Pms-very Moody

Hi L., I have never wrote any advice to anybody on Mamsource but with you it was like what I would have written years ago, I am now 60/yrs old but in my 30's after my second child this was happening to me, it got so extreme that it almost broke up my marriage and my family was miserable...My doctor had me do diet and exercise (didn't work) and believe me I tried I never was regular with my period I would have one sometimes once every three months I started having one once every two weeks and lost a lot of blood in the process I was either on my period or having PMS, this was just as PMS was becoming known to everybody so trust me I thought I was going crazy I had to get a hysterectomy to control mine because at that time there was nothing else known to do but, we had already decided we didn't want anymore children so that was okay for me but,I am hoping that for you that doesn't become a necessity, my life changed back to almost normal after I did though however, I started taking an herb called Dong Quai that did wonders for me, it is hard to find just not impossible it helps so much with the moodiness, the crying, saying really hateful things to the people you love the most, all that goes with it since it became so hard to find I started taking Black Cohash another herb that as long as I take it everyday I am fine but if I miss for some reason two or three days in a row I get teary & really not nice to be around and then I remember that I had not taken the herb and immediately start taking it again in fact I take two capsules in the morning and two at night huge difference for me maybe just maybe one of those will do some good for you, I must say I did prefer the Dong Quai but, the Black Cohash works good too. I know how you feel about the moodiness it is terrible and I remember it so well even though it has been almost 30/yrs for me when it was that bad (mine got severe even to the point that I thought of taking my life) so I am so glad you recognize that you need some help and are asking for it, the symptoms probably will never just get better so please just try one of these alternatives and see if it works for you also, you can read about them on the internet also.

Good Luck my dear!
L. H.

Sometimes having kids will make that much worse- some of it could be the "baby blues" in any event do not be afraid to call your dr. and let them know that your mood swings are very intense- they can treat you medically for a little while or a long while until your hormones get back in the right balance- too many women are afraid of asking for help- show your true strength and ask for help.

Are you taking vitamins? My GYN told me that I should be taking 1000 milligrams of calcium per day. That has helped me a lot. Ask your Dr. how much you should be taking for your age. There are also progesterone creams you can use during that time that can be purchased at vitamin stores.

L., I've never been one to suffer from any sort of depression or anxiety UNTIL I had my second child. I didn't even realize I had changed, I just knew I was always irritated with everything and everyone. I felt really unappreciative of my wonderful life and had a lot of anxiety. The worry was causing me to lose sleep at times, and I was a little mean too. After a friend told me her OB put her on Lexapro for her anxiety, I put a call into mine and told them what had changed since having my daughter. Hormones do change after children. The Lexapro has been a miracle; it hasn't changed me, it's just taken the edge off and I'm more laid back about things (like I used to be!). I am the type of person who does NOT like taking medicine unless absolutely necessary. However, now that I'm on this, I refuse to stop taking it. It's been such a life changer...in a good way. You should call your OB and talk it through. I didn't even have to go in; they called in a prescription for me.

Hi L.,
I too suffered severely from PMS and the mood swings for years. The first thing is to speak with your OB-GYN. For me I started taking Nutrition seriously and it helped so much. Don't know what the link is but I didn't have to take drugs anymore and don't have the side effects. So just know you do not have to continue to suffer. Please seek help. Also, she you say you are a new mom(don't know how new) you may want to check your postpartum depression even though it's only 2 weeks out of the month, that is still too much. Keep us updated. I am praying for you. I have been there. God bless!

I can certainly relate! 2 things helped significantly. IUD for birth control and seeing an accupuncturist/herbist for 6 weeks. It hasn't been a problem for 4 years now. Good luyck

Diet plays an important role in our mood. I highly recommend the book Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads by Christine Avanti. She discusses the relationship between food and hormones. She teaches you how to better regulate and stabilize your blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar levels are on a roller coaster ride so is your mood! As an added bonus you'll also lose weight and just plain feel better. Good luck!

L.,

Yup, go see your OBGYN as soon as you can. When you make the appointment tell the receptionist you have concerns and need to see the doc (so they don't put you off for months). With being a new mom, definitely it's made your "normal" mood swings worse. I've been there!
A few months after my last delivery, I had the same thing and I didn't like it. The way I acted wasn't me and scared me because I couldn't control it! My doc put me on Yaz, the lowest dose, and it helped. At the same time I went on zoloft (I think) - it is a mild anti-depressant and even though I didn't want to be on "meds" it helped SO MUCH. Between the two, my moods regulated and I could control myself so much better, and I felt HAPPY! It was great, and after about 8 months, I got off the zoloft. After my husband had a vas, I got off the Yaz too. That was 2 years ago and I've been doing well since. I still get those monthly mood swings, but they aren't out of control.

Please know you CAN get help for this and feel like yourself again. Don't be afraid to ask! Your family needs you as YOU, not the PMS crazy woman. :-) Best wishes to you!

My adult daughter had the same problem. Her doctor put her on Yaz (birth control pills) to keep her hormones regulated and that did the trick. My advice echoes your previous posts--the doctor to see is your OB/GYN

I have never had problems with PMS or mood differences around that time. But, my periods have really changed since having both children. I asked my OB/GYN about it, and he said that as you get older, your periods will change because of your fluxes in hormones.

I'd recommend calling your OB/GYN to see what they recommend. They may refer to you to an endocrinologist to see if there's a hormonal issue going on that they can't treat, but I'd make OB/GYN my first recommendation.

Good luck! It's awful not feeling like yourself - I was like that during chemo, and it's not fun when people just don't understand how hard it is to control.

Talk to your doctor about it. Maybe there is something he can give you to help round out your swings. After having a baby, your hormones can be all out of wack and need a little help getting back to "normal". Hope you get some help/answers.