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teachingmyown
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I am not sure if this belongs in the Mothering forum, but since it affects my mothering I will start here.
I was wondering if anyone else suffers from severe mood swings? My daily circumstances are pretty constant. EAch day holds roughly the same challenges and demands on my attention. Some days are good, some days are even better than good. But then, some days, I just feel like I can't take it. It is really a physical feeling, not just an emotion. Every little thing sets me off. I find myself yelling and berating little people, all the while admonishing myself for overreacting.
I think it is a blood sugar thing. I have been trying to eat well, high protein, low simple sugars and carbs. But once I am in the middle of it, I can't seem to get out.
Yesterday was great. Part of that is that the weather was so wonderful and we spent time outside. But I just felt more peaceful. I had to pray my way through today. But it was still so hard. It is like every fault of my children and husband is just in my face and it is so hard not to react!  I feel outnumbered and overwhelmed.
Does this sound at least a little familiar? Any ideas or suggestions?
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Roma
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how ironic that you would post this today. i have been really considering knocking out all processed sugar, because of how my moods have been lately. it is so hard to balance keeping the grocery bill low and keeping fresh food in the house. today was a dreary day. i was really surprised on how the lack of sunshine in VA affected me this year.
oh wait.... maybe you are in the 4 month postpartum hormone dump........so many moms i know have a huge hormone dump around 4 months. moods are swinging all over the place
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Willa
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I definitely notice more blood sugar sensitivity as I get older. I have to be careful what I put into my mouth.
I was going to suggest perimenopause as a possible cause of the mood swings since a lot of my friends are going through it. But the 4 month postpartum thing would explain it too.
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
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joann10
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I could have written this post, and I really have to sympathize with you. It is just an awful feeling to feel this way. It seems like I should be able to will myself, or pray myself out of these feelings.
I don't know how to make these physical aspects go away. I myself, get real panicky and hyper when I am feeling overwelmed. I do know it is very important to share these feelings with someone, your husband is the logical choice, but I had a very hard time discussing this with him, because I was ashamed of these reactions.
I do have a wonderful, Catholic, homeschooling, doctor whom I have talked about this with. He was the one to insist that I talk to my husband because my husband is the one person to help me when I have to step away from a stressor (which may be something as simple as an unexpected change in schedule-this is a big one for me)
and regroup-unually by just having time alone.
I have also had some real big panic attacks, which I have medication for-I can't stand the fact that sometimes I "need" to use medications-I wish I could spiritually find a "cure" for this-but for the good of all of us, my husband, children, and myself, I have decided it is the best thing for me to do.
My prayers are with you.
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guitarnan
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I'm sure I have seasonal affective disorder - I can be just hopeless in winter, or even in a prolonged cloudy stretch at any time of year. I try to sit in the sun, get outside, etc. but sometimes that isn't enough.
I hadn't thought about blood sugar, though - thanks for bringing this up.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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teachingmyown
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I have never heard of the 4-month postpartum thing. Can you explain it? I am only 38, so I don't think I am approaching menopause.
The thing today was that I was totally craving sugar and didn't have any. I finally opened a bottle of Coke in the pantry hoping to settle me down some. Do I sound like an addict, or what?!  I think it did actually help some.
The whole roller coaster is so frustrating. Eventually, I think the kids start tuning me out, which makes me more angry. But I guess they need to in order to deal with the harsh words. Of course, if they listened to start with...
Anyway, I need to get a handle on this.
Oh, Roma, I so agree about the food bill vs eating better. I don't know how to resolve that one.
And Joann, you are wise to seek out help in whatever form to get you in a position to improve things.
Thanks ladies for your information and support!
