Life w/PMDD/Severe PMS Support... - Page 4

[mystic~mama]

checking in...

I watched a video of Eckhart Tolle, The Blossoming of the Human Consciousness and I found it very helpful.

[Munchkimo]

I haven't read through all previous posts, but I wanted to jump into the convo anyway. Hope that's ok. :-D

For as long as I've been menstruating I've suffered from severe mood swings resulting in suicidal depression. I don't have a formal diagnosis of PMDD, but it's obvious to me that I fit the description. Strangely, my moods are far, far more manageable when I'm pregnant. Too bad I don't want to have twenty kids.

I recently heard of a condition called Estrogen Dominance. By chance or by Providence, I happened to shortly thereafter come across the book "What your Doctor May Not tell you About Menopause" by Dr. John R. Lee. Well, I'm 25 years old, so I'm not menopausal by any stretch of the imagination, but this book was enlightening! I was expecting it to be another book by some quack, but this guy knows what he's talking about and he backs it up.

I definitely think my PMDD is related to Estrogen Dominance so this month I am starting NATURAL Progesterone Cream after ovulation. It is important to differentiate between natural progesterone cream and pharmaceutical progesterone which is actually progestin and is notoriously ineffective and the cause of many a bad side-effect.

I will let you all know how it goes.

[momtoS]

This is an interesting thread. Mostly because I have been trying to figure out why my PMS is getting so bad. Before having dd2 I had to take high doses of B6 because I was in a study for hyperemesis while pregnant. I am going to try taking my B6/Folic Acid combo for PMS....

You ladies are great thanks so much!:

[mystic~mama]

hi "new" mamas, glad u found us...


I found this article:

http://www.womentowomen.com/menstrua...treatment.aspx

[DanishMom]

Hi mamas.

This is my third cycle without PMDD and I'm so happy about. It seems to be a lasting effect! The only change during that time is that I've started taking 100 mg, vit. B6.

I hope things will look up for you mamas. How are you doing mystic?

[mystic~mama]

Originally Posted by DanishMom

Hi mamas.

This is my third cycle without PMDD and I'm so happy about. It seems to be a lasting effect! The only change during that time is that I've started taking 100 mg, vit. B6.

I hope things will look up for you mamas. How are you doing mystic?

awesome, i am very happy for you :

tomorrow i am going to get myself some b6

blessings~

P.S

How long were you taking it until you go relief ??

[DanishMom]

Hi there mystic~mama,

Yeah it is amazing after five years of suffering so badly - getting in to arguments with my DP and being so depressed I'd even have suicidal thoughts.

It took about 2-4 days before I started to notice a difference but the effect was even stronger the next two cycles. I started taking it post-ovulation (five days after O) the first cycle so my mood was bad at that point and then the cycle actually ended with no symptoms the last six days before my period. Normally my mood wont lift until my period has been there for a day or two.

I started taking 300 mg. a day for the first couple of days - then down to 200 mg. for few weeks. I now take 125 mg a day on cycle day 1-11 and then increase a few days before O to 225 mg (I get 25 mg. from a VERY strong vitamin B-complex which I think is very important too). I go down to 125 mg. again a few days before my period starts when I can see there isn't any symptoms. The seems to be some controversy about the dose. Some say as little as 50 mg. should be effective but the most serious research I've found says 100-200 depending on where in the cycle you are. You should not go above 200 for more than a few days past O as it can cause neurological symptoms but these are reversible. I also think it's important to spread the dose so that you take it 2-3 times a day.

BTW magnesium is very important too. I was told by Panserbjørne, a mama here that seems very knowledgeable about the subject, to take calcium/mag. combo in the morning but magnesium alone in the afternoon and again before going to bed.

It really is weird - this cycle I felt a tiny bit sad at times for two days which is perfectly normal in my opinion but not depressed. I really hope this will work for you too mystic~mama. I found some links to research on the subject:
http://www.universityhealthindustrie...l-research.php
http://www.newhope.com/nutritionscie...9/natnews1.cfm

Keep us updated and good luck :-)

[mystic~mama]

Originally Posted by DanishMom

Hi there mystic~mama,

Yeah it is amazing after five years of suffering so badly - getting in to arguments with my DP and being so depressed I'd even have suicidal thoughts.

