and admiration for my sisters out there.

When I start to feel really low and sad and convinced that I'm dying of some horrific disease, I try to remember that one very positive seed has been planted here and has already started to bloom. And that is rediscovering the positive aspects of women--certainly in others and hopefully at some point within myself.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. And you are certainly not alone on the cravings front. Granted they're not huge bags, but I really and truly did sit down and snarf a bag of "Veggie Booty" and then a bag of "Soy Crisps" and it barely did anything for me. Obviously since I did a repeat performance 2 nights later. And I truly was compelled down the stairs at work that day for chocolate ice cream. Almost felt like I was going to go into labor if I didn't get the double-scoop chocolate cone--and I'm not even pregnant!

xo

Sukie

Oh. My. Goodness! I can't believe you have experienced what I seem to be experiencing. I have to say it's really, really weird. Up until very recently, I could actually peg the exact date of my period based on when I became irritable. I would find myself impatient about something and know that in exactly one week, I would be menstruating. And it was 100% consistent.

So needless to say, being weepy the day of is really weird for me. Used to bring relief.

What lifted my spirits, however, is the fact that when the periods departed, so did the anxiety.

It's sooooo hard to believe that when you're in it, you know? You just feel like something broke inside of you and that life will never be normal again. I was talking with a friend today about trying to "live with" these feelings of anxiety and sadness. And how hard it is because we didn't choose the feelings!

I don't like living with something that I didn't choose!

And I don't know how to make peace with the intruders, either.

I will keep your words in the back of my mind: that it comes to an end eventually.

I long for that day and am so happy for you that you made it through and are in the clear.

xo

Sukie

(What I meant to say was, "What lifted my spirits, however, is the fact that when YOUR periods departed, so did YOUR anxiety.")

Sukie

***I don't like living with something that I didn't choose!

And I don't know how to make peace with the intruders, either.***


Perfectly said, Sukie!! I have never thought of peri as being intruders that make me live with something I didn't choose! Wow....no wonder I feel like this is all out of my control. Thanks for that!
((HUGS))

You're welcome, Ajay. That is really how it feels, isn't it? I try to jog the intruders out with my sneakers. Or cry them out with Kleenex. Or rub them out with an occasional massage. But they sometimes feel stuck in there!

Hi Sukie:

I could not believe it when I read your post!!!!! Yes, Yes, I have noticed a difference in the last two months. I thought I was losing my mind worse than before. I have been having irregular cycles for a while now but still have the anxiety high until I actually started, then I would get relief. The last two cycles have been different. I was so anxious last weekend into this week and then I started day before yesterday but I am still feeling the anxiety so high!!!!!!!!!

What is the deal anyway? I hate it!!!!
Hugs,
Jeaninne

Hi Suki

I have been having the same symptoms for around the last five months.
I couldn't figure it out, until I did some research and discovered that often
women as they go further into peri start to ovulate earlier in the month.
For me this can be around day 9, which means the estrogen is starting to
climb earlier in the cycle.
I hope this helps, once I figured out what was happening, I didn't worry about
it so much anymore.

stitchnanny,

YAY, yet another woman out there with the same experience. (I mean, I'm sorry for you that you're experiencing this nuttiness but YAY--we're not alone. There's you, there's me and there are the others on this board who have commented.)

I know exactly what you mean.

It's my birthday today. And I wanted to wake up feeling really happy about a new year. And happy about sending off the old. (43 was a B****!)

But when I got up, I was soooo anxious and panicky and nervous. I couldn't shake it. Fortunately, I found a present waiting for me from my roommates and that really touched me and made me cry. And that's just what the doctor ordered because I was able to get some emotions out of my body and then feel better.

But prior to that happening, I didn't want to leave the house, didn't want to go to work, didn't want to go out for drinks after work (as I had planned). I just wanted to be held and rocked like a baby!

It's really frustrating because I'm on day 2 of my period and being hormonally challenged at this point in my cycle is really weird.

But I guess something we're just going to have to get used to.

At least now, I know it's menopause. Not long ago, I didn't know what was happening to me and I was terrified (and I don't use that word lightly.)

Thanks for your post and support.

xo

Sukie

nzmum,

WOW. You were actually able to figure out why this is happening. I still don't totally understand why the earlier ovulation would cause longer PMS symptoms. Is it that the complete cycles become shorter? And as such, your estrogen levels are just higher during more days in the cycle?

(And are higher estrogen level what cause the anxiety?)

I'm relieved to know there is some explanation for this.

Based on my limited experience with perimenopause, it can all feel really willy-nilly. So explanations are nice!

Thank you!

Sukie