PMS Bitchiness

[Hotred911]

I've had a problem for some time now, and it's starting to really upset me. Every month about a week before my period starts I'm a royal bitch. Not to everyone, just those close to me, my husband, our kids, and our dog. I hate this! I know it's just because it's close to that time of the month, but it just seems like every little thing drives me crazy (the dog jumping on me, one of the kids spilling something, my husband not cleaning up after himself). I need some help, what can I do to help this? Eat or not eat something, a herbal remedy, anything?

 

[AttentionWhore]

I go thru this almost every month myself. No one around me could do anything wrong other than breathe and that would piss me off. Best thing to do would be to talk to your doctor. There is the option of antidepressants, or even certain birth control pills cut down on the bitchiness. As for an herbal remedy, St John's Wort may help, but consult your doctor first.
For me, personally, antidepressants is the route I took. It broke my heart to hear my son tell me how I'm a "much nicer mommy now".

 

[ZeldaT]

I am the same way, though I have found that the pill or Paxil (an antidepressant) helps me the best. As for natural stuff, some drug stores sell natural plant estro that can control PMS, but I have never tried, but it is something you might want to look into.

 

[CelticFrog]

I've never tried it, but the link I'm going to put here is to a section of my favorite herbal shop EVER. They have not only never steered me wrong, but really do put a lot of thought into their products. Customer service is better than perfect, and if you have ANY questions whatsoever, they'll find the answer if they don't already have it.

LOVE these people.

(And they have an 800 number!!!)

Mountain Rose Herbs -- Women's Products section

I would suggest scrolling down to the white sections of teas, capsules, etc. first. There is more than one product meant to ease hormonal imbalance and soothe PMS symptoms.

Just one idea.

Ang

 

[MysCynthia]

Before you try expensive perscription drugs; try what wecall "happy pills" Plain old Pamprin. It has an ingrediant that gets rid of water weight and swelling and for some reason works on most of our daughters to relieve other symptons of PMS.

 

[Hotred911]

I had thought of antidepressants, but I'd rather not go that route. St. Johns Wort also came to mind, but I know that it can interfer with some birth control. I am on the patch, which seems to have helped almost every symptom but this one. Thanks for the link CelticFrog, I only had time to look at a bit of it, but I'll be looking more into it here soon. And Pamprin...isn't there a new one out that is made specifically for the week or so before your period starts? I thought I saw it last time I was buying Advil. Thanks for the ideas everyone, I'm sure my family will thank you too.

 

[MysCynthia]

And Pamprin...isn't there a new one out that is made specifically for the week or so before your period starts? I thought I saw it last time I was buying Advil.

Read the labels before you buy any pain reliver that says it is for a specific purpose. Most turn out to be the basic produce with no added ingrediants. They are just being marketed to your specific need.

If you look you will see that almost all Tylenol or Excedrin products that say they are for migraine or back pain are just the regular produce in a different package.

 

[pixiesjuice]

Evening primrose or starflower oil capsules might help... if it doesn't...

3 bottles of mezcal
3 lemons
salt
6 family sized bars of lindt chocolate
multi pack of cheesy doritos
walkman

retreat to the bathroom with above items, by the time you've sobered up pmt will be the last thing on your mind.



never had pmt till after i had my second child

 

[Vixandra]

I can understand that!
When on the pill I was a demon the week before my period, had to be VERY careful at work (learned this after picking up an LOC for telling a Sgt I wouldn't do something because patient was late).
What helped me- amazing what quitting the pill could do. Also was put on a small dose of Zoloft for days I know are going to be bad/stressful and it also helps with PMS.
A lot of women, far more then you'd think, are on one form of anti-depressant or another because of thier menstraul cycle. The meds just help level out thier brain chemicals better then they can alone.

Be careful with herbal remedies and any antibiotics (fyi) because many of them can interfeer with your birth control and weaken it, allowing you to get pregnant.

 

[Hotred911]

What helped me- amazing what quitting the pill could do. Also was put on a small dose of Zoloft for days I know are going to be bad/stressful and it also helps with PMS.

So did the doctor change your BC, or did you just go to an over-the-counter type of BC? We definately don't want more children at the moment. I got on the patch after I finished breastfeeding, we just got tired of having to buy condoms and using our few precious minutes putting it on. So, are there any ideas on BC that doesn't involve hormones anyone has experience with?

