Medical question for the ladies

[tami82]

Im glad this post is here. I too have noticed my PMS & period is much much worse the older i get (im 43). A few days before my period i have EXTREME exhaustian, lower back pain and cramping which is something i have never really had before and yeah the grumpiness is the worst lately.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've had similar symptoms and find that if I take a daily multivitamin plus a Vitamin B-12 every day, I feel much better when that "time" comes. I also up my water intake the week before. The bananas and Gatorade suggestion is excellent, also!

I would agree, that's the route I had to take.

Good advice. I used to do a lot of those things and they really helped. Try getting off any caffeine as well...especially just before.

I'm an RN and I suggest that you not seek medical advice on the internet, but rather your Gynecologist. You may have a hormone imbalance, anemia (as another poster suggested). A significant change in your mood warrants advice from your physician.

While I normally would agree with your advice, I turned into a 'monster' at those special times each month. There was nothing inherently wrong with me....yes, it certainly was hormonal, but after 4 days, the hormones went right back to where they should be. And I was so far removed from anemia it wasn't funny. Back in those days I couldn't take multi vitamins with iron...nasty things happened, but we won't go there.

I know that when my dd goes with me to Florida, I go with all sorts of things ready to go in my bags. And many of them have already been mentioned.

 

[katytrott]

Thank you everyone. I have taken down a list of the different things to try. I was hoping to go with the natural route rather then the pill - last time I went on this I put on quite a bit of weight and I have only recently lost my pregnancy weight.

I think having two children now (one only 17 months old), I haven't really been looking after myself - little things like multi vits, exercise, diet etc....so all your responses have encouraged me to change my ways! As someone said, that should work in time for our Aug trip

Being in England we don't really have direct contact with a gynae Dr - we go to our local GP and then wait anything from 6 - 16 weeks to see a consultant. Saying that, my GP is very good and will probably do a blood test.

 

[katytrott]

Definitely try to find a diet that works for you starting now. If you can swim every day that would be great. I would avoid processed foods and simple carbs and try bananas.

At the time be as comfortable as you possibly can. wear a sleeveless sundress or really comfy shorts, comfy hat, comfy shoes etc. See how you hubby feels about giving you "time off." Dont worry about missing stuff, take some hours or even a day and luxuriate in your room

HTH

Sounds very pleasant - actually a good idea to shut myself off from society at that time!

 

[katytrott]

trying drinking gatorade and eating bananas the next time. see if that helps. cant hurt and may help

Will give this a shot if it works, but why Gatorade? How does it help? Is it just the energy boost?

 

[katytrott]

Sam-e has worked wonders for me & my "attitude." My husband says it levels out my highs & lows. As far as cramps go I can't comment. I have 1 or 2 days a month that I have cramping, but NOTHING has worked for me.

What is Sam -e? I can cope with the cramps, don't get that many really - it's the mood swings and tiredness that are the killer for the whole family.

 

[momejay]

My first suggestion is to ask your doctor.
I didn't read through all the posts so I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but, my daughter (16) was having a terrible time. The doctor recomended krill oil. Believe me, I know when she has forgotten to take it. It helps her with mood swing/irritability symptoms.
My doctor told me (42) to avoid salty foods & caffeine the week before. It helps with the cramping. Make sure you are well hydrated. The bananas work too, but I hate bananas. My doc suggested spinach salads.
Good luck!

 

[humboldthny]

I agree with the B6 and speaking with your OBGYN about finding a form of BC that might help regulate your cycles.

The B6 I've taken since college when I'm having water retention issues which makes me super crabby....helps shed some of that extra water.

And just FYI - make sure you take plenty of your own supplies...pickings are very slim at the resort gift shop as I found out on our last trip.

 

[LaurLaur04]

Definitely see your doctor first to be sure you are healthy and don't have any problems. THEN if no such problems exists, a trick I use is to "plan" my period. I take Ortho-Tricyclen Lo (birth control pill) You can stop taking it a week early to make your period come early, or you can "skip" the placebo pills and start directly on another pack to skip your period. Also there is Seasonel, a birth control where you only have 3-4 periods a year. What I did this year was, I had my period, then skipped a week, then started my pills. I did this twice to be sure I would not be anywhere near vacation when my period for September comes around! Again, I can't stress enough though to make sure you see your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to do this! Also, if you do mess with birth control, make sure you use another backup method to prevent pregnancy, because not using it correctly can increase your chances of pregnancy!

