I have been working out w/ cathe's tapes, running 4-6 miles on a treadmill and teaching 6 j**zercise classes per week for as long as I can remember. I just turned 41, have two young children and severe PMS. Of course, I realize it's probably perimenopause at this point but my breasts have never been more sensitive and painful. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had this problem and if they have any remedies. I eat fairly well however, I found that I was having a glass or two of wine almost every night and drinking coffee every morning. I gave the two up about 3 weeks ago and already my breasts are killing me and I'm not due for another week and a half! I went to a health food store yesturday and got St. John's Wort, Dimpro, Vitex and Essential Fatty Acids on the advice of a nutritional report I had read. Oh, and also progesterone cream. It's gotten so severe that it hurts to do any form of exercise...of course, it doesn't stop me...but does anyone know if this is harmful? Any tips, ideas, hints, knowledgeble answers would be wonderful.
pms/perimenopause breast pain and exercise?
- Thread starter jazzact
- Start date
mogambo
Cathlete
I wish I had more to offer, but you might also take 2 T. of freshly ground flax seed every day. Maybe go to some sort of naturopathic physician or Chinese medicine, or any alternative practitioner who won't load you up with a pile of drugs and invasive procedures.
This is getting pretty specualative, but some say the less animal products you eat, the less perimenopausal/PMS symptoms. Red clover tea is supposed to be estrogenic, and raspberry leaf tea is supposed to be good for female issues.
Try heat or ice on the breasts? (I just had a horribly inappropriate vision of special Dolly Parton heating pads or ice packs-I'm glad you can't hit me from wherever you are.)
I dont think the wine was bad, the coffee may have been, but give it more time. Clean up your diet more, maybe do some sort of stress-relief thing like meditation, yoga, singing, needlework, kissing bunnies works for me.
I am 45 and have avoided almost all symptoms, but it could be genetic, so I'm not claiming any moral high ground.
Good luck.
This is getting pretty specualative, but some say the less animal products you eat, the less perimenopausal/PMS symptoms. Red clover tea is supposed to be estrogenic, and raspberry leaf tea is supposed to be good for female issues.
Try heat or ice on the breasts? (I just had a horribly inappropriate vision of special Dolly Parton heating pads or ice packs-I'm glad you can't hit me from wherever you are.)
I dont think the wine was bad, the coffee may have been, but give it more time. Clean up your diet more, maybe do some sort of stress-relief thing like meditation, yoga, singing, needlework, kissing bunnies works for me.
I am 45 and have avoided almost all symptoms, but it could be genetic, so I'm not claiming any moral high ground.
Good luck.
kimmie2191
Cathlete
I have severe pms since my last son was born 3 years ago. I am 38. My OBGYN put me on Sarafem. It put me from one extreme to another. I went from not being able to cope with everyday life to not caring what happened to me, family, etc. When I found out it was prozac(sp?) I quit taking it. I am telling you this because I have found several things work quite well for me and maybe for you to.
1) Revival Soy - this product works. It helps me with my mood swings and weight gain. It is a shake mix. I take one packett a day and have been for about a year now. You can go to their website and read up on what this product can help you with.
revivalsoy.com
2) I try to stay away from sugar as much as possible. If I start to crave sugar (@ 2 weeks from a period) I try to substitute with a carb. Sweet potatoes are pretty good for me. Blueberry pancakes wih suger-free syrup is another.
3) I try to make sure to get 25mg of fiber aday.
combined with all three of these steps, I have noticed a marked difference in my pms symtoms. I don't know if it will help you but these steps have made a big difference in me.
HTH
Kim
these steps will help
1) Revival Soy - this product works. It helps me with my mood swings and weight gain. It is a shake mix. I take one packett a day and have been for about a year now. You can go to their website and read up on what this product can help you with.
revivalsoy.com
2) I try to stay away from sugar as much as possible. If I start to crave sugar (@ 2 weeks from a period) I try to substitute with a carb. Sweet potatoes are pretty good for me. Blueberry pancakes wih suger-free syrup is another.
3) I try to make sure to get 25mg of fiber aday.
combined with all three of these steps, I have noticed a marked difference in my pms symtoms. I don't know if it will help you but these steps have made a big difference in me.
