A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:Has any woman here suffered from PMS and been able to 'manage' it without taking anti-depressants?I start to feel extremely weak and depressed about 5-7 days before my period. Often I feel nausea and for about 5 days before my sleep pattern is very bad, I just can't sleep much. As soon as it arrives I start to feel better, first physically and then my mood lifts with relief. Very often, right at the final day of my period (day 5) there's what I call a 'backlash' - about a half day when I suddenly plummet again and feel tense and lash out.I feel on a scale of 1-10 my PMS is probably about 6-7. But the problem is that whilst it happens for a limited time, it does have a 'knock on' effect onto the times when I've not got PMS - it disrupts any sense of order in my life and I get confused and a bit scared of my own moods, so it always takes a while for me to adjust back again. It used to be worse. This is because I've worked hard to become physically fit, I take magnesium, a vitamin tablet and evening primrose oil daily. I keep a record of my moods so that I can tell when PMS is starting - this helps because I at least know what it is, rather than feeling it is random and subjected to it.One problem is that my periods are never very regular but generally I am on a short cycle of about 23 days on average. This means I only have time to recover from one period, then a very short time of feeling fine, and then I have to prepare again for feeling awful.I've tried taking agnus castus but I have serious dietary issues where I can only eat about 50% of available foodstuffs. I had a very bad reaction to Agnus Castus and had to stop taking it after a few days _ I got serious mouth ulcers and my whole digestive system became inflamed and hyper-sensitive. I think this was because it is berry derived and consisted of dried berries and I can't eat any form of berry or dried food.My doctor has suggested a very low dose of anti-depressant but I am seriously concerned - and she kind of agrees - that the side effects may not be worth me taking it. There's a strong possibility that I will get digestive upset as a result and I also just don't like the idea of being on anti-depressants.I'm not looking for a total cure, but wondered if there are any other ways to lessen the symptoms? I drink one cup of strong coffee each morning and several cups of tea and I'm aware that caffeine might be making it worse. Any ideas anyone?
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reader, anonymous, writes (3 April 2014): I think green tea, a multi vitamin and fish oils may help you. If you need a med I would take a tranquillizer instead of an anti depressant - they can cause severe metabolic imbalances and withdrawals in some people. I also would get your vitamin levels tested before supplementing, especially b12 since high b12 levels can cause liver damage. Hope you feel better.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 April 2014): Hi,
Have suffered in the same way as you for many years.
A friend suggested St. John's wort, b12 & vitamin c.
I have been on them for about a month and never felt better.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 April 2014): Primrose oil, and star flower oil helps with PMS greatley and balances out brain chemicals. I suffered for years with quite bad PMS. Also take note of your diet (very important).
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 April 2014): Hi Everyone this is the OP - this is so very helpful thank you.
Due to my dietary issues I hardly ever eat sugar but I will cut out even the little that I have on occasion.
I guess I will just have to overcome my 'fear' of having to go without coffee or tea - I am very dependent on both. But I always forget that there is de-caffeinated available, so thanks for the reminder!
SVC I will think long and hard about the anti-depressant option - I think my doctor was suggesting setraline but she and I are both concerned that it could cause me diarrhoea, due to my food sensitivities.
Yes, exercise has really helped so far, but I think I will 'up' the yoga.
As for the orgasms...well...!
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A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused  +, writes (2 April 2014):
 My doctor always told me that Vitamin E and the B vitamins and no sugar or caffeine (even natural sugars) would help with my very severe PMS (it was probably more like PMDD but they did not have that diagnosis back then)
so I would switch to a very clean diet... and up the vitamin B complex and the E full time as well.
also if there are cramps... ibuprofen or aspirin a few days before will help with cramps and clotting...
they just started me recently on a very very VERY low dose of Prozac (10 mg a day) for menopausal symptoms and between that and NO sugar (including switching to almond milk as honeypie suggested) I'm feeling much better with no side effects.
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A
female
reader, YouWish +, writes (2 April 2014):
 I agree with Honeypie! EXERCISE! It does a body good, and helps PMS a lot! So do orgasms. Caffiene makes the anxiety/irritability worse.
You mentioned your sleep patterns. You may want to start there when you talk to your doctor, because getting good sleep helps alleviate the symptoms as well.
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A
female
reader, sugarplum786  +, writes (2 April 2014):
 Hi, I can identify with you. I started watching what I eat in the month and stay away from starch and sweet stuff. Oh yes I crave these food but also noticed that I was more depressed and short tempered. I also started to exercise 3/4 times a week to hep release the negative energy. I introduced fruit to my diet, I found a world of difference. Hope it works for you.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie +, writes (2 April 2014):
 I don't have severe PMS, but I do have PMS and the older I get, the more I "feel" it. And it IS annoying. I have found that with exercise and yoga it seems much milder.
Caffeine DOES play into it. I drink decaff the week before and during my period and I have cut coffee/tea to a bare minimum. Chamomile is often my go to drink now over coffee/tea.
Cut salt. (which is a good thing anyways) Drink plenty of water.
I don't drink cows milk - I stick to Almond milk. (I don't do soy as it can increase your estrogen levels and that is NOT always beneficial for pre-menopausal women)
Have you had your hormone levels checked?
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