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hereinantwerp Forum Pro
Joined: Dec 17 2005 Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline Posts: 322
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Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 5:06pm | IP Logged
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Has anyone found something for PMS that actually made a difference?
This seems to be getting worse as I get older (am 36 now). I feel almost like I am going crazy during this week! I try to keep perspective that it is "just" hormones, but that doesn't seem to always help.
I am trying to take a women's multivit. (when I remember, I am bad at taking pills). It is high in the B vitamins and calcium, etc., seems like a good one. And I bought a little bottle of evening primrose oil capsules, but it did not say how many to take, or if I need to take them all the time or just part of the month. I just started taking these (pms week right now), but don't notice any difference.
I also remember reading somewhere that caffiene and sugar make things worse (though don't they supposedly make EVERYTHING, for any kind of condition, worse?!) So hard. This is when I crave chocolate, and feel I "deserve" it, too, LOL! But the worst symtom for me is--ANXIETY! So I'm sure caffeine, which I am sensitive to anyway, does not help! I am not a big coffee drinker, I have one cup or coffee or black tea in the am, sometimes tea in the afternoon. Psychologically they are a little treat to help me "chill", so I'm not eager to do without them.
Anyway, I hate wasting money on pills and etc. that have no real effect. I'm sure they do some good, but if I can't feel a true difference, why bother? I just wondered if anyone had noticed one thing that made a clear, significant difference for them.
__________________ Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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CKwasniewski Forum All-Star
Joined: March 31 2007
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Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 6:01pm | IP Logged
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Angela,
You should get a copy of What your doctor may NOT tell you about Pre-Menopause. This book is SOOOO helpful.
I have found several things that help:
1. Cut out sugar. If you can't do that completely, then at least the week before.
2. Cut down on dairy, esp. the week before. It is full of xeno-estrogens which act like estrogen in your body. Most pms symptoms are due to too much estrogen/not enough progesterone.
3. Progesterone cream (not wild yam, etc.). I had to get it from the US, but so worth it. It has saved my sanity regularly!! Like every month! I recommend the Organic Excellence brand. As it explains in the book above, this is way more effective than oral progesterone. An effect of sufficient progesterone is to help you stay CALM!
Are you taking good vitamins? You may also need Magnesium, which helps you relax. (I've read that's what women are craving in chocolate.) Also Bs help with any kind of stress.
Evening Primrose oil is good if you are needing MORE estrogen, in my experience. (Menopause, hotflashes, etc.) I'd recommend flax seed oil as a general good thing for the nerves.
Coffee and tea are not good for your female system. I think you are probably not overdoing it. However, if you're tense, cut back.
There are several websites which give you listings of symptoms so that you can determine what the problem really is:
http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com/symptom s-of-estrogen-dominance.php
Here's one to look at. Sorry I don't know how to make a link!
I'm going to be the patron saint of PMS sufferers in heaven. I totally understand where you are at.
hugs,
CK
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JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Sept 13 2007 at 10:34am | IP Logged
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Marilyn Shannon's Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition gives suggestions for PMS diet. B6 and Magnesium are extremely important.
I totally know what you are feeling. I did find EPO (Evening Primrose Oil) did work, but it took a few cycles to make things better. Most of the stuff is commonsense -- reduce sugar, white flour, caffeine, exercise, reduce stress.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline Posts: 12234
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Posted: Sept 13 2007 at 2:44pm | IP Logged
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craving chocolate is often a sign you need more magnesium so that would be a good place to start.
And Red Raspberry Leaf Tea helps balance/normalize hormones.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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