It took about 2-4 days before I started to notice a difference but the effect was even stronger the next two cycles. I started taking it post-ovulation (five days after O) the first cycle so my mood was bad at that point and then the cycle actually ended with no symptoms the last six days before my period. Normally my mood wont lift until my period has been there for a day or two.

I started taking 300 mg. a day for the first couple of days - then down to 200 mg. for few weeks. I now take 125 mg a day on cycle day 1-11 and then increase a few days before O to 225 mg (I get 25 mg. from a VERY strong vitamin B-complex which I think is very important too). I go down to 125 mg. again a few days before my period starts when I can see there isn't any symptoms. The seems to be some controversy about the dose. Some say as little as 50 mg. should be effective but the most serious research I've found says 100-200 depending on where in the cycle you are. You should not go above 200 for more than a few days past O as it can cause neurological symptoms but these are reversible. I also think it's important to spread the dose so that you take it 2-3 times a day.

BTW magnesium is very important too. I was told by Panserbjørne, a mama here that seems very knowledgeable about the subject, to take calcium/mag. combo in the morning but magnesium alone in the afternoon and again before going to bed.

It really is weird - this cycle I felt a tiny bit sad at times for two days which is perfectly normal in my opinion but not depressed. I really hope this will work for you too mystic~mama. I found some links to research on the subject:
http://www.universityhealthindustrie...l-research.php
http://www.newhope.com/nutritionscie...9/natnews1.cfm

Keep us updated and good luck :-)

I've been taking 100mg/day in my b complex for a month and I didnt see any improvement...reading your regime, I feel confused...

i quit taking all my stuff after the pmdd started this month.

i signed up for a 5 day spiritual retreat in less than a month ~ hoping to find some healing there as well.

[mystic~mama]

checking in...

I've realized lately that the biggest factor in my PMDD is Emotions...those deep down emotions and needs for self care...


how is everyone doing?

[herbmama3-7]

Hi Mystic mama, I can totally relate to the emotions, the deep down ones. It is definately what I struggle with the most at my "time of the month." Afterwords I look back and think, "what was the big deal, why did I let it get to me?"

I had a better month last month, still not great, I have tapered off of my B6 and other supps just out of lazyness, I will start tomorrow, as I am starting to get fearful of what could happen in about a week, I hate this stuff!!

[mystic~mama]

herbmama3-7 I know the feeling! I'm taking B6 now and that's about it and mainly relying on a greater awareness and taking care of myself before...listening to those twinges of things that bother me and doing something about them. I am now starting to understand what I've heard from other womyn about...

how moontime is a time to go within...and to use the greater sensitivity for you own good...that this is what it is, an increased time of sensitivity and a time when things that are bothering you that you may not be thinking about will come up at that time and that is a good thing and also can be hard to handle when you have emotional issues but not impossible

[allgirls]

subbing...

[herbmama3-7]

Just a quick note...
Has anyone read the "Red Tent" by Anita Diamante? It is an excelent book, I am reading a part on how they honor their moon times. It has some great insight into how important our moon is as a woman. I really suggest it!

[mystic~mama]

Originally Posted by herbmama3-7

Just a quick note...
Has anyone read the "Red Tent" by Anita Diamante? It is an excelent book, I am reading a part on how they honor their moon times. It has some great insight into how important our moon is as a woman. I really suggest it!

I have a few years ago and I LOVED it...I want to read it again now...

I am on day 30 and so far I've done really really good this month, been taking B6 and honoring myself and my emotions.

[allgirls]

Originally Posted by mystic~mama

I have a few years ago and I LOVED it...I want to read it again now...

I am on day 30 and so far I've done really really good this month, been taking B6 and honoring myself and my emotions.

I feel like such a dummy. A few years ago after my 5 year old was born I was the member of another board. I had terrible cycles after around 6mos pp and I did a bunch of research and discovered that B6 deficiency was the likely cause. My symptoms then were very physical(mid cycle bleeding etc.) as well as the typical mood stuff. I started the B6 plus other Bcomplex vitamins and they went away, my cycle became regular and within a six months I was pregnant with my now 3 year old(I had been ttc with no luck)

I even advised someone on the other board who was having mid-cycle spotting to try the B6 and she did and immediately had her first cycle without midcycle spotting and the next cycle she became pregnant..we joked that I got her pregnant. She went on to have a healthy pregnancy. So back then I knew about B6 deficiency.

