Does anyone else have PMS?

[KPark]

I'd love to get in touch with other women who are suffering from PMS.  I really think I have a more severe kind of PMS, called PMDD.  I've tried an anti-depressant, which helps somewhat, but I've found more relief when I went on a birth control pill.  However, I don't like taking medication and wish I could find some more natural alternatives.  I'm wondering what other women have had luck with (or no luck with).  Thanks!!

[crazysportzmom]

You might be suffering from a hormonal imbalance during that time period. You body produces more horomones and can cause severe mood swings. The most effective treatment would be a form of birth control. I wouldn't recommend the birth control patch since the dosage of those were twice to three times higher than what should be prescribed. I've not much information on natural or alternative methods. But it's worth checking into. I suffer from severe mood swings, cramping two weeks before my period, and debilitating migraines and cramps the first two days of my period, and very heavy bleeding for 2 weeks.  In December, my doctor will be performing the NovaSure procedure on me. The problem with this procedure is it is only done on women who are no longer having children. It's an alternative to a hysterectomy.
I wish you luck in finding an alternative.

[maw13]

Have had PMS since I was 20yrs old. I am 44 yrs old when I 1st went to the doc to tell her that the mood swings the hot flashes, tender breast, bloating and you now the rest. I explained that i would experience this all month long until the week of my period. they said that isn't true you only have PMS 1wk before or 1wk after. So they made me think I was CRAZY So she gave me prozac and b/c the b/c made me sick so I stopped taking them and just kept going up in dose on the prozac and since it was helping w/the moods they also put me on lacmital for the moods. Well after I had my son at 35 (the postpart was terrible) so they kept me on all the mood drugs and then they said there is a new low dose b/c that they wanted me to try I did't get sick and it worked w/the symptoms of PMS and the moods except for the week before I started. About 8mths ago I started getting all the PMS  stuff again but worse double that.Well come to find out there are numerous PMS & PMDD suffers that have issues the whole mnth except for period wk. which they (docs) have discovered which @ one time docs. were saying oh, thats not possible! I have also found out that some women who suffer w/pms,pmdd will have the same thing but worse during peri&menopause and that is what is going on w/me so my gyno decided the best thing for me is a low dose b/c (you know the one that stop helping me 8mths ago) So I feel terrible and upset that sometimes I wish I could yank out or have my whole inside fall out.I know that sounds gross and nasty however that is how much it hurts and bad I feel.So ANYTHING any suggestion any ideas I am open to.

I just wanted to THANK YOU for posting this and giving me a chance to say how I feel and some one else and understands.And is looking for answers as well.

I hope you find answers also and I hope you will be PMS free someday also!!!!

[Dimond]

you know what I just had a light bulb moment.  I used to get a horrible cramp on the first day of my period for the last four years or so. Before that I had no pain what's so ever. I didn't know why I started getting PMS pains.  I'd have to take a few over the counter PMS medications to feel better & walk standing up straight. I've had to stay at home or leave work and go home cause the pain could be so bad sometimes.  well about three months ago it stopped.  The first day is just like anyother day and I'm over the moon.  I didn't know why it stopped till I just read Ali-bug's comment.  I'm trying to concieve and have been taking prenatal vitamins for about 4 months now.  I guess that probably is why ... it has all the vitamins described in the comment.

[Ali_Bug75]

Hi!  About 4 months ago I started eating sunflower seeds (just to eat'em) and noticed that I wasn't having any pms symtoms, cramps, head-ache, tiredness.. etc.  So I thought it's got to be the sunflower seeds but I didnt really know.  Well last month I didn't eat them and when I got my period I thought I was going to die, then I knew it was the sunflower seeds.  I had bad cramps and felt really really sick.  So I did some research and found that sunflower seeds have B1 and Magnesium that helps with PMS.  I now take them daily as a supplement.  Below is the article I found:

The Calcium Connection
Probably the strongest potential PMS helper is calcium. Several studies have suggested that PMS patients tend to have an altered calcium balance and are also at increased risk of osteoporosis. Other studies have linked adequate intakes of milk and calcium with reduced PMS symptoms.

A B-6 Bonus?
The reviews are mixed, but it's possible that daily vitamin B-6 helps improve PMS-related depression as well as physical symptoms.
Although some sources suggest 50-100 milligrams per day of B-6, the Daily Value for women aged 19-50 is a mere 1.3 milligrams per day. That's a huge gap, and one that can't be realistically filled with food sources of B-6.

Also consider taking supplements or adding foods to your diet that are rich in zinc, magnesium, vitamins B6 and B1. These may reduce bloating, cramps and other premenstrual symptoms. Zinc is found in lean red meats, seafood and cheese. Legumes (peas and beans), green vegetables, nuts and seeds contain healthy amounts of magnesium. Vitamin B6-rich foods include soybeans, avocadoes, poultry and baked potato skins, while vitamin B1 is found in pork, oatmeal, vitamin-fortified cereals and sunflower seeds.

You should try it!  Hope it helps.