The other time of the month :(

This post might be just too much information....but I have no one to share with. I feel like crap...and I have to tell someone...

For the past year, I feel like absolute crap when I ovulate, its like my body starts to wage a war against me. I've been lucky all my life to not have any symptoms of PMS...the only thing that bothered me was migraines a few days before my period was supposed to start...but since I suffer from chronic migraine anyway, it was manageable.

But now...the misery starts way earlier. And its not just the migraines...I also have massive bloat and gastritis and terribly water retention. My already large breasts swell up and hurt like crazy, and my enormous F cup bra feels small. Even the most supportive bra doesn't offer enough comfort and support...and the persistent heaviness and pain gets very annoying. I have a high threshold for pain, so I get by somehow. But its not comfortable. That's not all, I also feel exhausted all the time and do not feel sharp....its like my brain gets fogged, and that really causes a lot of distress to me. I get breakouts and start to feel uncomfortable in my skin. I also get random pains and aches that flare up unexpectedly - neck, shoulders, back, hip pain from sciatica, aching thighs, to name just a few.

The feeling often doesn't go away until I start my period. To make matters worse, I have a short cycle - just 25 days. And my periods don't finish in 3 days like for most people...they go on for 5-6 days. I have like one 'normal' week in a month in between! Sometimes, it feels like its too much. I exercise everyday and eat healthy. I sleep well and take supplements.

I checked online and its not uncommon, apparently. But I haven't heard any of my girlfriends complain about feeling like s**t when ovulating before. Most of them just hate period cramps and bloating...so do any of you go through this?

10 years ago

deb

Veteran

Have you seen a doctor about this? There may be something medically causing the symptoms since they are new. It is worth investigating, anyway.

Maneera

(website)

Thanks Deb. Yes, I saw a doctor and she said there is nothing to worry about. She suggested I go on contraceptive pills to balance out hormones, but those aggravate my migraines and are not a practical choice.

Anonymous

Oh, I'm so sorry you're feeling like this Manny. It sounds awful. I used to be like that and had short cycles and periods lasting 10 days. Ugh..I feel your pain.

Are you taking any supplements?

Lucy

I used to have pain like I was being stabbed at ovulation. Didn't last long but was severe when it happened. Part of endometriosis, in my case. Longer than average periods can also be a sign,but I think thereis a bit variation between women on this. I don't mean to alarm you, but it might be worth getting a second opinion from an ob/gyn.

Thanks Diane and Lucy.

I don't have stabbing pain during ovulation. I have hormonal fluctuations that make me feel dull, achy and retain fluids. Those are the main causes for worry. My doctor thinks periods lasting 5 days is average. She said I don't have to worry unless they go beyond a week, which they never have.

Sometimes I think I feel so bad because I'm older. I started having periods at age 9, and they never ever slowed me down. Now that I'm in 30s, I can 'feel' the changes in my hormones, which didn't exist earlier as I had no PMS symptoms before. No pain...no cramps...no aches. It could also be weather related...I somehow don't notice periods at all in winters.

In any case, I will try out the supplements Diane has suggested. And if this happens again next month, I will make an appointment with a doctor.

Daria

Active Member

I get migraines AND insomnia for several days prior to my period - and it's a relatively new development. I attribute it to changes due to childbirth, although most like it has nothing to do with it. I def. don't want another child, yet sometimes I miss being pregnant - it feels like that's what our bodies are designed to do best.

Daria, I felt fab pregnant...no pms, no depression, no mood swings.

Mochi

Unfortunately, I don't have any advice for you, Maneera. I also got my period at that age, and had cycles of 5-6 days (I'm in perimenopause now). And a slight amount of discomfort, but not like you. I hope you figure out what it is and find some relief.

Just an update. I spoke to my doctor and told her all the symptoms. She asked me if I was on any medications. Apparently, some medicines cause magnesium deficiencies, and I take PPIs for acid reflux often. These are the reason I have low magnesium levels and supplements should balance this out. The changes are recent because the acid reflux started in the past year too.

Thanks Diane for pointing this out! You really saved me! I'm really hoping that magnesium supplements will solve this problem for good and I'll be pms free!

AviaMariah

I don't have anything helpful to add but I think the magnesium issue is interesting. I am nursing DD and I started having really low milk supply starting when I ovulated to when my period started. I started taking a magnesium supplement and it helped this issue a lot. I also had really bad reflux when I was pregnant and took as much prescriptions for it as they would let me. I just thought that was interesting as I had never even heard of magnesium deficiencies before.

Oh, wow, so the medication exacerbates your problem then, Maneera. Yes you should definitely get the magnesium down you.

Aviahmariah, I read somewhere that quite a high percentage of people can be in need of extra magnesium. It's a really important mineral for our bodies and is involved in lots of physiological processes. Really good for blood pressure too.

Neelie

The magnesium can really help with your headaches too...! My dd takes some daily for prevention and it helps her a lot. good luck!

Thank you so much ladies

Deborah

So glad you seem to have sorted this.

cheryle (Dianthus)

An option for obtaining magnesium is to have a bath in epsom salts. The magnesium is absorbed through the skin and it is very relaxing and helps you sleep better.

Hope the magnesium helps you. I know how debilitating headaches can be.

Wow Cheryle....had not thought of that at all. I do have a big pack of Epsom salts somewhere....I better put it to use then! Thanks a ton for that information.

columbine(erin)

I hope you get to feeling better! The magnesium idea is interesting. I take it when I get a headache and most times it will go away.

Aziraphale

I'm sorry to hear this, Maneera. I'd check with the doctor. What you're describing doesn't seem normal. In the years following the birth of my second child, I had similar problems as you from ovulation onwards in terms of bloating and severe breast swelling (no migraines though). In my case, a large uterine fibroid ended up being the main culprit. Once that was removed the symptoms improved dramatically.

Good luck!

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