PMS Is Brutal

If you just want an easy way out, go to a doctor, I'm sure you can find someone who can give you something. Why complain if you're not going to change anything?
Stop smoking, start excercising...it works. I was gaining weight was pretty disgusted with myself after my 3rd child so I ate better, not the best by ANY nutritionists' standard, and started running. I've lost weight, I'm MUCH more healthy and with my 4th pregnancy, it's MUCH easier because I'm still keeping up with my fitness and eating.
I could have just complained and ate and it wouldn't have helped anything. I also could have went the lazy route, gotten gastric bypass and still have been unhealthy. If you want a change, do something or stop complaining.

I have a lot of problems with craving food in general and would eat more than my share. I recently found out that I have a yeast problem in my gut. A Chiropractor/Kinesologist found this out and put me on an anti yeast medicine (which also means no bread, beer or anything containing yeast). But as it started to work, the cravings have gone down over 50% and on some days I don't have cravings at all. You can take a faster medicine from the doctor, but the probability of it coming back twice as bad is a very large percentage, so I took the slow route and it has paid off!! I don't know if this is your issue, but it helped me. If you want the name of my chiropractor, let me know. I hope this helps.

I second the vote for Prozac. I swear this stuff is the best thing that ever happened to me. Another thing to check into if you don't want to go that route is to check out the herbal supplements at Vitamin Shoppe (or someplace similar) that are for PMS.

Crave salt because your adrenals are shot, crave sugar(which is an addication, by the way) because your blood sugar has gone nuts.
Welcome to menapause- normal age range is 37-57- so you are not even young.
Ok, the 1st thing is to switch to RAW honey, and brown rice syrup, stevia is ok too.
Good reports come from Black Cohosh- in a tincture is good- put drops in your water.
Hydrate-your body weight in lbs, divided by 2= make that number ozs, and drink that daily.
The sugar and the nicotine effect your blood sugar, the above will start to get that under control.
If you do the above, then send a reply here, and I'll give you the next step.
best, k

You need to completely change your diet. You sound toxic! Do not buy anyhting with high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives. Buy organic dairy, eggs, some fruits and vegetables and meat. Get off corn and soy totally. They are genitally modified in this country and causing huge problems in humans and animals who consume them because our bodies don't recognize the new protein. Your hormones are out of whack because of this. Exercise is key to any human's function. Try these suggestions, they are free advice and all your drs gonna do is stick you on meds and make you more toxic! Also get on fish oil (or Krill if it bothers your stomach) and probiotics to get rid of the yeast. Great books are The Yeast Connection, The UNhealthy Truth and a DVD called Food INc

Look into taking a supplement called Royal Maca....a form of peruvian ginseng that is supposed to help balance hormones (therefore you can't take birth control while your taking it) and can help with some of the symptoms of PMS. Good Luck!

I am so sorry to hear about your menstrual problems. I used to suffer in the same ways. I had a procedure called an 'endometrial ablation.' Ask your ob/gyn about it. Tell her all the symptons you have. Basically, it will take away your periods altogether. No more pain. No more bad moods for seven whole days. It has positively affected my whole life. I am so much happier. But, you can only have this done if you are not considering more children. You can check it out online. Start with webmd and see if they have anything on the topic. I trust that site.

Good luck!

C.

B12 or a B complex vitamin daily!

Believe it or not, if you remove sugar from your diet, you will stop craving it. Once you introduce it back into your diet, however, you will be back to craving it. It sounds like you are not willing to change what is wrong: smoking, diet, and lack of exercise. I am sorry, but I have to agree with the lady who suggested change or stop complaining. Medication is only a mask for what is truly wrong and all medications have side effects that may be more unfavorable than you may think. I suffer from PMDD and found that 5-HTP works for that. However, I exercise 6 days a week, I don't smoke, and I eat a balanced diet, watching sugar and fat intake. While my PMDD is not gone, it's far more manageable than it was before I started taking the herbal supplement. I would speak to your doctor about your symptoms just to make sure you don't have any underlying issues but my best advice would be to change what you are unwilling to change. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you may surprised by your overall improved well being.

Try yoga and/or meditation. Meditation is like "taking out the mental garbage". It will help keep your mood even. The other stuff would respond well to diet changes and exercises, if you ever change your mind.

I started with all the same expect for the smoking I don't. But I talked to my Dr and got on prozac it helps balance things and more of a normal flow of life. Then you won't want to eat so much you will feel better about yourself at least that is how I feel now and the weight is coming off slowly but it is coming off. Have more energy also, Good Luck

Hi J.,
I know you're saying don't suggest diet as it's not going to happen but think about what you're saying. It's as if you know it's from your diet. Otherwise you're just waiting for medication and all that will do is mask your problem and do more damage in other ways.
Dietary change really is the key.
Think of how you said that, you are craving it. So it's like when you tell a junky not to shoot up or an alcoholic not to have a drink. Well.... you're an adult, you know the reality, if you crave it, it's because your body is hurt you. Sooooooo you need to clean out your body and the cravings will go away and you'll feel better. It's a win win situation.
The other point is you'll teach your children good eating habits and start a healthy life for them so they have less problems later on.

People don't realize that society pumps all sorts of processed foods into the world, people eat it, get sick, long term destruction and then people cry out for help. DUH!
We need to take responsibility for our problems.
I can assure you if you give up eating sugar and that includes sugar in everything, read ingredients!!!! you will slowly life yourself from the fog and feel better. It will take some time but hey, how many years of putting garbage in your body did it take to feel as you do now?
Eat:
fresh veg, lots of whole grains (no, that doesn't mean whole wheat bread, it means rice, quinoa, barley, oats, kamut, etc), fresh beans, some fruits and get off dairy, animal products and cigarettes.

Otherwise, accept the fact that you are going to keep falling apart and your body will keep giving you reminders through pain and disease.

J., go immediately to your gynecologist. My 16 yo daughter suffered so for 4 years! We saw our family doctor, actually; daughter has not yet seen a gyn. Anyway! I know you said no birth control, but she now takes Seasonique and only has her period 4 times a year! Great! Also dr. prescribed some pills to take even when the symptoms come on, and daughter says they work wonders!
I, on the other hand, never had a problem till I was 46. Suddenly, my period just wouldn't stop! Well, after about 2 or 3 weeks, of course, I called my wonderful gyn, and we decided upon endometrial ablation. Look it up or ask your dr; it's fabulous, if you are a candidate! Most women never menstruate again (me included!). I wish you the best! Go! Ask! You do not have to suffer!

J.,

Have you spoken with your Dr. I can relate to hormones not being an option (I'm in that situation).

Have you had blood work done & hormones (thyroid & reproductive) checked?

Some antidepressants can help with PMS & PMDD.

You also may want to consider acupuncture & chinese herbs. If you need I referral I can recommend 2 practioners in the area.

You may also want to go to a naturopath Dr,

Although, they will all say to exercise. You just need to find what works for you. I have yet to find what I like, can stick with and work into my schedule :)