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AIBU?

to think there must be something that can be done for my PMS?

20 replies

create · 13/07/2011 15:55

I've spent most of the day crying over a stupid slight done to me by someone at work, who I don't even work closely with. He did a thoughtless thing, but it really doesn't warrant this. It's the same every month, just after I ovulate I have 3-4 tearfuldays and then a week of being very short-tempered. It must be horrible to be around me and it's not much fun being me.

I'm 41 and it does seems to have got worse in the last 2-3 years. I went to the doctors, he said that despite all the remedies that are peddled, there's no proof that any of it works and that the best he could tell me was that it will eventually stop!

I do find it improves if I cut right back on refined sugar, but of course when you're feeling dreadful the only thing you want is sugary snacks, so it's easier said than done.

What can I do? I can't spend 10 days every month like this

OP posts:

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razzlebathbone · 13/07/2011 15:59

Oh I really, really feel for you. I am the same to the point that I become a completely different person. I'm almost mad. I think my bipolar is heavily linked to my hormones but it just gets dismissed by doctors.

I am so miserable about my PMS. I'd be interested to see the replies to your thread but sorry not to be any more help.

Oh and YANBU.

IWantAnotherBaby · 13/07/2011 16:03

What are you doing for contraception? Suppressing your cycle will usually help, so the pill may be an option, or an IUS. An implant can help, but some women find progesterone is a depressant for them so may not be the answer. Antidepressants seem like a major step, but have proven benefits for those really suffering (they act like a mood-stabiliser).

None of the 'alternative' therapies have been proven, but I have patients (I'm a GP) who swear by several things bought at Holland and Barrett for this.

Exercise is a huge mood booster for most women, as well.

razzlebathbone · 13/07/2011 16:06

IWAB - which things from Holland and Barratt?

DontGoCurly · 13/07/2011 16:11

Stupid Doctor. Starflower oil and Evening Primrose Oil DO make a big difference. Also magnesium.

DontGoCurly · 13/07/2011 16:12

I mean OP's Doctor is stupid btw!

bedheadz · 13/07/2011 16:15

I feel exactly the same every month, will check out Holland & Barret.

jeckadeck · 13/07/2011 16:17

I'm exactly the same as you for anything from four to ten days before my period I go literally insane, become miserable, paranoid, convince myself that my nearest and dearest are out to sabotage me, can't get out of bed, feel monstrously bloated and lazy, can't string a sentence together etc. Its got significantly worse after having a child as well. My doctor has just recommended the mirena coil which supposedly stops your periods. I'm a bit nervous about it because it involves hormones although the doctor says they are in much lower doses than in the pill. But I'm going to give it a go and see if it helps. But honestly if that doesn't work I'm in the dark as to what will have tried two different pills and both of them made it much worse, also Starflower and Evening Primrose, neither of which made a blind bit of difference for me. The only thing that helps a little bit is exercise, but in the days immediately up to my period I feel so bloated and lazy I can barely handle that. Have you thought about mirena? I don't want to recommend it as I don't know if it works but it may be worth a shot...

Cutelittlecatlover · 13/07/2011 16:20

you poor thing! Yanbu at all.

I used to be a crazy hormonal wreck for a week every month until I started taking marvelon and it was like someone had waved a magic wand! I got it from the fpc with no problem at all, it may be an option for you as your doctors talking shit being unsympathetic.

JamieAgain · 13/07/2011 16:22

I have the Mirena coil, and although I think I still ovulate I don't have periods and no discernible PMT, which I definitely had before.

LaurieFairyCake · 13/07/2011 16:24

I'm taking something called meno herbs 2. It's two tablets a day. It's made a massive difference, 6 months ago I was getting 9 days of horrible pmt. I'm now to 3 bearable days. These herbs, supposedly for menopause support has definitely reduced the moodiness. They have wild yam root, black cohosh, red clover, raspberry leaf, Siberian ginseng, dong quai, partridge berry, nettles (!), protykin.

I've also found that using an app on my phone and plotting my cycle has prompted me to take more care of myself on those days - reducing stress, taking ibuprofen for cramps and just generally taking it easier.

ChunkyMonkeyMother · 13/07/2011 19:33

I'm very glad I have seen this thread - I feel like I am in a very similar boat to you, I have been advised that the Mirena Coil will help but I just cant bring myself to go, whilst on my period, and be poked by a doctor - I made the mistake of reading an awful thread on here about mirenas gone wrong, nothing about ocming out etc but some women saying they have had to have them inserted under a local - I need to man-up and go and get it done, I feel so low and just horribly lethargic that I just need somthing! I have tried herbal calms, but nothing has even touched the sides, I'm still a total bitch to be around - either screaming or crying for no real reason!

