To ask what you do about hideous PMT?

[WhereIsMyTVRemote]

Just that really. I am late 30s and for the week leading up to a period now I find myself completely losing it over nothing.

I feel like a terrible person and a terrible mum sometimes.

I have tried evening primrose and it made me feel absolutely awful. I've tried just retreating when I feel awful but it's impossible with multiple children.

I am not on any contraception as they all make me feel very unwell.

I swear it gets worse as I've got older but I can't afford for this to get worse than it is now. I just don't know what to do :(

[Flaxmeadow]

I found taking Prozac in the 10 days prior helped a lot. Also eating something starchy every hour, a couple of Ryvitas for example. Skipping meals and snacks made it worse

[Notonaschoolnight]

Almost 45 and have suffered since 13 but definitely worse in 40s I’ve tried ADs twice admittedly a basic daily dose just turned me into a zombie. I’ve also done all the usual suspect herbal supplements they generally make me nauseous and not much else. I’m currently sticking with these I’ve got over the nauseous stage and I think they’re helping
Solgar 5-HTP L-5-Hydroxytryptophan Complex Vegetable Capsules - Pack of 90

[WhereIsMyTVRemote]

I sympathise with the marriage issues. Same here, like a switch has been flicked, no warm up.

I am going to try magnesium. Do you who take it take it all the time, or just when you are suffering mood wise? I've also read there are various types of magnesium and some aren't great - anyone taking it who can recommend something decent?

I've been really good with sugar the last couple of days and do feel on more of an even keel. To the person who mentioned water too, that is something I am bad for and need to improve!

[Pulipatchouli]

Mirena coil. I got one last year and it has transformed my entire life.
No more week of pmt , bloating and rage. No more heinous periods.
I can't say enough good things about it.

[Marilynmansonsthermos]

Sorry haven't read full thread so not sure if someone else has suggested similar. This was me, op all through my late thirties. I got better by taking an Agnus castus tablet daily, magnesium supplement and also gave up caffiene. I still feel grumpy for that week but prior to doing all the things I mentioned I was feeling suicidal some months!

[Marilynmansonsthermos]

Also daily green tea and few less carbs. Not sure if it helps but giving it all a go. Really don't want to go back on fluoxetine I used to take it and it killed my sex drive stone dead.

[MontyBowJangles]

@Marilynmansonsthermos did you take fluoxetine every day, or just 10 days a month when you were on it? I think it's affected my sex drive too, which is the last thing I need as barely had one in the first place.

Well I properly lost my shit at the kids yesterday. The red sea of mist descended and that was it - I was shouting and screaming like a banshee and shaking with rage after Then after I'd apologised and the kids had forgiven me, I felt like SUCH a shitty person and my black cloud appeared above my head. So I went to bed in the middle of the day to try and retreat

Can't wait to see the GP next week but don't know what he's going to suggest (my guess is a different anti-d and taking it every day...doctors are on some sort of comission aren't they?! Most people I know are on them )

[MontyBowJangles]

Oh, also @Marilynmansonsthermos is green tea better because of the reduction in caffeine yeah? I do drink weak flavoured green teas half the time, as I'm on iron for anaemia (GP doesn't know why I'm anaemic as I don't have heavy periods, and had a colonoscopy last year and got the all clear) and caffeine inhibits absorption. I can't seem to give up my early morning Yorkshire tea tho...

[Bobbiepin]

@montybowjangles tea has tannins in that prevent the absorption of iron. It's not the caffeine. You'd be better off having a coffee than tea. Try taking your iron tablets with orange juice as you need vitamin c to absorb iron.

[fizzwhirl]

peri-menopause has made my pmt much worse the last few years. Women's muti-vit does seem to help

[MontyBowJangles]

@Bobbiepin oh yes, of course it's the tannins and not caffeine! I hate coffee so that's not an option. Just Googled and green tea is higher in tannin than black ! But I switched from black last year because I'm trying to lose weight and have milk and sugar in black tea, but nothing in flavoured green tea.

Looks like I should just give up tea altogether

I always took my ferrous fumerate tablets with orange juice. I eat spinach and broccoli and red meat etc and still my iron is low. I've been taking the sachets of apple Spatone every day for about a month (they contain Vit C) and a Waitrose multivitamin which contains iron and vit C too.

Just gave blood and my iron was low (just scraped by to be able to donate). Will mention it to Dr again next week but think he's at a loss as to why it's low.

[Myheartbelongsto]

i am like a rabied dog for the week leading up to my period!

i can feel it coming and so i apologise to everyone in the house in advance.

[Aldilogue]

Man it is the worst. You know you’re being awful but in the moment you don’t care. I take black cahoosh in a supplemental drink and magnesium before I go to bed as it helps sleep. Exercise does help and unfortunately you just have to make time, sorry that’s annoying, but true. Cut out caffeine and switch to decaf, drink heaps of water, try to deep breathe, watch your diet and come off hormonal contraceptives because it made mine way worse.
I know what you mean about marriage issues and I know what you mean about relieved about getting your period because the torment is over for that month.
If all else fails speak to the dr about AD’s leading up to your period.
Remember you’re in a difficult and busy time of life with little kids and I’m sure you’re doing the best you can.

[Nat6999]

I had horrendous PMT, I've been on antidepressants since I was 17. I was like a monster for at least 10 days a month, it was awful. Mine has only got better since I had a total hysterectomy, I had the option of keeping my ovaries but I told them to take them away, I'm on HRT now, but it just keeps my hormones at a constant level, I don't have peaks & troughs & I'm a lot better.

[Bobbiepin]

@montybowjangles have you had your vit B12 tested? Have a read about pernicious anaemia. It causes recurrent anaemia with no other likely cause, and low b12. Apparently low b vitamins also contribute to PMS symptoms.

As for the tea, try drinking it away from other meals like first thing in the morning or late at night. Make sure the tannins are through your stomach before eating, might help.

@nat6999 I hope you don't think I'm rude but may I ask how old you are? And your reason for the hysterectomy? Please don't feel obliged to share if you don't want to.

[BroomstickOfLove]

A word of warning : Agnus castus made my PMS much worse.

[Nat6999]

I had my hysterectomy at 45 for endometriosis, I'm 53 now. I suffered from PMT from my early teens & tried everything, vitamin B6, the combined pill, evening primrose oil, every herbal cure there was, nothing worked for me, I was on antidepressants at 17, I even had valium, I was a monster every month. I was suicidal as well, within days of having the op it felt like a fog had lifted, I felt like the awful dread I had lived with for 35 years had gone away.

[ILoveMyCaravan]

I had pmdd/pmt for years. I tried everything to no avail. For 10 days every month I would be a suicidal wreck. Almost to the second my period started it would lift and be replaced by horrendous pain but at least I was mentally better. Unfortunately the only thing that stopped it was a total hysterectomy and a couple of years of taking agnus castus and black cohosh. I couldn't risk hrt.

[Marilynmansonsthermos]

Monty bojangles-i took it every day but at the lowest dose. It definitely affected that side of things.

[HamCheeseHamnCheese]

Evening Primrose oil, 1000mg strength

[sunshinesupermum]

Symptoms of PMS may be relieved by ADs but the solution is genealogical - hormones need checking and depending on age you may even be pre menopausal.

GPs know very little about menopause or anything specifically gynie and you should ask for a referral to a consultant who specialises in PMS and /or menopause. DD is 37 and has been pre menopausal for almost a year :-( Horrendous.