Safe PMS Meds While Nursing

There is a book by Hale that is called medications for pregnant and breastfeeding (or something like that) it explains very well what is good and not good YUCK PMS

We are a family that believes in foods healing you. My mother in law has almost completed her degree as a Master Herbalist. She has a website www.joannsnp.com. On the website you can find something called Female Tonic Formula

This formula has been used historically as a tonic to help promote vitality, strength, energy, balance and overall health of the female reproductive systems. It also helps increase the body's ability to combat painful menstrual cycles, indigestion, nausea, and discomfort due to pregnancy.

This formula is also a good source of phytonutrients, which help strengthen the thyroid and regulate metabolism. The following is a list of this synergistic blend: Squawvine Herb, Red Raspberry Leaves, Nettle Leaves, Dandelion Leaves, Wild Yam Root, Cramp Bark, Chickweed Herb, Purple Dulse Leaves, Vitex (Chaste) Berries, Motherwort Herb & Ginger Root.

All encapsulated products are in a pure 100% vegetable based capsule.

Traditional Ailments Treated:

* Alopecia
* Amenorrhea
* Anemia
* Gonorrhea
* Iron Defiency
* Pimples
* Postpartum Support
* Sports Supplements

Also, ask her about Hormonal Changease (you can read more info on that at http://www.herballegacy.com/Hormonal_Changease.html).

It's my understanding that both of these are used to even out hormonal imbalances which is what causes PMS.

I hope that helps!

The safest PMS remedies are homeopathic. They don't disturb your breast milk or the baby in any way and they work:

Rescue Remedy - Bach flower. Take four drops in water several times each day.
Ignatia - Boiron. Take four pellets under the tongue three times each day.

You will find these remedies in local Food Co-ops, Whole Foods, or Mastel's in St. Paul at Snelling and St. Clair.

Believe me, these work, you will feel much better without all the meds yourself, and you will rest easy with the understanding that you have harmed no one - not even yourself.

Homeopathic means: to do no harm.

The best place I've found to double check meds while breast-feeding is the Lact-Med database, run by the National Institutes of Health. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT It tends to be written in medical-ese though, and sometimes you have to try the brand name, the generic name or the active ingredient(s) before you find what you're looking for.
Another good site is
http://www.kellymom.com/health/index.html which is ran by a lactation consultant and also has a section on herbs (just because something is natural DOES NOT mean it's safe, poison ivy is natural too!)
And I just found this site last night: http://www.motherisk.org/women/index.jsp run by The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

The good thing about these sites,(besides the fact that they're ran by reputable entities, not some quack with a computer) especially the lact-Med database is that they tell you what the risks are-- "safe" can be kind of a nebulous concept-- what I consider an acceptable risk/side effect may be a no go for you and vice versa, this way you can decide for yourself.

HTH,
SarahC

Have you ever heard of Estrofactors? They are made by Metagenics and they are a hormone balancer. They are safe to take while nursing and they are wonderful! Another poster mentioned progesterone cream and that is great advice too! There is a brand call Uber-Balance and you can find it at many chiropractors and health food stores.
If you are looking for pain relief then ibuprofen or tylenol is fine.
PMS is rotten, isn't it??? Luckily we don't have to live with it if we find something to help! I had to go extreme and cut sugar and caffine out of my diet for awhile and that took my cramps, bloating, moodiness and fatigue away.
Good luck!

Have you tried progesterone cream? It can be bought at a health food store or through a company called Arbonne. It's a botanical product so none of the side effects except that it balances your hormones and therefore may boost your fertility if you are unprotected otherwise.

Any of the Tylenol are safe to take during pregnancy, so I would also ask your doc if its safe to use during nursing. I think that I remember them having a PMS one. K.

Someone already mentioned Dr. Thomas Hale's book, but the full name is Medications and Mothers' Milk. Your doctor, or more likely, your pediatrician should have a copy in the office. It covers prescription medications by drug name and reviews all the research that's available about the drug and any known or possible risks. He also has a website at www.neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/ where you can find much of the same information. Regarding herbal remedies, I'd also recommend a book called The Nursing Mother's Herbal by Sheila Humphrey -- it covers herbal and homeopathic remedies.
Good luck!

i know evening primrose oil and folic acid/b-12 have really helped me with pms and those wouldn't be bad for baby. it takes about a month for them to show there effects, but it really helps.

I don't know for sure, but anytime I had a question about anything while nursing I went to my "Nursing Mother's Companion" Book. They have a complete listing of medicines that are safe and unsafe to take while nursing. I always just took Tylenol as I know that is safe when pregnant.

Hi R.-
I'm a 47 yo mom of 6yo twins girls, med. prof and wellness coach and wife- in that order ; ) as I try to put self a bit higher with time
Most things for PMS will cross for lactating women- all herbals will. YOu can take B- vits, but not in the quanities you might want to. Mood enhancers - scripts - will cross over. You could try omega- 3 fatty acids- safe for the baby and might help brain activity for you- you should be supplementing anyway for the next 3 years to replenish stores if you didn't take thru the pregnancy.
Hope that helps some and it won't be long before the nursing is done- then I have a few super ideas for you so contact me then.
B. Jarmoluk
____@____.com

EVERYTHING passes thru to the baby, so sorry to say there are no truly safe meds to take while nursing.

Please check out www.doctoryourself.com for great holistic info to help with pms symptoms.

There is a chinese herbal formulary called "free and easy wanderer" which is good for both PMS and general stress. My sister who is an acupuncturist and herbalist recommended it to help support my general health in pregnancy and I am nursing and still taking it so I know it is safe - and saves my husband and kids from me LOL! There are two manufacturers that I know of... Plum Flower Brand and Dr Shen's. I haven't found any retailers locally that have it but if you do a google search you can find it online.

Hi, I'm a mommy of 4, wife of 1 :), and a nurse. I've breastfed all my children and I'm currently breastfeeding my 12 month old. I'm almost 38 yrs young. :) I've suffered from PMS for a LONG time. I don't use any birth control and I don't take any antidepressants or anything like that, because it truely is PMS! For the past 9 years I've taken a vitamin called Optivite for Premenstral Tension. It is a wonderful vitamin. The past couple of years I've noticed that my pms symptoms are getting worse. I exercise 5-6 days a week and I eat a very clean, healthy diet - very low sugar. My doctor did some blood work on me and my progesterone during the last phase of my monthly cycle is low. My doctor prescribed a natural progesterone cream that Kubat's Pharmacy makes and fills for me. I put it on a fatty area of my body 2 times a day during the last 10 days of my MONTHLY charted cycle. I really notice a difference. I don't get that edgy feeling and those nasty mood swings are gone.

I asked my husband the other day if he noticed a difference and he said to keep doing whatever I'm doing because it's working. My mood swings had been getting so bad - I was feeling absolutely crazy, but I also knew I wasn't myself. I'm doing so much better now.

I also would like to recommend a book to you by Marilyn Shannon called "Fertility Cycles and Nutrition". It is an excellent read and it explains how nutrition is tied into our pms symptoms.

I do hope you get through this. I know how horrible it feels to feel crazy! Not only was I suffering, my whole family was suffering.

I know Tylenol is always safe. Ask your doctor if there are others.