I can gain three pounds by the end of the day (morning weight vs. evening weight) without having TOM. The next morning I am back down. I wouldn't worry about 3 pounds.

Check the ingredients on the Midol for caffeine. It is advised that PMS sufferers avoid caffeine.

I prefer aspirin if I am having pain during my TOM. Some women say it causes a heavier flow, but I don't see how.

OOPS! this was supposed to be in reply to BonJoviFan's thread!

The Midol I use does not have caffeine... it says caffeine free right on the front of the package and its the formula for PMS... I couldn't make it thru a cycle without it.... I cramp and hurt terribly.... I have been on Atkins for 5 weeks tomorrow and so far the only difference for the better I have noticed is that I am mentally good this month... not grumpy... but all the physical signs are still still like cramps and water weight gain....I have went up 2 pounds and even though I know its just water weight it is still a big downer...plus my appetite some months really gets near impossible to control... like this month... the past 2 days is the first nuts I have eaten on this WOE ... I had peanuts and pecans and I think I had a little more than I should have.

Amy,

I'm going to put my nursing school to use here and tell you that aspirin inhibits platelet coagulation (stops your blood from clotting as much, that's why people who have had or are at risk for heart attacks usually take a low dose of Aspirin every day). Therefore, I guess the theory would go that taking Aspirin for TOM pain might cause you to bleed more.

However, if you haven't noticed anything- you are probably ok taking Aspirin, though I would recommend Ibuprofen (which doesn't have an antiplatelet effect).

BTW I have the same 3 pound morning/ evening weight loss thing

Cathy

I have been on atkins for a few months now, and I noticed last month that my pms was really almost non existant. I still had cramping a little when I started, but the mood swings were pretty much non existant.

Hello,

I am amidst my second TOM with Atkins. The first one I had when I first started and I had really bad cramps and it was really heavy, and did the hot shower thing, the heating pad and basically just curled up into a ball in bed. TOM that I am having now I don't feel a thing not even a mild cramp. I did notice I was a bit bitchy right before TOM but I feel fine. I almost always, pre Atkins, had cramps the first day or two of TOM - sometimes really, really bad. I am thrilled not to have ANYTHING this month. I can't wait to see what happens next month.

BTW, I absolutely love Bon Jovi too.

Good luck,
Tammy

My physical symptoms are much better but boy am I a BITCH during TOM. It is worse than before this WOE. I don't know why it is so exaggerated.
Hubby ducks during TOM now!

Hello,

I don't recall ever being really bitchy pre or during TOM until I started Atkins. I think however I know the reason. Whenever its was the approaching and during the TOM I would pig out on all kinds of junk food. Maybe the over carbing acted like a comfort food to feed the bitch demon. LOL. I do get a craving to pig out at that time. I don't, and maybe that's the bitch coming out.

Just a thought!
Tammy

Does anyone notice that there is a reverse correlation between PMS and cramping or is it just me? I have noticed that when it's TOM and I have no pre-warning of it, like major moodiness, my cramps are bad. When my PMS is bad, very grumpy, my cramps are almost non-existant. Anyone else?

I've only had one TOM since starting Atkins, usually I have severe cramps, but this last time hardly any at all and those few were mild. The bleeding was MUCH heavier than usual and lasted for several extra days, PMS was milder though.

I absolutely hate the fact that the appetite increases for me some months... I am having to deal with it now for the 4th day in a row