PMS is ruining my life...again.

[squirrelletta]

God, I hope someone out there can help me with this issue.

I'll keep this short. Since I had my son almost two years ago, I've been the happiest healthist (Food and excercise) I have ever been in my life. I'm CLW my son and got my period back at 22 months (so I've gotten it twice so far)

I have had a WHIPLASH of emotional, anger, hunger, semi-depression (more recently from feeling this attuitude back in my life) and almost hatered for my husband. This wave of past hormonal issues apperantly has the potential of destroying my life. How could this be normal?!?!?!

I really do not want to go on meds. I feel that doesnt deal with the issues and my son is still nursing.

What can I do? I'm FURIOUS my old "Out of control" self is back...FURIOUS.

[qeiane]

hi all i can advise is agnus castus it has helped me so much its unreal but you will have to check at health shop if you can take whilst still breast feeding it will regulate your hormones you need to take 800mg morning and night. i was like you awful but this wonderful herb has helped so much a good multi vit will help too xxxxx if you dont want to take anything on those days keep busy, go out anything but another fantastic thing is meditation xxxx love to you

[squirrelletta]

Thanks, I'll look for that!

[UptownZoo]

I've had some success with a high dose of fish oil, calcium supplements, and EPO, in addition to good nutrition and regular exercise (which you're already doing).

BUT my PMS symptoms are not as severe as yours. If I was having as much pain as it sounds like you are in, I would contact a good herbalist or naturopath for help. You deserve some relief, and this is just the kind of thing that an herbalist can really be helpful with. I've heard about people getting relief from even severe PMS symptoms from chiropractic care, yoga practice, meditation, acupuncture, massage, nutrition therapies... so there's lots you can try before going the drug route. I will give a gentle nudge here, though: if you try everything and you are really suffering from this, please be willing to at least consider a drug option. Like I said, you deserve relief!

[squirrelletta]

Originally Posted by uptownzoo

I've had some success with a high dose of fish oil, calcium supplements, and EPO, in addition to good nutrition and regular exercise (which you're already doing).

BUT my PMS symptoms are not as severe as yours. If I was having as much pain as it sounds like you are in, I would contact a good herbalist or naturopath for help. You deserve some relief, and this is just the kind of thing that an herbalist can really be helpful with. I've heard about people getting relief from even severe PMS symptoms from chiropractic care, yoga practice, meditation, acupuncture, massage, nutrition therapies... so there's lots you can try before going the drug route. I will give a gentle nudge here, though: if you try everything and you are really suffering from this, please be willing to at least consider a drug option. Like I said, you deserve relief!

I currently have some good fish oil on hand, I will start taking that again. I would love to start Yoga again (took some free classes at the local Uni, but could maybe find time to sign up for real ones now)

I'm not DEAD set against drug therapy, I've been on it before. I just felt I was past that part of my life and I had found a wonderful level of happiness for me and my little family. Now, realizing it was only hormones, I'm devasated and just plain sad.

I would of course do anything to make myself happy for myself and the benifit of my husband and child. I'm just praying for a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe in the form of something natural.

Again, Thank you
Nicole

[InstinctiveMama]

Have you read "Listening to Your Hormones"? It is a fabulous book written by a woman who suffered so terribly from PMS that she became an expert on the subject. The book is very informative and could help you learn how to manage your PMS. I highly recommend it!

[UptownZoo]

Originally Posted by squirrelletta

I just felt I was past that part of my life and I had found a wonderful level of happiness for me and my little family. Now, realizing it was only hormones, I'm devasated and just plain sad.

I'm so sorry. It's easy to see how much that would hurt! Here you were, thinking this was gone, and then bam. Ouch.

I thought of one other thing; have you read any of Christianne Northrup's work? I really recommend Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. She has such a balanced approach and is so gentle! When I read her book, there was one sentence that has really been a help to me (and I'm paraphrasing here): Changes we make out of self-hate will never last; changes we make from loving ourselves will stay with us. I think that statement was in reference to weight loss or eating better, but it applies across my life. Anyway, that book is just loaded with great information for women, across the lifespan, from puberty to post-menopause.

[Guava~Lush]

I can really empathize with you,

What I found helpful was just a little progesterone cream on my chest when I notice my hormones are out of wack-which is pretty much from ovulation on, until my period. Just a little once a day or every other day. For me, it was this surge of estrogen and gaining a huge understanding of my body and hormones which I didnt have previously.
Also lots of mamas have suggested Natural Calm cal/mag drink. I sip it before bed as often as I remember and it helps alot. Ds keeps asking,"did you take your magnesium?" He wants me calm, poor kid!

And I agree with what other mamas have also suggested here too. I think it's like an on going battle. Some months are better than others, and perhaps since you said you have only had 2 cycles? so far? Perhaps your body is still adjusting?

I hope you can find the right things to work out for you. I'd like to hear other suggestions as well.

[squirrelletta]

Everyone has given me great information, I am so thanksful!

I've really been focusing on what I'm feeling and trying to just be easy on myself too. I may go to an endocrinologist (sp?) and talk to them. Maybe a baseline bloodtest would show some things. i would think the time of the month/cycle would make a huge diff. though? Worth a try, we have insurance, what the heck!

uptownzoo- I like the quote too, and thats very much how my life has been getting better over the last 2 years, by me being NICE to myself and body. I guess having your baby love you as much as they do, and them being such a gift, makes you think "Hummm...I must be pretty great if this amazing person loves and likes me so much!" I'll check out that book, it sounds good!

[aweynsayl]

thank you for this thread! i actually just posted in another place about my pms. you are SO FREEAKING LUCKY. my ds is 8mo, ebf, and my af came back last month. grrr.

i forgot fish oil! actually, my mf put me on it while i was pg, to help with hormones, and it totally did. i stopped taking it cause-- long story... anyhow. out to buy some now!

hugs & chocolate kisses!

[Sarain]

I just had a horrible few days of PMS AND my son is teething! I've had my period back since he was 2 months old, but this was the first time since having him that I also had PMS ( maybe I'm nursing him less, so my hormones have changed?) Before I had my son I knew how to mangage my PMS, and I'm going to start doing it again, for both my sake and son's.


Homeopathy ( I go to a MD who uses a Vega Machine to test)

Exercise

multi vit/Min

Shiatsu

eating healthy ( keeping the meat, cheese, sugar down)

Evening Primrose Oil

I hope this helps!

[mommadoc]

There is a resource for some herbal help from herbdoc.com. Try the Fem+ tinture. I am in your boat and have had good success taking up to 200 mg of borage oil on those days when I am feeling ragey.