Thursday Sep 2

Posts Tagged ‘time of month’

Mar
22/10
Is This What Normal Is Like?
Last Updated on Monday, 22 March 2010 07:40
Written by Melinda
Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Mother Nature brought my gift…

I don’t recall ever having a “normal” period since its inception in Jr High School.  It always involved heavy bleeding, cramps, irritability, mood swings…  I felt at times like my emotions were in a cage, and I was unable to express them.  It made me wonder, “Does every woman feel like this?”

One reason is because I suffer from PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).  Google Health lists these symptoms of PMDD and states that 5 of these must be present for a diagnosis:

  • Disinterest in daily activities and relationships
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Feeling of sadness or hopelessness, possible suicidal thoughts
  • Feelings of tension or anxiety
  • Feeling out of control
  • Food cravings or binge eating
  • Mood swings marked by periods of teariness
  • Panic attack
  • Persistent irritability or anger that affects other people
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Physical symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches and joint or muscle pain
  • Sleep disturbances

Without fail, 7 to 10 days before the day I start my period, these symptoms begin to show up.  I also tend to have nightmares and a very POOR self esteem and concerns of Tim leaving me rise.  And he knows when I ask, “Do you love me?  Do you think I’m pretty?” that I need some extra special affirmations from him.  He reminds me in his southern draw “Hun, ya know this happens every month.  It’s time for your period.”  But he hugs me close anyway and we both ride out the storm until the day the blood flow finally starts!

This month, something has changed.  I recently was put on a medication for depression which is among the SSRI category (selective seratonin-reuptake inhibitors).  My therapist was the one who explained that often times, PMDD is present in people whose seratonin levels are low.  And during that ten day window prior to the cycle, it takes drastic dips and it causes the symptoms listed above (which are emotionally taxing).  The purpose of the SSRI is to raise the seratonin levels, and even it out during hormone times.  I’m happy to report:  IT WORKED!

Last week the only symptoms that notified me of Mother Nature and her gift was the bloating/full feeling in my abdomen accompanied by constipation.  I was also very tired but much to my surprise, Saturday I started my period.  Later that day, I asked Tim, “Have I acted like I normally do when its that time of month?”  He said, “No. Not at all.  I didn’t even know it was time for your period.”  I have been very happy with the results so far of this medication.

My gynecologist never talked to me about this possible solution.  Actually, I had grown so concerned and tired of dealing with this every month that I just KNEW I had some type of chemical imbalance.  I sought the help of a psychiatrist who, in the only visit I’ve had, was able to pinpoint the problem.  It was he who provided my solution.  He also said that the Mirena made my matters much worse!  While some women have fabulous results, those like myself don’t do so well.

So if you have problems with PMDD and your doctor has not given you information, ask him or her about a decreased seratonin level and how that might affect you.  Perhaps an SSRI might be of help in your situation.  One thing for sure…  I have hope now that I can live from month to month like a “normal” woman.

Feb
24/10
My Journey to Vegas
Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 February 2010 12:47
Written by Melinda
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

I need to tell the story in chronological order to get the real effect of what happened in my getting TO Vegas.  Originally, I thought that I would not be visited by Mother Nature as I calculated having one more patch left.  I was WRONG.  Keep in mind that this is just the second menstrual period since having Mirena IUD removed, and I was told that the “Mirena crash” could happen for a few months.  I didn’t think I had anything to worry about since last month it hit pretty hard.

Along about Tuesday, I started feeling a little bit stressed.  And, I developed a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I also was suffering from depression but knew that I had an appointment with my therapist on Weds afternoon.  Then, Weds. came and I was working on items for the Meet & Greet (freebies).  A situation occurred with the hotel that brought lots of frustration, and I started to feel the anger at the pit of my stomach.  Suddenly, before I knew it, it had grown and reached my vocal cords.  In other words, that anger rose up inside like the building of a volcano, until finally it just erupted!  Afterward, I felt so ashamed of my actions because that just isn’t the way I used to be (pre wls, that is).   By the time my afternoon appointment with the therapist came, I had calmed down some.  Thankfully it was still “raw” enough that I could tell him about how I was feeling. But, as I sat outside his waiting room, another patient and two family members came out and were talking in the hall.  It just about set me off.  I was angry.  I wanted to yell “WOULD YOU SHUT UP?”  I sat moving my leg up and down, just waiting impatiently to be seen.  I even talked to the therapist about this, and how I had felt like that last month near my period.

Thursday came, and I tried my best to steer clear of all anxiety.  That ball of nerves was still present, and I was nervous and jumpy at every little noise.  And, exhaustion set in along with OCD tendencies that drove me…  by that, I’m talking about what happened Thursday evening.  Tim & I had gone out to supper, and I was so upset that I didn’t have clothes for the event.  I was crying because I didn’t know what to pack, felt like I needed a new outfit, and made him take me to two different stores to find outfits.  I left with nothing in my hands, which made me all the more frustrated.  WHAT WAS I GOING TO WEAR?  Tim steered me along until finally, I had my stuff together.  I am so thankful that HE packed the luggage up.  I don’t know how he did it, but our two suitcases had so much stuff in them… including my large magnification lighted mirror that I love so much.  So we went on to bed, and around 3 am I woke up and had a revelation:  I had not put my birth control patch on after my morning shower.  I ran into the kitchen to put it on, (yes, at 3 am so I wouldn’t start my period while we were in Vegas) and guess what?  The box:  EMPTY.  I had calculated incorrectly.  S&$#!  That meant I was going to be menstrual.  And, it also explained the reason I had been so upset all week long!!

