PMS- Tell me your stories?

WittyKitty1

Hi Ladies

I get really severe PMS (Crying,bloating,tender breasts,acne,dry skin, mood swings :mad:) you name it, I get it. And it REALLY affects my day to day life and my relationships (fighting with my boyfriend to no end!:( and just lack of tolerance for anyone)

Turns out I have a bit of a hormone imbalance around this time of the month called PMDD.

So i'm on medication at the minute to prevent the moodswings,feeling down and crying spells.. which so far has only improved ever so slightly and I'm waiting on an appointment for the gyne clinic as my doctor is at his wits end with hormones at this stage...

So, tell me about your PMS please..

Your stories and tips and tricks would be greatly appriciated around this time

I had PMDD, which was really, really severe, so bad I would quit life and become kinda suicidal every month for a few days. This from someone who until the age of 25 (am 32 now) only knew her period was coming because the full extent of my PMS was crying uncontrollably for about four hours before.

For other issues (been diagnosed with some mental issues) I have been taking an anti depressant for the last few years, and it did curb the homocidal, suicidal PMDD. I have been taking the pill nearly a year now (yes, a late starter on hormonal contraception) and I found that my temper is a bit frayed, and I cry a lot, for about a week before my period, but it's tame compared to the pre-anti depressant experience.

The only tip I can offer is that when the anger builds, or the heartache sets in, to remind yourself that it's probably hormonal, tell the other person involved that it's probably hormonal, and move on with your day. I dunno, rationally thinking about my moods and behaviour really helps me to control it, plus if the other person knows, they tend to take less offense.

daenerysstormborn3

OP, if it's any use, my sister suffers terribly with her periods and finds that vitamin B helps with her mood. Even during the rest of the month she finds that it helps prevent moodiness.

Other than that, I can't help. I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world because mine arrive during the night, stay for a day and finish up the following night. No cramps, no moodiness, little bit too hot/too cold the night before and the 2 nights of but other than that, they pass by barely noticed.

WittyKitty1

Deleted User wrote: »

I had PMDD, which was really, really severe, so bad I would quit life and become kinda suicidal every month for a few days. This from someone who until the age of 25 (am 32 now) only knew her period was coming because the full extent of my PMS was crying uncontrollably for about four hours before.

For other issues (been diagnosed with some mental issues) I have been taking an anti depressant for the last few years, and it did curb the homocidal, suicidal PMDD. I have been taking the pill nearly a year now (yes, a late starter on hormonal contraception) and I found that my temper is a bit frayed, and I cry a lot, for about a week before my period, but it's tame compared to the pre-anti depressant experience.

The only tip I can offer is that when the anger builds, or the heartache sets in, to remind yourself that it's probably hormonal, tell the other person involved that it's probably hormonal, and move on with your day. I dunno, rationally thinking about my moods and behaviour really helps me to control it, plus if the other person knows, they tend to take less offense.

Ah, I get the crying, mood swings a good 7-10 days before my period. The minute the period comes, I'm a whole new person. In great form!

I'm 22, And since I started with periods, i've been like this.. it's so destructive and I am constantly applogising to my boyfriend for my behavior and attitude towards him ( i'm surprised he hasn't ran for the hills )

I'm taking an anti-depressant as well.. I've never suffered from depression but my doctor said it's the best thing to take to stop that drop at that time of the month..

ruaille buaille

I used to get severe pain with my periods. Sometime to the point where I would start vomiting. Every month i was bed bound for 1-2 days which was awful. I started taking the pill and found that the pain started to get less and less every month. It really was a lifesaver for me. Wish I had gone on it sooner.

xLexie

Never had the being moody or being really hormonal with my period, however like the poster above me, my period would be so bad the first day that I could actually pass out or vomit, I would be really sick but only for the first day.

I started on the pill and haven't looked back

kylith

I too am delighted with the wonders of the pill. While I didn't suffer from PMS as badly as some people, I used to lie on the couch and cry, and jab my abdomen with pens and compasses; anything to give a reason for the pain. I went on the pill about 13 years ago and these days when I apologise to my OH for being crabby before my period he swears that he hadn't noticed*.

*Maybe that just means that I'm crabby all the time.

miamee

Thankfully I don't get anything as severe as the posters above - that sucks girls, really

I used to get a lot of mood swings but started to take Evening Primrose Oil 1000mg daily which has really helped. If I don't take it for a day or two, I notice the difference.

