Pms - Bloomfield Hills, MI

It sounds like you are doing everything possible to maintain your body. When I was experiencing this, I went on a low dose birth control pill. It gave me such balance in my moods, and regulated/shortened my menstrual cycle. This worked for me however, everyone is different. I'm not sure about the anit-depressant, the side effects can leave you tired and decrease your sex drive. This happened to me, I took Sarafem, it helped my moods, but left me tired and sexless.

K.,

I sincerely know how you feel and had similar symptoms. Have you come across the subject of supplementing with natural progesterone in your research? Go to www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com and www.johnleemd.com for more information that will change your life. Catherine Rollins is the founder of the NPAN site...she has made it her life mission to educate women on this healthy, honest to God natural to your body supplementation. Dr. Lee is the man who started it all back in the 70's with his research on the subject. Thank God for him. Real quick, what is happening to us women as the years go by coupled with the American diet, is that our ovaries are not producing enough, or any, progesterone. Much of the time, we are estrogen dominant and it has been said that it's an epidemic in North America. We take in too many false estrogens (see websites above) and they store in the fat cells of our bodies. Again, I'm being very brief here, the information on this is extensive. There are many other ways we become estrogen dominant and the sites above will educate you and others who read this very thoroughly. I have been using my progesterone cream for 3 years now and will not go a day without it. My results were immediate. Cyclical migraines GONE after one cycle. Any one can email me for more information ____@____.com...I'm more than happy to share all the info that I have and please go to Dr. Lee's site and purchase the 55 minute lecture on CD. Put "CD" in the search and purchase the Audio CD - About Natural Hormone Replacement. Every woman should hear this information.

You CAN have your life back and see your true self come back sooner than later :-) Wishing you all sunshine in your day! S.

Hi K.
I was going to suggest like Maureen that you take B-complex.You will want to get one that has 100% of every B. I get MEAN when my hormones are out of whack! So it was suggested to me to take a B with 100% of every B and it was literally like night and day difference. So much so my husband makes it his personal business to make sure I have it. I take Shaklee brand B-complex and have been happy with that for years. If needed I take 2 at at time up to 3x's a day. Under stress your body consumes and uses the B up and you need to replenish. I also have a friend who lives by her B-complex like I do. It really works! I even joke with my husband if he gets on my nerves I'll just stop taking my B-complex!:) He begs me not to do that for the childrens sake! Hope that helps and you are able to find healthy solution that works for your body!- K.

K.,

I don't have all the specifics-- but you do not need an anti-depressant. My mother (now almost 60) had HORRIBLE pms when my brother and I were little. The PMS combined with a dairy allergy had her down to about 90 lbs and acting like a crazy person at times. The doctors all told her she was depressed, etc. Finally she and my Dad went to the Mayo clinic where they started her on estrogen. With the hormones under control and the allergy diagnoses she was much better. She actually lead a support group for years and was the reference (no books had been written) under PMS at the local library. She had to fight to find a dr. who took her seriously. If you are not depressed, seek a second opinion. There are treatments (I know they are weird about hormones now...) besides anti-depressants, which will not control hormones.

Good luck.

I have always thought of this kind of thing as too subtle for 'standard' medical practicianers, as they only have 'drug it or cut it off' as a selection of choices.... so they tend to wait until it's really bad.

When I was having 'bit the head off a crazed wolf' PMS for a while, I took it to a naturopath, just because they do 'subtle unwell' rather than waiting for 'dramatic illness.'

My naturpath told me that in my case (an apparently this is common, but your body is yours, not mine) that my liver was stressed too much to handle the hormones and the rest of my life, so I needed to fix the stress... caffeine, alcohol, (tobacco if you do, I don't), not enough water and too much fat. So... drink more water and take supplements that will support liver function (check with the supplement/healthfood store), drink less caffeine, increase fruit and veg and lower chips/junk...

I have never experienced it again. Everyone I live with is happy about that!