HTH
Kim
these steps will help
kimmie2191
Cathlete
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Aug-20-02 AT 10:31AM (Est)[/font][p]I have severe pms since my last son was born 3 years ago. I am 38. My OBGYN put me on Sarafem. It put me from one extreme to another. I went from not being able to cope with everyday life to not caring what happened to me, family, etc. When I found out it was prozac(sp?) I quit taking it. I am telling you this because I have found several things work quite well for me and maybe for you to.
1) Revival Soy - this product works. It helps me with my mood swings and weight gain. It is a shake mix. I take one packett a day and have been for about a year now. You can go to their website and read up on what this product can help you with.
revivalsoy.com
2) I try to stay away from sugar as much as possible. If I start to crave sugar (@ 2 weeks from a period) I try to substitute with a carb. Sweet potatoes are pretty good for me. Blueberry pancakes wih suger-free syrup is another.
3) I try to make sure to get 25mg of fiber aday.
combined with all three of these steps, I have noticed a marked difference in my pms symtoms. I don't know if it will help you but these steps have made a big difference in me.
HTH
Kim
SORRY DOUBLE POST
1) Revival Soy - this product works. It helps me with my mood swings and weight gain. It is a shake mix. I take one packett a day and have been for about a year now. You can go to their website and read up on what this product can help you with.
revivalsoy.com
2) I try to stay away from sugar as much as possible. If I start to crave sugar (@ 2 weeks from a period) I try to substitute with a carb. Sweet potatoes are pretty good for me. Blueberry pancakes wih suger-free syrup is another.
3) I try to make sure to get 25mg of fiber aday.
combined with all three of these steps, I have noticed a marked difference in my pms symtoms. I don't know if it will help you but these steps have made a big difference in me.
HTH
Kim
SORRY DOUBLE POST
These are all really helpful suggestions. I may need to just continue eliminating sugar, preservatives, caffine and alcohol for a longer period of time before I see any results. I have been using GeniSoy powder in 8oz of carrot/orange juice with one banana every day. Is this similar to the the Revival Soy product?
Thanks again! It's good to know I'm not alone!
Thanks again! It's good to know I'm not alone!
likes2bfit
Cathlete
Can you talk with your Gyn or a nurse practioner in your Gyn office? It is worth a try. Good luck.
PS I am 41 and PMS symptoms have worsened for me over past 2 years. (mostly mood swings) I do take vitamin B6 50mg daily, 400mg vitamin E daily, and 600mg calcium twice per day. This is by recommendation of my Gyn. It does help. So does lots of water and very little sugar and salt. ( The sugar part is hard for me to maintain.)
Take time to enjoy those who matter most to you & do all things in moderation
PS I am 41 and PMS symptoms have worsened for me over past 2 years. (mostly mood swings) I do take vitamin B6 50mg daily, 400mg vitamin E daily, and 600mg calcium twice per day. This is by recommendation of my Gyn. It does help. So does lots of water and very little sugar and salt. ( The sugar part is hard for me to maintain.)
Take time to enjoy those who matter most to you & do all things in moderation
kimmie2191
Cathlete
Hi
I had tried alot of the store brands. My personal fave was the Spiru-teen (sp?) but I did not get the same results. But I also had alot more going on. I also had fibroid tumors that my Dr. was talking about a hysterectomy (sp?) I was not ready for that. I read alot of other products, tried them with no results and decided to try this one last shot. I went back to my Dr.6 weeks after being on Revival and my tumor was gone on one side and the other one was almost gone. My Dr. asked me what I had done and I was telling him about the Revival Product I had been using. He said he was going to tell some of his other patients about it. I don't know if he did and it really don't matter. With the grace of God I found a "formula" that has worked for me. If I eat alot of sugar or junk food and don't take the soy once a day I can tell because of my severe mood swings. You might get better results with the other soy. Whatever you do decide, Good Luck
Kim
I had tried alot of the store brands. My personal fave was the Spiru-teen (sp?) but I did not get the same results. But I also had alot more going on. I also had fibroid tumors that my Dr. was talking about a hysterectomy (sp?) I was not ready for that. I read alot of other products, tried them with no results and decided to try this one last shot. I went back to my Dr.6 weeks after being on Revival and my tumor was gone on one side and the other one was almost gone. My Dr. asked me what I had done and I was telling him about the Revival Product I had been using. He said he was going to tell some of his other patients about it. I don't know if he did and it really don't matter. With the grace of God I found a "formula" that has worked for me. If I eat alot of sugar or junk food and don't take the soy once a day I can tell because of my severe mood swings. You might get better results with the other soy. Whatever you do decide, Good Luck
Kim
Hi,
Sorry that you are having these problems. Vitamin E (400 iu/day) may be helpful (I was told this by a very good MD who specializes in the breast). The same MD told me to eliminate caffeine also. Soy is controversial and the jury is still out, especially when it comes to soy in form other than food (ie. supplements, powders). Some say it promotes breast health while other experts are afraid it could be potentially harmful in its estrogenic effects.
