PMT Misery

My PMT lasts for approx. 2 1/2 - 3 weeks a month when I can be a complete . I have suffered like this for the past 6 years but am very lucky in the fact that I have a very understanding husband. After having a laparoscopy 3 years ago, was finally told by the consultant (Male!!) 2 weeks ago that the only thing for it now is a hysterectomy, even though I'm only 34 and have not got any children. I am now on the waiting list to have this done and was advised the waiting list is 7-9 months long.
I was put on antidepressents in February by my gp, sent to counselling where I was told that the depression is just a symptom of the problem, rather than being the problem itself and have been signed of work since then, so now my job is also in jepordy. There must be another answer? Why are there no gynaecologists out there trying to make a name for themselves by finding out the real resons and answers?

i dont think peopel take issues like this seriously enough - till you experience it i dont think anyone will realise quite how bad it can be - i do feel sorry for you i am very understanding too your cause and i hope you find a solution - if you do please let us know

I am appalled that yr consultant is suggesting this, considering your circumstances and age especially. From his point of view, perform hystrerectomy = patient cured, a tick in the box, a target met, another 'happy' customer and no further expense to the NHS. But at what price for you and your plans?

Are you in a position to get a second opinion?

I am glad you have a few months to wait- it will give you much needed time to think this through, now that you know what is on offer, and decide if it is what you want right now.

I too, was offered a quick trip to hospital to 'whip something out' when I had first gone to the doctor thinking it could be cured with pills. The more I thought about it, the more the thought of surgery bothered me so when the appointment came through I wrote back to decline. I thought they would be cross with me but, truthfully, I think they were too busy to care.

I do hope you have the time and patience to find out what is best for you, and the courage to tell interested professionals what you want.

Fennel tea.

I am not a health professional of any description and I have absolutely no business suggesting this. I will probably end up in lots of trouble.

You should be able to get hold of fennel tea bags from a health food shop, or you could make your own tea using one big leaf from a sweet fennel plant (no milk, sugar to taste, not if u have diabetes etc etc) washed first.

This is my reasoning- I do not noticeably suffer from PMT, but I am aware that just as my period ends -day before sort of- my mood definitely lifts and at the same time there is a squeezing feeling in a certain delicate part of my anatomy, similar to that produced by oxytocin. The same part of anatomy is similarly affected by fennel tea. So... there is an outside chance that the fennel tea will also help lift your moods.

You could also ask your doctor about oxytocin patches but I wouldn't hold my breath, they are very new.

I suffered bad PMT PMS what ever you call it for 25 years plus I had a hyterectomy in January this year and I feel so much better I just wish I had done it 9 years ago when my consultant suggested it.It was so easy getting over the operation as no more misery

Hiya, i took part in a discussion about this a couple of months ago. I suffer from that same crippling depression and it does seem that the medical profession (male!) do not want to take it seriously, so I changed my doctor! She was very understanding, especially of the fact that I did'nt want to be taking drugs until my periods stopped. So I've been on a diet of sorts, each day I've been having dried apricots, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds,walnuts,peanuts(not salted) and sultanas. Just enough to fill a small bowl. I've also took a starflower oil capsule and a fish oil capsule. I've got to admit that it has worked for me, the depression has lifted to just feeling a bit moody, and even though I don't always feel like eating the stuff anything is better than what I was going through. I will try the fennel tea as recommended, it can all help!

i've suffered from pmt for years, i'm 31 now and it seems like i have it for 2-3 weeks out of a month. it's definately a true condition, i can feel it coming on and although i'm aware of it, i can't supress it in any way which means anyone nearby gets the brunt of it. i've read exercising and cutting out certain foods really helps although i must admit i really don't feel like doing any of those suggestions when i feel like i'm being tortured internally!!