Friday morning, I was in a daze of confusion.  I followed him around…  where he went, I followed.  I didn’t want him away from my side for one minute.  The people at the airport were all loud, busy, making me all the more anxious.  I had only slept three hours per night since Tuesday, so I was dead dog tired.  My eyes were hanging so heavy that they hurt, yet I couldn’t rest.  Going through Security, I yelled at Tim to please tell me what to do because I didn’t know.  Did I need to take my coat off?  My shoes?  My jewelry?  Please tell me because, I’m standing here looking like an idiot.  I was lost.  He had to step through the metal detector three times cause he forgot to take his keys out of his pocket, then had to take his belt off.  I was getting agitated and fearful that if they made me go on by myself ahead of the line, I would get separated from him.

Let’s talk on the flight.  Tammy (T2Nashville) flew beside me.  We talked much of the way.  She & I talked about the Lord, and it didn’t take much to get me to squalling and crying.  It’s hard to tell PMS emotion from conviction cause they both lead you to tears!  Once we got in to our hotel room, I wanted to rest but we met a group from BTV for lunch.  It required a lot of walking to the buffet, and I am not kidding you…  by the time we arrived, the confusion was so bad that I could hardly put two sentences together.  The music overhead was loud, plates clanging, people talking…  it just all seemed to blur together so that I simply nodded my head a lot to what everyone said, and can’t recall much of the conversations from that day.  I do remember on our way back, I was feeling horribly tired, then the next minute I was so mad.  I held Tim’s hand cause I needed him there, then let go cause I didn’t want to be touched.  This continued all the way home.  Poor guy.

Friday night, we met BTV in the suite for our get together.  I was still not feeling to well, but had food in my stomach and at least was functionable.  I enjoyed everyone’s company but…  things were still not quite right.  Big Mickey asked me into the confessional room (think “Big Brother”) but I couldn’t put two thoughts together.  I finally just asked him to turn it off, and not use any of my tapings because I just wasn’t in the mental state to do anything worthwhile.  We talked awhile, and I also chatted with Toni and Lynnda about this.

The first day was ruined because of hormones.  I felt so terrible, and also a bit embarrassed.  Only Tim has seen me at my worst, when these periods of PMS/PMDD hit.  And I am just hoping that the worst of this “Mirena crash” is over and it will not be the same next month.  I did not ever want anyone to see the worst part of Melinda, but thankfully these precious people are friends and they were very supportive.

Now…  Saturday rolled around.  And, I started my period.  I was laughing, and talking, and having fun.  I was MYSELF again!  HALLELUJAH!  I was able to enjoy the rest of the trip.  More to come later on the actual event itself (Saturday).

Aug
27/09
Big. Red. Dot.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 08:09
Written by Melinda
Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Well, I found out why I’ve been so tired these past few weeks.  Mother Nature came calling.  You think I would recognize the signs by now.  I never do.  Every three to four months, it hits really hard.  With the Mirena, bleeding is usually pretty easy, light, almost non-existent.  There are those months though that are so bad…  the world wishes I would go away!

I can tell that the worst has passed.  The exhaustion appears to be gone for the most part.  And, I have felt like doing something!  I have rearranged all the furniture in my office at work, totally re-organized my files, supplies, you name it… it now has a new home.  Now if I could just build up the stamina to do the same on the homefront.  HOWEVER!  I did regroup my closet last weekend.  That counts!  It’s time for “spring cleaning”, in the fall of course.  Time to drag out all the fall clothing and move all the summer clothes out.  I may not be that rambunctious just yet.  We’ll have to wait and see.

I also want to add that sometimes I receive emails from ladies asking about PCOS.  The questions normally are something like this:

  • I’ve heard that my PCOS will totally dissipate after having weight loss surgery. Is this true?
  • I have hirsutism; will losing weight stop this problem?
  • I have a history of hormone problems.  What have you seen resolved after having gastric bypass surgery?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news.  I still have hirsutism.  My hormones have a mind of their own.  And, THEY rule ME.  PMDD is still a way of life (though less frequent, thanks Mirena!).  And, I did experience about a year of relief (the first year after my wls) but once my body was readjusted, the problems came back.  I have, however, received final word from my endocrinologist that there is no sign of Insulin Resistance at this time, and we will recheck in one year.  Sorry gals.  I wish I had a brighter answer for you…  but, life is still good (1 week out of the month, that is!)  You PMDD gals will “get” that last statement!  I threw that in just for you!

Feb
26/09
Tomorrow Came Today
Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 08:21
Written by Melinda
Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Last night all I could think about was “Tomorrow it will be better.”  I was holding out, persevering until “tomorrow” because quite honestly, I felt like AN EMOTIONAL WRECK.  My hormones are raging all over the place, causing my feelings to just become all knotted and jumbled up inside.  I am moody, paranoid, want to cry for sadness, want to yell for anger, oh I am just confused…  So I kept thinking that tomorrow would be a better day…

And guess what?  It is!  So, tomorrow actually came…  today!  I am feeling much calmer after a hot bath, snugging on the couch watching tv in my warm blankie, and getting a good night’s rest as I turned in early.  Dang hormones.  I was also bothered quite a bit yesterday about the gyn changing my antidepressant, and the fact that either Mirena or perimenopause was at the root of all my problems.  And, then I started worrying about “what if” (fill in the blank).  When I am premenstrual, I worry a LOT.  It’s just the nature of the beast, I do believe.