Things that have hugely helped my PMT/PMDD

[OHforDUCKScake]

Hi Ive put this in chat already but Id really like this thread to be searchable as I searched a LOT on this matter when I was really suffering. And in chat threads disappear in 3 months. So here goes

I came on yesterday and for the first time in years and years if ever, I was surprised. I didnt expect it because I hadnt had the rage or the horrible, horrible depressive low that lasts over a week.

Ive tried so many different things.

Most recently I tried Evening Primrose Oil.

Id also at one point tried St Johns Wort (as a compromise as it had got so bad Id been prescribed Citalopram).

After a particularly horrific month last month I thought sodd this, Im trying EVERYTHING and doing it for 3 months. If it doesnt work then I will give in to the anti depressants. Which is ridiculous, Im not depressed! Im hormonal.

So I took Star Flower Oil (EPO but much stronger) Vitamin B6 simple because it was next to the star flower oil and boots profess it to be good for women with PMT, Angus Cactus, and St Johns Wort (because the supplements alone had never worked. St Johns wort alone had never worked).

Well, I had barely any PMT/PMDD.

I had mild impatience with the children once or twice.
I had barely any spots when I usually get tonnes of massive ones for a whole 10 days before.
I didnt get the overwhelming feeling of my skin crawling when I breastfed my son until the DAY BEFORE my period, rather than the 10 days (at LEAST!) leading up to my period.

So much so I didnt think I was due on for another fortnight, i had to check my calendar. Nope bang on time and Ive only been taking all these things for 4 weeks!

Also, life is at a pretty dire low at the moment and my PMT is usually at its worst when life is crap so to me thats even more proof that its all working.

Long may it continue.

Sorry for the length and boring detail but I know some people on here suffer with PMDD, and I personally was always looking for help a lot of which I couldnt do because I was breast feeding.

If this helps even one person then its worth pressing send on this ridiculously boring and long post!

Hi. I am also bfing & get ridiculous pmt. I am an utter bitch around the time of my period. I got my af this morning & started taking Well Woman, which has EPO, 2 days ago. Can't notice much of a difference yet. I'm pretty tired & am suffering with Sciatica at the moment - yuck!

Thanks for your post. I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling a hormonal wreck at times. I'm hopeful that the combo of vits & epo, etc will kick in & help balance my hormones around af. In general I have found that bfing helps calm me a lot too.

Thanks for starting this thread Offfor.

So did you takethe 3 things together this month?

Sorry OHfor

I started agnus castus about three months ago, and have been really pleased this month by lack of pmt.

Have canvassed opinion (dh) and he is in agreement despite his scepticism regarding herbal remedies. Hope it continues to work....

All 4 things yes. And I didnt miss any which I often used to.

Star Flower Oil
Angus Cactus
Vit B6
St Johns Wort

Great to read someone's beaten it! I started taking EPO, Agnus Castus, the strongest B complex I could find (it's a Solgar mega B one) about four months ago.
I did notice my moods were better but this month I'm physically wrecked. I'm so so tired, I've had a headache for three days, horrible nausea yesterday and I'm still waiting for my period to start.
I'm so sick of it.

My mum started menopause at 39, my sister at 41.
I'm 37 and wondering if the horrific PMS is all leading to perimenopause for me soon.

I can't get St Johns Wort in the ROI. Would love to try it.

OHfor Is it safe to take Agnus Castus and St John's Wort if breastfeeding? Do you take them all at once or staggered throughout the day?

Great thread, thanks for starting OP. I get horrendous PMS and it's definitely getting worse, it's a terrible mix of rage, anxiety and depression. I'm definitely going to try the remedies mentioned.

St Johns Wort itself says not to take while breast feeding, however I can only assume thats because it hasnt been tested extensively on breastfeeding women what with it not being a prescription drug.

However, I researched, researched, researched and it came up trumps every time. Very very very little crosses the breast milk, it shows to have no effect on milk production or infant and the baby was tiny too. Where as my baby is 2.3 years old.

As for angus cactus, I hadnt looked into that one. Whoops!!