It's TOM and I feel like crap on a stick. I haven't had to deal with this for over 3 years because I was on the shot and didn't have things like cramps or mood swings. I forgot how to deal with the overall feeling of ickyness, the fatigue and of course the pain.....
However, my real problem is the exaggerated emotionalism. My coworkers just shot down an idea of mine and instead of arguing my point like I would normally do I got angry and wanted to smack them both...then I nearly burst into tears. It's completely irrational I know, and that really IRRITATES me... however the rampant emotions aren't any easier to deal with.
Q. Is there anything I can do about my terrible PMS? I only have it a few days each month, but those days are wretched.
A. There are over 150 symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome, from acne to swollen feet to wishing your spouse would get hit by a bus. But if you’re having extreme symptoms such as incapacitating pain, significant depression or cramps outside your normal cycle, consult a doctor to rule out more serious conditions.
Although there’s no cure-all, the right diet and exercise can bring physical and emotional relief.
Dial back the caffeine, which can bring on mood swings as well as breast soreness, and avoid alcohol. Reduce your intake of salt, sugar, fatty foods and red meat. Instead, seek sources of calcium, magnesium and vitamins B6 and E (see www.nutrition.org/nutinfo/ for foods containing these nutrients). The evidence on herbal remedies like primrose oil and chaste tree berry is anecdotal; some women swear by them, some swear at them.
Moderate aerobics (running, walking, swimming) and relaxation techniques (yoga, massage) tend to reduce fatigue, anxiety and depression.
While over-the-counter ibuprofen and diuretics can be helpful, there is better medical evidence that low doses of SSRIs—the same drugs used to counter depression—will relieve PMS symptoms effectively and rapidly.
you poor thing...I used to suffer horribly from period cramps when I was in high school and in my twenties. I used to take three Tylenol and try to sleep. I didn't suffer too much from moodiness, I was moody all the time ( ) so I don't think it was TOM related, but it could have been. My pain was so severe, I would almost always vomit from it and break out into a drenching cold sweat, shake and my lips would turn blue. Not to mention the absolute pain in my lower abdomen and upper thighs.
You should by all means see a doctor. I had an old doctor that, of course, told me I was overreacting (sure, if men had to deal with this, a cure would have been made for cramps, etc. a looooong time ago!! And pads would be much more comfortable!!)...BUT, there are great prescription medications your doctor will prescribe for you. I had an old boyfriend once whose father was a doctor...he (the father) heard me talking to his wife (the old boyfriends mom) about my cramps and he came out and started talking about how no woman should have to suffer from such things and blah, blah, blah (I wanted to die talking to my boyfriend's father about period cramps...BUT) and he gave me a few free samples of a GREAT drug (can't remember the name of it) that I took at the first signs of cramps and they would disappear within minutes and I was okay!!
The good news is...I'm 39 now and never, ever have cramps anymore and my mood swings are over and all that. As you get older, these things tend to be less and less of a problem.... After I had my first baby at 27, the cramps pretty much were gone and after my last one, they are all but gone. AND...the good news for me was that when I was in labor for my kids, the labor pains weren't much different for me than my period cramps, so, when you get the bad cramps, just think of it as God's way of preparing you for childbirth someday...by then, you'll be a professional at dealing with pain and contractions!!
But, really, you should see a doctor...you should never have to deal with these things with the multitude of treatments they have for it these days. It's your best bet!!
Good luck...and take a pamprin in the meantime...they help my daughter!!
I experience that now a lot too during TOM. I've learned that when I react like that, I'm best left alone. I will take a few minutes to be by myself and either write to vent about it or just think it over until I can get out of that state. I'm sorry I'm not much more help.
Solus, sorry to hear of the PMS problems. Unfortunately I can't offer too much help since the emotional part was never my problem. For the physical symptoms, I do suggest eating foods as "close to nature as possible" meaning as near to the natural state they were created, and avoiding any and all processed junk, or stuff with even some processed components. I have had severe cramps for years and this approach (avoiding processed foods, heavy starches, and too many simple carbs) has been of some help.
I can offer a YELL out to TECHWIFE:
PLEASE, Please tell me what the drugs were that helped the cramps!!!! I am now 40 and have had the terrible cramps since I was 14 and nothing has ever helped (unless you count the 17 years I was on the pill - which I don't recommend) I know what you mean about the old doctors saying it was all in your head. That is total F*cking BS. It hurt soooo bad, and does not always go away with age.
Anyway, I recommend a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and Ibuprofen at the first signs of PMS.
I can really relate. I used to PMS in a major way before I started taking the pill. For nearly 2 weeks before my tom I would literally break down in tears constantly because I was so frustrated. I finally went and talked to my doctor about it when I sat down in the floor of the laundry room one day and sobbed because I couldn't find socks that matched.
Now, that I'm on the pill my pms time is cut down to about a week, but it can still be pretty intense. I was perscribed zoloft to take during my pms-week but I found that starting and stopping the medication made me feel extremely tired and unmotivated to do much of anything. However, it did help when I took it. I'm not a doctor, but you could ask about medication.
