4. My stubborn and inquisitive nature: My experince with PMDD
Discover how this stubborn and inquisitive mind navigated the challenges of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). In this personal blog post, I share my journey of self-discovery, diagnosis, and healing strategies. Learn about the importance of advocating for your mental health and finding the right support system.
PMDDHORMONES
10/20/20249 min read
My stubborn and inquisitive nature...
So while I wait to see my new doctor, I keep learning all I can, and diving into the inner work and healing, I start this post...
......with one of the harder changes I have made...
I Cut out….
Are you ready for this one?
Coffee, Wine, Dairy, Gluten, and as much sugar as possible…
And did so strictly, like none of any. For a whole cycle.
It wasn't fun, and I'm not ready to live my life without enjoying the little pleasures that are coffee, wine, cheese, bread and pastries.
But I’m glad I did, and I felt better for it. But not so much better that I’m willing to live without them forever.
I still enjoy them, I’m just a lot more conscious of when I have them, especially relating to the timing of my cycle. All of the above can be inflammation causing, and I don’t want that when I’m trying to heal. After listening to Wendys audio book, about her healing her endometriosis, and with all that I already believe about food, these changes are so important, and may have played a big part in my cycles being much better since.
This article by Lara Briden ~ The Period Revolutionary ~ “The Inflammation From A1 Milk is Mind-Bogglling” might be helpful too.
Or maybe I just need to go live in Europe where those things aren't so inflammation causing…
“Being a woman is a beautiful gift — however, at times it can be easy to lose sight of this.
We can often feel betrayed by our bodies, and feel as though we have no control over our thoughts, leaving us feeling like we're gasping for air while trying to meet everyone else's expectations. It doesn't have to be this way.”
This book will help you to understand the "why" behind some of your common frustrations — from the weight you can't shift, to why you feel trapped on the "stress express", or why you find it so difficult to say "no" to some people.
Have you ever wondered:
Why you have big conversations at night, and not in the morning?
Why you struggle with body fat in a certain place?
How you can teach children about nutrition in a way that fosters a positive relationship with food?
Why you crave sugar, no matter how hard you try to resist it?
What drives you to eat emotionally?
Why you regularly think to yourself, "If I don't do it, it won't get done"?
How you can optimize your health and age gracefully?
Learn what women of all ages need to know from this inspiring book, which includes step-by-step guides, worksheets, and real-lite examples and quotes to help you uncover the sources of your challenges, empower you with the knowledge to better understand your body, and guide you to create a life of exceptional health. This is the book that every woman needs to read. - Dr Libby.
After finding Dr Libby Weavers book Women's Wellness Wisdom while unpacking my things that had been in storage since moving up from Adelaide, and listening to Wendys audio book, cutting out the above from my diet temporality, was made easier. As I knew they would make a difference while my body starts to heal and reset.
I can't recommended those two things enough if you are just starting our on your healing adventure.
Dr Libbys book is beautiful, and beautifully written. I think its such an important and easy to read book if healing and hormones are new to you. Or even if you just want to balance your hormones and feel better everyday. I am even trying to get Sammy to read it, as the things it covers are becoming even more important, especally as we have two girls getting to an age where hormones are doing all sorts.
~ And I feel it will be strongly in his favour for us all to feel balanced and healthy, especially when our cycles eventually sync! May God bless him them. ~
My Journey with PMDD – Part 4
July 2, - From my Diary
Maybe it’s my stubbornness or maybe my it’s inquisitive nature.
Maybe they are a blessing and a curse
I always want to know why, and not just the surface level why.
Why is it that way, how can we change it? Just because someone said so isn’t enough for me.
And I promise you I will find the easiest, simplest, efficient, most potent way of things working.
~ cause I also want it good and fast ~
I’m the one reading the ingredients, and then researching each one.
I’m the one getting a second opinion and I suggest you do too.
~ especially if it’s in regards to your health and well being ~ and make sure the person telling you or selling you is doing so for the right reasons.
Yes I sell shampoo, but I’m also positive you use that anyways, and I believe this is the best one for me, and more than likely will give you the best hair if your life too
Hell, if I could whip up a batch of shampoo in my kitchen that made my hair this good I would. But I tried all the “natural, eco” ones I could find and my hair was giving nothing.
~But you can read more about that here~
If I had listened to the first doctor, I would be masking my symptoms (and essentially making them worse in the long run) with the pill and antidepressants.
Instead I’m here researching, learning and asking questions.
Because the minute I googled how to heal endo, and a cure for PMDD, Google said it couldn’t be done.
I decided I would find out how.
And that’s the journey I’m going on.
The truth is, people are doing it, you just have to dig a little deeper, ask the right questions and maybe even read between the lines.