I think I will try the Mirena and the oils suggested - Sorry to hijack but thanks for the advice lol

squeakytoy · 13/07/2011 19:48

I found cutting out dairy and sugar from my diet (or severely restricting it) made a huge difference to me.

I am 42 and have been getting worse and worse pmt over the last five years and it is much better now.

Pixieonthemoor · 13/07/2011 20:13

I know exactly what you mean. For the past year or so my PMT has been getting progressively worse to the point that I was totally vile for about 10 days prior. I hated myself as I was cross with everyone and everything - just so much anger. Two things have helped a lot - starflower oil (Floresse from Boots) and also agnus castus (PMS Relief from Boots). I cannot tell you what a difference it has made - this month I have had about 2 days of mild snippyness and one proper temper loss. SO much better! However, I have found that alternative remedies seem to lose power over time so if I start getting back to how things were, it will be off to the docs for some anti-depressants. It seems a big step to take but I just dont want to be that person again. Btw, apparently the agnus castus takes a couple of months to get into your system and do its balancing trick properly so you need to give it some time. Hope this helps.

TheOriginalFAB · 13/07/2011 20:18

The only thing that has helped me is this. I really know when I haven't taken them.

create · 15/07/2011 15:07

Gosh thank you all. In a weird way it helps to know you're suffering too [sorry] I tried to talk to a good friend yesterday and was told it can't be PMS - that doesn't last for 2 weeks, but we know it does!

I know cutting out sugar helps me a lot, so I am determined to do that properly. Will have to try some of the supplements too be where to start....

OP posts:

frownieface · 15/07/2011 15:31

Oh yes I know how you feel. I get 2 weeks of feeling like absolute shite, I turn from an easy going, happy, confident woman to a complete mess [hsad] I get short tempered, I retain water like a camel, could eat for England and I get really really tired and lazy. The second my period starts its like a light switch and I'm back to normal.

I am currently keeping a diary of my symptoms to show my doctor because she doesn't quite believe me when I say it's bad. It is to the point where it is causing me problems at work.

So keeping a diary to show your doctor may help. [hgrin]

Deux · 15/07/2011 15:55

I'm so glad you have posted this thread.

I feel exactly like so many others. I feel utterly mad for a couple of days and feel that I am cracking up. It's awful. I have one or two days of full blown howling and I hate myself for it. It's a real struggle to hide it from the DCs. Plus I feel so anxious about everything.

We recently got a new car and it's arrival coincided with my PMS and I was an absolute nervous wreck driving it. It's madness because when I am going through it all I know it's not rational.

I end up feeling desperate for my period to start so that I can feel normal. I procrastinate and struggle to do the simplest of things. And the mental fog.

I am thinking about buying some progesterone cream to see if that helps.

I have taken Agnus Castus before and it definitely helped but I was taking the tincture and mixing with water. Those of you who are taking it are you taking tablets?

There is a forum, I think it is something like pms.org and I was reading up on there and everyone seems to be taking quite high mg-doses of AC.

I'd like to try one or two more months of self-medicating and then if things don't improve I think I have to see the GP.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but you've hit a big nerve.

The Meno Herbs, do you take them everyday or just after ovulation?

I'm a bit older than some of you, 45. The thought of these fluctuating hormones for another maybe 10 years is horrifying.

eurochick · 15/07/2011 16:02

A few years ago my PMS was so bad that I felt like a tightly coiled spring. I ended up getting a referral (through my health insurance) to a specialist at the portland. He suggested a particular Pill (Yasmin) but I didn't want to go down that route as I have tried other pills in the past and none of them have agreed with me. So he mentioned B vitamin supplements and evening primrose oil. I left thinking it was a complete waste of time.

A few weeks later I started taking a new fish oil supplement. My PMS improved markedly. I had no idea why. Looking on the bottle later I saw it had EPO in it. So it definitely helped me. It can't have been a placebo effect as I didn't realise I was taking it!

TheOriginalFAB · 15/07/2011 16:12

I take 1 tablet though it says more than that on the bottle.

gailforce1 · 15/07/2011 17:33

Maca root is supposed to help. It is available in powder from Holland & Barratt and is also a boost for energy so I am giving it a go!

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