amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

MamaJosie · 08-08-2003, 06:04 PM

I am a monster when PMSing. I literally hate everyone and myself and just want to KILL! I have a SIL who is on Wellbutrin or some other antidepressant/anxiety med all the time but she says it is really only to control her pms as she is borderline suicidal during that time. Mine has gotten so much worse in the last couple years. Is there something I can take for this. I feel out of my mind!

~Denise~ · 08-08-2003, 06:09 PM

Sarafem. It is marketed for PMS, or, actually, PMDD. More *severe* PMS. I believe they give you a questionare to fill out.....to see how bad your PMS is. If it effects your life in a great way, whether for 2 days or 2 weeks, they call it "bad enough"....and doctors can rx the drug for 2 weeks before your period is due. I know some people who take it all the time, but to minimize side effects, and because it is usually effective for the 2 weeks (no need to take it longer), I think they start with a low dose and you take it 2 weeks before your period every month. (o: I need to look into it too. LOL, really.

jessica_momof7 · 08-08-2003, 06:29 PM

zoloft worked wonders for me as well.....
and I never felt that drugged out "not there" feeling like you can on other meds!
((hugs))

lakshmi_mama · 08-08-2003, 07:44 PM

acupuncture and/or other treatments. Acupuncture is really good for that sort of thing. Also seeing a naturopathic physician who specializes in women's health.

I would just caution starting *any* psych med of any kind. I know that some people get huge relief from them, (and please please please don't anyone flame me for my opinion), but in my personal experience and that of other women I know, anti-depressents can really mess you up both physically and emotionally. And even though they say they are not addictive, THEY ARE! When I came off of the one I was taking (paxil) I had severe physical symptoms just like withdrawl from any other addictive substance. It was hell.

Your doctor is most likely not going to be aware of the bad side of these meds and may prescribe it to you truly believing it is the best thing. I would just urge you to get other opinions and seek other treatments before starting the meds. If you do end up on them keep a good journal of the progression of your moods and physical symptoms along with your dose amounts/drug record. It can really help you sort it out if you do end up having a bad reaction down the road.

good luck. I too have suffered from terrible hormonal mood problems so I know the pain you feel.

Nutmeg · 08-08-2003, 08:01 PM

Zoloft has been a life saver for me. I actually feel NORMAL. I didn't know what that was like.

I remember turning to my dh and saying "Is this what you are supposed to feel like? Is this what most people feel like all the time!!??" It was amazing.

KimberMama · 08-08-2003, 08:06 PM

I just bought some Estroven PMS and will know how it works with my next period. It is a balance of hebrs and vitamins designed for PMS. I believe it also has plant estrogens in it.

I take antidepressants daily and still get severe PMS. We're talking severe anger, weeping, hot flashes, and night sweats. I'm hoping my doctor can help me when I see her in September. I think something is really wrong with my hormones.

Kimberly

MamaJosie · 08-08-2003, 08:08 PM

thanks

freedomlover · 08-08-2003, 08:49 PM

Come hell or high water.....I walk everyday.

I walk at least a half hour. Sometimes more depending on the amount of sedating I need.

It turns out that exercise....including brisk walking not only releases endorphins in your body but also helps regulate seritonin levels.

Any repetitive sort of thing will do that. Knitting, exercise, playing an instrument.

Walking is my choice. I plan my days around it (right now I have a awesome jogging stroller to push my youngest in and he knows there are no ifs and or buts......mommy takes her walks!)

KimberMama · 08-08-2003, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MamaJosie
thanks

I ordered mine from www.Drugstore.com but you should be able to find it at your local drugstore. The website also says it is sold at Walmart and Kmart, somewhere near the Midol.

Kimberly

Daniel's Mama · 08-08-2003, 09:52 PM

I've got bipolar disorder and am premenopausal, so I've got a double whammy....

my psychiatrist gave me Zoloft for the PMS and my gyn put me on a really low dose of birth control pills and together, they've helped.

Onebeauty · 08-09-2003, 06:43 PM

I had no idea how many of us were having problems with pms, depression and anxiety.

After the birth of my sixth baby (almost 6 mo old now) I had terrible depression and anxiety. I just spent most of my day in my bed and my kids came in there and watched videos just to be near me. My anxiety was so bad that I was afraid to walk to the mailbox or around the block without clutching my bottle of Xanax. I was terrified of having another anxiety attack. The one I had was so severe that I thought I was having a stroke.

I started taking these products I'm on and within a week I felt a sense of well being that I didn't have before. Within a month that depression had lifted and the anxiety was no longer a problem. My therapist said "I don't know what you are doing but whatever it is, keep doing it. I have never seen such a difference of night and day in a person. I don't need to medicate you."

I can be a mom again ...

If anyone wants to know more, I'd love to share. Our family has had great results with everything from the pain in my varicose veins to allergies to reactive airway disease and bipolar disorder.

Love you all and it's nice to be around again!

Daisy Duck · 08-09-2003, 07:03 PM

Serafem is the same thing as Prozac. It's just marketed different because of the stigma that Prozac had attached to it.

I'm on Zoloft and I'm still a b!tch! But it really has helped control it. I'm bipolar and I think I'd go on a rampage if I wasn't medicated!

PMS just makes everything worse!

MommylovesRJ · 08-09-2003, 07:27 PM

If you're looking for something natural, and is safe while breastfeeding, you might want to try a Motherwort tincture. I get mine thru Kerry of Kerry's Herbals It's a life saver for me!! HTH!

Quote:

Motherwort Tincture - 2 oz. & 4 oz. $11.00 / $18.00

Motherwort Tincture - A wonderful herb for women! It can be used for depression, moodiness, stress, and general PMS symptoms, it can help regulate menstruation, it soothes menopausal hot flashes, and it helps control bleeding after childbirth. CAUTION: Because this herb is used to promote menstruation, do NOT use if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
Alcohol based, 2 oz. $11.00 or 4 oz. $18.00