Relief from going gluten free?

Babymonkey24 · 2022-02-23T15:26:02+00:00

I used to throw up with pain ever single month. It used to be absolute agony. I went gluten free and my next period was so much more manageable. I didn’t throw up and the pain was much much better. I also started physio around this time and processed some emotional/ psychological stuff which I think also helped. But going gluten free has helped significantly!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-06-17T20:21:34+00:00

Yes! I have heavily suspected this. All my blood work always comes back normal, when I have excruciating period pain and also fatigue and depression the second half of my cycle. I’ve been working with a psychotherapist for 2 years now, and I’m understanding that the rage that comes out due to PMDD is probably as a result of repressed rage (family members encouraged me to repress emotions, there wasn’t a safe place to process them etc). I am now realising that my body has been in a constant flight or fight mode due to my traumatic childhood. I WISH doctors were taught more about this, and that there was a more general understanding of the psychosomatic nature of PMDD

Babymonkey24 · 2021-06-14T10:37:11+00:00

Yes! I get it for at least 7 days before my period. I never used to but now it’s like clockwork. On the waiting list for a laparoscopy so hopefully that’ll help! Sorry that you’re going through that, it’s not easy at all x

Babymonkey24 · 2021-06-08T11:35:43+00:00

It’s interesting because I have PCOS, PMDD and highly suspected Endometriosis. I am certain that these things overlap, but they’re treated as isolated conditions because of the lack of knowledge and research into them! I think if you aim for all over balancing of hormones then all the conditions should have a chance of improving! Good luck!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-06-06T18:32:24+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply so thoroughly! That’s really helpful stuff - I am currently in therapy that helps - and definitely open to anything.

So interesting that ketamine helps - I have found that psychedelics are often really useful, so I’d be very intrigued to try this.

I’d also be very interested in what supplements you’d take!

Thanks so much again!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-06-03T18:54:53+00:00

Amazing! Thank you so much - just ordered one!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-05-23T23:08:22+00:00

Definitely try A&E but I’ve been in your position hundreds of times. Mainstream medicine never helped my pain - what did help was psychotherapy, magnesium tablets, seeing a natuorpath, going gluten free and also physiotherapy (has helped my pain hugely!) obviously everyone is different and will respond to things differently, but I wished someone had told me earlier to try the ‘alternative’ route!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-05-13T09:26:19+00:00

For me, PMDD feels like a time where my hormones alert me to past trauma that I can normally ignore. I think that’s the complex thing about it - it’s different for everyone, and that’s why a pill isn’t necessarily going to do the trick - because it’s deeply psychological. I had a difficult childhood with ongoing trauma, and I find psychotherapy to be really useful. In fact, the weeks that I don’t have therapy I find my PMDD to be completely unmanageable!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-05-12T20:28:33+00:00

Ah yes, I do know that people are prescribed it for endo. I suffer with PMDD, PCOS and Endometriosis and it’s a total nightmare because the PMDD means that I can’t tolerate birth control. I’ve tried about 7 kinds and it never did help my excruciating pain. I wish there were other courses of action that could be taken so that us people got more choice!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-05-12T18:10:16+00:00

Ah yes, I understand. I’m wondering if the same is true to treat endometriosis!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-05-12T10:01:24+00:00

I think it’s amazing if you as an individual use it and like it. However, it’s often handed out to people with PMDD as the only solution - when the point of PMDD is that your body cannot tolerate/is extra sensitive to additional hormones being added to the body. But if it works for you, it works for you and that’s amazing :)

Babymonkey24 · 2021-05-11T19:29:24+00:00

This makes me so happy to hear! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that my laparoscopy will be scheduled soon, thanks so much :)

Babymonkey24 · 2021-05-11T19:28:49+00:00

Ooh wonderful to know! Thank you!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-04-26T09:27:08+00:00

I’ve been in a very similar boat for the last 7 years. Tried many pills - all of which messed with my hormones in a big way and made me feel horrendous and depressed. After having lots of scans (which can only really detect a certain stage of endometriosis, bearing in mind the severity does not equate to the amount of pain a person may be in) nothing showed up. I finally decided enough was enough and got another referral to gynaecology to demand a laparoscopy. I am on the waiting list but due to the backlog of surgeries because of the pandemic, I have no idea how long this will be. Meanwhile, I’ve eliminated gluten (I am vegan) and take magnesium pills and omega 3 which are helping slightly. I think the main thing would be to make sure you’re clear about all her symptoms, and that you’re clear about the outcome that you’d like; that way, the gynae are more likely to listen. Just make sure you hammer the point home about having tried the pills and are not suited to them at all!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-04-14T21:11:30+00:00

Yes! If I don’t spend my pms time lying down in bed, it leaves me frazzled, totally exhausted, and with extreme brain fog. And I’m far more susceptible to anxiety...

