Posted by anaya on March 12, 2002, at 22:15:17
In reply to Re: Severe PMS -- HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by BLPBart on March 11, 2002, at 10:16:10
Debilitating.
That's what PMS has been for me. And in the past 3-4 years, I bet I have experienced 80% of my cycles like this.And amazingly, this month was totally different!!
I virtually had no PMS depression, and other than some insomnia, sweet cravings and breast tenderness, I was happy and positive. A stark contrast to the usual self-deprecating roller coaster and 12 hour tear fest.So why the change? Here's my current program:
Vitamins, especially B-vit cmoplex all month long. Calcium at bedtime, esp. after ovulation
Vitamin C 500-1000mg a dayVitex (Chaste Tree Berry), hormone balancing herb taken over last 5 months
Raspberry Leaf, during PMS time,to flush out excess estrogen
St. John's Wort (Supercritical Extract by New Chapter. Strong enough that I seem to only need 600mg a day, instead of 900mg)
Ginkgo (forget dosage)L-Phenylalanine (my chosen Amino Acid for depression. Not necessarily appropriate for everyone)
Pumpkin Seeds (RAW)-a perfect food, rich in tryptophan, and essential fatty acids. I have been eating a lot of these this last month.
Flax oil, fresh ground flax seeds, and wild salmon for EFAs
Lots of dark leafy green veggies (KAlE, COLLARDS)
Fresh fruit, esp grapefruit.Frequent exercise, especially vigorous yoga.
Sauna. I think this may have been the kicker (plus the yoga, kale, and pumpkin seeds).
I can't stress enough the importance of detoxing, especially before you bleed. I am ready to buy a sauna for my home.Acupuncture can help too
Chinese formula RELAXED WANDERER is great, but not so good if you get a little sick before you menstruate (weakened immune response). Anyway, the formula contains bupleurum for liver detox, which will help flush out excess estrogen, and can help with the tension and anger flare ups.I think one of the important things is to eat right all month long. Taper down on heavy proteins after you ovulate. Drink more water and eat more veggies. And steer clear of junkfood.
We have to deal with the fact that our bodies (including our brain) are complex organic systems that function optimally with good fuel. Of course, if I feed my body chips and alcohol and sugar, no exercise, television and negative thinking, it will respond with a debilitating week of PMS. Some of us are more sensitive like this. So tis our responsibility and opportunity to create health for ourselves. And the things we do for PMS will certainly reflect in every other part of our lives as well.
But it sure isn't easy.
Good luck, sisters.
The pre-moon time can be a powerfully creative time, I hope more and more of us get to experience it that way.
poster:anaya
thread:96631
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97719.html