I Took a Heartburn Medication to Help With My PMDD Symptoms

I have struggled with my cycle my entire life. It started when I was 13 and was painful from the very beginning. By 15, I was on birth control. Over the next seven years, I switched birth controls at least 10 times before finally settling on a continuous pack with no placebo pills—which meant no period for eight years.

My journey to conceive was a long one (you can read about it [here]). A reproductive endocrinologist discovered I have Hashimoto’s and prescribed Levothyroxine, which really helped many of my period symptoms. I’ve been on Levo for three years now, and while painful cramps and heavy bleeding have improved, I still have massive mood swings that I’ve struggled with for years.

I’m chronically online and don’t know how to keep things to myself, so I often share on Instagram how I am an absolute wreck the week before my period. I’ve come to really hate my luteal phase. My mood swings are intense, and I carry what I describe to my husband as a ball of rage in my chest for an entire week. I can’t stand to look at myself in the mirror, I pick fights with strangers on the internet, I pick fights with my husband, my appetite is all over the place, I’m bloated, and I usually have IBS symptoms. I feel like my temper is on a hairline trigger, and anything can set me off.

My friend Sarah from Swallowtail Sleep shared an article from the EDS Clinic with me. It explained how histamine levels can disrupt hormones, potentially increasing or perpetuating PMDD symptoms. I already know I have histamine issues and have been showing symptoms of MCAS, so I figured there was no harm in trying an H2 blocker (Pepcid) for a week, even though I was skeptical. Full transparency—I did not talk to my NaPro doctor about taking this. I just needed relief, and based on everything in the article, I felt comfortable trying it on my own.

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional. This is my personal experience with an over-the-counter medication. Always talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any medications or supplements.

Here’s What I Learned:

CD19

Day 1 (11:45 AM) – Felt combative and ready to fight (standard luteal phase for me). About 30 minutes after taking Pepcid, all those feelings went away.

CD20

Day 2 (9:00 AM) – At 4 AM, after my husband accidentally woke me up, I felt like I wanted to divorce him. By morning, I had a short temper and even thought about texting him to say we’d never work out and should start sleeping in separate rooms. Thirty minutes after Pepcid? Totally fine and no longer wanted a divorce.

CD21

Day 3 (8:00 AM) – Much more balanced. I wasn’t snippy, short-tempered, and actually had an appetite.

CD22

Day 4 (7:00 AM) – My toddler spent 12 hours in the ED overnight. I didn’t eat, sleep, or drink nearly enough but still felt balanced. Took Pepcid when I got home around 7 AM and felt great all day.

CD23

Day 5 (post-Levothyroxine) – Managed emotions well, even with a very sick toddler. Actually had libido and felt attracted to my husband. Initiated intimacy and—rare for luteal phase me—it didn’t give me the ick.

CD24

Day 6 (first thing AM, 30 min post-Levothyroxine) – Balanced mood, appetite intact, and I actually had executive function! I could start and finish tasks without interrupting myself, wanted to eat, and didn’t feel lethargic or grossed out by food. No tummy troubles, which normally hit a few days before my cycle.

CD25

Day 7 (first thing AM, 30 min post-Levothyroxine) – Toddler still sick and not sleeping great. Felt cycle symptoms starting (bloating, heaviness). Was a little short-tempered but likely due to lack of sleep. Executive function slipped slightly but still manageable.

CD26

Day 8 (first thing AM, 30 min post-Levothyroxine) – Short on food and sleep again (long appointment, toddler still struggling with sleep). Executive function was okay but I had trouble completing tasks. Headache (likely weather-related). Overstimulated at bedtime and felt myself getting frustrated but calmed down. Insomnia—my usual sign that my cycle is starting.

CD1

Day 9 – Cycle started very early in the morning.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I responded really well. I had fewer mood swings, a more normal appetite, and the ability to stay level even while my toddler was in the ER multiple times. It seems like the H2 histamine blocker in Pepcid worked for me, which further confirms I have some sort of histamine issue.

So, mom to mom, I’d say chat with your doctor and see if adding an H2 blocker the week before your cycle works for you.

We’re already dealing with enough—we don’t need any more reasons to be called “crazy”!