This time I have a shortened LP and a pms that starts at the beginning of ovulation and ends mid period but I don't have the mid cycle spotting and I didn't even think of B6...duh!

So after reading this thread I went to the store and bought some. I started with 200mg yesterday and today and will continue. I am due for my period on Saturday/Sunday. I've lost track of when I o'd this month but I think it was probably 4 or 5 days ago. I have been miserable, cranky and bloated until today. But I do have the odd good days in the LP.

Anyway..I'm taking 200mg for this month to rebuild my stores and to see if next cycle is any better.

I'm also 42 so there is likely some perimenopause issues as well. My mother entered menopause at 44.

I also have a multivitamin but it only has 2mg of B6..likely fine if you aren't deficient and you have a nice healthy diet.

I also read lots of water is very important to hormonal balance so I've made a renewed committment to that.

[mystic~mama]

hi allgirls....I havent taken my B6/B for a couple days and I just did after reading your post...glad you found the thread and I am also glad to read about more successes with B6, one thing I have read is...

It is much better for you to take B6 with a B complex than on its own....

any thoughts on this mamas....DanishMom especially since you have done research on this.

I bought 100mg B6 and have been taking one with my B complex which has 100 mg in it.

I am on Day 1 now : I'm happy and relieved about that. I feel like I can pretty safely say that I have seen significant improvement this cycle...what a relief!

And I agree Drink Lots of WATER!!

[allgirls]

Originally Posted by mystic~mama

hi allgirls....
It is much better for you to take B6 with a B complex than on its own....

any thoughts on this mamas....DanishMom especially since you have done research on this.

I bought 100mg B6 and have been taking one with my B complex which has 100 mg in it.

I am on Day 1 now : I'm happy and relieved about that. I feel like I can pretty safely say that I have seen significant improvement this cycle...what a relief!

And I agree Drink Lots of WATER!!

I think you do need to take it with a complex..oh my..you are triggering my memory. I DID take a complex as well. I have to get some!

[herbmama3-7]

Heading over to take my b6/complex RIGHT NOW!

Thanks for the reminder everyone

[allgirls]

ok so this is cd 21...I usually run a 25/26 day cycle(though they can be as short as 18 and as long as 30)

I am cramping like af is imminent however I don't get cramps with af anymore. This is pretty intense. I am going to try red raspberry leaf tea for that but this is really ouchy

Also my sleep is disturbed. I think this is the worse part of pms...I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I don't think the moodiness is as much hormonal for me as sleep deprivation. I'm really tired..I went to bed at 11pm and woke at 4am and might have dozed off around 6:30pm until my alarm went off at 7:30am. I'm crashing now. I feel really tired, I've had too much coffee and the cycle begins. I feel like crying because I know it's a bad week coming.

[DanishMom]

Originally Posted by mystic~mama

It is much better for you to take B6 with a B complex than on its own....
any thoughts on this mamas....DanishMom especially since you have done research on this.

Yes, it is best to take B6 with a vit. B-complex - but watch out for lower recommended daily intake values. I bought a brand called Swanson's. It has vit. c in it too. It has very high values of all the B vitamins.

Originally Posted by allgirls

Also my sleep is disturbed. I think this is the worse part of pms...I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I don't think the moodiness is as much hormonal for me as sleep deprivation. I'm really tired..I went to bed at 11pm and woke at 4am and might have dozed off around 6:30pm until my alarm went off at 7:30am. I'm crashing now. I feel really tired, I've had too much coffee and the cycle begins. I feel like crying because I know it's a bad week coming.

I know just how you feel. I can hardly work from lack of sleep caused by PMDD. However, cramping is made much worse from coffee so you might want to keep it at a minimum.

And me: I'm still doing a lot better after starting B6 but my mom is very sick and I spend every day with her at the hospital. I definitely feel the extra stress but not as bad as before!

Mystic: Glad to hear you are fine right now. I think it's a great idea to work with the emotions - after all they do come up for a reason even though they are made much stronger by PMDD.

My cycle is becoming a bit irregular and I'm afraid it's perimenopause. I'm 34 and want another child in a year or two.