PMS Thread

[babice]

Isn't it funny that we don't have a PMS thread in this forum? Maybe there was one and it's buried in history now. Dunno....

It occurred to me that at least half of us probably deal with PMS. And, maybe we'd like to chat about it. And maybe folks have interesting knowledge to share.

Or -- maybe the subject's been done to death. Dunno!?

But -- (clears her throat) -- hi! My name is babice and I have PMS! (audience: helllllooooo babice!)

Argh. I wish there were some good way for me to know when I'm going to have a worse month than others. Some months are SO bad. Like....for me....if the PMS is bad, then TOM is typically very bad with the worst cramps and everything else. For me, I know TOM will be here every 26 days but I never really know when the PMS might start --- 1 to 2 weeks out usually. Maybe I should change my perspective and just know that every single month, I'm in PMS from 2 weeks out even if it doesn't seem like it?

So....what does knowing that do for me, though? I mean....should I start taking more supplements? Should I....try to really pay attention to my sleep? Should I try to not schedule too much for TWO weeks of the month? (geesh!)

[toese]

I've been to several doctors on this subject because I get very bad pms.

Hello my name is toese and I have pms!!!!

I get pms for 2 weeks straight every month. Symptoms? Well, I love food and I love to eat more during these 2 weeks. I first start craving sweets the first week and then the 2nd week I love salty crunchy food like CHIPS!!! Food taste better when I am pms'ing and I am always hungry.

Another symptom is that I am tired all the time. I wake up tired, and then around afternoon I'm so tired I have to take a nap. After 9:30 pm I'm tired again.

The worst symptom is that I get cranky and bitchy. The first week is pretty mild. Everyone gets on my nerves. The 2nd week I'm raging. The day before I have TOM I'm a complete wreck. I yell at my family I get paranoid, I get emotional and I feel this rage over me.

Thats why I had to go see doctors. I've tried natural things like eating certain foods, taking vitamins, yada yada yada but none of that worked for me. So then they started me on anti depressants. I started Wellbutrin first but that didn't do anything. Then I went onto Zoloft and that worked for about a year but lost it's affect and now i am on Effexor and that stuff works like a charm.

Don't get me wrong I still get the symptoms but they aren't as bad except for the eating and the tiredness. That doesn't seem to go away.

[babice]

My symptoms: hungrier than usual, very tired, sometimes very irritable or sensitive (varies), bloated, some months get zits, disruptions in sleep...

Found this stuff. I think we've all heard it but figured should post it. Technically, a SB WOL should help PMS.

Tips on controlling PMS
• Eat complex carbohydrates (such as whole grain breads, pasta and cereals), fiber and protein. Cut back on sugar and fat.
• Avoid salt for the last few days before your period to reduce bloating and fluid retention.
• Cut back on caffeine to feel less tense and irritable and to ease breast soreness.
• Cut out alcohol. Drinking it before your period can make you feel more depressed.
• Try eating up to 6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones.
• Get aerobic exercise. Work up to 30 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week.
• Get plenty of sleep--about 8 hours a night.
• Keep to a regular schedule of meals, bedtime and exercise.
• Try to schedule stressful events for the week after your period.

What about medicines I can buy without a prescription? You can buy medicines without a prescription to help with the symptoms of PMS. These medicines usually combine aspirin or acetaminophen with caffeine, antihistamines or diuretics. Some brand names include Midol, Pamprin and Premsyn PMS.
Some over-the-counter pain relievers can also help. These include ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), ketoprofen (brand name: Orudis KT) and naproxen (brand name: Aleve).
These medicines can work quite well for mild or moderate PMS. Talk to your doctor before you try one of these drugs.

What about vitamins and other home remedies?
You may have read that some vitamins and other supplements, such as vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, manganese and tryptophan, can help relieve PMS. There haven't been many studies about these treatments, and it's possible that they could do more harm than good. For example, vitamin B6 and vitamin E can cause side effects if you take too much. Talk to your doctor if you're thinking of trying any of these vitamins or supplements.

On the other hand, taking calcium pills may reduce symptoms of water retention, cramps and back pain. Taking about 1,000 mg of calcium a day probably won't be harmful, especially because calcium has so many other benefits, such as being good for your bones.

[MathChick]

My skin allergies flare up during PMS. Any zits on my face get infected and my hands itch. And if I'm not careful to moisturize I will get irritation rashes on the back of my knees from my pants.

[lorka150]

what's pms?

[mypixieinside]

Hi everyone ... My name is Evie and I too have PMS. Poor DH one mth I am an angel the next I am well evil! LOL

I have started to take Maritime Pine Bark Extract 300 mg a day for a leg issue. But in reading up on it there is a whole part on how it help pms. This is only my 2nd week on it and it will take more like 4 to feel the full effects... but I thought I would put that up here for anyone who might want to look into it. I can tell you it has helped with my CVI and I hope it will do the same for my PMS... talk about good side effects

One other thing I have noticed...
The more weight I lose the stronger the PMS gets... anyone have that happen?

Anyways... I wish all the coco & chip sisters well on there quest for peace!

[babice]

Interesting -- hmmm....PMS getting worse with weight loss. Hadn't thought of that.

What is CVI?

You'll have to tell us if you think that Maritime Pine Bark Extract works for PMS. You'll likely have to give it 8 weeks, though to know if it helps you, though, cuz you sound like me -- one month isn't nearly as bad as the next!

I went into the LAWL counselor's office today (I do LA Weight Loss, SBD style) and was talking to her about how frazzled I've been and how overwhelmed I feel. And how I just don't know how I'm going to lose weight. Blah, blah, blah.... Also, I've gained weight since my last weighin.

Well -- the interesting thing is that EXACTLY four weeks ago today I had a similar experience when I went to weigh in -- very, very emotional, bloated, weight up, feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. It's not good that I have to deal with this but it IS good that I can at least attribute it to something!

