Having a Hard Time with My Mood Swings

Exercise, especially yoga. I do not know anyone happy on medication, so I only can assume that medication does not make you happy. Everyone has mood swings, EVERYONE. We all feel like that, you just have to find away to get through it, and it is not easy, and sometimes it just sucks, but it is what it is.

Yoga has worked wonders for me. Try giving it a shot.

Sounds like nutrient deficiencies. If the necessary nutrients are not available, the body simply cannot make neurotransmitters in the proper quantities or proportions. Birth control pills in general deplete one of B vitamins and zinc and magnesium, all vital nutrients to making neurotransmitters. (Neurotransmitters are chimicals made by your body that are used to communicate inside your body.) I do not know the characteristics of this particular birth control pill, but, even if it is not the pill, it still sound like your body cannot make enough of what it needs.
Have you been emotional like this all your life (possibly meaning you have life long deficiencies)? Or did these mood swings start or become a problem after you started menstruating? Pregnancy puts an enormous drain on your nutrients and the vitamins your doctor prescribed are really very weak in nutritional value.
Also, a surprising number of people cannot transform the B vitamins in food or ordinary supplements into the forms the body actually uses. 1/3 of the population cannot fully metabolize vitamin B6 and if you are one of these people, you have been handicapped since birth and probably do not even realize it. These people need their B6 as pyridoxal-5-phosphate, which is made by a number of companies.
Also, many people do not make enough stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) to break down the minerals they may eat into a form their body can actually absorb. Tragically, if the body is low in zinc (a mineral subject to this problem) or Vit. B1 or chloride (from salt), there will not be enough acid, so you will become mineral and protein deficient. Also people with blood type A often have low stomach acid along with sensitive stomachs.
You say you love to bake. Do you love to eat what you bake? If you eat a lot of sweets, that depletes your body of zinc and B vitamins. If you crave carbs and sugar and dislike meat or feel poorly on meat, those are signs of low zinc, low B vitamins and low stomach acid. If you have "heartburn", that, paradoxically, is really another sign of low stomach acid!!!!
I do not know this site's policy of personal contacts because I just joined today. If I could talk to you, I could give you more concrete advice that would be specific to you. Otherwise, I can only talk in generalities and possibilities.

S.,
I too used to Have mood swings like that, everything from not wanting to get out of bed to thinking I could conquer the world all in one day. Some times loving everything about being a mom and then an hour later wanting to leave them on a door step some where... I have worked from home for my self for a few years now so it was effecting my work, my family and the way my house was looking. Funny enough I work for a wellness company who has an incredible vitamin line that I had never even tried, because vitamins weren't in my budget. After month of nagging by a friend of mine who loves them I finally tried them. Not the mood enhancers just the regular vitamins... With in a week there was balance, because my body was getting healthy it was finally able to start to self correct it's self.. I also had a ton of energy that i didn't used to have before and a lot more general focus.. It wasn't a miracal pill or anything like that, it was a very subtle and natural way for my body and mind to get back on track and just balance out...

If you are interested I would love to share more with you about them, they are very reasonable priced and like I said I have a first hand feeling of how much better I feel.. OH and they come with a guarantee, if you don't feel better you can get your money back, (yup even though the bottles will be empty)

H.

http://wisemommy.fourpointwellness.com

I don't know if I could try it, but cutting out sugar really should help a lot. Or at least keeping it down and steady. I sympathize, because I too am quite emotional through out the month, but with no real menstral cycle to rely on, it is really hard to blame it on that. Oh, and make sure you are exercising DAILY!! When I get out and walk,(though, when moody, it is soo hard to do) or ride my bike, I really get my self in a better place. Good luck, and I get it, I really do.

My advice would be to try a different pill. When I was 20 my doc put me on a birth control pill and it made me soooo moody. It was to the point that I started seeing a pshychiatrist and then we figured it out and I went off of that pill. There was an immediate change and all was fine. Maybe that pill is not right for you. Good luck and I hope it all works out. : )

If you want to avoid prescription RX's, you can try these supplements:

SAM-E
Relora
5-HTP
Magnesium (helps with PMS)
Valerian Root

Check out iherb.com for more information...or you can check any online sources to review the benefits of these herbs.

I used to take Paxil and Wellbutrin and then Prozac. I got sick of the addictive nature of some of those. So, I slowly switched to herbs, and I've never been better. Still, it's important to discuss with your doctor in case you have severe depression, bipolar disorder (like manic-depressive cycles) or anything else medically important. Just know that most medical doctors will discourage herbal supplements saying they are not proven and the contents are not necessarily accurate.

