Is it just me? (Blest)

Or does anyone else find that they are absolutely STARVING during PMS?

I kid you not, for the past several months my PMS symptoms have been virtually indistinguishable from early pregnancy symptoms… Total Exhaustion. Ravening Hunger. Extreme Irritability. And sometimes even nausea. In case you wouldn’t guess, it’s rather annoying.

And no. I’m not pregnant.

Anyway - anyone else noticing the hunger thing?

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10 Comments »

YES!!! I guess when I was eating all the time, I didn’t notice.

Comment by Missy — June 6, 2007 @ 3:26 am

Yah…I’m with Missy. I really did allow myself to eat whatever whenever when I was PMSing. Now that I can’t…I not only go to bed hungry, I finish lunch hungry, I finish my snack hungry, I finish my dinner unsatisfied….

Comment by Tami — June 6, 2007 @ 4:32 am

Not to burst anyone’s bubble (or plan), but what if you added an extra 1-200 calories a day back into your diet during PMS and along with an extra 20 min/day of exercise (like a walk around the block with the kiddies after lunch)? The exercise always helps my PMS symptoms, and the extra calories might help the grumpiness… just a thought.

And yes, Blest, I was more irritable during my last PMS than I remember being in a while…

Comment by Anne — June 6, 2007 @ 5:48 am

I actually tried that somewhat yesterday Anne. I got so sick of being hungry - and I thought maybe I either a)needed the food or b) could handle the extra calories with my turbo-charged metabolism. You should’ve heard me last night talking to myself- out loud- Now look! You’ve done nothing wrong. Yes you had some extra calories but it was almost ALL fruits and veggies. And even if you did go over your BMR amount, which I don’t think you did, you’re not going to gain from one day of some extra fruits and veggies… I met my hubby at the door with “Hi my name is ____ and I refuse to feel guilty.”

I live to make him look at me like I’m nuts.

Comment by blestwithsons — June 6, 2007 @ 6:00 am

Have you thought about progesterone? I was having horrible PMS symptoms, even gaining up to 5lbs the week before and I talked with my Dr. and she put me on progesterone 10 days before I start. It is amazing the difference! Not only do I not crave everything in sight, but the sweeets and saltys don’t even SOUND good!

Comment by Kasi — June 6, 2007 @ 6:01 am

How many ways are there to say YES!? I have always noticed it: there is no such thing as full during that time. That mechanism ceases to function.

I haven’t noticed it as much these last few months, nor the emotional imbalance either, but I know it is still there, watching, waiting for me to relax my vigilance.

P.S. I chew a LOT of gum during that time. It seems to help on many levels.

Comment by lady laura — June 6, 2007 @ 6:02 am

Not starving, but sometimes I have overwhelming cravings for chocolate. I used to give in and eat vast quantities. These days, a little of the really good stuff does the trick. Or just coffee, which satisfies the caffeine craving, if not the rest of it.

Comment by Bekki — June 6, 2007 @ 6:09 am

Not starving for me either, but insatiable cravings. Since we are losing a more iron during that week, I’m wondering about extra vitamins?

And I’ve noticed that with a little extra exercise comes a lot more hunger, but usually more of the good stuff rather than the bad stuff. What about lighter exercise, not pushing all-out hard, and extra protein and veggies with iron during that week?

Comment by Anita — June 6, 2007 @ 6:48 am

OK I’m weird…I have less hunger at that time. Not a lot less, but still…and I feel so bloated that it makes me *feel* “full.” So less eating AND weight gain. Totally unfair!!

Comment by Brandi — June 6, 2007 @ 7:51 am

Yep, me, too! I’ve heard two theories, and I don’t know if either is true, but…

1) Our bodies actually burn more calories during this time with everything they’re doing.
2) You are low on iron so your body is prompting you to eat.

I’ve had PMS so little in the last 5.5 years of having kids/nursing that I really haven’t put the theories to the test, but maybe I’ll add in extra iron next time and see if it makes a difference!

Comment by Christy — June 6, 2007 @ 11:03 am