You know what K., I tell ya, I'm 36.5 and my kids are 3 & 4 and I feel the same way. I have about 10 good days and then I could rip someone's throat out. I am emotional, bitchy and I just want to be able to do what I need to do when I need to do it. I don't know, I don't agree with anti-depressants or birth control pills to control it. But, if you want to go that route then fine. My mom, who is Ms. Natural Cures says take extra B Vitamins and extra Magnesium and in the winter for sure, more vitamin D. So, try it and see. But, don't go to the drug store for this stuff. Go to a health food store and buy some good stuff. You want the good stuff. AND, a good diet helps too. Stay clear of the crappy, comfort food cuz that will only clutter your body and mind. AND, try to find time for meditation and exercise. I know, easier said than done. I am in the same boat and I have yet to purchase all said remedies. I have some, but not all. Lots of sex helps me too! Good luck.

Hi, I have had many of the same problems before and after my hysterectomy. I have found that B complex worked wonders for me without having to resort to anti-depressants.

My doctor also jumped to a Prozac-type med, and I hated it. My sister said she took Welbutrin and it helped, so I asked the doc for it and she complied. I have no problems with it at all and it helps a lot. Also helps with binge eating which also accompanies my PMS. Also no loss of sexual like other anti-deps do. I took an Estroven-type supplement and had a bladder reaction, but it also was effective. It was called Vitex and I got it at a health food store. I would also suggest reading up on peri-menopause. It starts as much as 10 years before menopause. I learned about eating soy and B vitamins from my research. There's a website called pawersurge.com that is great. You are not alone!!!

I am 27 and have the same problem. My hubby just knows not to take anything I say personally during those two days of the month. I think being a little moody during this time of the month is pretty normal, and I dont think you need the take any regular meds for this. If you really feel you need soemthing to take, I would ask your doctor for a fast acting mood elevator, such as zanax (or somehting, I'm not a pharmacist by any means), that way you can just take it on those two days of the month. Honestly, what helps me the most is just to have a glass of wine and remind myself that it will pass in a day or so.

my sister was on yaz (the birth control pill) she said that that helped alot. i also have horrible pms exactly like you, however we are trying to concieve and I dont want and anti depressant. It's terrible though isn't it? by the beginning of my period I want to divorce my husband, quit my job, and put my child up for adoption. Lets not forget the crying spells. Hope that helps.

Hi K.,
I am a young 52 year old and over the last five years began to have irregular periods (yes, I am pre-menopausal) along with the irritability that you speak of. I have had good luck with Estroven which is an all natural supplement - I got mine at Costco. I just feel better! M.

I do not want to "push" my therapy; but when I use Reflexology and my oils on myself (it is obviously better when it is applied to me so I can relax - so I have hubby do it!); it works wonders! I have had less cramps and pain in my cycle. The bleeding is less than what it used to be. Massage offers the same. There are Acupressure Points to press. You can always walk into the health food store; however, these are only temporary fixes. If you go into the store... I recommend checking into any of the cold-pressed Omega oils (Fish Oil).

Ever since I have began body work; I have had lighter cycles and way less PMS symptoms to the point even my hubby has commented (and that is almost sad!)! LOL :)

Good Luck! (But yes... Alternative choices are available!)

Hello, I found Vitamin B6 two weeks before that time of the month works wonders.

HI K.--

I can appreciate your feelings. Mine seemed to be about two weeks. However I handle a Certified Organic line of Pure Food Supplements, and we have an excellent pure food herbal supplement for that called Primrose Plus! Let me know if I can help you with that... I don't know the blends on the market similar and can only recommend this exact one as I know it is grown , harvested and bottled by the same company and enforced with the 3rd Party NSF endorsement and a 100% Certified Organic Certificate!!

Shelley

I am 36 yrs. old and have the same problem. It's horrible. I also mentioned something to my OB and her perscribed a low dosage of anti-depressants. I took them and have never felt more tired and off balnace - hence, I quit. I use Premryn (sp?) PMS capsules. They do not make you as tired as MIDOL PMS and if I only take one - not 2 as recommended - I feel somewhat "normal".

I feel your pain - good luck.

