Evil PMT

[Eve]

I've never suffered from this too badly, maybe a day or so and not every month by any means but recently I've started having a lot more frequent problems, started every now and again but now most months. It feels like I'm coming on for about 2 weeks before I actually do, a lot of pain and just feeling horrible, greasy spotty skin, heavy sore boobs etc... and horribly emotional, teary and overly sensitive etc... I've kept an eye and it is very much linked to my cycle.

More the latter which is bugging me as 2 weeks a month of it is really causing problems.

I saw my GP who stuck me back on citalopram and said to try buscopan for the pain. I feel a bit better but still way more annoyingly and irrationally "emotional" than I'd like.

I was on the injection for years but it took a long time for me to get back to normal when I came off it so I'm tempted to try one of the pills instead, see if they help - could they help with the hormonal emotions before I waste a GP apt asking?

Any other herbal suggestions welcome, it's driving me mad!

[Barmaid]

I do sympathise Jenna, but I've never suffered. I've heard oil of evening primrose and vitamin b5 are meant to help, but I don't know if there is any truth in that.

[Eve]

Thank you :) I'll look into them, if there is a chance they will work then I'll try them.

I don't have time to be emotional :)

[wolf63]

It is good that you know that your moods are hormone related. Being bipolar I have had many periods of clinical depression - but in the few days before my period I was angry and weepy and looking for a fight with anybody who annoyed me.

Vitamin B6 has had much research done on it and it does seem that some women with PMS have low levels of the vitamin in their system.

One of the Vichy products (normaderm I think) is good at clearing up hormonal spots. You will get it at a chemist or in Boots. It is £10 for a really small tube but it does work

I find that my blood sugar levels are a bit 'off' before my period. I mentioned it to my diabetic doctor's last lecture (aka doctor's appointment) and he said that it was fairly common. So watch what type of things you are eating - low GI is best.

I am off back to bed to try and get some sleep before it is time to get up.

[woofgang]

Jenna if nothing else in your life has changed, i would go back to the GP and ask for more specialist help. You don't give your age but a marked change like this probably has a reason.

[lcg]

as you have been on the injection until recently, you have had artificial and altered hormone levels for some time. your body is trying to adjust, but the effects you describe are horrible to put up with - i would recommend you see your dr: if only to seek advice, but you may be able to take the pill for a while to try and retrain your body. obviously, you will also get side effects from this, so a good chat with gp may help you to make up your mind as to the best course of action to take. good luck x

[Eve]

Thank you all :) I'm 32 Wolfgang.

I have to go back see the doctor anyway so will ask. It's frustrating that I never see the same one as it's mainly staffed by locums with only a couple of regular staff in and then a couple of days a week.

I came off the injection a good few years ago and it took up to 18 months to get periods again and have had them for a well over a year now and at first they were painful on and off but it's more recent they have been causing more problems.

Will try some of the above and see my GP again.
I

[wolf63]

Agnus Castus is supposedly good at something hormonal - but I am having a brain dead day and can't remember what.

[woofgang]

yup that's another menopause one...tried it, no use, also known as chaste berry