[amyz]

Okay I started TOM today after missing a month due to nursing baby no. three. I think I might have PMDD. does anyone here have that? what are the signs? Like today I was just pissed off. any little thing I was irritated at it. It has been like that for several days. Even stuff that has nothing to do w/ me. My friend across town I was on the phone w/ her and heard her kids talking back to her and i was so irritated at that I had to get off the phone, I love kids and usally that stuff does not bother me. so I don't know if this is just reg ol' PMS or diff?? I feel better now that I started though. weird huh? Any advice would be GREATLY appr. thanks! amyz

[ellis]

Amy, I LOVE your pic, btw. What a gorgeous bunch you are.

I'm sorry about the PMDD. Have you looked around on the Internet for info? There's a site here: http://www.drdonnica.com/display.asp?article=1086
I don't know if you're taking meds for depression, but it looks as though SSRIs are something that should alleviate the symptoms.

I used to have terrible mood swings like yours until I started just acknowledging when I'm pms. I used to think, "This is crazy. Pull yourself together!"
Once I've acknowledged it in my head, I give myself some leeway. That might mean allowing myself more "me time", stepping back a bit from family-related activities, or just saying, "I'm going upstairs to have a good cry." I know that sounds ridiculously simple, and I have no doubt it won't work for everyone, but it's helped me enormously.

I hope you get some relief soon, sweetie.

[amyz]

Oh ellis thank you so much!! I will look at the link and take some of your advice! I do feel much much better today! I think i will talk to DH and have him help me more at these times. Just a simple bath by MYSELF should work. I did take an hour and a half tonight at the gym. loved it! thank you!!!

[Leenie]

It really helps when our DH's or BF's understand what we are going through. I know when I get into a funk I tell my DH, listen, I'm feeling this today or if you see me do that, just understand its not "me." Or I'll say, I'm really off today so watch it ROFL, so he knows not to take anything I say or do to heart b/c the last think I or we want to do is take it out or upset our families.

I feel bad for the person who trys to keep it all inside of them.

Let me just say that the only ME time I get is in my car on the way to work and some times I will either cry all the way there or LOLOL, I'll scream and get it out of my system... yeah I know I'm nuts but I feel better when I do.

[ellis]

Yeah, we know you're nuts, Leenie.
Hey, you have great communication skills, hon! I had no idea!

Amy, I'm so glad you're taking some time for yourself, and that you're feeling a bit better! If you can figure out how to have a bath by yourself without people banging on the door ("are you in there, mom? what are you doing!? can I come in?!"), please let me know!
Hang in there, sweetie... it looks like you have a great life... be good to yourself... you deserve it!