Sounds like you may be headed for menopause. That was me and I was "done" by the age of 46. Try some coral calcium...3 before bed. It worked for me. There are lots of natural ways to go. I would stay away from anti-depressants, they have their own set of other problems. Doctors are so quick to give out "magic pills" that start other issues. You also could have developed some sort of food allergy that you don't even know you have. Go to ahccenter.com

Yes! I have a supplement that I take that is awesome! It is called Feminene. Love it! Also take a natural anti-stress formula called Bliss. Check them out at my web portal www.marketamerica.com/thevoiceoftruth - you will find the logos towards the middle of the page. Let me know if you have any problems or questions about these. I know I couldn't live without 'em!

S.
____@____.com

K.,

Sounds kind of like menopause not that I would know from experience but my mother in law is going through that right now and she decided to go to a Naturopath here in Grand Rapids. He is wonderful, he's a Christian (not sure if that makes a difference to you but since he is that means he not into the eastern religions that are usually associated with alternative medicine, just a side note)

Anyway, my mother in law went to him and he was absolutely amazing he was so helpful and knowledgeable and her problems are clearing up with no medication only natural stuff.

My husband and I are going to see him today for some health issues that he has been having recently and I am very excited to see what he says.

His name is Dale Tamminga and his practice is called "Healthy For Life" You can google him and find his address/phone number etc... But I would really suggest that you go to him even if it meant and hour drive or more. I think it would be very worth it!!

I tried these omega-3 fish oil capsules once that were marketed for PMS, I don't remember the brand but they worked great. Evening Primrose oil is good, you can find that at Whole Foods, I think the brand is Barlean's. I've also tried homeopathic remedies (Sepia, Lachesis and Magnesium) for PMS that have worked well, too. A regular Magnesium supplement is great for cramps.

Hi K.:
I know this is not what you want to hear, but when I was in your shoes, I found the only thing that really helped was to cut out (or at least way down) on sugar and caffine, and get lots of rest and exersize. Doesn't sound like much fun, but I really did feel better. I love sweets and iced tea, so it was hard for me. Hope this helps!
C.

Hi K., a few other alternatives you could try is one, to watch your sodium intake around this time as water retention does not help things. I would also recommend a B-complex vitamin(try a 50mg) daily and possibly a calcium/magnesium supplement if you do feel you do not get enough in your diet. Hope this helps
J. Simmons

I also started menopause in my early 40's. My doctor put me on estrogen which helped, however after 5 years I was warned that the side effects out weigh the benefits so I went off. Hot flashes and mood swings started again. The alternative I found was "Estera", it is a supplement and there are different formulas for women from childbearing years, perimenopausal and postmenopausal. I am still taking it at 52 years old and feel great. I now take the postmenospausal formula along with my other supplements. You can check it out at: http://www.carolb.mypharmanex.com Before starting anything new always check with your doctor.

On a side note: I have started a Health and Nutrition blog at http://www.netwebmarketer.com/carolbiondo and will now be including information about the #1 prescribe drug in America anti-depressants. Thank you for the reminder.

maybe you are vitamin D deficient? I have a friend who was having terrible mood swings all the time and she increased her vitamin D via a supplement and also got some more sunlight(but still used sunscreen) and she is doing much better. S.

Talk to your OB about birth control options. After having my second daughter, my PMS is out of control....mood swings, emotions, cramps, etc. There are ones out there that are designed for what you have described. They help PMS as well as PMDD. If I'm not mistaken, most if not all of them are when you only get your period every 3 months. The pills are a Life Saver! Good luck!

An anti-depressant? Yuck!
Honestly speaking? Find an alternative practitioner and see if there isn't something herbal you could take. I know Black Cohosh is something affiliated with women's woes. Raspberry too. And the good thing with herbs is that even if you aren't taking the right one, or get the amounts wrong somehow, they are natural products and won't cause devastating effects. If you're unsuccessful in finding someone, contact me again and I can provide a source. Plus Better Health or Whole Foods stores often have bulletin boards where people offer their type of services in alternative methods. If you're in the Ann Arbor area, there's Bio Energy Medical Center, and they offer a wide variety of therapies and treatments.

