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Original poster

Help! I have been a real bitch with PMT lately - what can I do to help?

69 replies

CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 14:53

A few times lately I have really gone into meltdown with pmt

Not totally out of the blue, I mean I have had stressy things to deal with. But the day before my period I have really really got bad, into a spiral of despair and misery and self-pity really. And have attacked dh in a most unconstructive and negative way. He is very understanding but I really don't want to be like this. I never have been before (well very very occasionally but this has been 3 times in 6 months)

Does anyone have any tips for preventing this or dealing with it?

OP posts:
oggsfrog · 17/04/2008 14:58

Evening primrose oil?

Lionstar · 17/04/2008 14:58

Starflower oil and magnesium supplements - get those hormones in check!

Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 14:59

oh does that help?

I took it for years for something else but stopped when I was pg with dd 6 years ago

OP posts:
Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 14:59

(EPO that is)

OP posts:
SquonkTheBeerGuru · 17/04/2008 14:59

I heard magnesium tabs are good for pmt.

Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 15:00

Is there any evidence that these things work?

OP posts:
constancereader · 17/04/2008 15:00

Are you eating enough? I am particularly bad when hungry.

S1ur · 17/04/2008 15:00

Diet can help to an extent apparantly. Reducing sugary and diary products helps the body do something with excess oestrogen(I think???)

But upped in tryptophan sources like erm cheese

So lots of cheese, and less fat. Erm. Low fat cheese?

Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 15:01

Well yesterday when it was very bad indeed I had grape nuts for breakfast, no lunch to speak of (two plain oatcakes) and a curry but not til 9.30ish

OP posts:
oggsfrog · 17/04/2008 15:01

Can't be much help as I'm the same. It does help if you are aware of it though and can pull yourself up before you vent.
I often think I'd like to be able to retire to a locked room as if I were suffering from consumption and lie there all wilty yet angry and have someone regularly bring me cups of tea and cake .
Sorry. That really isn't constructive is it?

Oliveoil · 17/04/2008 15:03

I have had v bad PMT recently too and I didn't in the past

I blame my age (38)

no tips tbh

I find myself really irritated of the slightest thing and snap all the time

Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 15:03

The prob is that I didn't think i was due til Sat, then was a couple of day early. Had it been Friday I think I would have realised. Whether that would have helped though is a moot point

When I told dh today he said "yes OBVIOUSLY I had worked that out but I really didn't think it would be constructive to say anything"

OP posts:
Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 15:04

It's not so much being snappy though I guess I am

It's more wallowing and despairing and crying and feeling that my world is ending.

You see it has still not gone properly

Am welling up writing this
which is VERY as am at my desk

OP posts:
S1ur · 17/04/2008 15:04

Found a menstruation site

it says mood swings caused by imbalance of Oestrogen and Progesterone and highlights fats as leading to poor absorption of magnesium.

S1ur · 17/04/2008 15:06

Not eating enough goes generally hand in hand with irritatbility though. Your day yesterday sounds a bit low on the actually eating side. You're going to have to do that toddler- little but often thing.

Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 15:07

I am naturally irritable too
I try hard not to be and do succeed most of the time (I hope)

I do tend to eat irregularly and often skip meals. I am a grazer by nature.

OP posts:
Oliveoil · 17/04/2008 15:09

has dd been in to see you yet? her curls will bring a smile to your face

dh told me the other day he was sick of me moaning all the time and being in a mood

and when I had a think, he was right, I was a moany old git

so I have tried this week to be all sweetness and it has worked

pretend to be happy and you kind of are

Anna8888 · 17/04/2008 15:09

Take to your bed.

I had appalling PMT yesterday, and pretty bad today. I had a hot bath and a good lie down in bed yesterday afternoon and it really did make a difference.

S1ur · 17/04/2008 15:10

tbh I am too really. I am just coming back to periods after ds so am only just beginning to remember those grumpiness and low self-esteem days.

Funnily (or not) it always comes as a revelation that it might be hormone related. I'm slouching around feeling low and cross in equal random measure and my dp will say very tentatively... Are you coming on soon? Ah penny drops.

Oliveoil · 17/04/2008 15:11

we don't have beds at work though

or a bath for that matter

Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 15:12

No nor here

The problem is that dh would probably have been marched to the divorce courts yesterday had he suggested it

He nearly was anyway
Not his fault poor thing

OP posts:
Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 15:14

Looking at foods that contain magnesium and the RDA i reckon i need a supplement. I have Crohn's disease which impairs absorption of vitamins and minerals so I may need more than teh RDA too

OP posts:
S1ur · 17/04/2008 15:16

Yep, relate again. I can be such a beeatch My dp has to picks his moments to point out dates. Better if he goes for a low moment rather than a angry irritable ball of claws and glares moment.

Original poster
CountessDracula · 17/04/2008 15:16

I also become totally unreachable when like this

Nothing anyone says has any effect

OP posts:
S1ur · 17/04/2008 15:19

Think vit e and b6 are also indicated.