I FEEL CRAZY!

[5ft Diva]

I need to begin this thread by saying: "I FEEL CRAZY!" Literally, I do. I just about lost it w/ my kids tonight. I know it has to do w/ my premenstrual cycle. About seven to ten days before I start my period I go through a period of time where I literally feel crazy, and I would daresay, I think crazy thoughts. Little things set me off. I mean LITTLE things. I then calm myself down and walk away from the situation only to dwell on it more and I start playing the scenario out in my head and I'm literally a crazy woman. I scare myself w/ the stuff that I can see myself doing and the way I am choosing to handle it in my head. I don't know what is wrong w/ me and I don't know what causes this but is there ANYONE out there who can relate to this? This is so not like me and yet it is because I've been like this all of my life. Just not every day. Just like, every other month for about 4 days at a time. Sometimes I can go like four or five months w/out having an "episode" but this time it's been two months in a row. I don't get it. I looked it up on the internet and the only thing that I got was homeopathic remedies. One was called folliculinum 9c? I think, and the other was called natrum-mur. Anyway, if there is anyone who can relate to this, please let me know. Otherwise, I guess it was nice to just blow off a little steam. My poor family. I called BS tonight to let him know I was not handling things well and he was like, "What am I supposed to do, I don't understand what's going on?" I felt bad for him...and my kids. I'm just glad they don't see what is really going on inside of me. I am a total whack-job when I get like this. It's driving me nuts. I know my honesty is raw but it feels good to just say what's going on inside of me. If you think I'm crazy after reading this, well, you'll be right about 10% of the time.

[Mamallama]

I don't have a solution 5D, but I can totally relate. I usually have a couple of PMS days that I are an absolute nightmare. Everything is ampliflied tenfold---I feel like such a bad person, that I can't handle anything-----I lose my temper so easily on these days---IT FEELS AWFUL AND I FEEL CRAZY too!!
Sometimes the worst of these come a couple of months in a row and sometimes several months go by without it. I tell you, when my period actually starts though, I feel SO RELIEVED everytime telling myself "Oh, see you're not crazy, it was just your time of the month. It is a very scary time. You're not alone 5D!!

[LostnFound]

My menstrual cycle has a different affect on me. About ten days before my period starts I go into a pretty deep depression where I literally do not want to get out of bed. It takes all I can to get myself out of bed. I feel worthless and invisible. It's almost like an out of body experience because it's just not who I am on a normal day. It luckily will only last a day or two and then I am back to normal. It amazes me what the changes in hormones in our body can do to our minds.

I have thought about talking to a doctor about medication about leveling out my hormones. So I guess I can relate to you ladies just in a different way.

[Mamallama]

I get it in the form of depression sometimes as well LnF. I like your description of how it feels almost like an outer body experience----that's an accurate description as to how I feel as well. I too am thankful though that it only lasts a day or two---and you are right, it is amazing how hormone levels have such an effect on our mind! These feelings are very real feelings and yet it's not me---if that makes sense.

[Imahoot]

Well Diva you are not alone. I think a lot of women go through this as well. Some worse than others. It is only since my last child that I have experienced PMS and it is horrible. I experience similar issues with being cranky and irritable with my kids. A very short fuse! I know I am doing it and I cannot stop and that usually makes me crankier.

[Dia Minha]

Oh boy, can I relate, to both the craziness and the depression.

Have any of you ever tried keeping a food journal? I would be really interested, if you see any correlation to the types of food you are eating and your mood swings.

I truly believe you might notice a big difference in the way you are eating. On your bad months I would expect that you have been eating a lot of refined carbohydrates and not getting enough healthy oils. On the good ones you have probably been eating more whole grains, lean protein, low fat dairy and fruits and vegetables.

It is not an easy thing to do. However, I do believe you can balance your hormones through diet. Going on artificial hormones can cause side effects and has even been linked to breast cancer. So even though it would be a quick easy way to go, it might not be the best for you. Balancing your hormones through diet can be difficult and take more time. You might not see a change or difference right away. And because it is not an every month type of thing it can be even harder to establish what really works for you.

Dia

[Big_Sissy]

First off, why am I reading this thread?

Also, along the lines of Dia, would anyone be willing to take some vitamin B12 when they start feeling this way just to see what if any affect it would have?

[5ft Diva]

Oh, Man! Dia, I knew I'd get an assignment from you! I totally agree with you. I think my diet has a ton to do w/ how I feel. I also think it has to do w/ the amount of stress I'm dealing w/.

One and all for your responses. It means so much to me to know I'm not alone in how I feel. I really thought I was the only one who did this. LnF, I totally think your depression is exactly the same thing, just manifested differently. Oh, you guys have no idea how much this meant to me. I think the thing that is most helpful to me is the moral support. I'm not in this alone. Thanks again!

[Meticulous madness]

You're definitely not alone! I would be willing to bet that nearly every woman in the world has had "episodes" of one sort or another, with regards to PMS.

I still kind of chuckle about an old co-worker of mine. She was running an errand and I asked if she would get me some Ibuprofen while she was out. I was having cramps. She came back with a bottle of PMS relief. Apparently I was having attitude in addition to my cramping.

Now, a sane person wouldn't have thrown the bottle back at her and poked her in the eye. heehee. Just kidding. I got a good laugh, took a pill and felt instantly better.

I think she got it at Albertsons. It was probably the best stuff I ever had, though I never replaced it when it ran out. Hm. Maybe I should go back and get some more. My husband would be grateful!

