Is there anything I can do about this hormone situation?

Jenna,

Are you on birth control pills?  They can help with the hormonal surges.  I know that YAZ claims to help with PMDD - which is like PMS on steroids.  Feeling enraged for no reason kind of smacks of PMDD and NOT normal PMS.  Just my opinion.  I get a little cranky / upset when I am PMSing.  But of course YMMV!

Yeah I have now had a period for two months in a row, after like 2 years of not having one - and I'm not really a fan to be honest.  They haven't been super bad or super heavy but I don't like it.  I hope that once my hormones settle down to "normal" that my mirena will kick back in and stop this whole period thing!

Good luck!

 Hi Marci,

I should have mentioned in my OP, I can't do any birth control pills. I have chronic mastitis, and the estrogen in the pills exacerbates it to the extent that my gyn and endo told me never to take them.

If this doesn't settle down by next month, I might have to look at serafem or somehing. I'm hoping it'll shake out on it's own, though.

Thanks,

Jenna

I don't have too much to say, but in the spirit of solidarity:  I'm right there with you.  Up, down and all around.  In fact, I posted about this a few weeks ago and got some great advice/comfort from everyone.  This board is great that way.

I saw my therapist today.  That really recharges me for a few days, at least.  I've started writing stuff down to take in so I can remember what I need to say, when the time comes to say it.  He's starting to get a better idea of where I'm at that way.

I had an appointment with my PCP to talk about estrogen patch treatment.  I had to cancel due to a family emergency, but I hope to get in within the next week to at least discuss it.  I am eager to give it a try.

I was never formally diagnosed with PCOS, but I had a lot of the symptoms.  I don't know exactly how that works, so maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in on that.

Hang in there.  Truly, it's difficult, but just keep doing what you need to do and try to keep in mind all of the benefits you're going to reap from this.  Sending you happy thoughts.

 Thanks so much for the solidarity and for sharing your experience. It's good to hear what has worked for others.

I'm just telling myself this is a stage I am going through and there'll be a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Oh Jennas.......it SUCKS!!!! I feel ya girl, it is horrible. I have not found anything, but even before surgery, I had PMDD, and it is a bit worse now. Even though I have an IUD, I am getting on birth control for the hormonal control. Also, it could be a bit of depression, it's so common post op. I hope you feel better very, very soon, I know how draining it is :(

Thanks, Emilie. This is a whole new world to me, so it's hard to know what is depression, what is estrogen release from the fat, and what is plain ole PMS/PMDD. 

I just want to feel like myself again.

I know Jenna. I really believe it will get better. And you are right, it is confusing to know which sort of problem it is that we are having. I hope it gets better very soon, especially with the Holidays coming up...

*raises hand*

At the end of October/beginning of November when Aunt Flo came to visit... Whoa Mama! I had crazy mood swings and I had a medium to light period which lasted about ten days.

I warned people I was temporarily insane/crazy beeyatch due to a hormone dump and to either not take my outbursts too seriously or to just let me be. I am doubly fortunate folks around me took this all in stride; I think knowing I had a strong support group and understanding friends helped to alleviate some of my anxiety.

As for treatment, try meditation--even if you can only do it for five minutes at a time. I find it helps me to take a step back and to tell myself not to go wherever the emotional hook wants to drag me. (I'm still a little brain foggy but it seems to be getting better slowly, and I figure short bouts is better than nothing on hormone dump days.)

Also, are you able to take progesterone? When I was trending toward hyperplasia before my other endocrine shenanigans were diagnosed, I had some relief from the weird/heavy/long periods and hormonal fluctuations by taking Prometrium. I started on the 200mg dose.

I hope this helps and hang in there! You're doing great!

I totally have warned my family and friends, but I still think they are taken aback because I'm so not myself. I am usually the kind of person who rarely cries and gets angry maybe twice a year. They've been supportive, but I can tell they are concerned.

Meditation was never successful for me. I have a very frantic mind. But I may try again.

I've been taking Provera for ages, but was told to stop a month prior to surgery. Not familiar with Prometrium, I will look into that.

Thanks so much, Aimee.

Xanax?  LOL  JK, although I did take a few.

Michele