I read your post - and though I can be of no help to you - I hope that the pain and moodiness from your TOM goes away... I'm sure it's nooooo fun. I know many women suffer with the pain and mood swings that come along at their TOM.
I am complete opposite of most. During my TOM - I am much happier, calm, I have less anxiety, I feel more outgoing, I don't get cramps or bloating, and overall, I just feel like a different person.
But when it's not my TOM I tend to have more anxiety, I'm not as calm, I get moody and snap at certain people for no good reason. I just don't get it! ( ) lol.
I had really awful, debilitating cramps as a teenager too . . . I would take prescription strength ibuprofen (tylenol never worked for me, but ibuprofen works on the specific cause of cramps), and they would come back after two hours, even though you were only supposed to take the medicine every eight hours. I managed them by taking way too much ibuprofen (which is dangerous and can lead to all sorts of problems, BTW), until I went on the pill. Since I've been on the pill, I just get a little bit of cramps the first couple days of my period, but it's not even bad enough to need tylenol.
I've been on the pill since I was 17 (I'm almost 23), so I am a little afraid of what would happen if I went off of it!
My doctor told me either a hysterectomy or I could try an alternative. I chose Depo-Provera injections, and much to surprise, it's been fabulous. I hardly bleed at all, and my cramps are minimal (towards the end of the 3 months.) Before the injections, I would double over in pain and, quite literally almost hemorrhage every month. It has really been great.
Talk with a FEMALE ob/gyn specialist in your area. Talking to men about PMS is the equivalent of obtaining advice from men on how to change the toilet paper roll. It's pointless.
For some reason, ever since I stopped taking the pill, my PMS has got a little bit better. The cramps are a lot worse, of course, but I don't seem to be as moody. Or maybe it's just that now that I 'm use to my mood swings, they don' t stand out as much. Or I've been exercising more lately-- I know that could help.
<i>"It is all in your head"</i>, I heard this all the time and always dismissed it. But found that after a good dose of therapy, my emotional PMS started to disappear. For me, the hormones intensified and magnified hidden emotions well out of proportion. When I was able to process those emotions outside of the PMS time, I found that the roller coster ride became more like a merry go-round.
For cramps and general quesiness, I found a steady supply of calcuim kept my body in check and prevented my monthly menage a trois (me and a pint of ben and jerries, in bed, with one spoon.)
AnnieRN: I was on the Depo shot for years but I stopped taking it last year because of the recent discovery that use of 2 or more years causes a loss of bone density, sometimes severe. It now has a warning on the box which states that the drug is not intended for long-term use. You may want to look into that if you use it.
a broad abroad: I was perscribed Sodium Diclofenac and it worked wonders on my dibilitating cramps. They were so bad I vomitted uncontrollably, sweated profusely, and couldn't even stand up or cry because of the pain. These pills are non-addictive and really helped the pain...however being that they are an anti-inflammatory, they still have the risk of liver damage with long-term use.
Thanks for all the support everyone! I thought yesterday was bad...TODAY the cramps were so terrible I had to skip work and have spent most of the day in bed. I wish I still had a perscription for Sodium Diclofenac but that all ran out a long time ago.
AnnieRN: I was on the Depo shot for years but I stopped taking it last year because of the recent discovery that use of 2 or more years causes a loss of bone density, sometimes severe. It now has a warning on the box which states that the drug is not intended for long-term use. You may want to look into that if you use it.
Solus-
I just had a physical with my OB/GYN 2 months or so ago. She did mention this and ordered a bone density scan. She told me that if it came back normal (which it did), she advised me there was nothing to worry about, and that she would follow up, as needed. If I have to, for some reason, go off of the injection, I will opt for a hysterectomy. I WILL NOT go through what I went through prior to getting the injections.
:hugz: I have had those horrible cramps-- and like papperclippy above-- I would take ibuprofin by the handful as a teenager just to function and get through my day. Of course, now I know that was a terrible thing for my body, but, at the time, it was all I had.
My cramps have actually gotten much better since I had to have a c-section two years ago... but I would not recommend that as a treatment. I don't know if it was the emergency c-section itself or pregnancy in general, but something in my body changed.
Heat packs or a heating pad help me. I have tried those self-heating disposable pads that stick to your clothes, and I like them, though I think they're expensive. Resting and staying away from the salty foods that I crave seem to help my symptoms, too.
Emotionally, nothing helps me much but walking away into the next room when I feel the urge to yell at someone.
I ned a little female help (guys need not apply)
) so I don't think it was TOM related, but it could have been. My pain was so severe, I would almost always vomit from it and break out into a drenching cold sweat, shake and my lips would turn blue. Not to mention the absolute pain in my lower abdomen and upper thighs. 
) lol.
It's pointless.
I don't know if it was the emergency c-section itself or pregnancy in general, but something in my body changed.