How to ease severe PMS symptoms? (women only please)?

Question

I have changed my diet to a high fiber diet, I excersize everyday, and I am on the pill. I don't drink, don't smoke. I consider myself pretty healthy. Yet and still my PMS symptoms have only gotten worse. I am getting dibilitating migraines, sick to my stomach, sadness, sleepless nights, irritability, cravings, etc for about 10 days now. I talked to my doctor's RN about migraines. She told me I should see my regular doctor (not the OBGYN) which made no sense to me because I KNOW they are PMS related. She also told me the meds can make people sick. I am that person who would probably get sick. I talked to my doctor last year about the pill, and he told me to let them adjust to my system. I still don't know if it is pill related. What else should I do? I like my OBGYN, but he is often NOT available for questions. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do about it?
I feel like my hands are tied and no one takes me seriously.

Answer 1

that's awful - i know that my doctor perscribed antidepressants for 10days a month to deal with pmdd (a severe form of pms), but that was more emotional symptoms than physical - for me...the cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches (i don't actually get migrains -but i do get bad headaches) are releaved with primrose oil - i have taken it every day (not just before my period) and after 30 days i noticed significant relief!!! it's worth a try - natural, and inexpensive...good luck - i know how debilitating pms is...i hope it helps!!

Answer 2

Do you really need to be on the pill? Pills sometimes make people really sick, even if they have been taking them for a long time. Pills gave me nothing but problems.

Check out DrWeil.com. I found the following from his website.

Nutrition and Supplements

The following supplements can be of help in relieving symptoms:

Calcium. Recent studies have demonstrated that supplemental calcium can help reduce the severity of PMS symptoms after three months. I recommend supplementing with 500-700 mg daily.
Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with PMS. Supplemental magnesium may help alleviate some of the emotional symptoms, fluid retention and breast tenderness.
Vitamin B6. As part of a good multivitamin or B complex
Evening primrose oil or black currant oil. These are sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) that can help influence prostaglandin synthesis.
Dong quai is a readily available Chinese herb used traditionally as a general tonic for women. Chaste tree herb (vitex) can also be helpful.
Raspberry leaf tea is an effective remedy for painful menstrual cramps.

Answer 3

I got migraine for years from both MSG and soy. After I eliminated everything on this list the migraines disappeared. I only get them if I slip up. Use an elimination diet to figure out which ones bother you. First eliminate anything which has MSG or Monosodium glutamate on the label then consider the following.

Definite Sources of MSG

autolyzed yeast
calcium caseinate
gelatin
hydrolyzed protein
sodium caseinate
yeast extract

Possible Sources of MSG

textured protein
carrageenan
vegetable gum
seasonings
spices
flavorings
natural flavorings
chicken flavoring
beef flavoring
pork flavoring
smoke flavoring
bouillon
broth
stock
barley malt
malt extract
malt flavoring
whey protein
whey protein isolate
whey protein concentrate
soy protein
soy protein isolate
soy protein concentrate
soy sauce
soy extract

This list is periodically updated by our members. Unfortunately, it is impossible to provide an all-inclusive list because the food industry is always inventing new labeling deceptions to confound consumers.

We also suggest elimination of the excitotoxin, aspartame (Nutrasweet ™ et al.), from your diet, as many people who react to one also react to the other.

It is also important to know that MSG can also be found (though not always) in vaccines, flu shots, IV solutions (as maltodextrin), and in vitamin supplements. MSG is always present in any gelatin-encapsulated vitamin or supplement.

Finally consider reading the book "The Whole Soy Story"- it details how much soy is transformed into MSG-like chemicals when it is processed.