PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

[CMF]

Hi,

I am 46 and have always suffered anxiety on and off. The last few months I have had triggers that caused anxiety and I will have a particular thing that I panic and worry about. I have started to notice that it happens more around that time of the month. I do suffer other pmt symptoms but am noticing a pattern with the anxiety now. There will be a trigger, I will feel panic/anxiety during the day and wake at times during the night as i constantly think negative things about it about. It will then it will lift, like a dark cloud has been removed from my mind and I think more rationally and of positive things re what I am anxious about and tell myself how silly I was being. I will then feel ok and more upbeat until the negative talk sets in again-i.e when I wake the next morning. When this happens I try to remember that I was feeling ok and why I was feeling ok and that it is the anxiety making me think negatively but it is an ongoing cycle. I know hormones play a part in this. I have a dr apt next week but I am assuming it is hormone related as my last few anxiety/panic attacks have been around the time of the month. My cycles etc are also changing.

I am taking magnesium and B6 now and drinking chamomile and green tea.

Has anyone been though this or had experience with pmt anxiety.

cmf

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi cmf,

Sorry to hear that you crashed this evening. It sounds like you're a bit burned out; I hope that you've been implementing lots of self-care.

I'm so pleased that you didn't end up cancelling the Doctor's appointment. I really encourage you to go. Sometimes the referral can take a little time anyway so in my opinion it's better to go and book and postpone then wait and wait. If you do end up feeling better again maybe you could try and look at it from the perspective of "I feel great, so now I can get some tools to help me keep feeling this way".

Thank you for sharing the app that you use. I did a quick search and saw that it was one of the top 5 for brain training which is great. TanZen isn't for brain training it's more of a game where you move triangles around; it might not be for you but I know I play it a lot when I'm anxious and it helps.

Here are a list of the other apps if you'd like to try them - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/23/brain-training-apps-five-of-the-best

[CMF]

Hi Romantic Thi3f,

yes I looked at TanZen, think I would find it frustrating lol. Ill look at the link you shared, thanks so much.

cmf

[CMF]

Hi,

I had my blood tests done and I am in perimenopause. For the first time in 25 years I am not anaemic, everything came back good buy my FSH was very high which calls out perimenopause.. I feel like crap. I haven't had my period this month but every day feel like its coming. I have so many hot flushes, am so tired and,, moody and swing between anxiety and depression. My stomach hurts, usual pmt symptoms which is what perimenopause is all about.I feel useless,not doing much for my kids just the basics as I cant function.

How long do I have go feel like this? I am taking something to regulate hormones so I should feel better but they need to kick in which takes time.

I hate everyone and everything at the moment. I'm a useless mum and just useless at everything.

cmf

[CMF]

My perimenopause has turned into permanent PMT. Oh goodness, its gonna be a long ride.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi,

Thank you for posting again and I'm sorry to hear that you don't have good news. I know that perimenopause is not something that you want to hear but it would explain a lot of the moods and hormonal changes that your body has had to go through recently.

I have not gone through menopause so I'm not sure that I have much to offer here, but I can tell you that what you're feeling will not be consistent, and that I've heard it's quite normal for things to come and go. I also know that there are many different options and things to try as there are many people going through this.

I highly recommend that you try the Jean Hailes website as it has lots of suggestions and resources which I've linked below - https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management

https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause

I'm also wondering if you've considered seeing a psychologist? They can be incredibly helpful in helping to manage some of the effects that this is happening for you and help to challenge some of the beliefs that you have. It's okay that you hate everything but you're not a useless mum. You're struggling and that's okay and you're not alone but that doesn't make you useless.

If you're open to this you can have a look more here - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-professional

Hope this helps

[Music_Freak]

I'm 36, so not of “that age” yet but I do find that my pms is just horrible depression more so than mood swings, irritability etc

I'm on the pill and only have periods every 3 months and this has helped.

[SDW]

Hi Can't Move Forward

Your description of mood swings, feelings etc resonate with me too. It is worse when I am premenstrual and during period and then as I come out the other side there seems to be bit more light. My head is full at the moment with thoughts, they don't go away, I work myself into a state. I have only joined the forum this week for that reason, I need to an outlet. I have for years drunk green tea, taken magnesium etc and it works, i am having trouble at the moment with heartbreak.

[CMF]

Hi SDW,

so sorry to hear of your heartbreak. Have you started a thread to reach out to others? You will find many wonderful people here. I too have been drinking green Tea and I take magnesium. Vitamin d and iron are also very important so I'm making an effort to keep them up.

this perimenopause is like constant pmt. I do find having a good walk or physical activity helps also, especially if the weather is good.

Hi Music Feak, thanks for your info too. I'm glad you have found something that brings you some relief.

cmf x

[Music_Freak]

Physical activity is good for so many things. I make sure I at least go outside with my cat for 10 or so minutes every day for vitamin D

Green leafy veg is good for iron, and of course red meat and pork, but I find veg is cheaper.

What's magnesium good for? I used to take evening primose oil tablets in my younger pre-med days and that did wonders. I'm not sure why though

[CMF]

Hey Music Freak,

magnesium is good for cramps and relaxing the muscles, which therefore helps with anxiety. I used evening primrose when I was younger too. Vitex agnus chastis is a plant and you can buy in tablet form. People swear by it as it regulates hormones and ovulation. My dr recommends it for people trying to get pregnant. Not sure how it goes with the pill though.

cmf