Try any of the Estoven products. They sell them at Meijers or any drug store.

http://www.estroven.com/

GL:)

Hi K.,
I don't necessarily think that antidepressants will change your PMS symptoms. It sounds like you might have hormonal issues- as do I. For years I took so many pain medications- sometimes they helped, and other times they didn't. I have used the hot water pad and heating pad, but still would have pain. One thing that does help sometimes is to use the top of an eraser to massage the top of your big toe, and it's nail bed. You can try that on your other toes too.
I have recently began using essential oils for my symptoms, and have found great relief from using them. The two essential oils that I like are endoflex, and dragon time. They are by a private company called Young Living Essential Oils. You can not buy them in a store; they are bought online only. If you are interested,or have any questions, you can email me ____@____.com
I just began reading some of the responses that you received, and I seen someone mentioned primrose oil. I don't know if it's different than evening primrose oil, but the evening primrose oil definitely worked for me- along with the oils. My friend couldn't take it because it made her cry. I would definitely try it!
Hope this helps,
K.

Homeopathy is wonderful for PMS.

Maybe you're beginning menopause? Do you know when you're mother went through hers? Daughters typically follow the patterns of their mothers when this time comes. Maybe you should see another OB (maybe a female...)

Good Luck
Dana

K.,

Have you ever tried Primrose oil (I think they would be in gel caps). I know it's supposed to help with your period but wonder if it would help with the pms too. I've had a hysterectomy because of cancer so I no longer have that problem. :)

Hope this helps!

T. V.

Evening Prim Rose oil (you can take it in a capsule) and flax either oil or ground up seed, do seem to help. Also look into Bach Flower Remedies (at the health food store) or books about it at the book store. There are helpful alternitives. Also a lot of kindness and understanding toward your self.

Dear K.~
First I would ask you not to take the advice of people on here who think they're opinions make for actual medical advice! LOL Anti-depressants are often prescribed for PMDD because the relationship between depression and PMS is significant. Your pms could very well be just a symptom of an underlying depression/anxiety. These meds have come a loooong way since Prozac, trust me! But only you can decide what meds you are comfortable taking. I can only say that if you don't trust your docs advice...find a new one! You should be comfortable with your doctor's advice.

~L.

Hi, I hear ya...I am 44 and am starting the 'Perimenopausal' time. It certainly is "interesting" always something new. Anyway, I have found that if I cut my sugar intake, my PMS and cramps go away. It is hard not to eat much sugar but I found it was worth it. Good luck!

Hi K.,
I feel for you, I've had similar problems. What I found worked best for me are a few things I started taking when I got involved in Market America. They are nutritional suppliments/ vitamins in ISOTONIX form (which means that they are the same consistency as your body fluids so they are absorbed quickly and easily into your system and there is no waste). I take OPC-3 which is an anti-oxidant to fight free radicals and increase my energy and build up my immune system (don't feel as wiped out before my period, able to make it through the day without naps) and the B-complex (others recommended that as well, it really works) and calcium. Those 3 together have made a huge difference. It's funny, once I ran out of these and got some OPC-3 in the mail for someone else and was going to send it to them and my husband tried to stop me from selling it, he wanted me to take it and use it right away because he noticed such a difference when I wasn't on it. He even said, "you haven't had PMS since you've taken this stuff and I want you to stay on it" - I was quite the 'bear' before, now I feel great and it's all natural. I am nursing a 9 month old and checked with my doctor before taking anything to make sure it wouldn't hurt the baby. If you want to try it, please look at my web portal for more information: www.marketamerica.com/jendiehl. You can give me a call: ###-###-#### home or ###-###-#### cell or e-mail me at: ____@____.com if you have questions. I know of others who have had similar results, it helps!!! My husband and my children (the older ones; ages 12 & 15) would testify to the difference these products have made. My Mom takes the OPC-3 for her allergies and my husband takes the calcium for his arthritis and it helps them too! I too am in my 40s and thought I was going through menopause (then found out I was pregnant - quite a shock) - that could affect your PMS. There is another product Market America carries called Feminine (look it up on the web portal) and it's made just for these problems (my sister takes it and hasn't had as much problem with hot flashes and it really regulates her mood). Please research it, you can type in the product under search market america and find all of these and scientific studies done, ingredients, etc...
Thanks, please feel free to call or e-mail for more info.
J. Diehl