The answers are there. And I’ll share all that I can find, so we can heal.
Finally time for my appointment at the womens clinic, something I feel lucky to be able to do. Not everyone has the means to privately see Doctors who specialise in womens health, and especially not just down the road from home. ~ For that I am truly grateful ~
We talked in depth, about my past, history, cycles and more. About holistic treatments, scans for endo, and what we can do if the holistic approach doesnt cut it. And re issued my blood tests as the first doctors requested ones didn’t show much that helped at all.
As I said in my previous post, if your doctor isn’t asking you these things and listening to your concerns, find a new one. PMDD hasn't long been added to the offical documents, and many doctors have never dealt with this before. They are human too, and can't know what they don't know. But you know your body and you mind.
I want to share what my Doctor has recommended, if you need a starting place. Of course none of this is meant to treat, diagnose etc. But if you find yourself waiting, or finding the right doctor for you, these things might help in the mean time.
Supplements she recommended:
Magnesium - Powder and Tablets - She specifically said “Don't be cheap on Magnesium. Your body dumps it every time you get stressed” and it makes every hormone in your body. Double up when stressed or pre period.
Evening Primrose
Zinc
High DHA Fish oil
2TBLS Flaxseed Ground - freshly ground preferably. - I have hardly missed a day of this one, as Flaxseed, a rich source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans, has been studied for its potential impact on estrogen levels. Some research suggests that flaxseed may help balance hormone levels, potentially reducing estrogen dominance.
Things she recommended to implement:
Anti inflammatory diet and supporting the immune system.
Limit gluten and dairy, reduce processed foods, reduce alcohol especially the week around period. Cutout or reduce caffeine.
Get enough protein, complex carbs fiber and good fats with every meal.
I remember feeling so many emotions after my first appointment with my new doctor, to finally have a reason to be feeling this way, to have felt so heard and seen. And to know that she was on my side with the path I wanted to take, and that I had a back up plan. Even if that was a last resort.
The emotions were real though. A part of me was so relived, knowing what I may be up against made me feel confident that no matter what, or how challenging it gets, I could heal it.
And another part of me felt so heart broken.
How many times had I acted out, stayed in bed, missed out on life, self soothed with things that aren't good for me? How many things in my life hadn't worked out, ended before their time, or was a missed opportunity because I was in pmdd?
I remember calling my mum ~ God bless her, she has been such a rock for me through this, and life. And I know it hasn't been easy for her to be there when I am not my best. ~ And being so emotional, almost grief feelings for all the things that could have been. But I also believe things happen for a reason, and I tried not to stay there too long.
There is a big part for healing that often gets missed and its the grieving for what could have been. Maybe that is why I feel such a pull to share my story, in the hopes that someone can read this, and start their healing sooner. And not have so much to grieve.
So I went for my Endo scan, in the city. I couldn't believe how calm I felt driving there. I had been doing so much inner work this whole time, and I live by the belief that you shouldn't stress about something twice ~ meaning that there is no point worrying about something now, if you may or may not even have to worry about it later~. The clinic was lovely as were the staff, which also made the whole experience seem much nicer. And I also had the feeling that there wasn't going to be Endo growths there. Maybe that was why I felt so calm...
When the doctor came in to talk to me about the results, he showed me on the scans some small fibroids, and no Endo. I felt relieved. And then filled with questions. He assured me its a very common feeling, as having an Endo diagnosis gives answers. And not having one leaves space for questions.... About healing the symptoms I do have, and why I am having them.
I mentioned in an earlier post, that while diving into all this research I realised I had a lot more symptoms of Endometriosis that I thought. So I was still left with figuring out how I am going to heal. But I had made so much progress, and my hormone and period related symptom had been improving.
So if it isn't Endo that is causing my extreme periods, and with a path forward and improvements with my pmdd, I knew the next step was to get a little woo woo.
As I write this, on the 18th Sept.
I just touched my phone to check the date and it read 1:11
I am on day 4 of my period, and while its wasn't as painfree as last month, it's still better than most of my periods I've ever had.
It's interesting that we went camping and I also had a lot of fun on my little trip back to Adelaide. Think champagne, good wine and all the yummy food… Life is about balance. And I think that is what we need to find. The balance between all the parts...
Next, I'm going to dive into the woo, and put together a little bundle containing all the things that have helped, from podcasts, to vitamins, books, somatic practices and even my affirmations.
Remember,
“My thoughts are not real, and my body wants to heal”
Ps.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or symptoms related to your cycle or hormones, please reach out. While I am no medical professional, I am here to support you, and can share things I have found that have helped me so much in just a few short months.
Much love,
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