I think it's a personal choice, but just wanted to share another alternative. BTW, I used to be on several birth control pills over the years. The only one I found that didn't affect my moods was Loestrin (Microgestin).

Good luck!

Hello S., I would ask your doctor about zoloft or prozac
these meds help with mood swings.T.

Hi S.,
The company I work for has an amazing herbal balancing cream that works wonders! I know quite a few women that are on it and had mood swings as a symptom, and now swear by this product. I can forward you some testimonials on it from other women. You can read about it on my website at www.findbeautifulskin.myarbonne.com, if you click on the link at the top that says "Products, Free samples" and go down towards the bottom of the page, they are the blue and green bottles "Hormone balancing creams", if you are interested in knowing more, send me an email and I can tell you the difference between both. I don't have free samples of this product, but there is a 45 day money back guarantee on it. I would love to help if I could.
Good luck,
Jennier

Dear S.,

I just forgot to send my message to you, and checked on another one so this is message #2.

You need to go to the doctor right away, and do not let him get by with saying that it is normal, because it has gone on for a long time now and you need guidance and help to get through this part of your life. If the first doctor does not help you, then ask him who you can see that will help you. Be pushy.

It is important for the baby and your marriage and for YOU too. Go, go, go. Now !

Also, never mind the herbal remedies, they are not tested and the medication that doctors give out is tested for safety and purity.

Please do not be one of those people who 'don't take pills' . After you finish your medical degree and graduate, then you can decide for yourself if the pills are the proper way to get you through your life - you have a lot of years ahead of you, make them as pleasant and productive as possible, and do not be proud. Trust your doctor or another doctor they have been through many many years of medical training.

Sincerely, C. N.

Omega 3 is really great for mood swings and St Johns Wart is Amazing. I have a handful of friends, that have completely gone off there perscription medication and are 100% St Johns Wart.
Best of Luck.

Hi S.,

Have you ever considered that maybe you have Postpardum? Maybe when you talk to your doctor you could let him or her know about the mood swings before the pregnancy and after. Also, I got the IUD merina after child birth and it is now 3 months later and I feel like my normal self. I was having really horrible mood swings to the point my husband wanted to lock me in the room :) Just talk to your doctor and be honest...that would be the best advice any one should give as they went to school and have more knowledge in this area. I hope whatever it is that creates these mood swings gets better for you.
Take care :)

I have found an unbelieveable cure for my mood swings! Kyani Sunrise. This product is all natural and is made from wild Alaskan Blueberries, the most potent source of antioxidents available. People at work have asked me what I am I doing? I have a glow about me and always happy now. Go to the and read the testimonials and the background of this company. Unbelieveable! Start taking it today and in a few weeks you will be amazed.
After reading Kathleen's response I must add that the 2 Kyani products that I have been taking are so full of all the vitamins and trace minerals that your system needs. They are helping to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, regulating your digestive system! They really are a miracle from Alaska!

I'd love to send you a book and CD on healthy alternatives to treating your symptoms. It is all natural, herbal and organic. It is not something your doctor would know of as it comes from the Health and Wellness industry, not the Sickness Industry that he is a part of. If you are interested, please repsond with your mailing address.

B.
____@____.com

Hi S.,
Sounds like your hormones are off balance. Check out WomentoWomen.com for some answers. I too would rather find a natural remedy before agreeing to take any kind of medication from my doctor - Medicines treat the symptom not the cause!!! Good Luck!
E.

Hi, S.,

Has your doctor talked with you about the possibility that you might be experiencing postpartum depression (PPD)? The timing of your mood swings makes this a distinct possibility. Especially b/c you have a history of these mood swings before your pregnancy (which puts you at a high risk category for developing PPD) and also that your son is only 18 months old. Postpartum depression can develop ANY TIME during the FIRST YEAR after birth! It does not mean you are crazy or that you are a bad mom...it is simply an illness that needs to be treated, or it has the possibility of developing into a chronic condition if left untreated. The severe, frequent, and consistent mood swings would also be indicative of PPD.

I would suggest that if you are looking for a remedy other than prescription medication, that you look into getting evaluated and, if needed, treated by a therapist specifically trained in perinatal and postpartum mood disorders. Please see the website for Postpartum Support International (PSI) at www.postpartum.net for a list of therapists in your area.

Sincerely,
S. M. Wolf, M.A.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
SoCal Outreach Coordinator, Postpartum Support International