[elizabeth702]

I am so SICK of PMS. I think it's gotten worse on SB because I can't medicate myself with Ferror Rochers and Cold Stone coffee ice cream. This week, I'm ready to bang my head against the wall... I have it for at least 4 days before TOM and roughly... hmmmm 20 days after (lol, kidding... more like 8..).

But, it's nightmarish. My PMS is all attitude. I'm not crabby during it, I'm depressed. The scale rises a little and depresses me, I feel fat and bloated, my body image drops, and everything anyone says to me will make me cry. I hate being a woman

But, it helps knowing we're all suffering together! Oh, but do you know what annoys me? The women who tell me "I don't get PMS" or "I never bloat."

Ohhhhhh BS.

[babice]

Yep! It does suck very much! For the record, my personal opinion is that it doesn't get "worse" by doing the SBD...and I think some of those old vices used to hurt us more than we knew. ??? Don't know....

In any case, I think it would be helpful if we all posted things we might find out there that might help us deal with the PMS. I know it's real. My BF knows it's real...(believe me!).

My mood -- my way of dealing with things -- just changes. And, I hardly ever even know it's PMS. I have to look at a calendar. But, I'm going to give in to nature now and just "now" that this is going to happen every month....more often than not, at least. Some months are worse than others but it will happen. I'm finding I usually PMS about 9-10 days prior to starting TOM. That's a lot of time out of a month!!

Some things I've read have said to try not to schedule anything major during that time. But, that's slightly unrealistic because 9-10 days is a long time! But, I will try. I know this particular month -- looking at my calendar -- I'm going to try to exercise real hard during that time. Maybe I'll even schedule myself a massage or something.

[toese]

The only thing that helps me is Effexor. I've tried everything but you first should try everything before you take any anti depressants!!!!

[babice]

Thought this was a great post by luvs_torun. Also, check out the TONS of info that you can find here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cycle

I read this article, thought it was interesting and wanted to share. It relates to any physical activity, not just running.

The Menstrual Cycle and Your Performance

By
Stacy Sims, M.S.
of Peak Running Performance

With all the changes in hormone levels that occur during your menstrual cycle, you'd expect speed workouts to suffer during your period, right? Wrong. Surprisingly, near the end of your period, your body is actually geared to pegging track workouts and tempo runs. However, your long, slow runs will suffer. Read on to learn how your training and racing is affected by your menstrual cycle.

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The Fluctuation of Your Energy Levels

Your menstrual cycle is composed of three phases. The first phase, generally days one through thirteen (the first three to seven days being menstruation), is called the follicular phase and is marked by relatively low levels of estrogen, except for a spike near day fourteen. The next phase, called ovulation begins on day fourteen . The remainder of the cycle, days fifteen through 28 of the average 28-day cycle, is called the luteal phase and is characterized by moderately high and stable levels of estrogen.

Estrogen levels are important because estrogen is the key hormone affecting not only your cycle, but also the type of fuel available for your working muscles. Studies have shown that low levels (in the follicular phase) favor the breakdown of quick energy stores (muscle glycogen) whereas high levels (in the luteal phase) favor fat-burning, lower lactic acid levels and glycogen sparing.
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How Does This Relate to Training?

Say you've planned your track workouts for every Wednesday. You go to the track during your follicular phase (low estrogen) and hit all your repeats right on. You leave the track with confidence and excitement. A few weeks later, you go to the track but you're now in the luteal phase (high estrogen). You feel sluggish, tired and lethargic. You feel like you have a totally different body. You leave the track doubting your abilities and your training program, despite the fact that your long runs have been successful. Don't feel discouraged, though. It's not for lack of training that you're performing this way, it's the way your body is fueling your workouts.

In the follicular phase you benefit from a quick breakdown of carbohydrates for speed and efficiency. Your body is primed for providing quick energy for fast running In the luteal phase, however, your body is in the fat-breakdown mode -- fueling your workout primarily through increased utilization of fat. Since fat is a source of slower, more sustained energy than carbohydrates, your intensity may suffer during the luteal phase. Basically you're trying to run high-octane workouts on low-octane fuel.

In other words, during the luteal phase your long, slow runs will feel easier and require less recovery time because your body will take advantage of increased fat breakdown. In the follicular phase your tempo runs and interval training will feel easier because you'll be accessing quick energy through carbohydrates.

Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't do long-distance workouts in the follicular phase or tempo workouts in the luteal phase. Just keep in mind that faster running may feel harder in the luteal phase, while slower running may feel more difficult in the follicular phase.

With this new understanding of your menstrual cycle and the fueling mechanisms that change from phase to phase, don't view your cycle as a training disadvantage but rather a training secret. Use what nature gave you as your ergogenic aid and have confidence in your training. Sorry, men, but maybe estrogen is the wonder hormone after all!

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[babice]

Hey -- this is very interesting too....I swear this DOES happen!! AND --- I also swear some of my friends have stronger pheramones than others!

Among women living closely together, the onsets of menstruation may tend to synchronise somewhat. This McClintock effect was first described in 1971, and possibly explained by the action of pheromones in 1998. However, subsequent research has called this conclusion into question.

[toese]

bumping this thread just because I belong here at this moment. I think I am going CRAZY right now. I just don't want to be bothered right now.

[babice]

bumping this thread just because I belong here at this moment. I think I am going CRAZY right now. I just don't want to be bothered right now.

Sorry toese! I really hate that. I wish I could say something, but I know I can't.

Dang -- I need to prepare myself for that because I could be there the end of this week.

I have been taking St. John's Wort -- maybe that will help this time?

[toese]

Well I decided to take a walk w/ my dog and that seemed to help. I feel tons better at least for now!!