[Jess1]

I'm after any advice for this situation. I will go to the doctor or gyno but really after anyone who might have experienced the same thing.

I don't know what is happening to me. My periods have always been normal until after I had my second child 2 years ago, they were then extremely heavy and long like nothing I have experienced. They seem to have finally come right in terms of flow and time but now I am experiencing other symptoms. The day or 2 before my period my whole body changes, I bloat terribly and have awful cramps. The last time they were actually worse then labour pains and I felt like I was going to pass out (felt incredibly hot) - it didn't last long but was terrible. Then I experience moodiness to an epic level. I behave like a mad person almost, I just can't seem to control it. I feel like I have no energy at all and my head is completely clouded.

I had gone to the doctor recently and had a blood test where it found I had very low iron reserves (I had previously had extremely low iron levels so they have increased from iron tablets) so am taking iron tablets. The blood test checked to see if I am celiac but it came back mostly negative for that - they just want me to keep an eye on it. I've only really just put together the moodiness and cramps occurring just before my periods. I just thought that it was normal - many woman complain about cramps and bloating but it's just affecting me so much.

It's the moodiness that I'm most worried about. I feel like a completely different person, could that be something to do with hormones?

Has anyone experienced this and if so what did you do? I'm desperate!

[elizabethany]

While I haven't had the same experience, I did have a huge change in my cycle after DS. I have heard that hormone levels often change after pregnancy, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Maybe look at any hormonal contraceptive you are on, and see if that needs changing/including/eliminating.

[testify]

Have you had a mirena in? They can really mess up your cycles.

Also have you been tested for cysts and endometriosis? What you are describing could be cysts bursting, especially the immense pain. I get thatawful pain and bloating around my period and also after sex (about 4 days to a week before my period). I have lots of cysts and endo.

Lastly, get your hormones checked as you may have an imbalance that could be caused by poly cystic ovaries. PCOS can often give you really bad hormonal mood swings.

This post has been edited by Omega_particle: 26/02/2013, 11:39 AM

[Jess1]

Thank you for replying. That helps a lot.

I should have mentioned that I am not on any contraception, we are using condoms because I didn't want to make things worse by being on anything. Maybe that was the wrong thing though. I do know that I tried the pill I used before having my daughter and couldn't handle it after so stopped. I then tried depro needle but I also wasn't happy with that. I haven't been on anything for over a year.

I haven't been tested for cysts or anything - I am up to date with my pap smears.

[Swahili]

OP- look up Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. The symptoms you describe sound similar. A very low dose antidepressant and exercise can work wonders for women who have PMDD.

[Jess1]

I have never heard of this - just looked it up and it describes everything! I know I still need to go and see someone but at least it gives me more information before I go in.

Thank you so much - I'm actually in tears reading that it might not just be in my head.

[JaneDoe2010]

It is awful. I was at the stage where I'd have 1.5 good weeks per month, the rest like a horrible PMS cow.

I have just gone on Implanon to see if it will help with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It's either going to be AWESOME or the absolute pits, and make me worse, but if that happens I can have it removed. It's only been one week so far and the only negative side effect I've had is I'm TERRIBLY paranoid at the moment (add that to my other mental health issues, I'm a total looney LOL) but I've been told that may be an initial side effect and I'm hoping it will wear off (if not I'll have to have it removed). I was also very low in iron, and am taking DR recommended supplements, but Implanon should help with that as you usually don't get periods.

Good luck. xx

[Jess1]

Don't worry Jane Doe - I have other mental health issues so we can be totally looney together!

That is really interesting. I have had implanon before and still got my periods but that was many years ago so it might be different now. That is how I feel - like I am only normal some of the time. I was trying to explain it to my husband tonight and was saying it is like I am walking around in a cloud and can't cope with anything. I cannot even tell you how angry I have gotten - it's terrible

I'm making an appointment for my gyno tomorrow. Thank you so much for replying - it's all helped so much.

[Swahili]

Jess, if you google Catalyst (ABC show) and PMDD, there was a very interesting episode a year or two ago which goes into PMDD and the role of low dose antidepressants. Good luck.

[JaneDoe2010]

Anti-depressants are common for PMDD. Unfortunately I'm already on them so can't try that to help me LOL!

Happy to have more crazy people on board Jess1, they're my favourite sort of people.