Horrible, Extreme, Debilitating PMS??????

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
I am in agony!!!

My p-doc is considering the diagnosis for me of "Estrogen Dominance", apparantly based on symptoms I have reported.

Even if that is not appropriate, there is no doubt I have PMS. It seems some months it is not so bad, a pound or so up on the scale, a few days markedly homicidal, some breast "twinges" when I take off the ol' bra. But some months, like this month, like my reality for the last two weeks (my PMS starts two days post ovulation), are absolutely debilitating. I am tired, I cry, I rage, my boobs are so swollen and HUMONGOUS and engorged and....ugggghhh. I am 5 pounds up in weight! I mean, overnight!! It is so bad that I am going to have to get a seperate wardrobe for TTOM. My "PMS" wardrobe. It's funny, but I am not even kidding. None of my clothes fit...not even my bra's!!! Today, I was trying to make the smart choice to work out but as soon as I crammed that sports bra on and almost popped a button, I had it. I ripped it right off, put my PJ's back on, and said "the hell with it". Even walking yesterday was killing me. I can handle a few days of that but 2 weeks??? Every time the horrible PMS hits it seems like it is worse and lasts longer as I get older. Today I was even considering dropping out of school, lol!!! What gives? I am even considering going back on BCP's because of it. :-(

I have seen other post here, heck I've probably written one before, about PMS and how to alleviate it. I think I am just going to have to start buying nothing but decaf coffee. I drink 3 cups per day but apparantly that is waaaayyyy too much. I'd love to see what happens to the ol' boobs if I cut that out. I am also going to start religiously taking my multivitamin (I don't) and seriously restricting my salt post ovulation. I know I eat a good amount of salt (I salt my food) but I do drink tons of water too, to flush it out, but I guess that doesn't help any...:(

Any other recommendations on how to feel better? I try to push through it, telling myself to quit being a whiner but I have no tolerance for anything. I started crying today right after the sport bra incident. I mean, C'mon!! I felt better the other day after exercise, but couldn't push it because I couldn't even break out in a light jog w/o it killing me.

Is there any pills you recommend? I hate relying on supplements. Not only do I not like taking those types of things but I always forget too. I think I may start a journal though, just to see any pattern there might be..

I just need some feedback. I'm desperate. Any thoughts on why this varies so much month to month. Anyone else have WIDE swings in their experience with PMS sypmtoms each month?

;( :-( x( ;(
 
I'm sorry you have to deal with that, it truly sounds horrible. I don't have severe PMS, but I have heard about taking Evening Primrose oil to help with PMS. If you haven't tried it yet, maybe it's worth looking into. Good luck!
Amy
 
Hi,

I fought horrible PMS for years and with lots of breast discomfort. Here is what has helped me.

Evening primrose, B6, flax oil, vitamin E (suggested by my breast surgeon) and for me, cutting out all chemicals in food worked wonders, but it is not easy.

Tracy
 
Sounds like you are not interested in bcp's?

Just a thought: I really like Seasonale, which you take continuously for three months. You only have a perid 4 times per year. It is wonderful!
 
I've read about all the supplements mentioned to help allievate PMS. I have hormonal headaches during Big Red and was so ready to take every supplement in the world to get rid of them. But, I changed my eating to eat very clean and exercised 4-5 days a week and I was remarkably surprised when I got Big Red. The flow (gross) was lighter, and I didn't have a headache. I don't usually get mood swings but I do get bad cramps. Unfortunately, the diet and exercise didn't work for the cramps. I'd saying doing the things you've suggested like watching the caffeine and salt, plus cleaning up the diet a bit (like substitute whole grain/whole wheat instead of white flour products if you haven't already) adding lean protein and eating small meals every 3 hours to keep the blood sugar stable, it might help. Good luck to you; nothings worse than TTOTM.

Terri
 
google PMDD, it is the " severe form of PMS, or better yet go to web md. you will find information there.

premenstrual dysmorphic disorder...or something like that.
 
