RAGING, red mist, ropable because of PMS - anybody got any cures?

[suzywong]

All of the above really.

For the last 9 days of the month I am just awful, constantly short tempered and fly in to a rage ( smacked ds2 today because he went down the slide and got his trousers wet - TWICE - he's only 2.9yrs ). I am just horrible to live with and constantly on a razor's edge. I hate it.

When I remember I take EPO and B6, short of cutting my head off can anyone share any supplements or remedies that can take the edge of this rage?

TIA

[Spagblog]

Are you on the pill? I think that progesterone is supposed to be good for PMT.
Failing that Iodine is supposed to be good, but I haven't tried it.
I too get the rages and tend to control mine by developing internal tourettes and by mentally stabbing my DH

[eldestgirl]

I came off clomid because it gave me such dreadful pmt TWICE a month so I sympathise.
This may sound odd, but I find that reading childcare books makes me feel much calmer. Stuff like toddler taming and the Steve Biddulph ones. It seems to lend me 5 seconds pause for thought, whereas I would normally fly off the handle immediately.
Sugar/carbs also help me to calm down, as does making myself have adequate sleep (as much as I can control this) and the promise of a large glass of chilled white wine at 7.31pm.
I hope someone else can come up with helpful supplements/rememdies.

[JackieNo]

My (very good) HV suggested I try a multivit supplement called Magnesium OK - supposed to be good for women prone to PMS. If I managed to remember to take it regularly, I'd be able to tell you whether it worked or not...

[unicorn]

god I really sympathise suzy.
I seem to have a had a blazing row with just about everyone recently - and looking at the dates am beginning to understand why.
It was never as bad before I had kids. I think it must be a combination of hormones going barmy and tolerance getting less.
As for a cure - I think the only thing for me is to take myself far away to an Island with no inhabitants then I can't upset anyone else!
(oh I am trying that Magnesium OK - but nothing to report as yet- will let you know!)

[suzywong]

thanks for all the advice and sympathy, although not sure I deserve anyone as I am so VILE and cruel to my children

Magnesium, that's interesting.

And no I'm not on the pill, been told not to meddle with synthetic hormones. Shudder.

Another 6 days to go, just hope I don't assault anyone.

[tribpot]

I'm involved in a study at the mo looking at the effectiveness of St Johns Wort for PMS, worth looking into maybe?

[Pruni]

Message withdrawn

[Gemmitygem]

have been there and sympathise..

have you tried some coping strategies, e.g. allowing yourself a cool-off period before reacting etc.

I found the Mind website very good, see the link on PMS at
www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+premenstrual+syndrome.htm

and they have good info sheets on managing anger etc. I also have a good book by Alice Katz on anger management, called 'It's Not Personal' which has lots of strategies for dealing with kids when they drive you round the bend.

I know from experience how impossible it seems trying to control hormones, because their effects are so unbelievably strong, but keep telling yourself you can control it, keep using your rational mind and try and laugh at yourself, say' no, I won't be intimidated by my hormones'. Trying to see the humour does work too, as well as venting in a harmless way (go down the end of the garden and scream or kick the shed, punch a pillow etc)...

wishing you all the best with it, you're not alone!

[katierocket]

Much sympathy, Some interesting stuff here what really works

[nailpolish]

suzy you have to take the EPO and B6 every day or it doesnt work

and take the max dose for EPEO

i am a monster if i even miss one day

[nailpolish]

that should read:

max dose for EPO

[Raggydoll]

this sounds horrible sw. i've never really sufferred (until now i think )... reading your op describes last week exactly only with a bad case of down in the dumps on top and guess what started this week... will be reading the remedies and with great interest. good luck with the supplements.

[eemie]

Fluoxetine (prescription only). Absolutely fantastic - works for breast pain too. Have to take it every day.

[TinyGang]

I really sympathise. I never used to get pms and thought it was a bit of a myth and an excuse for bad tempered people. Ahem..yes I do know about it now alright

I seem to have started this over the last couple of years and it's awful. I really agree with Unicorn's comment that it's a 'combination of hormones going barmy and tolerance getting less.'

We have a rather embarrassing dent in our kitchen door that is testament to pms courtesy of my foot It's so unlike me - everyone I know thinks of me as a very calm sort of person.

I'm afraid although I resisted it for as long as I could, for the sake of everyone especially the children who were getting snapped at, I eventually took some ad's. I wouldn't say I now feel fantastic but I suppose they have helped me stop being so bad tempered. I just didn't want the children's memories of their mother at this age to be of an old dragon breathing fire at the smallest thing.

[JackieNo]

It definitely hit with a vengeance after having children, and when periods came back after stopping BF. Tinygang - we have a black mark on our wall in the kitchen where I kicked it with shoes with black soles on . YOu're not alone in taking out your frustrations. The thing is that sometimes I know I'm doing it - almost as if I can see myself from outside.

[jangly]

I second the fluoxetine suggestion. Its definitely calming and no side effects to speak of. (what you do get goes away soon)

[singersgirl]

Wow! I didn't know Prozac was used to combat PMT. Interesting. Reading this thread with interest as I am unbelievably irritable now for days before my period. I used to just cry a lot, but now everything annoys me.

[colette]

Suzy wong ressurecting this thread to see if you have found anything that worked for you? Hope things are better.
Really interested as I am determined to try and improve my pmt- which now seems to last for the 2nd half of the month aaaaghhh...

[colette]

Or any other positive results wanted

[bluejelly]

Much sympathy. I found that my PMT is better when I exercise regularly, eat carbs, sleep a lot and in fact also when i am single as opposed to being in a relationship (why I don't know).
However I am still virtually guaranteed to cry the day before my period. Yesterday it was in my manager's office

[colette]

Thanks Bluejelly for replying, hope upi have a less emotional day

[colette]

meant "you" not upi

[colette]

bump