This might be a sensitive subject to some, I apologize if I offend anyone...but have any of you noticed that your depression or anxiety (for me it's both) gets worse the week before your cycle starts? I have about a week out of the month where my insomnia goes through the roof, I wake up (or get up, if I haven't slept) thinking the darkest thoughts, sure that by week's end I will be in the hospital or worse. Just wondering if anyone else experiences this, particularly the insomnia. And if anything can be done about it, I am already taking celexa and trazodone, maybe the celexa just needs time to kick in, it's only been a week. Thanks!

It's not unusual to experience worsening depression during PMS. And there are disorders related to PMS. My best friend's mom suffers from serious-psycho PMDD, and takes celexa for it.
I hope some time and celexa will help you with it.

(((((larkinthemorning)))))) I have the same issue and it seems the older I get the worse it gets! I've noticed that when I avoid caffinne it isn't as "Mean" . I have been having coffee with caffinne this month and can tell I'm paying for it! I also notice when I am under more stress and not paying attention to healthy habits like eating right and regularly and getting exercise then it's worse too. I hope this helps some sweetie!

hey hon!!! well i just got over that just yesterday, this past week had been so bad not leaving bed or my couch no ambition to do anything, n my hubby doesnt understand so he just gets irritated cause i am so down n there is nothin to help me. i always dread that time of the month. i want to say thank you for posting that i was too scared to cause that was my problem all week n just too embarressed to say it THANK YOU!!!

(((((((((jellybean)))))))))) You post anything you want to whenever you need to sweetie!!

Hi Lark,
This happens to me as well although not quite as bad. I get really sad (more than usual) and weepy. The week before my cycle is usually the only time I ever cry.
I'm on Celexa too, almost three weeks now. How are you finding the side effects?
I agree with pearlseeker about avoiding caffeine. I've noticed that helps me manage my moods when I can manage to resist. Also I started taking calcium supplements and find that helps with other symptoms like bloating and cramps and general achiness.
I have insomnia pretty much all the time so I can identify with that. Hopefully the Celexa will help you soon.
I don't think you should worry about offending anyone with this post. It's something natural that all we ladies experience so we shouldn't be ashamed to talk about it.
If the Celexa doesn't give an improvement definitely bring it up with your doctor.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to post. At least I know I am not the only one who deals with this, before I had my second child I never had pms, and especially not this bad, so I guess it's just kind of shocking.

I am on day 8 of the celexa and I had a headache the first couple of days, but that went away. I have no appetite, but that could just be the depression. Other than being wakeful at night and kind of sleepy during the day, I haven't really noticed any other side effects. I am just waiting to feel like myself again, it's like I have good moments and bad moments throughout the day. Which is better than bad moments all day long, which is how it was before I started back on the celexa. How are the side effects for you? Have you noticed any change in your mood?

Lark

Hello,

I suffer with pms really really badley some months. And other months im not too bad but always get some sort of symptoms. I have verry little or no controll over my emotions when this happens & this really scares me.

I too have become worse the older ive got. Its been perticually worse this last year or so. I also get other symptoms which I can't say what they are because im too embaresd to say & because I would get kicked out of the forum.

The other side effect if I said what it is would make people laugh because it could be considered a good side effect but believe me its to such a degree that its not fun, or funny anymore & I can see it leading me to lots of problems in the future & already has in my past.

Because im on so much medication for all my illnesses mh & physical Its a fine balencing act. I have thought for a while now to ask for something to help. Some people are put on the pill to ease the side effects & with one of my physical illnesses a certain sort of hormone can make the symptoms worse. So I have always just backed out of seeing the GP about it.

I don't know I always end up blameing myself that I should be able to controll myself more, better. I feel like this makes me a weak person not to be able to controll my emotions & feelings at this time.

Sorry ive no idea why ive just said all this because its not going to help you much is it. I guess what I wanted to do is let you know that you are not on your own with this & I understand what its like.
Shine

I asked my ob-gyn if it was possible there's a hormonal componant to the really bad pms...she said it happens as we get older and that the celexa should take care of it. I was kind of hoping she'd do some hormone level tests, but nope. Oh well, we'll see what happens next month when the celexa should be in full swing.

Hey Larkinthemorning,
I've been getting this terrible lump in my throat all week and what do you know? Bingo! Always takes me suprise, don't know why!

I have always suffered from PMS symptoms..the cramping, the mood swings, depression, anxiety but I began some research and I have found that the nutritional side has helped.

I take Oona's herbal supplements to combat the premenstrual symptoms. It REALLY helps!

Also, try eating a lot of foods with trytophan (like egg whites, turkey, tofu, sunflower seeds), bananas, grains and yogurt especially in the 2 weeks before your period.

Exercise and eating healthy has really helped decrease my symptoms.

I hope this helps!!!! Feel better soon :)