Hope you feel better soon.
Sorry that you are having these problems. Vitamin E (400 iu/day) may be helpful (I was told this by a very good MD who specializes in the breast). The same MD told me to eliminate caffeine also. Soy is controversial and the jury is still out, especially when it comes to soy in form other than food (ie. supplements, powders). Some say it promotes breast health while other experts are afraid it could be potentially harmful in its estrogenic effects.
Hope you feel better soon.
I'm so excited...I just ordered my first 30 day supply of Revival Soy online. Their website is extrememly informative. I compared the ingredients and soy protein amounts to my genisoy and theirs has way more of everything. I ordered the Vanilla unsweetened shake mix because I mix it with carrot/orange and a banana. Kimmie, what flavor do you prefer and what do you mix it with????
Now I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel! For people I don't even know, you guys are GREAT!!! Thanks for all your help and support.
Now I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel! For people I don't even know, you guys are GREAT!!! Thanks for all your help and support.
CALCIUM is a MUST!
Try taking at least 1200mg of calcium per day (but split it into 2 doses of 600mg each at different times of the day). Since I started taking calcium quite some time ago, I have so few PMS symptoms that it surprises me when my time of the month comes. Even my hubby has noticed! Less grumpiness, pain and cramping.
The preferred type of calcium is calcium citrate or calcium carbonate. Avoid oyster shell calcium since it may contain lead.
Good luck!
Bev K.
Try taking at least 1200mg of calcium per day (but split it into 2 doses of 600mg each at different times of the day). Since I started taking calcium quite some time ago, I have so few PMS symptoms that it surprises me when my time of the month comes. Even my hubby has noticed! Less grumpiness, pain and cramping.
The preferred type of calcium is calcium citrate or calcium carbonate. Avoid oyster shell calcium since it may contain lead.
Good luck!
Bev K.
Have your prolactin levels checked.
I had this problem for years. I finally said something to my doctor. He immediately ordered a blood test of my prolactin levels. Prolactin is the hormone that makes your breasts produce milk. I wasn't producing any milk, but it turned out that my prolactin levels were a lot higher than normal for a nonpregnant woman, hence the breast pain.
There are several things that can cause this if you're not pregnant. One is a tumor on the pituitary gland, so do not delay.
Most of the time though, there are other causes. I was prescribed a drug called "parlodel" (generic name bromocriptine) that cleared the problem up completely.
I would definitely have this checked out. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to email me.
I had this problem for years. I finally said something to my doctor. He immediately ordered a blood test of my prolactin levels. Prolactin is the hormone that makes your breasts produce milk. I wasn't producing any milk, but it turned out that my prolactin levels were a lot higher than normal for a nonpregnant woman, hence the breast pain.
There are several things that can cause this if you're not pregnant. One is a tumor on the pituitary gland, so do not delay.
Most of the time though, there are other causes. I was prescribed a drug called "parlodel" (generic name bromocriptine) that cleared the problem up completely.
I would definitely have this checked out. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to email me.
kimmie2191
Cathlete
I have tried their chocolate. Chocoholic here. I mix mine with fat-free milk. I have also tried their krispie bar and their soy nuts. I am thinking of going to unsweetened and using stevia(sp?). I am going to order again next week. Let me know what you think.
Kim
Kim