PMS Problem

[bigbottom.livejournal.com]

Before I went on Ortho Tricyclen, I never really noticed a pattern with my PMS, due to my irregularity. But now because I am on the pill and falling into a schedule with my periods, I'm noticing trends with my PMS.

It seems like a normal bout of PMS lasts for a few days to a week for my friends before their period. But I'm not that way. About 3 weeks before my period comes, my symptoms start. I eat like a fiend, devouring anything and everything I can get my hands on. I'll also experience some fatigue, have aches in my legs and lower back-- which is often accompanied by cramps. I also have pretty random mood swings, one minute I'll be happy, and the next a single sentence coming out of someone's mouth can reverse my mood quicker than a blink of an eye. And, of course, I bloat like crazy during this time span.

I know my symptoms are probably pretty normal. Except for the fact how long they last. Should I be concerned that I am this way 3 weeks, give or take a few days, a month? Am I just a freak of nature or could something be wrong? Also, is there any way that I can help manage my symptoms?

Comments

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

That's not PMS -- that's side effects of OTC. They all sound like they're caused by too much estrogen and the fact that it's a triphasic pill. Go to your gyno and ask about switching to a lower-dose monophasic.

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

how nice to know there are other "freaks" like me... =)
i also experience pms-y type symptoms about 2 weeks before my period actually starts. it makes it difficult, for sure, because i'll say something like, "oh, my breasts are really sore, i think i'm gonna start soon," and then 2 weeks crawl by and still nothing. i always thought it was just me, but i bet there's llots of other womyn who have this same thing going on.

but let me ask you this: when you first started on the ortho-tri, did you bleed continuously during the first batch of pills? how long did it take your body to get acclimated to the pill?

[bigbottom.livejournal.com]

No, I did not bleed continuously during my first batch of pills. My body is still acclimating to the pills, this is my 4th month. I started my pills on a Sunday, and it took me until the Wednesday of the placebo week to start bleeding my first month. I bled about halfway through the first week of my low dose white pills of my 2nd pack (which was amazing, because I'm used to bleeding extremely heavy for 10+ days). It made my cramps almost utterly disappear (which were previously incapacitating). My only complaint really centers around my still excessive bleeding. It's nothing as bad as it was before, I'll admit that, but I still just don't like to bleed as much as I am. I'm not really sure why, but it seems every month my cramps change, and my bleeding is heavier or lighter. I'm not sure if I need something higher, or something lower dosed. I know I have to use up my entire prescription though, it's for 6 months. Then I have to go back to the gyno and have another pap smear, because the results of my first one was abnormal. So something is probably not all right down there. But there's a whole bunch of other specifics I'd rather not get into in just a comment, hehe.

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

thanks for the info about the pill, though. my girlfriend just started and she's been bleeding for 12 days straight. not a lot every day, but *something* every day, so i just wondered if other womyn had the same experience. i appreciate your info!

good luck on the abnormal pap, etc... i had one too a few years ago and it was def. scary. =(

[bigbottom.livejournal.com]

That was my first pap smear, it scared the crap out of me. It still does. If it is something wrong I just want it taken care of.