Ladies - PMS question

Hi all - as you know I am suffering from PMS BAD this month.  I am on medication for PMDD, Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder.  I had to up my dosage about six months ago because with the change in my metabolism and the whole absorbtion issue - the 20mg I was on was just not cutting it.  So - here I am - a year out of surgery and I am OUT OF MY MIND.  I am absolutely miserable.  I want to eat everything that I can.  I actually walked away from my staff luncheon yesterday becuase I couldn't handle it and my kids were driving me nuts calling me and arguing and fighting on the phone. 

So - my question is - and yes, there is an actual question - not just a "Steffi ***** session" - Did any of you have any significant changes to either your PMS symptoms, or even your period after your surgery and how did you handle it?  This month just really sucks for me and I can't put my finger on why.

After surgery my PMS and TOM got noticably WORSE - I had horrendous cramping and back aches every month - even ran a fever several times - almost like I was going thru puberty again! PMS was just as bad - and the person I took it out on most was my hubby.

Knock wood I have not had my TOM since December, so I am hoping that I am finally going thru menopause - I should be - I'm going to be 53 this year!!

Don't know what to tell you about the symptoms because the worst part of the PMS is knowing you have it and can't control it! My husband never understood that...hang in there Steffi - get your mani-pedi tonight - relax - maybe that'll help.

Oh yea - there is a raging ***** Liz that shows up once a month too (OK DID lol) I have only had like 4 periods in the last year because of being prenant but let me tell you the first year post op I had the worst cramps and moodiness EVER!! Pre-op I had horrible PCOS and only had periods regulary because of birth control pills. IF I was off of them I would get 3-4 a year and never knew when they would come or go. The good news is that they did start to mellow out after a year post-op. REmember as you are loosing the fat, which we do very rapidly in the first 12-18 months estrogen is being pumped back into our systems (estrogen is stored in fat). Once the weight loss slows your estrogen levels start to even out and your body regulates. By 2 years out I was totally back to normal then went and got pregnant lol this is like PERMANENT PMS! 

I also found that the more "crap" I ate, mostly by means of refined white carbs the worse things are. I should have known all this from my PCOS days because it makes that worse too. Have you been eating a lot of bread / crackers / carby goodness??

Personally I think that we should all get a 1 week vacation without men or children every month to avoid such issues, we'd be sent somewhere where they wait on us hand and foot and massage us regularly! lol

*hugs* hope you feel better hun!

Liz

It's my understanding that PMS is a myth created by women to give them free reign to sadisitically toture men one week a month without any fear of reprecussions.

/deletes account and logs off never to retun/

You can't stay away if you tried. You love us waaaay too much.  We'll just ignore your female bashing until it's time for your TOM, because we all know that even men get it.  There's just not a name for it, YET

Myth or not - it is an added bonus that not only do we get to torture the men who love us with free reign - but in my case I can also do it to approximately 100 teenagers....who BTW - give it RIGHT back to me!  :)

Steffi -

I was thinking about writing a similar post this morning.   It's nice to know that I'm not alone.

My moods have been absolutely crazy lately.  I have been wanting to eat a little more, but so far it's not out of control. I have been doing some research into natural remedies for PMS, post-MS....basically daily-MS if there is such a thing   (pity my poor boyfriend).  I'm afraid to take hormones (birth control pills) due to getting severe migraines when I was on them previously and I'm also concerned about the malabsorbtion factor as well.

My periods are still somewhat out of whack since surgery.   As many others did, I started my period immediately after surgery and it wasn't due for another 5-7 days.  Ever since surgery, my period has started 3-5 days earlier that I expect it to.  I know this because I track my period on www.mymonthlycycle.com (great website by the way). 

Now I will be 41 this year.  So my older and wiser friends have suggested that this could be
peri-menopause as opposed to some sort of backlash from having my insides sliced and diced.   I'm at a loss and am considering see my gyn about this. 

And the only thing that seems to settle me down is smooth jazz music if you can believe it.  The whole thing about exercise releasing endorphins isn't exactly flying with me because I work out hard at least 4 times per week and it doesn't seem to help much.

Sisters in *****e-ness unite !~!  

Lisa

Hey Steffi,

Although I have not had bad PMS, my periods have been VERY irregular even with BCP!! I spoke to my GYN about it when I saw him last, he said that it might take a year or so to get back to regular. They come early and last a long time, which of course doesn't make it easy to have marital relations. I feel like mother nature is preventing me from doing anything!!!

There are alot of herbal remedies out there that help with PMS, check your local vitamin store.
You are a VERY busy person, you need STEFFI time!!! You should alot yourself some time to decompress at least once a week. Even if it is for only 15 minutes, so you can take a breath...

So breathe, take it easy, and remember I am here for you!!!

Beth

I agree with a lot of what's been said already. I've had some wicked PMS since my surgery, and it's horrible! Although honestly, I don't have much to compare it to, since I had a nonexistent cycle thanks to PCOS, the gift that keeps on giving. I had to try a few different BCP's but I actually got quite a bit of relief from PMS from taking Yaz -- although not total relief -- I still have a day every month where I'm convinced everyone hates me and I just want to cry. I would also recommend making sure you're getting 2,000 mg of Calcium citrate each and EVERY day (PMS can sometimes be a hormonal response to a lack of calcium), lots of Vitamin D (seriously, this really helps -- 5,000 IU of dry vitamin D daily at least!), a B complex (B6 is our friend here), and a fish oil supplement -- yes, I can't answer a question without somehow mentioning vitamins!

In the later part of last year, I was prescribed Lexapro for Seasonal Affective Disorder, and I have to say that one of the added benefits of it was that it completely eliminated my PMS. I didn't even have any carb cravings! It did make me tired though, so I have discontinued it, plus it's almost spring and the SAD is on its way out, but I would definitely consider taking it again for PMS relief.

I hope you feel better.
Lesley

Lesley

  I thought I was the only while the effects are almost gone I have 2 days the week right before my period I am totally insane. I hate everyone and think life sucks. There is a small voice in my head telling me I am out of control but the rage monster takes over. Yet on the flip side 2 days a month I can deal with to be pn teh Yaz which barely makes spot every month.