I definitely agree with Dia that a lot of things can be regulated with foods, and vitamins, and personal awareness. But, some times I do believe there are just some things completely out of our own control.

Don't be afraid to try all sorts of options. And I would also agree that in addition to a food journal you should keep a mood journal. My mom used to use a regular day planner calendar, and she would just draw an arrow for the way she was feeling, up, slanted, straight across (neutral) and down...or whatever. If there was something in particular that set her off, she would write that too. Some times it just helps to document everything, so you can look back, track, and atleast be prepared for the next time it will be coming up.

Gosh, good luck!

[Imahoot]

Very interesting idea. I like this idea a lot. Thank you!

[crazyK]

Now, I don't know that it has anything to do with PMS. I don't have a period anymore and some months I have an episode. I know that just because I am not menstrating doesn't mean that I am not having a hormonal surge. But is it more chemically and does hormonally and chemically mean the same thing? I do believe in drugs. And I do not think that anyone is less of a mom, women, wife, friend, person, dad, husband or man for taking drugs (that a doctor perscribes) for help. I think it all boils down to finding the right help for you and doing it. I keep a question in my head, "How do I want my children to remember me while they were growing up?" So, I take the drugs and there childhood is better more often than it is bad.

[Dia Minha]

Don't get me wrong I am not against drugs either. I got through some really rough years, because of the miracles of modern medicine. However, I am very against the side effects. A lot of doctors after prescribing one medication will then want to prescribe another for side effects of the first and before you know it your on five different medications and could be for a very long time.

While on a popular anti-depressant I began having several side effects. Each time I mentioned one to my doctor he would casually say, "Well, I can give you a prescription for that." So I could have been on my anti-depressant, then something for the low libido, than something for the uncontrolled appetite and weight gain, then something to help me sleep at night (which right there can become a very vicious cycle, uppers in the morning, downers at night), and then need to switch to an anti-anxiety, because of the anxiety caused by the appetite suppressant.

I am not saying this lightly. Several of my sisters and I have been on anti-depressants. Those of us that have used them for a year or so and then weaned ourselves off are doing a lot better than those that have been going from one medication to another. Even if just because of the uncontrollable weight gain. Which is a very common side effect with hormone replacements and anti-depressants

In conclusion, I believe that medication can be a very helpful tool. It can treat the symptoms of a problem, while we work on a cure. I think a person needs to prayerfully research and decide for themselves what is the best solution. I’m sure for some it is medication. I myself have been there. I don’t want anybody to take offense to this. I’m just saying there is a lot of information out there. Just make sure you are well informed and that you are making the best decision, not just for a treatment, but for a cure.

I hope that makes sense.

Dia

[Dia Minha]

Oh, and I agree with the mood journal along with the food journal. I thought that was implied. I'm like 5D, I talk a lot of things through my head and then forget to actually speak or write them.

Dia

[Dia Minha]

I came across one of those info-commercials the other day that shared some very interesting information about hormones and flax seed. So I decided to do a little research. This is what I found: You can use flax seed instead of synthetic hormones to balance your hormones. The difference is the flax seed can also reduce your risk of breast and ovarian cancer rather than increase it like studies have shown with synthetic hormones.

The following paragraph I just cut and pasted, because it talks directly about what I was trying to say in my last post.

"Flax seed Benefit for the Brain
Doctors generally believe that the best way to treat mood, thought, and memory disorders is with pharmaceutical medicines that directly influence levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine. Although drugs have very important clinical uses, they are only part of the solution. A comprehensive approach to treating cognitive disorders should include foods and supplements that benefit the overall health of brain cells. These include omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed and fish.
One way to influence brain health through diet is to consume the right fats and oils. About 60 percent of the brain consists of lipids (fats) which make up the lining, or cell membrane, of every brain cell. The types of fats present in the brain influence its structure and function. How well your mind works depends, in the long run, on what you eat."

This page had even more information on the benefits of flax seed: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

For anyone interested in learning how to corporate flax seed into your daily diet, just type "flax seed recipes" into your search engine. That would be better, than me giving you ideas, because then you can incorporate it in the things you already eat. Which, in the long run will be easier than trying to introduce a whole bunch of brand new recipes. You can pick up flax seed in the health food department at your local grocery store. If I remember right, at Maceys, it is with the other bags of whole grains on the cereal aisle. If you can't find it just let me know and I'll check it out next time I am there.

[5ft Diva]

Good info, Dia!

[Meticulous madness]

I agree. Very good info, Dia! Thanks for doing the research.

I'm actually ready to go and buy some. My friend and I were just barely talking about this. She makes protein shakes and smoothies with flaxseed. My mother-in-law uses flaxseed, too, in many things. They both swear by the changes they've felt, since using it.

So, I'm feeling the "call of the wild" with the continued repetition of this very topic. Time for me to step up.

[Dia Minha]

I was just at Macey's and it is on the baking aisle, not the cereal aisle. Sorry if anyone went looking for it and couldn't find it. It is on the very top shelf
with other whole grain stuff, in little bags. I picked me up a bag today and I'm going to try it in my favorite banana bread recipe tonight. I will let you know how it goes.

I hadn't thought about putting it in my vitamin shake I have for breakfast every morning. That is a good idea. I will have to try that too.

Dia

[5ft Diva]

Please let me know what changes you notice and how long it was before you noticed them. I'm interested.

[Big_Sissy]

hmmm, does / will this work for a man that's going nuts too?

[Meticulous madness]

Does anyone know...

Does flaxseed have a taste? It doesn't SOUND appealing.