Needing Advise

I'm 4.5 post op and having a very difficult time dealing with PMS. Now that I'm not able to take super strength MIDOL, I'm not sure what to take. My physician is pretty much at a loss since I'm taking 20 mg of Lexapro. I'm really having a bad day and would appreciate any advice offered. I'm down 61 lbs and feeling great with the exception of my PMS symptosm. I told my boss this morning that if I killed someone I could not be held responsible . . . please! Hugz, Nancy Jo

Nancy Jo, WOW!! Sounds like you've got it bad! I must admit that my PMS and "Aunt Flow" symptoms are a lot worse since surgery, but I am not ready to kill anyone. My only suggestion is perhaps to check into Dr. Shulze's website... he has a vitamin product for women that is supposed to really help... http://www.800herbdoc.com/store/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=4&h=1 I truly believe that vitamins are the only way to go, especially now that we are all post op... This is a female balance mixture, that might help... I used to take it and it seemed to really help... It's just a thought... but perhaps you can look around his website... I can e-mail you the link if you want... just let me know... otherwise, just cut and paste the address above... Good luck and congrats on your weight loss!! Hugs, Loree

Nancy Jo, I wish I could help, but all I can offer is a (((((((HUG)))))))) and my sympathies! I do understand... I am basically having the same problem. I almost quit my job last week (one I've been trying to leave anyway) because on a particular bad day of my cycle, my co-workers had ticked me off greatly! Add my raging hormones, and I'm surprised I didn't end up on the news for going postal... Hope you find something that helps. Good luck! Angie S.

Nancy Jo- I would suggest using Seasonale, a form of birth control pill that you take continuously for three months at a time, thereby only having 4 periods a year. It's entirely possible that you could talk to your doctor and reduce it to two periods per year. My depressive symptoms become so exaggerated when I have my period that it's essential that I skip as many of them as I can. From the Seasonale website: In reality, there's no need for a monthly period when you're on the Pill--because you're not getting a real period. Menstrual periods happen each month to shed the uterine lining after ovulation. When you're on the Pill, you're not ovulating, so your body doesn't thicken the uterine lining very much or need to shed it. Pill periods happen each month because you stop taking active birth control pills--the ones that contain hormones. Obviously there is great uncertainty as to the effectiveness of oral contraceptives after RNY due to malabsorption, so it's important to use a back-up method. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you!!! Hugs, Susan