I was diagnosed with PMDD earlier last year. Besides all the things you mentioned, I also suffer from horrible episodes of depression, insomnia, and debilitating migraines that are related to my PMDD. I turned 28 almost three months ago and I feel that as I'm getting older my symptoms related to that time of the month get worse and they start earlier too. I didn't want to be on BCP's, but I was put on anti-depressants for a short period of time (6-8 months; I don't remember now). Now I can say that I still get depression right around that time of the month, but it's not as bad as last year. The thing that helped me tremendously was working out like a maniac and eating less junk. Before, I used to workout 30-60 mins 3-5 days a week and now it's at least 60 mins 5-6 days a week. My doctor told me that she thinks that exercise lowered my levels of estrogen, but I don't know about that. I used to get my period every 28-30something days and now I get it every 23-24 days.

I think it's a good idea to start a journal. Also, if possible, try to go to both a gyn and psychiatrist if you're experiencing depression symptoms too. My doctor gave me a list of natural supplements and teas to try, but I never bought them. I don't even know what I did with the list so I can't help you out with that. I think going to a doctor that believes in traditional medicine and natural supplements (like the one I saw) is very helpful too. I'm sorry you're going through that because I can relate, but the best thing for you is to get treatment for it. Like my doctor told me, "wasting all that valuable time due to PMDD is out of the question". Take care.
 
I used to have debilitating cramps, with extreme bloat before my periods, and while I still get some bloating and breast soreness, my cramping is now under control, thanks to acupuncture and chinese herbal therapy. I'd tell you what herbs I took, but the name was written in Chinese, so I don't know. I went to a Chinese acupuncture and chiropractic practice and received treatments for over a year, taking the herbs every day while I did. I no longer go for treatments, but my monthly visitor became immediately more tolerable after I started going...and it's still tolerable today.
 
I'm with ya, I haven't found the answer either. I get so irritable and edgy that I am afraid one day I will tell everyone at work to go to hell, quit my job and then realize the next day that OOOpps, it was only PMS... I'm not sure what the remedy is to tell you the truth. You may consider birth control pills, that seemed to help my PMS.
 
I understand your pain!! My left ovary seems to hurt the worst, to the point of having the shakes, feeling cold and verrry bloated. I cramp to the point of taking 3 tylenols and 2 pms formulas and heating pad. Some months are worse than others. I do take Evening Primrose. There is a procedure in Columbia that stops periods but not a hysmry., though. Annette
 
Janice...so sorry you're feeling so YUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!

I too have suffered for many years w/PMS symptoms. Not only did I suffer from horrible cramping two days post ovulation (severe endometriosis, uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts) I did get the bloating (severe weight gain) and horrible mood swings. We have tried a lot of things, one being BCP's. I am also a migraine sufferer, and the BCP's just made my headaches more intense and more frequent..NOT something I wanted to live with. What has worked the most and the BEST is CLEAN EATING. Seriously getting rid of the junk food and processed foods from my diet (think Core program from WW) I now have to look at my calendar to figure out when BIG RED is supposed to arrive. I don't get bloated and I am not bed ridden anymore w/horrible cramps. I still get some breast tenderness and slight mood changes and sometimes even fatigue, but it is 99.9% better now that I really watch what I put into my mouth. I used to have to skip workouts during that time, now I move on without a problem. Take care of yourself! Write if you have more questions too.

Becky
 
RE: Janice...so sorry you're feeling so YUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!

I have awful PMS and have studied and read up on everything you can think of to try and alleviate and manage this awful nightmarish time. (Mine also lasts 2 entire weeks!). Calcium supplementation has been proven in several studies to alleviate bloating, breast tenderness, and mood swings. You would need to take it every day, not just the days you are PMSing. Your body can only absorb around 500 mg at a time, so try taking 500 mg in the morning, and one in the evening.