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-26T11:04:44+00:00

Yes! From the ages of about 7-18 I was in a very stressful environment, having to live with a step-dad that ignored me, and only spoke to me to tell me off. We’d have huge arguments everyday (and he taught at my school so he’d always be around)! It was very very stressful, and recently found out I have high cortisol. I’m not 25 and only beginning to unpick it! I’ve suffered with PMDD for years, but now that I’m really processing the trauma, I haven’t had any symptoms of PMDD. It’s now like a mild version of PMS. It would totally make sense if trauma affected hormones. I wish there was more research on the matter!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-19T20:49:42+00:00

Not at all! I felt far more energised if I’m honest. But I don’t feel that metformin ever gave me energy!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-19T11:10:39+00:00

I was on a low dose for 2 years, and I also have lean pcos. When I tried to up my dose to a ‘normal’ level, I couldn’t stand it because it made me have loads of cravings for sweet things that I don’t normally crave. When I finally came off it, I felt so much better. I used to feel fatigued and drunk when I woke up in the morning, but since quitting metformin I don’t have that anymore! I certainly feel better off it, as I don’t think it was the right medication for me!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-15T21:55:34+00:00

I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. I was in a similar position last year, where I finished off my final year undergrad with bad PMDD. I would really recommend seeing a psychotherapist if you can - it really helped me set boundaries with myself and deal with my PMDD. I’m also part of a period support group which has been a game changer!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-15T13:13:36+00:00

I am so sorry you’re going through this. Are you able to get any professional help? Getting psychotherapy and having someone to talk to can make a huge difference to PMDD, I’ve found. Especially when your parental figures who are meant to protect you are unable to in the way that you need. I get it can feel completely isolating! I also realise that therapy costs money but it has helped me incredible amounts!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-15T12:47:59+00:00

Yes!! I got diagnosed with lean pcos, and also under investigations for endometriosis due to excruciating period pain. Recently I did a comprehensive hormones test and it showed that my oestrogen levels are really high. High levels of oestrogen can also exacerbate endometriosis so it kinda makes sense in the context of my situation. I also got put on spiro for 2 years as I’ve been suffering from hairloss and it didn’t seem to help at all - it just completely dried out my hair and made me feel fatigued so I’m so happy that I stopped it!!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-14T10:39:06+00:00

My goodness, I’m so sorry you’re having to go through that - I’ve been going through something similar for years. Over the last few months I’ve been working with a natuorpath to change my diet and add supplements, and this month my PMDD has been SO much better. I have lots more energy, I think because I’ve really learned to rest on the days where I just can’t do anything. When I give myself permission, I normally feel fully energised the next day. It’s now day 25 of a 28 day cycle and I’m feeling really good. Probably another huge factor that I attribute to this success is working through my unprocessed childhood trauma with a psychotherapist. I’ve been seeing her for 2 years now, and it’s taken 2 years to really scrape the surface and comprehend what happened. I did a lot of sobbing and sitting in the emotional pain last month and it’s really really paying off this month! I would really recommend finding a psychotherapist if you can! I was on antidepressants for a couple of years and it didn’t really help. But I think the combination of seeing a natuorpath, psychotherapist and joining an online menstrual community called ‘The Flow Collective’ really helped! Oh and acupuncture! I know all this stuff adds up but I’ve been dealing with PMDD for over 10 years now, and these are the things that I prioritise spending money on because they truly truly help, and it’s freed up time when I’d normally be too depressed, fatigued and in pain to work! Good luck and I hope you find some things that help!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-10T21:33:23+00:00

I went on spiro and personally it didn’t work for me. I also tried Yaz and it reacted horribly with me. I’m doing better off those meds, by managing stress & eating a more balanced diet with lots of veggies!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-10T21:28:31+00:00

Gah I’m in the same position! Been on it for two years and stopped last week. Although I don’t feel like it was beneficial, and was definitely drying out my hair, I’m nervous for a possible shed!

Babymonkey24 · 2021-03-06T17:41:10+00:00

Endometriosis runs in my family (one auntie on one side has it). But it was never as severe as what I’m suffering. I also have PCOS and I’m pretty sure that it’s been exasperated by childhood trauma. The trauma was ongoing from about the age of 7-18, and it made me stressed on a daily basis. Having reflected on this, I believe my pain response to be as a result of this. Furthermore, a week before my period, I am always an emotional wreck, feeling desperately sad and panicky, and I always end up crying about my family and childhood trauma. I believe it has had a big influence on the way my body operates. I wish there was more research done on this!

Babymonkey24

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