Liz's Story
7 Jul 2008
NAPS to the rescue!
A Sufferer's Life Turned Round - Liz Tells Us How It Was for Her
I started my periods in my early teens and remember having mood swings, crying spells and bad cramps which meant I missed some classes at school.
I took the contraceptive pill for a few years while at university until I started experiencing migraines on the combined pill. It wasn't until my last year of university that I started experiencing mood swings and depression lasting a few weeks every month, being over-sensitive with my friends and crying a lot.
I didn't visit my GP about my PMS until a few years later and remember asking if my hormone levels could be checked. I was assured that there was no link between hormone levels and PMS. I was offered the contraceptive pill as a solution. I tried a few progestogen-only pills over the years, but I always stopped after a few months because of the side effects: drowsiness all day long, lack of sex drive and depression.
I started doing my own research, finding little help from GP's. I tried practically every herbal or vitamin pill recommended for PMS, and also natural progesterone. Nothing seemed to help though. I felt like a hypochondriac because I spent so much time on the net looking for a solution and, because GPs seemed so unsympathetic, I started to feel it was all in my head.
After a bad breakup with my boyfriend I ended up depressed all month round. At this point a gynaecologist recommended a therapist and I also took antidpressants for a few months. The antidepressants caused insomnia and flat mood but at least I didn't experience PMS on them. I eventually stopped them though because I wanted to experience emotions again.
I eventually I came across NAPS on the net and I was recommended to see a specialist. He put me on oestrogen patches and natural progesterone after noticing that my oestrogen levels were very low. I felt better almost instantly. My PMS didn't completely disappear but it reduced to a few days per month. I stopped worrying about it and got on with my life.
In terms of how PMS has affected me, I think it has held me back in my career because my confidence is so low at certain times of the month. I've cried numerous times at work which doesn't 'look good'! It's all very well saying plan your life around your PMS, but in practice it's very hard to put your life on hold! I have good friends but they don't understand what I go through or why I try to avoid people for weeks at a time! I've had really upsetting arguments with friends at times and sometimes it's just better to avoid people because the 'upset' from the arguments stays with you after the PMS has gone! I've learnt to bite my tongue now until I feel better again.
I think the hormone treatment has helped me a lot. I also follow a low GL diet and try to eat small amounts regularly as this helps control my appetite. Even if you end up eating (something healthy!) every two hours before your period, I think it's better to give your body what it needs! I also avoid strenuous exercise around my period as this brings on migraines but I do yoga for the rest of the month. I think every woman is different but this is what has worked for me.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us Liz - we are delighted to have helped!
