Hi! I'm new to the message board. I've had problems off and on with anxiety/depression for 8-9 years now. My latest episode began when I stopped breastfeeding my son several months ago. When my periods started back I started having anxiety symptoms again. The first month I was fine, but right before I started my period the second month I started having symptoms. The month after that was even worse and the symptoms didn't go away. My doctor put me on Effexor XR and I did fine for the first 6 weeks but then as my period approached it seemed like the Effexor just stopped working. I got on the internet and was looking up info on other medications, I think at the time I was reading info on Paxil, and it mentioned that it was often prescribed for the treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). I had never even heard of this disorder. I did some browsing on the internet and found a site with some great information. http://www.pmdd.factsforhealth.org/what/index.html
If you are noticing a link between your panic symptoms and your monthly cycle this might be worth reading and asking your doctor about. I am now taking Zoloft 25mg daily (one of the meds FDA approved to treat PMDD) and did fine this month. I'll try to get back and post how I do next month.
Hope this helps someone!
Shannon
