PMS from hell! Help and advice urgently needed. THANKS!

[supadoula]

I never had a problem until my 2 DC. Now, I have 2 weeks of lower back pain, exhaustion, being on edge combined with the worst doom and gloom, tears and self pity.... not a pretty sight.
I have began to cancel social invitations and my DC and DH are suffering as well!
I breasfed DD for 13 months and had my period back after 9 months without a problem, then I had DS and breastfed him for 18 months. When my period returned after 13 months, it was horrendous. 1 year later and it still is!! The fact that I am extremely broody and trying for number 3 does not help.
Went to my GP and she prescribed mefenamic acid (painkiller) but it does not help very much and certainly does not treat the root of the problem.
I have heard acupuncture helps and DH says I should see a nutritionist.
What do you think? any shared experience would be greatly appreciated!

Hi,
having spent the past 12 yrs suffering with PMS i fully sympathise. However i cant offer much solution other than to watch your diet & keep a diary.
Also reasure hubby & kids that its nothing personal, you just hate everyone & everything at that time.
i cut right back on cakes & biscuits, crisps & alcohol (want to be a sugar junkie in the 2 weeks leading up to period). This usually stops me turning into the 3 headed ranting raving tearful mad woman! i just MOOD now. i also have small snacks but not too much fruit as can add to the sugar fix. Chocolate seems to be ok in moderation too

for the lows i use a bach remedy called mustard (available in most health food shops). just take it on the low days.

Your tiredness could be anaemia so you could ask your dr for blood test.

There is an excellent book (at least it confirms your symptoms) that i found really helpful and i picked the main 15 to keep a diary. The book is called Self help for premenstrual syndrome by Michelle Harrison & Marla Rph Ahlgrimm.

Unfortunately there isnt much you can do. The pill can work in some cases but as you are trying for number 3 i guess you dont want that at the moment {smile].

Understanding that this is to do with your cycle and not that you are losing the plot is the 1st step to getting on the right track.
good luck and hope some of this helps.

Thank you very much for your kind advice! I'll have a look at the book and will try the flower remedy. No, the pill is not an option at the moment

agnus castus worked for me to some degree but you would need to check if its ok when you are TTC.I think it is but am no expert.Other than that just lots of sex mid month so you get up the duff asap.

will certainly follow this last bit of advice!

Piggy, is [http://www.bachremedies.co.uk/flower_product?id=66 this] what you are talking about. I've never heard of it, can you really take it just on the low days? Does it help?

bugger

Hi woodenchair.
i have used bach remedies and now give them to my daughter. they are completely natural (minutest amount of alcohol but you would need gallons before any side effects!!!)
The mustard is for unexplained lows. So for days when you just feel low & tearful you can drop a few drops on your tounge or in a glass of water or cup of tea and drink it. you can do this several times a day.
cherry plum is for fear of losing control (ranting?)
white chestnut is for unwanted thoughts or if you just cant stop your mind from racing over & over.
They usually take a day to work but some are instant.

My DD age 11.7yr now uses bach remedies and i have been using them for the past 5 years instead of AD's. there are lots of books & the website you listed will tell you which ones.

you can use up to 5 in one go but i usually just pick 3.
hope this was helpful

Hi Piggy, that's really useful. Don't know why I didn't think of using them before. My GP has mentioned AD's and I want to avoid them if I can as I don't need them the whole. I've been doing some googling on them and found some useful links.

Can I ask, have you bought them separately and just use as feel necessary or had a mixture made up specifically for you?

Hi Woodenchair.

I usually keep a selection in the house that i have bought seperately.
mostly its trail & error with me & DD.

I tend to stick with mustard,when i'm tearful.
Oak when i am tired & worn out
cherry plum at PMT week
white chestnut for unwanted thoughts or racing mind.(especially good at bedtime if you cant switch off)

i keep red chestnut for DD as sometimes she becomes convinced that i am going to have an accident and that usually stops her after a couple of days use. she also uses Crab apple if her OCD symptoms start, Aspen as she has fear & anxiety of unknown things and Mimulus for fear of known things. I found these were particularly useful when she was younger and had terrible nightmares.
Agrimony can be useful when you have to put on a brave face when all you want to do is hide your troubles & self away.

At my lowest i have used star of bethlehem for shock and Sweet chestnut for utter despair and depression.

because you can squirt them in your drink or on your tounge they are easy to take. i keep mine by kettle, DD has hers by her bed.

i usually do use as & when symptoms arise rather than every day.
hope you find the right ones for you. Lots of my friends use white chestnut & mustard and were amazed when they first tried them.
hope this helps

I've ordered a blend from an online shop so fingers crossed.

thanks again