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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LisaR
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Molly, I have no interest in sugar at all, and yet I struggle with the same issue. If I crave anything, it is veggies or meat - like a big huge BLT salad, or barely stir fried sugar snap peas with a bit of butter, salt and white pepper, mmm. not into candy, sweets, or breads. I joke that I followed the Atkins diet before I had ever heard of it!!
so for me I don;t think blood sugar has anything to do with it.
however, from charting my temps I noticed that I have a very short luteal phase (day of first temp rise to day one of your next period) and that I barely rise at all for that matter. I've had my progesterone levels checked numerous times- and i am basically not really producing much if any , causing me to then plumment off the chart (and guess what also plumments at that exact same time??  )
I've been to 3 NFP only Docs, who could not believe that I had not been on anti depressants yet.
I do think I have fairly serious anxiety/panic/depression issues. I can get shaky and jittery, that get me out of here feeling.
thankfully, I now can control my anger/yelling at the kids, etc, BUT the downside is that I tend to kind of withdraw a bit emotionally during these times.
Progesterone (natural, compounded) at peak plus day 3 til end of my cycle is working great things for me.
I can tell a huge difference
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LisaR
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| Posted: May 08 2008 at 9:22pm | IP Logged
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oops, Maria hit send on that!
I also take Carlson's cod liver lemon flavor fish oil every day, a B multi vitamin, and a calcium chew.
If I were you I would try to record your mood each day for a month or so, noting temps if you want, or any other factors.
play around a bit more with diet and exercise.
I'm praying for you!! and empathize greatly,
love,
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
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many little saints in heaven!
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mary theresa
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Roma wrote:
oh wait.... maybe you are in the 4 month postpartum hormone dump........so many moms i know have a huge hormone dump around 4 months. moods are swinging all over the place |
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Is this really true???? I would be so happy if there were a non-my-fault reason for the hormonal woman in this house.
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Michaela
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teachingmyown wrote:
I was wondering if anyone else suffers from severe mood swings? My daily circumstances are pretty constant. EAch day holds roughly the same challenges and demands on my attention. Some days are good, some days are even better than good. But then, some days, I just feel like I can't take it. It is really a physical feeling, not just an emotion. Every little thing sets me off. I find myself yelling and berating little people, all the while admonishing myself for overreacting. |
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Calling what I went through "severe mood swings" would be an understatement. I could feel myself blowing, but couldn't stop it. At the same time I was ranting and raving (understatement) I'd question myself while I was going off and absolutely knew that what I was saying or the way I was acting was WRONG. 
Maybe I'm opening up too much because this kind of reaction (anger, rage, sadness, remorse) may not be what you are talking about.
An OB/GYN did tell me that about 4-6 months after giving birth is when it occurs. (It happened about five or six months after my twins were born.) For me, it wasn't diet because I ate better back then compared to now.
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Michaela
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JodieLyn
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Red raspberry leaf tea... can't say enough good about it. You probably have to get it at a health food store (you can get the leaf in bulk at http://www.herbalcom.com )
We're talking the leaf of the red raspberry plant.. not a raspberry flavored tea.
you can get it in capsules or drink it as a tea. Most consider it not only safe but good for both nursing and pregnant (though some say not first trimester)
But it help normalize hormones.. it's like magic at times.. I've literally been just like Michaela mentioned.. like a bavkseat passenger in my body.. I could see the irrational behavior, recognize it, and couldn't stop it.. and a couple cups of tea and I was totally back in control.
It's pretty simple.. you want it brewed strong and drink about 3 cups a day (I usually use it only as needed).. doesn't taste the greatest as tea but that depends on your taste.. it can actually taste really good to me.. when I need it the most.
But then I get irrational about the tea and don't want to drink the tea even though I know it would help.  that's when the capsules are most handy.
I've also made the tea and let it cool to room temp and then chug it down rather than try and sip it hot.
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JenniferS
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I have been dealing with the same issue. I have never heard the 4-6 month post-partum thing. That is interesting because I am almost four months pot-partum, and I would have to say I have noticed the modd swings more lately. Hmmm...
However, I have had the same sugar craving-type feeling you have described, Molly. I have worried about it because my mother and all of her siblings are diabetic, and her mother was diabetic. I have worried that maybe I have a blood sugar problem. I've had my blood sugar tested before I had kids, and then again after(besides the gestational diabetes check they do when I am pregnant), and my blood sugar has been borderline low everytime. The doctor said it was nothign to be concerned about.
