PMT - it's ugly and uncontrollable

[dejags]

Hi everybody

Wondering if anybody had any pearls of wisdom.

I have always suffered from AWFUL PMT - in a nutshell for the week before my period starts my mood ranges from foul to absolutely disgusting.

I have just had my first period after having a baby and am shocked at how bad the PMT was - I had forgotten about it after a 9 month break.

Basically I get really, really, really angry. I hate the world, will pick a fight with anybody who comes near me (including my beautiful 3 year old ). I am so ashamed about my behaviour - DH (bless him) tried his best to stay calm but it was difficult. All culiminated with me visiting the emergency doctor on Friday night for a sedative - I was bandying the suicide word around and had been crying for hours without respite.

This is so not me - for the other 3 weeks of the month I am sane, level-headed and kind (well at least I think so ) - I don't think I can go back to this hell every month. Anybody got any bright ideas?

did the GP not suggest anything for this besides the sedative? have you seen your usual GP?
Sorry - can't think of any advice.

does the pill not help?

Sorry you feel this way, PMT's a bummer isn't it. Don't be ashamed of yourself, that will only make you feel worse. Have you tried anything like Oil of Evening Primrose or Vitamin B6? Both are meant to be really good for PMT, I tried B6 and it does help.

Hope somebody else comes along soon with some better advice.

The Evening Primrose did help me with some PMT symptoms - but it can take a while to get into your system - a couple of months. Hope you get better advice on here x

hi dejags. sorry to hear you are suffering from the dread PMT. Are you using any hormonal contraception atm? Personally I have found the combined pill great for PMT - as it knocks out your "real" cycle and replaces it with an artificial one, and the mini-pill dreadful - plunging me into feelings of absolutely hopelesness just before a period. Maybe trying the combined pill might help? Doctors have suggested to me that the mirena or depo would be good for PMT as they stop you ovulating; I have never been 100% happy tho to use any for of contraception like that as I understand that the progestogen in them can exacerbate any tendencies to depression.

Otherwise the only things I could suggest are:dietary changes (Maryon Stewart has written on this), Vitamin B6, Evening Primrose Oil, or Prozac (amazingly it has been marketed as a treatment for PMT. Not quite sure whether it would mean taking it all month tho!)

Going back to the Evening Primrose oil- for best results you need to take a higher dose than a health food shop will sell you, but your doctor can prescribe mega-doses for you.

Not sure what pill I am on - it's microgynon - will buzz off now and do a google.

Will also get down to boots tomorrow for some EPO and B6

thanks

microygnon is the combined pill - the same one which I am taking and find great for PMT. sod's law in operation here! one other thing that you could do to reduce PMT is to take 3 lots of 21 without a break, rather than just 1 lot of 21 without a break. I have done this in the past for withdrawal headaches (recommended by the doctor at the family planning clinic, no less!)

have you found your PMT is better when you are off the pill than on, or is there no difference. There are loads of other hormonal contraceptives - slightly different versions of the combined pill, or the progestogen only options that might help with PMT.