Sometimes I get really ditzy on the first day or two of my period. It's like my brain is short circuiting and refuses to function fully. I haven't done anything monumentally stupid when this happens but when it is really bad I won't even cross a seemingly empty street unless there is a green man - I have previously walked out into an "empty" street only to have a friend pull me out of the way of an oncoming bus/car more at least twice. It was the same friend each time, now when I do something silly he asks if it is that time of the month. It usually is!

ash23

Thankfully I don't suffer too badly with my periods. But the day before my period I am probably the most irrational grumpy person in the world. Luckily I am aware of it myself and even though I'm in foul form, I know it's not justified.
I usually go home from work and ignore all communication from the outside world, go to bed early and then when I get up, my period has usually arrived and then all is well with the world again.

username123

In my teens I used to get an upset stomach and such bad cramping that I occasionally just passed out from pain. I would also be quite moody in the few days before and first couple of days of my period.

At 16 my mother took me to the old family doctor who assured me "You'll be grand once you've had a few kids" and did nothing else.

After passing out in college one day, at 19, the college doctor put me straight onto the pill.

I stayed on that pill for a few years and while the symptoms were much lessened, I still had some cramping and tenderness and a bit of moodiness. Then they took that pill off the market, and I went onto a new pill, Mercilon. Again, I still had some small amount of cramping and tenderness and a bit of moodiness but overall it was fine.

I stayed on that for around 16 years until last year I noticed that I was getting ocular migraines and also I had come to normalise a week of headaches when I had my period - this had built up slowly over time, it wasnt like that 5 years ago even.

So after speaking to my doctor she took me off Mercilon and put me on Cerazette.

This has been life changing. I have no period, no cramps, no moodiness, no headaches, no ocular migraines. I no longer buy tampons or pain killers - so its a considerable saving over a year (I would go through a box of Solphadeine for the headaches during my period before).

Im almost 40 now and I look back at the above and think how awful it was that a doctor told me at 16 that Id be fine once I had a few kids and I was left to suffer on - I still have no kids and no intention of having any.

I would also advise anyone to pay attention to headaches or migraines when on the pill - its easy to ignore warning signs for ages.

DeltaWhite

I am an actual anti Christ ladies not going to lie. And for some reason the week before and week of my period I HATE MEN!! Honestly I treat all men horrifically when I have PMS.

All the men in my job even know when I have PMS so they don't antagonise me or annoy me cos they are so used to getting their heads ripped off haha

I'm fine the rest of the time!

Also get the WORST breast pain ever, I can't even walk fast sometimes and even taking my bra off at the end of the day is severe pain! And god love my OH if he even tries to touch them!

He puts up with a lot so I'm lucky to have him! I feel sorry for him because half the time he doesn't know why I'm crying and upset (neither do I!!)

Why do we have to go through these things WHY!

Ps. Does evening Primrose Oil really help with moods wings?? I need to get me some of that!

WittyKitty1

Thanks for posting ladies, you are really making me feel better

I went back to the doctor today and he described my situation me as a 'very unique '... And also said he hasn't a clue what to do with me(He obviously doesn't get many 22 year olds coming in crying their eyes out for no reason when they are pre-menstrual!). He Actually suggested that he refer me to a psychiatrist but I reassured him I didn't need that, that it was to do with my periods and hormones ( I actually felt like the doctor!)..

He perscribed me the YASMIN pill and wants me to take it continually for 3 months without the break for a period.. He didn't really say why but he wants me on a constant hormone intake..

Has anyone else had something similar to this?

angeldelight

When I came off my pill I got really bad PMS the first month - I had never had it before so thought I was losing my marbles! One day I was in work and one of the girls was putting out some new merchandise in the shop. She came into the back to show me a really cute baby frame and I went from fine to outright bawling in 5 seconds... She thought I was a psycho and I was mortified but couldn't stop!

WittyKitty1

angeldelight wrote: »

When I came off my pill I got really bad PMS the first month - I had never had it before so thought I was losing my marbles! One day I was in work and one of the girls was putting out some new merchandise in the shop. She came into the back to show me a really cute baby frame and I went from fine to outright bawling in 5 seconds... She thought I was a psycho and I was mortified but couldn't stop!

Oh my goodness!! I do this all the time. My poor boyfriend must actually think i'm also psycho! I'm constantly crying over nothing!

ruaille buaille

WittyKitty1 wrote: »

He perscribed me the YASMIN pill and wants me to take it continually for 3 months without the break for a period.. He didn't really say why but he wants me on a constant hormone intake..

Has anyone else had something similar to this?

I was first put on Yasmin when I went on the pill and I found it made me get terrible mood swings and feel a bit depressed. I then switched to Microlite and found it much better. Not saying that Yasmin wont suit u but just keep in mind that there are other types of Pill that u can switch to if one doesnt suit.

woodchuck

I used to get awful PMS that would severely negatively affect my mood to the point of feeling suicidal for one week out of every month. Evening primrose oil and vitamin b helped a bit, but the major turning point was going on the pill (yasmin). It hasn't completely gotten rid of my symptoms and I still have bad months, but it's a lot better than before.