I guess I don't have any advice, but I can identify with the way you are feeling.
Jen
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time4tea
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Yes! I can relate here! For me, I think it is a burnout thing, with having a small baby through this school year coupled with challenging teens and dc in-between. I think if I could just take a vacation from needing to be here or there, or tend to this or that urgent need, I might recover a little. I have not been able to really get back into a regular routine since having the baby, and that has made it hard too, because I am very much a creature of habit. If I don't get some time to recharge, I'm not the most pleasant person to be around.....
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Roma
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there is indeed a huge rush of hormones around 4 months postpartum. i didn't know about it with DS1, but i was struggling w/ motherhood so much that i wouldn't have been able to separate it anyway.
i learned about it when i was pregnant with DS2. i started noticing that all my friends would hit 4 months PPM and think they were pregnant and have lots of hormonal issues. my sister who gets migraines with every period had those return at 4 months. another friend that has different issues had those return at 4 months. i do remember that when DS1 was 4 months i thought i was pregnant, but i wasn't.
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MarilynW
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Roma wrote:
oh wait.... maybe you are in the 4 month postpartum hormone dump........so many moms i know have a huge hormone dump around 4 months. moods are swinging all over the place |
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Is there a 10 month postpartum mood swing explanation??!! 
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Marilyn
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juststartn
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Oh my goodness! The 4 mos postpartum thing is right on!!! I snapped back after that, but man, now that I think on it...
I think I need to write this down for the next time (should there be one, God willing)! 
I have these moments too (far too often for my liking). I spend most of my time in the confessional over these things. Sigh. Backseat is right. DH used to tell me to "calm down"....let me tell ya, that didn't do a darned thing but only made it worse! Finally, we figured out that he'll go get me a glass of ice water and send me to another room if things are getting too "too", iykwim.
I'm getting back into the swing of my supplements though, so we'll see if they help. With moods and everything else...
Rachel
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teachingmyown
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Thank you ladies for your honesty! I was so worried posting it. I am comforted to know I am not alone in this.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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LisaR
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Michaela wrote:
An OB/GYN did tell me that about 4-6 months after giving birth is when it occurs. (It happened about five or six months after my twins were born.) For me, it wasn't diet because I ate better back then compared to now.
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I've studied this extensively, and had read that most Drs say between 3-6 months because this is often aroudn the time that a woman's fertility is coming back. (either with bottlefeeding or part time breastfeeding)
this is when the ah ah moment really openned up for me- because for me- "postpartum" issues always cropped up like clockwork between 14-16 months- exactly around the time with each that my fertility returned. and then would contimue until I got pregnant again.
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
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Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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Anne McD
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You are soooo not alone!! I second every one of the culprits and I'll throw another that I didnt' see-- sleep deprivation. For crying out loud, its used as a torture device in some countries! I'm at the point where I don't necessarily feel tired anymore, but my head doesn't work the way its suppposed to! I can't remember anything, and I find myself very short tempered, and very easily provoked. You should have heard me while cleaning the house this morning . . . 
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Roma
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LisaR wrote:
Michaela wrote:
An OB/GYN did tell me that about 4-6 months after giving birth is when it occurs. (It happened about five or six months after my twins were born.) For me, it wasn't diet because I ate better back then compared to now.
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I've studied this extensively, and had read that most Drs say between 3-6 months because this is often aroudn the time that a woman's fertility is coming back. (either with bottlefeeding or part time breastfeeding)
this is when the ah ah moment really openned up for me- because for me- "postpartum" issues always cropped up like clockwork between 14-16 months- exactly around the time with each that my fertility returned. and then would contimue until I got pregnant again. |
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i don't know if it is totally tied to fertility return though. i got it at 4 months and my fertility returns late: 11 months and 14 months....
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Mood swings
