ADD and PMS

[starrykitten]

Probably been asked a bunch of times on the forum, but I'm asking again. How does ADD affect your PMS? (Or vice versa, I guess I should say.)

I didn't realize I was PMSing and had a couple days of lethargy. Yesterday I got out of the house determined to get things done, but I could not focus at all. I spent most of my time looking at books or projects and then losing interest. Does PMS ramp up your ADD symptoms, or was this just a fluke?

[choco222]

I've noticed my concentration is much better (when on meds that is) a few days before ovulation.

[sarahsweets]

Its hard for me to tell really...I will say that during my time of the month i sometimes wonder if I even took meds at all.

[ladykrimson]

Estrogen and progesterone have a HUGE impact on ADHD symptoms. Here is a really great article:

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/5245.html

[spunkysmum]

Yeah, I think it does. I was having a similar experience to you - being more fatigued, less productive and less inclined and able to get stuff done - but forgetting to factor in legitimate physical reasons for it and therefore not giving myself the pass I was actually entitled to. So I was beating myself up for it when I shouldn't have been. I wasn't PMSing but actually menstruating - for the second time in less than three weeks, oddly. So I was an emotional wreck at times this week.

[Slo-mo a-go-go]

Originally Posted by spunkysmum

Yeah, I think it does. I was having a similar experience to you - being more fatigued, less productive and less inclined and able to get stuff done - but forgetting to factor in legitimate physical reasons for it and therefore not giving myself the pass I was actually entitled to. So I was beating myself up for it when I shouldn't have been. I wasn't PMSing but actually menstruating - for the second time in less than three weeks, oddly. So I was an emotional wreck at times this week.

Good gosh yes!

3yrs, I started to keep a log of my cycle and brain fogginess level(well I average 6 out of 12months but hey ADHD here) & there's a definite correlation. i know to expect that my stim meds aren't going to feel like they're working. So great knowing to not delve into that huge pile of stuff to be "organizing" during that time.

I was a miserable lump when my period was 3 weeks late, felt like I was stuck in that pms fog for almost a month. I was getting worried but then boom- period- feel great again.

[avjgirsijdhtjhs]

I don't think I can be of much help with this.

[tudorose]

Meds don't work and I feel like throttling someone - anyone. I need a volunteer!

[zaleladra]

I find I'm already fairly quick to react emotionally, but when PMSing it's so much worse. I don't have as much control of it as I would like.

The forgetfulness, brain fogginess, etc. is something I have learned to live with and I haven't actively noticed it much anymore therefore I don't notice if it's getting worse around those times of the month.

I'm also not regular... so it's very unpredictable.

[TortoiseShell]

Originally Posted by zaleladra

I find I'm already fairly quick to react emotionally, but when PMSing it's so much worse. I don't have as much control of it as I would like.

The forgetfulness, brain fogginess, etc. is something I have learned to live with and I haven't actively noticed it much anymore therefore I don't notice if it's getting worse around those times of the month.

I'm also not regular... so it's very unpredictable.

I'm with you....and a few others who've mentioned this.
But now that I'm approaching 43, I may actually be in perimenopause but I am all over the place most of the time with PMS (and has gotten worse since having kids); however, this month I'm surprisingly "levelled off" though notably "out of sorts"...even kind of light-headed the past few days, which I'm guessing is the perimenopause. Will be needing to talk with you'all over these upcoming years, I'm sure. I've got an appt with a midwife/new OBGYN this coming Tuesday, so I'll let you know if I learn anything new!

[fracturedstory]

Meds hardly work at all. I feel like I've become suddenly SCT, and I might have a couple days of extreme hyperactivity. I can become really close minded on some days and on others be the opposite.

I have PMDD and either want to kill myself or people around me. It's not always that bad though. I just have to keep it under control. However, on meds today, and I can't bring myself to do anything. There suddenly is a lot of stress to deal with though.

[Lunacie]

Originally Posted by TortoiseShell

I'm with you....and a few others who've mentioned this.
But now that I'm approaching 43, I may actually be in perimenopause but I am all over the place most of the time with PMS (and has gotten worse since having kids); however, this month I'm surprisingly "levelled off" though notably "out of sorts"...even kind of light-headed the past few days, which I'm guessing is the perimenopause. Will be needing to talk with you'all over these upcoming years, I'm sure. I've got an appt with a midwife/new OBGYN this coming Tuesday, so I'll let you know if I learn anything new!

I highly recommend a couple of authors on these topics.

PMS/ADHD connection:
Sari Solden, "Women With Attention Defecit Disorder."

Peri-Menopause:
Dr. John Lee, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause."
Actually he's written several good books about hormonal fluctuations in
women.

I wish I'd found these books when I was in my early 40's and starting to
go through peri-menopause. There were several things I could have done
to make it smoother, and I would have understood a lot more.

But my doctor at the time refused to give me a blood test to check my
hormone levels, he said I was too young. Didn't listen when I told him
my aunt was all done with menopause by the time she was 45.

Grrr, I hate doctors who don't listen to us!

[Spacemaster]

Taking meds during my time of the month is like taking a p*** in the ocean. Like Sarah said, sometimes I have to ask myself if I remembered to take my pill that day.

[demuregeek]

Estrogen helps with ADHD symptoms: http://www.addvance.com/help/women/hormones.html

I know some folks bump up their dose of stimulant meds around the time of their period, when estrogen levels are taking a nosedive, with their pdoc's blessing.

[TortoiseShell]

Originally Posted by demuregeek

Estrogen helps with ADHD symptoms: http://www.addvance.com/help/women/hormones.html

I know some folks bump up their dose of stimulant meds around the time of their period, when estrogen levels are taking a nosedive, with their pdoc's blessing.

No kidding?! Interesting....I'll have to check into that on down the road.
personally I have noticed that antidepressant/vyvance for the ADD was running perfectly smoothly until the week of PMS, then BAM!
My system feels completely screwed up and as Spacemaster so eloquently put it:

Taking meds during my time of the month is like taking a p*** in the ocean.

Exactly!

Right now I"m "going natural", as in relying heavily on chocolate products....plus caffeine for the memory; but to date, a 12 cup pot of strong coffee/day doesn't do squat, so just waiting for when the hormone levels dropoff--should be interesting! (right now I'm calm but everything's all bloated and tingly and crampy...and I haven't even hit PMS week yet).

So starrykitten, that's why I've been here a LOT the past few days. Am completely tired, crampy, tired, cannot focus on a stinkin' thing (except for these posts, so I keep reading and writing them) Been forcing myself to do errands in between. I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with me until I saw your thread, so thank you...and thank you all for your added input!