Just talk to your doc, he/she can lead you in the right direction! Good luck!

EDIT: I see you are concerned about the pill causing weight gain. Ortho-Tricyclen LO is a low dose pill, and it has never caused me to gain weight. Any other kind I have tried (including regular dose Ortho) would cause rapid weight gain with me.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

Will give this a shot if it works, but why Gatorade? How does it help? Is it just the energy boost?

I would imagine it has something to do with the hydration. Electrolytes and other words I have heard on the commercials.

 

[pickles]

electrolytes esp potassium is what the gatorade is helping. your body may be missing that with the extra hormones.
Like I said, worth a try, cheap easy fix

 

[Maleficent27]

I'm no doctor but an oral contraceptive can be very helpful to alleviate symptoms and these days you can skip the "cycle" all together if you choose....maybe talk to your doctor & he/she might have some solutions.

The pill has been a lifesaver for me in this regard. Cystic ovaries=OUCH! Mine is the one someone mentioned above (well, the generic version) where you only get your period once every 3 months. LOVE IT.

take it for what it's worth, try Beverly.

 

[Sara*s_Mommie]

At the risk of getting flamed, I can't for the life of me figure out why these types of posts get on the disboards....don't you (OP) have anyone else to talk to about this? I would never dream of posting something so personal and something that SO obviously should be discussed with my doctor. I like everyone here so far, but come on, should anyone trust the opinions of strangers this much?

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I had to be put in birth control myself, now I'm all better!!!! My mood is much more stable and I feel much better

 

[2Tiggies]

I should add I also heard that drinking milk will help the cramps

It's actually a milk thistle supplement you should be taking. Dairy is often one of the products to be avoided.

 

[DaniB]

At the risk of getting flamed, I can't for the life of me figure out why these types of posts get on the disboards....don't you (OP) have anyone else to talk to about this? I would never dream of posting something so personal and something that SO obviously should be discussed with my doctor. I like everyone here so far, but come on, should anyone trust the opinions of strangers this much?

I have not read anything to get upset about. On this thread or similar ones. By the way, this is not a flame - merely a point of view from someone who posted a similar thread/question.

Frankly, not everyone has someone to ask, or a variety of ages of women to ask, or easy access to a doctor.

And better yet - for questions a person might feel embarrased to ask - who better than people they will most likely never meet?

Friends my age are not likely able to tell me anything as they have yet to go through menopause themselves... That leaves who? My mom and a doctor - that's it.

In my own case (posted skipped periods questions) - my doctor takes 2 weeks and sometimes more to get an appointment with. Add on top of that a husband who works 6 days a week, only 1 car, my doctor being an hour away, and having to ensure the appointment falls within a few hours of the school day with enough travelling time - darn hard to see him!

So instead of taking up the clinic's time from patients who REALLY need to see a doctor, I posted my question to get viewpoints from other women to see if there really was a need to go to the clinic.

Personally, I think it's wonderful to be in an age where people HAVE a way to communicate and get necessary information. Rather than it was back in our grandparents, and even parents, days...

 

[goofy4tink]

I will say that there are some who may feel more comfortable discussing things with complete strangers. And then again, with so many people out there, in internet world, you may get many more suggestions.
I really see no big issue about this type discussion. I just think it may be more suited for the Community Board.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

This topic is really more of a general medical question than a specific theme park one, so I've moved it to the Community Board.

 

[dalt01]

At the risk of getting flamed, I can't for the life of me figure out why these types of posts get on the disboards....don't you (OP) have anyone else to talk to about this? I would never dream of posting something so personal and something that SO obviously should be discussed with my doctor. I like everyone here so far, but come on, should anyone trust the opinions of strangers this much?

ITA... i see this stuff and just shake my head..............hey im coughing up blood what would you guys do???????????? my left ear just fell off should i sew it back on or just glue it???????? give me a break.