Posted by Jan Rose on February 8, 2008, at 11:46:02
I have suffered from profound Depression/Anxiety and PMS/PMDD symptoms for more that 30 years. Depression symptoms : you all know what these are. PMS symptoms : painful swelling/inflammation, high level of irritability, anger, fatigue, anxiety, depression. This lasts for 2 weeks out of 4 weeks every month.
I have tried every drug and non drug treatment known: SSRI, tricyclics, anti-psychotics, anti-seizure. Due to inability or unwillingness to tolerate every known side effect I gave up and used non-medical treatments to heal. Using neuro-feeback (Zengar system), exercise and nutrition, I can keep my serious depression under control and be fairly pleasant.
However every 2 weeks I still have to face the PMS demon in my body and brain. Until ----> I got a sinus infection and my Dr put me on AlleRX. It gave me an immediate relief of all PMS symptoms and my social anxiety to boot. Its a miracle. AlleRx comes in AM and PM tabs. I am sure it is the PM tab that is the miracle worker. The AM tab while helping my sinuses dries up my mouth like sand paper and appears to have no strong effect on my mental state.
The AlleRx PM tab contains: Chlorpheniramine/Methscopolamine. Not sure which of these is the miracle worker or if the synergy is the thing. I take ½ tab before bed time. Side effects: mild morning fatigue and dry mouth. Benefits: I feel 10 years younger, my thinking and focus has cleared up. All swelling/inflammation disappeared. I have a big smile on my face and I want to say hello to everyone I meet.
It turns out that Chlorpheniramine has good anitdpressant properties.
http://www.medical-hypotheses.com/article/PIIS030698770500647X/abstractMethscopolamine apparently blocks Growth Hormone release at night. In fact it will stop milk production in lambs. Could this be stopping the PMS symptoms?
http://jas.fass.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/7/1901One plan is to use this for two weeks out of every four. Only during PMS time. During the other times, I feel using the non-medical treatments discussed above will be fine. I am not sure how cycling on and off will work but I believe this will work fine as AlleRx is not meant to be taken continuously.
Another strategy might be to use the Chlorpheniramine/Methscopolamine during PMS and then just Chlorpheniramine during other times of my monthly cycle. There is concern about dry mouth and the effect on dental health and other parts of the body.
Best of luck,
Jan
poster:Jan Rose
thread:811518
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080207/msgs/811518.html