I have tried everything under the sun, including prozac and zoloft (both of which helped, but the side effects far outweighed the benefits so I discontinued use). Black cohosh is an herbal supplement commonly used to ease symptoms of menopause, however it can also be used to lessen the symptoms of PMS. There are really no side effects, so it's a worth a shot if you have not already tried that. Just make sure you use a standardized extract to ensure you getting the same amount every time you take it. I just use Remifemin (all it is is black cohosh- nothing else, no estrogen or anything like that). My PMS has decreased considerably after taking this regularly. (Give it time, it may take 2-3 weeks for you to notice a difference).

ALso, 5-HTp is a natural anti-depressant that may help you with mood swings/depression as well, especially if you don't want the side effects of serotonin re-uptake inhibitors like prozac.


I know it sounds cheesy, but Yoga can also really help. There are some really good poses that stretch and soothe the uterus and groin area. If you need more information on some good poses to try, just let me know. I know what you are going through, and it took me a long time to find something that worked for me, so just hang in there and don't give up! If men suffered from PMS, there already would have been a cure by now!

Starla
 
RE: Janice...so sorry you're feeling so YUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!

>I know it sounds cheesy, but Yoga can also really help. There
>are some really good poses that stretch and soothe the uterus
>and groin area. If you need more information on some good
>poses to try, just let me know. I know what you are going
>through, and it took me a long time to find something that
>worked for me, so just hang in there and don't give up! If men
>suffered from PMS, there already would have been a cure by
>now!
>
>Starla

If you are interested in trying yoga, Ateeka has a great audio CD yoga session specifically designed for TTOTM.
It is the first CD listed on this website:

http://www.yogawithateeka.com/htmls/video.html
 
RE: Janice...so sorry you're feeling so YUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!

I've used a product called Female Rejuvenator from Xtendlife.com. I was told that if your body is healthy, your periods should "sneak up on you". It took about 2 months for any difference to be seen, but by the third month, it quite literally snuck up on me. My symptoms were never debilitating, though, so I don't expect our results to be the same.

As far as I know, PMS symptoms are nothing more than a sign of a toxic body. What exactly is causing the toxicity, though, is variable. Excess hormones produced, hormones not being deactivated by the liver correctly, too many chemicals in the body, not enough genuine nutrients in the body, etc, etc. And, of course, everything in the body is related, so it's probably a combination of everything. A lifestyle change of less processed foods,less caffeine, more water, better nutrition will help overtime.

Good luck. I hope you find relief soon one way or another :(.

Sara
 
RE: Janice...so sorry you're feeling so YUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know if yoga has helped me with my PMDD but I practice once a week and it does wonders for me physically and mentally.
 
I'm really sorry you're suffering so. I too have PMS, but nothing like you! And it gets worse the older I get (I just turned 38 and have been off BCPs for 5 years now.) Something that has really helped me is taking on Evening Primrose Oil capsule (mine are 1000mg, but I think I've taken 500mg too and haven't noticed a difference in effect,) and one Vitamin B Complex tablet daily, along with my multivitamin. It really has helped tremendously, along with regular exercise.

HTH, and good luck.
 
Janice:

sweetie, I am so sorry you are going through hell. I would like to offer a list of really effective treatments, short of ripping out your ovaries, that work but unfortunately, I never found any either. I suffered for 2 weeks out of every 4 as you now do and yes, it was hell. Terrible bloating, looking 5 months pregnant each evening, tremendous anger and irritation, hating the world and everyone in it, daring anyone to approach me and ask me to do something for them so I could snap their head off......

The solution for me was the Nuvaring. With it my whole body sighed an enormous sigh of relief and I have never suffered like that since. It works, for me, it truly does. The contraceptive benefits are really just the sidekick!

So, what I am saying is that you can do the evening primrose oil and the calcium til you are blue in the face, but when it is this bad, go straight for the hormones. Why suffer any longer? You don't have to.

Go back to your gyne and sort it all out for permanent relief for your whole body and mind.

Big hug,

Clare
 
Janice:

how are you feeling now? Any better? Did you make any decisions about what to do? You need good long-tern solutions, right? What antidepressant are you on right now? Lamictal still or anything else? Do you need to re-think the antidepressant link with your gyne and psychiatrist in order to help provide relief? Just a thought.

Thinking of you,

Clare
 
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