i've had pmt for about 15 yrs, and tried lots of prescription medication and been told you get used to it (male doctor).well i didn't want to get used to it or put up with it so after some good advice from the chemist was told to try a herbal shop i was recommended Agnus Castus (chaste tree) as well as cutting out everything that i like that is bad for me(chocolate, caffeen, alcohol) and to exercise regularly.i haven't cut out the the bad stuff just cutdown.its taken the edge off of the pmt(at least i'm not as manic and unreasonable according to every one else in the house).but they do all still get the brunt of it even if it's not as bad as it used to be,still live in hope one day there will be a cure

I suffer from hideous PMT. I have a very stressful job which doesn't help matters. My husband is a gem, and bought me some boxing gloves from a sports shop and some pads. when I feel like i'm going to go mental (which is often. Horrible isn't it? I feel like a kettle that's going to pop it's lid) he puts the pads over his arms and I go hell for leather to some music for ages and it really helps! I have also bought a guided meditation cd which has helped. Diet wise, I eat more fish in the lead up to my pmt days and TRY to cut down on salt (which is hard, cos I crave it!). I also take water retention tablets (herbal) and take evening primrose oil to stop my boobs from feeling like lead weights. I cut down on coffee and tea, as it aggrivates the situation by hyping me up. I think it's good to indulge one's self, and I go for a massage and eat some decent plain chocolate. As soon as the bleed starts I feel relaxed! it's so crazy. Who'd be a woman hey?!(or a man who has to put up with it!)

I suffer from PMT bigtime, i feel i have a better relationship with my hot water bottle then my husband once a month, i have to have a hot water bottle thats my life saver to me that it, any one else think a hot water bootle helps with the pain, if i don't have my hot water bottle i'm like the green monster.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL - TRY EVENING PRIMROSE OIL!!!

Reading all of these is like reading a chapter in my life! I still get PMT but nowhere near as bad as i used to when I was younger and in my twenties. I must say - also - taking the pill only escalated it and cost my the love of my life! and several friends, jobs and almost my family. When I eventually met my husband, i had come off the pill as advised by a male doctor and told to try evening primrose oil. He listened and said the pill obviously never agreed with me and such highs and lows can be reduced by diet, supplements and exercise. He did say the diet thing - of course everyone knows chocolate, sweet cakes, cut down on bread, drink more water / flavoured teas; but to try swimming or yoga and my life saver - Evening Primrose Oil or Starflower Oil. I take 500g (1 capsule) EPO per day along with Cod Liver Oil and have never looked back. If I run out - believe me the world and I know it. If I feel it coming on stronger - I take 2 capsules per day. I have never gone back on the pill since I was 22.

My doctor did do a bit of research beforehand but the important thing was I was lucky to have a good doctor who listened. Maybe today, we don't have the luxury of time as much, but scream down the waiting room and soon he'll listen!

Seriously though - I hope this may help someone because it's a dark and gloomy world living in PMT days.
Sue H.

has anyone else tried changing to different form of sanitry product. I stopped using tampons 7 months and bought a 'MOONCUP'.Pmt hasn't gone but the pain has which makes me more reasonable. Wouldn't go back to the old fashoned tampons, mooncups are brilliant if your not squeemish. My period is no longer dreaded as much and it gets you to undrestand your cycle and my 11year old daughter can't wait to get one.

I came off the combined pill and had and IUD fitted. This has increased my PMT symptons incredibly, considering I had none and was a happy go lucky sort.

I was suffering PMT for 2&1/2 weeks, before starting my period which was lasting ten days of heavy bleeding.

I am now off the IUD and have asked to be put back on the pill and have been given the progestron only pill, which does not alleviate the depression, mood wings and general anxiety I feel.

My period is back to about 4 to 5 days now, but the PMT is till there, starting a week after my period.

Some days I feel absolutely furious and tearful at the same time. I don't trust my own judgement anymore and really don't know what to do.

My husband has been very supportive but doesn't realy understand. He has suggested that I come off the pill? whereas I feel I need to go back on the combined pill, to alleviate all symptoms

Any thoughts?