Thanks again for everyones help, I truely appreciate it.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Evening Primrose Oil is a wonder, especially if combined with Vit E and Gingko Biloba.....and my wonderful Master found in his research on the subject that chocolate was also recommended. Now we know why my body craved chocolate so much during those times and others I couldn't care less!

Catalina

 

[angela146]

Solutions for PMS really depend on the individual. I have major moodswings and I don't like the effect that the drugs have.

Actually, what works well for me is the endorphine rush of intense sex or SM. Of course, if you have kids, that might not be practical.

 

[warrior queen]

i have given up on all the so-called 'remedies' for my PMS - now i just mark off those days on the house calendar, and if anyone in my family says they weren't warned.....

it's a part of my life that they just have to deal with. simple.

and i tend to get soooooooo much achieved during that week!
amazing what a little fear can achieve!!!

(btw, have to add, that i use the mini-pill for period regulation - i only have one period every 4 months, so it's not like my family have to put up with this each month or anything!)

 

[angela146]

(btw, have to add, that i use the mini-pill for period regulation - i only have one period every 4 months, so it's not like my family have to put up with this each month or anything!)

Out of curiosity, what phase of your cycle are you in for the long stretch of time? In other words, do you spend most of your time in "pre-ovulation" mode? (If you don't mind sharing).

 

[warrior queen]

Out of curiosity, what phase of your cycle are you in for the long stretch of time? In other words, do you spend most of your time in "pre-ovulation" mode? (If you don't mind sharing).

to me, it feels like i am in the immediate post-period phase - like the week after i finish my menses but before i ovulate.
but i could be wrong..... i am one of those who only has the three stages - i menstruate, then nothing for 2 1/2 weeks, then PMS.
doing this pill thing means i now have - menstruate, nothing for 10 and a 1/2 weeks, then PMS.
it's been great for me, but might not work for everyone.

i started doing this on the advice of my gynae, as i suffer from dysmennorhea [sp] and become anaemic very quickly.
it was either this, or have a hysterectomy, and after much research, i won't have the surgery.

 

[angela146]

I used to be on the pill. It leveled out my moods but flattened them out too much plus it induced depression. Now that I have a much more effective method of birth control (infertility) I'm off the pill and am back to my "normal" rollercoaster cycle.

I was wondering if the longer cycle would have a longer "up" phase but it doesn't sound like it.

Thanks.

 

[warrior queen]

I used to be on the pill. It leveled out my moods but flattened them out too much plus it induced depression. Now that I have a much more effective method of birth control (infertility) I'm off the pill and am back to my "normal" rollercoaster cycle.

I was wondering if the longer cycle would have a longer "up" phase but it doesn't sound like it.

Thanks.

i don't have an 'up' cycle - but then, i don't get depressed during my cycle anyway.

(i do, however, suffer from depression, and i would have noticed if my cycle were contributing to that, or if the pill were making it worse.
neither is the case with me.
oh, and i do not use anti-depressants - i have not taken them for many years. my depression is controlled by meditation and excercise.)

 

[SexyJerseyGirl]

I had thought of antidepressants, but I'd rather not go that route. St. Johns Wort also came to mind, but I know that it can interfer with some birth control. I am on the patch, which seems to have helped almost every symptom but this one. Thanks for the link CelticFrog, I only had time to look at a bit of it, but I'll be looking more into it here soon. And Pamprin...isn't there a new one out that is made specifically for the week or so before your period starts? I thought I saw it last time I was buying Advil. Thanks for the ideas everyone, I'm sure my family will thank you too.

From personal experience, I've had to use a diff type of BC after each pregnancy. Guess some of your hormones just change permanantly. Another thing is that patch itself. I've used the patch and got really bitchy or really weepy or both while on it. I will never use the patch again! lol And, when I went to my dr to switch, he asked right off the bat if my reason for wanting to switch was b/c I was getting too emotional on it. My Dr suggested the ring (which is what I went with) or that new Ortho Low, I think it's called. Both have a lower does of hormones, but the ring gives a constant dose of meds, so there's no peaking like with the pill (which is why I chose it). After I made the switch, a friend told me there ws a news report on it, but I'll admit I didn't see it for myself. So anyway, my personal suggestion is to look into switching your BC.

 

[angela146]

Geez! I spend a couple of years away from B/C and everything changes!

What's "the ring"? Any links?

 

[SexyJerseyGirl]

Nuva-Ring

Here's the link to the Nuva-ring homepage. Um...it's this plastic ring, it's flexible and you insert it like an OB tampon. Same effectancy as the pill. That's about all I know. lol