That Time of the month...I'm MEAN

PMS has not been a big problem for me - nothing a little Midol wouldn't fix.
But when I'm dieting - I'm just awful.
I don't know if it's the hormones coming out as the fat breaks down or if it's the low blood sugar or a combination of both but I'm worse than a grouchy bear when I'm trying to drop a few pounds.
My husband is the same way.
It's great when he loses the weight, and he's his sweet self again once he's eating a bit more again (so am I) but sometimes while he's getting there I just want to shove a chocolate bar down his throat and tell him to mellow out for a bit.

Ask your Dr. about Sarefem, it is an antidepressant that can be taken during your cycle and then stopped. It is often used for PMS symptoms.

As I matured, and after my pregnancy, my PMS was way out of control.. Apparently this is not unusual.. I tried changing my diet, taking special herbs, but nothing really helped me..

SO, I have been on Antidepressants. I actually have a prescription to increase the intake during that time of the month..

Remember depression is not always a shut down weepy person, it can make then aggressive and angry and very hard for that person to control. My hormones go wild when I am about to have my monthly..

Have you ever tried red raspberry leaf tea? It's herbal. It's awesome. My herbalist friend was telling me all the amazing things it can do. We'd been trying for six months to get pregnant, and she told me that it balances hormones and can help with getting pregnant, etc. Anyway, it did work for the pregnancy.

I also learned that it works for PMS. I am usually pretty easy going and nice and loving, but when PMS comes, I turn into a monster that wants to bite everyone's head off and my husband knows to be very careful around me. I HATE it. It feels out of my control. Anyway, I have discovered that red raspberry also works for PMS. It is AMAZING. If I feel PMSy, I drink a cup of RRL and it goes away. I do have to keep drinking it regularly during that time for it to keep working. It also works great for cramps. I used to have to take lots of meds for the cramps, but RRL works great - just like meds.

I'm going to be using it for menopause hormones. I've never ever used an herbal anything that has worked so obviously well as this. It works best if you can drink it (or take the capsules) three times a day, every day, all the time. I'd highly recommend trying it - be consistent - and see if it helps at all. It also shortened and lightens periods.

I know things work differently on everyone, but this works for a lot of women. Don't be surprised if your doctor doesn't know about it. You might want to try it first and see how it helps. I swear by it. If there is ONE thing women should take, it's red raspberry leaf tea. It is gross (at least to me!), so you might do better with the capsules.

I can totally relate! I dislike it so much. I'll be watching this post too for some suggestions. And please let us know what your doctor suggests too.
I feel like a totally different person during PMS and I can't stand it!

It is so frustrating isn't it.I will be beging Zoloft my DR. prescribed them to me numerous times & i'll go off of them when needed but now my moods are so whacky before I begin my cycle you said it MEAN not just to my kids but to everyone stay back 100 FT or more & don't look at me like I have a third eye I will rip you to shreds type of attitude.Anyway I only take 25 mgs of Zoloft & notice a difference it's not much but helps me & Zoloft is a medication that can be used for many reasons not just PPD,or depression or anxiety.

B's post intrigued me because I have the same problem when I lose weight - I feel very "PMS-y" - i.e., very emotional and mean-ish. I, too, have wondered if fat break-down causes those problems because fat sends off hormonal signals.

For me, PMS is managed better when I am VERY diligent with a good B-complex and an Omega. It takes that edge off.

Good luck - hope you can hone in on what works for you.

I just posted a question just like this. I am horrible during PMS ...So mean..mostly to my husband. I was put on Cybalta a while ago for other reasons and It totally took away my PMS I was also on Seasoninc, so only had a period every 3 months. I just got off of Cymbalta (and Seasoninc) because I would Like to try for our 2nd baby...it is HORRIBLE to try and get off! So my PMS is back...nobody is happy about that. I just started doing St. Johns Wort yesterday, im hoping this helps. You could try that. Are you on Birth control right now? Just really think about it if your doc tries to get you on an Ani Depressent...sometimes thats their answer for everything. I would go another route. Hope this helps a little. :)

I used to take Zoloft but I didn't like the way it made me feel. I felt like I had ZERO emotion and like I was a zombie just floating through life. I hated it. I went off it and found that as my environment changed and was less stressful my PMS decreased.

Since I had my daughter my hormones have gone completely off the charts again. I notice that exercise helps immensely. I'd say that it helps almost as well as the Zoloft did. I can't stress enough how much that helps for me. My husband gives me space. I go out and do things for myself, work on getting some extra sleep and give myself 'time-outs' as needed. Yoga helps a lot too. If you're not interested in meds I'd try those things first.

Please know you're not alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck and feel better!

I had this same problem. It was so incredibly extreme that I literally felt manic during my pre-menstrual days. It's called PMDD, basically an extreme form of PMS. Birth control helps a lot (not the progesterone-only kind). I got on birth control and I don't have that problem any more. I also take an antidepressant daily (Pristiq).

Don't stop until you find relief. It's out there!

try bioflavnoids, they really helped me with being mood-swingy. they're at the health food store!