For almost two months… After the first month I saw a vast improvement. My mind more calm, not bogged down and sad. But then now, even after my period, my mind is very rapid and stress and the ocd is sharper and more harsh again… wow🙄
You might want to talk to your OBGYN and see what you hormone levels are. If you are not trying to get pregnant there may be a low level or hormones that you need. I’m 57 and I am a mess without estrogen anxiety and depression - wise.
@Erin P Thank you for sharing! I am nursing and ever since I had my son my ocd/anxiety has been so bad and my estrogen was a level 12 and I truly think it’s bc my estrogen is so low
@cherende Also check back with your OBGYN when you ween your son - my OCD was bad after having my son but completely spiraled into postpartum depression when I weaned him. If I had started on estrogen at the time I don’t think it would have gotten so bad. Hoping you can get your hormones in balance now and adjust if needed after weening.
@Erin P Do you remember what your estrogen level was? We’re you bake to take estrogen when nursing? And did the estrogen help your ocd? I feel like my medicine isn’t working anymore or something
@cherende I didn’t have my levels tested until much latter but when I got on estrogen and got to the right dose it made a big difference with my overall mood which meant I could actually try to fight the OCD. Definitely work with your OBGYN to work out what’s safe while nursing and what you need to be on estrogen etc. wise.
@Erin P Do you remember what the optimal Estrogen level is? Did it just help with mood and not the thoughts
@cherende It’s been too many years -but here’s a link I found: https://www.shecares.com/hormones/estrogen/articles/normal-estrogen-levels It helped with my mood and anxiety level not thoughts. ERP therapy is what helps deal with the thoughts.
@Erin P - Hello ladies! I got off the birth control pill about 4 months ago and what a journey it has been. Before I get my period I get severe ocd anxiety and depression and a little bit after. Do you any of you girls experience this as well? Would you guys maybe suggest any supplements that might help?
@mslove The level 12 you mentioned earlier I would do estrogen if some type. Supplements did not work for me. If someone wants to do a saliva test on your levels to “know which supplements” do a blood test instead. I can not even begin to tell you the nightmare I went through because of saliva data. I wish I knew a solution for hormonal fluctuations. But what you are experiencing is common.
@Erin P - Are you taking any ssri’s. I feel miserable I want to be happy and I miss being happy with my family. I did do a blood test with a functional Dr. He didn’t say anything though about my estrogen levels. So frustrating
Yes I’m taking Zoloft. My anxiety is too high without it. It takes the edge off enough for me to do ERP. You have to specifically request estrogen and progesterone tests. Thyroid tests are also a good idea and should be TSH, T3/T4 to be useful. I’ve always had to specify that I wanted these tests but it’s been worth it and covered by insurance.
Do you have any side effects with Zoloft. I don’t know why I am so scared to take ssris. I think because of what I hear people saying it’s a bandaid. I should ask my doctor and see what he says. Thank you for replying this has been so lonely and so confusing.
@mslove Mostly no side effects. SSRIs by themselves would definitely be a bandaid and for me ineffective. But they take the edge off enough for me to do the ERP I need to to get better long term. Hope this helps.
@Erin P - It does help a lot. I just feel so lost yet I try my best everyday to be happy. But it’s hard. Thank you
@mslove With such low estrogen it will be hard. I hope you can find a good solution.
Currently having an anxious night because my hormones are doing whatever they want before my cycle starts. It's so frustrating. I feel very, very on edge and like I'm constantly anxious about something bad happening. Also been nauseous and having sleep issues. So irritating. How does everyone else deal with the spike in anxiety and OCD before periods? I'm seeing an endocrinologist on Monday to try and help but I feel so stressed out.
I'm 20 weeks pregnant, have suffered with ocd since 16. Had a mental break down over a year ago. Here I am feeling like I am relapsing and the thoughts are out of control, and even worse now that I feel guilty I am causing my baby stress when it's not his fault.
How are your experiences during an ocd spike while going through a menstruation? It doesn't matter if you are afab, your experience is valid too! I noticed my thoughts get worsened and the spike intensified, but now that I'm taking sertraline I don't feel an panic attack as before but the throughs and feelings are definitely there so is an unpleasant situation
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