Oh and I know this is a total cliche, but chocolate does seriously help as well! Not the most healthy option, but if I'm in the middle of an emotional meltdown it's a quick and easy solution to get me back on the right track.

WittyKitty1

woodchuck wrote: »

Oh and I know this is a total cliche, but chocolate does seriously help as well! Not the most healthy option, but if I'm in the middle of an emotional meltdown it's a quick and easy solution to get me back on the right track.

What is it about Chocolate and PMS?

I would never even look at a bar of chocolate any other day of month.. Suddenly around PMS time, i'd eat 4 a day!!!

woodchuck

WittyKitty1 wrote: »

What is it about Chocolate and PMS?

I would never even look at a bar of chocolate any other day of month.. Suddenly around PMS time, i'd eat 4 a day!!!

Apparently it increases levels of serotonin, which has antidepressant effects. Your body craves things for a reason... it's our job to listen If that results in a chocolate mountain being eaten once a month, so be it

Teyla Emmagan

I suffer from anxiety and it always spikes with hormonal changes - e.g. when I'm ovulating or my period is due I can be going out of my mind for a day or two. My PMS is basically really swollen aching boobs, and anxiety. I can also get rage bursts (in my head). I will be going around for a day or so feeling so angry I could actually rip someone apart with my bare hands. It's awful!!! And the PAIN IN MY TITS!!!!! I have to take Neurofen the boob ache is so bad at times.

And then other months I just go into in a zombie state for a couple of days. I will be sitting at my PC in work dribbling on myself and unable to form basic sentences, even a couple of days into my period. Ah, the special joy of having PMS and your period at the same time.

They don't call it 'the curse' for nothing.

I have a few friends who have never had a period related problem in their lives. I envy them and hate them for their lack of sympathy because they have no idea what it's like to feel like you have two aching water balloons strapped to your chest, or to have cramp so bad you can barely walk!

woodchuck

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I suffer from anxiety and it always spikes with hormonal changes - e.g. when I'm ovulating or my period is due I can be going out of my mind for a day or two. My PMS is basically really swollen aching boobs, and anxiety. I can also get rage bursts (in my head). I will be going around for a day or so feeling so angry I could actually rip someone apart with my bare hands. It's awful!!! And the PAIN IN MY TITS!!!!! I have to take Neurofen the boob ache is so bad at times.

And then other months I just go into in a zombie state for a couple of days. I will be sitting at my PC in work dribbling on myself and unable to form basic sentences, even a couple of days into my period. Ah, the special joy of having PMS and your period at the same time.

They don't call it 'the curse' for nothing.

I have a few friends who have never had a period related problem in their lives. I envy them and hate them for their lack of sympathy because they have no idea what it's like to feel like you have two aching water balloons strapped to your chest, or to have cramp so bad you can barely walk!

Are you on the pill? If not I can't recommend it enough. One of my friends has had severe physical symptoms every month and every time I'd recommend her to talk to her doctor about going on the pill. Years (of nagging :P) later and she's finally on it and she said the difference is incredible. Her only regret is not going on it sooner.

Teyla Emmagan

woodchuck wrote: »

Are you on the pill? If not I can't recommend it enough. One of my friends has had severe physical symptoms every month and every time I'd recommend her to talk to her doctor about going on the pill. Years (of nagging :P) later and she's finally on it and she said the difference is incredible. Her only regret is not going on it sooner.

I'm not right now pill actually, because I don't really want to be. I am on enough stuff for various other things, and I'm always hoping to meet someone, fall madly in love and immediately pregnant, so I don't want to risk taking ages for my cycle to start working again (which is probably silly, but hey). I know I'm moaning about it, but it's only a couple of days a month, so I just put up with it (bar the moaning part ). If it ever got to the stage it was too much to handle I'd be into the doctor's in a shot.

So I'm just here to complain, basically .

WittyKitty1

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

So I'm just here to complain, basically .

That's the very reason I started the thread

To listen to other people complaining.. I'm loving it!!!!!:)

Malari

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Other than that, I can't help. I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world because mine arrive during the night, stay for a day and finish up the following night. No cramps, no moodiness, little bit too hot/too cold the night before and the 2 nights of but other than that, they pass by barely noticed.

I'm very like this too. It passes virtually unnoticed most of the time and I never get PMS.

Roesy

Never suffered as badly as you by the sounds of it OP but the high strength version of evening primrose oil taken consistently definitely helped me with the mood swings, breast tenderness, weepiness etc.