I hate TOM. Im having a hysterectomy in Dec and I'm noticing each month is getting worse. Last night I thought I was going to die I felt so bad! 800mg ibuprofen really didnt help so I did turn to eating. Its weird how strange you feel at this time and how food seems to help. I ate chicken salad, a low fat chicken/broccoli concoction I made, veggie crisps, peant butter m&m's, bowl of fake lucky charms and a bowl of golden grahams. Today scale said 210 but Im not going to worry about it b/c I know its from TOM. Monday the scale said I had gained 3lbs but Tuesday morning I started so Im pretty sure its from that.

How do yall handle the aches/pains, cravings, fatigue?

The only thing I ever need is a hot pad/heat wrap on the tummy while laying down resting or watching a good movie. Usually a couple hours of this on the worst day is enough for me.

Hi Cara. I understand. I had my hysterectomy in October 05, but I clearly remember how horrible things could get. I copied my reply to a previous post. Hang in there...I hope you find relief soon.



[My 11 year old daughter just started her monthly 4 months ago and she has horrible PMS....hers comes with out-of-control rages that are driving us crazy. Here is what the doctor recommends:

Limit caffeine, salt and refined sugar - this will help reduce bloating, fatigue, tension and depression.
Eat plenty of complex carbohydrates and protein....in six small meals a day. This helps maintain your insulin levels which helps keep your energy levels steady...no highs and lows.
Take a calcium supplement of 1200mg daily and magnesium of 200mg daily..this helps with fluid retention and stress.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. This helps reduce stress and tension and acts as a natural mood enhancer.
Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. This also helps with tension.]

Exercising actually helps me with the pain. Just a 20 minute walk can do it sometimes. Heating pads and ibuprofen help as well

Walking definitely helps me with mine. Getting moving just kinda keeps everything at a lower roar of pain.

I second the ibuprofen.

And if that fails, vodka in my diet pepsi tends to help, too, though it can lead to more ankle-swelling if I overdo it. (and I have to count the calories, of course) I'd rather do vodka than dive into a bowl of ice cream. 90 calories vs. 400 can really add up.

My TOM's for the past 17 yrs has been horrible, I really think the weight gain has had something to do with it. For the past 8 yrs TOMs was every 3-4 months, and was horrible , painful I felt like I was dying. Since loosing 65 lbs TOM's comes almost every month , and is less heavy and less painful. I really think exercising helps alot too.
cheryl

I'm a bit like Synger. If my cramps get really bad I have a vodka tonic. My doctor actually recommended it and said that's what she does, and it works for me. It's just relaxing enough to take the edge off of things.

It also serves as a warning for my husband as to when to stay out of my way.

HA HA I never heard of the vodka tonic. I know exercising is supposed to help but its so heavy I dont dare risk it while Im at work! I already have to change tampon and pad every hour (Have to double up to prevent accidents) Im so ready to go home and just go to sleep!

I love those new migraine strength Advil. My TOM isn't as bad as it was before I had kids (though last month. WOW! that was bad) and these would have been great back then. I too find heat helps, as does some exercise, and a small serving of lightly salted Lay's. The only time of the month I "allow" myself to have chips. They taste like HEAVEN.

Mine used to be really bad because I would tend to get cysts on my ovaries each time.

My obgyn changed my prescription for my BC and it's been fine ever since. I don't cramp to bad at all now. IN fact I rarely get a proper one now. The only time I did over the past year is during my wedding and honeymoon - go figure!

I have had it bad from my first one... We are talking... Laying in an empty white tub and my skin matches the colour.

It made no difference if I was slim or the size I am now. I was taking Motrin 1200's at one point. Multiples...

I can't take them now because of the corn issue so I have gone the entire year without anything commercial.

I did some reading and stumbled on Willow Bark Tea. Now I am not saying it is a cure all but it numbs you a bit if you can take the bark like after taste and a bit of dry mouth. The hot tea also fills you up a bit so if you are going to get silly and eat comfort food... Hopefully you eat a bit less.

Health food stores sell it.

I get really moody too, and haven't found a way to control the cravings at all.. but if I feel like TOM is coming, I take aleve.. and I make sure to take it twice a day until my period is over.. cramps have really stopped, as long as i remember to keep taking them, and drink enough water with it. And I always had awful, i'm-going-to-die, sweaty/hot flashy cramps and symptoms too.

While I hate TOM b/c it forces the scales to play with me, grrrrrr. The cramps suck, too. However, TOM gives me some sort of extra umpph during my workouts. It's like I get angry and take it out on TOM. Weird, huh?

I ate an entire bag of chocolate chip morsels last night. 1400 calories and 80 grams of fat. Scale went up 2lbs to 212 this morning. I'm upset with myself and miserable. If I can stop smoking why cant I stop eating the junk?>???

Because it is in your house.

Time to get it out if it isn't something you can avoid sweetie.

If it isn't there it won't call to you so much, or at the least it will make it a lot harder to get it.



I had to do that with chipits!