[tracist514]

I need a little advise on dealing with PMS during soberity. This month on the 19th I will be seven months sober. I've been doing my best but this month I feel like the world is going to end. I'm very depressed, angry, and just a ball of crazy ideas. I know it will pass. However I worry about this a bit, normally during all the mood swings I would just drink. My pattern would be to get drunk for days in a row. I have no intention of drinking and do not want to. I just wanted any advise from other women during this wonderful time of the month LOL . How do you ladies deal with PMS while remaining sober?

Thanks for taking the time out to read this

[madisgram]

tracist i didn't have the problem as you do but how about talking this over with your GP doc or pdoc? so many new meds out there and perhaps he/they is aware of one to help you during that time. just a thought.

[tracist514]

I have to get a doctor at the moment, but I will do so and discuss it with them as well. Thank you Madisgram.

[missbelle]

Congrats on your sobriety!!!! Thats wonderful!.....and that and your mental health are the priorites.....nothing else...everything else is below that. Ah PMS ..its been years literally since I had that problem thanks God. I too would be moody. Have you tried some serious exercise?...enought to tire you? Can you jog or walk fast? I know sometimes we dion't feel physically well either with cramps etc so exercise may for some not be great. However it does work. Are you on meds for mood disorder? I know some oldies but goodies at AA are against them but they are needed for some..like me for instance!.......Music helps.......dancing can help, a friend can help...just hanging and talking and going shopping with her or him.......anything to distract....meditation, grounding exercises, deep breathing, practicing mindfulness, art, etc...you will have to find yourself what helps. Sometimes its just a matter of realizing this" too shall pass".........been there but thank God not now...too old...and that is the good thing about getting older...no periods!!!!! YEAH TO THAT!!!

Hope you find something that helps......Personally I vote for exercise as that increases the endorphins in your brain that make you feel good and thats what you need...

[tracist514]

Thank you Missbelle so much. I do workout about 5 to 6 days a week. However I haven't been able to for the past 3 weeks which could also be my problem lol. My husband and I had a lot of things going on, so my routine was put on the back burner. My own doing naturally. I plan on starting my routine this after noon so hopefully that will help my mental state. As for meds I'm so-so on them. Nothing against those who take them but they scare me a bit. I'm going to try and face these mood swings without them. I'm going to consider the deep breathing as well because it helps with my panic attacks, thank god. Thank you again for taking the time out to post.

[cookfan56]

I no longer have those PMS cycles, either, but dark chocolate, or giving in to some baking sprees at home could help. Some recovery programs are very anti-sugar, now, but old-school AA always promoted it. Alcohol is just sugar (among other things) and sometimes sugar can help in moderation. Also I echo others in the exercise thing. If you can take something like advil for cramps, getting some good exercise will help with PMS.

[missbelle]

Oh...forgot about dark chocolate.......yum! Its good anytime!!!!!!

[tracist514]

Oooo chocolate!! I actually love dark chocolate and I'll pick some up. Thanks cookfan! Again thank you ladies for posting

[tokiwartooth]

I hate PMS. I've been sober for one month and a week. For me, I eat chocolate and listen to upbeat music. I also read positive books, or bc I'm a science nerd, I read science books for fun. But chocolate, anything sweet really. And I play with my cat because he's totally crazy.

[danaflett]

Agree positive reading helps alot,well it does in my sobriety,keep up the good work.

[roads]

Pamprin, OTC stuff been around forever. It actually helped when I quit drinking, & I had PMS bad

Also (as much or more) yoga, and the breathing exercises. Belly-breathing, they call it. Look online. Walking, exercise, will raise the oxygen level. Dark chocolate definitely. And Pamprin

Roadie

[roads]

Tracist ... Did you find something that works for you ... other than chug-a-jug?

Grats on your sobriety Tracist,

You know what I do is drink tea, Yogi brand makes a nice kind called 'women's moon cycle' (it also helps with mood and relaxation) and I also use rasberry leaf tea to help balance my hormones. Camomille and/or peppermint helps a lot in soothing the mind. Hot baths with epsom salts. Spoiling yourself helps, spend time in bed watching your favorite movies, reading magazines, eating rich ice cream, wearing cozy pjs..etc.

Also, I like what Roadie suggested, meditation/ deep breathing is essential. Also, remind yourself that this is temporary...it will pass.

Of course we will feel better not drinking during this special time, because alcohol constricts the blood vessels and can make cramping worse, it is also a depressant..but we already know that.

I have horrible symptoms and do take a mild antidepressant to help with PMS dysphoria (which is considered a mood disorder related to hormones). It has helped me a lot in maintaining a clear, relaxed and level head so I can treat the physical symptoms a lot easier. Talk to your doc if you feel it's something you could try.

Also, eliminate any stress and do some relaxation techniques (meditation, breathing, yoga, self-soothing, massage). Stress can make pms worse, it affects the delicate balance of hormones.
And...have patience with yourself, your body is still adjusting to your new sobriety (me too!) it has to heal still...so it will get better.
Best wishes