Pepcid AC For PMDD: A few months ago, I went to watch It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and I came home crying my eyes out. In those moments, I found myself recalling every bad thing anyone had ever done to me. Days later, when my period arrived, I realized it had been an outburst triggered by hormonal changes in my body—a part of what is known as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Now, while looking for a remedy to mitigate PMS, I came across an unexpected solution—Pepcid AC, a common heartburn medication. It is not only going viral on TikTok, but its supporters argue that this over-the-counter drug may ease symptoms associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of PMS.

PMDD affects up to 8% of women and includes extreme mental health symptoms, such as persistent anger and sadness, alongside physical issues like bloating and headaches. Despite its popularity online, Pepcid AC is not approved for managing premenstrual symptoms, leaving experts sceptical about the trend.

What's It All About Pepcid AC for PMDD ?

Estrogen levels, which rise before menstruation, may also increase histamine levels. TikTokers have seized on this idea, claiming that histamine-blocking medications like Pepcid AC can alleviate PMDD symptoms. Some individuals with PMDD report trying antihistamines like Benadryl or Claritin for similar reasons.

Pepcid AC works by suppressing histamine receptors in the stomach lining, reducing stomach acid production. However, experts point out that there is no evidence to support histamine’s role in PMDD or that Pepcid AC is effective for treating it.

What Do Experts Say About PMDD Relief?

Medical experts remain unconvinced by the claims circulating online. While famotidine, the active ingredient in Pepcid AC, is effective for reducing stomach acid and treating heartburn, there is no research to show its effectiveness in managing PMDD symptoms. Many have emphasized the lack of scientific evidence connecting histamine to PMDD symptoms. They also noted that there is no allergy literature linking histamine or mast cells to the condition.

Although experts caution against relying on unproven treatments, they agree that Pepcid AC is generally safe. If it eases symptoms, taking it for a week each month is unlikely to cause harm. However, the medication does have side effects, including headaches, dizziness, and constipation. Consultation with a doctor is advised before trying Pepcid AC for PMDD.

Proven Treatments For PMDD Relief

Other options include:

- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin

- Prescription birth control pills containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol

- Acupuncture, which has shown some promise in alleviating symptoms.

For three long years—1,200 relentless days—Tina, a passionate photographer, spent every waking moment with a headache. A dull discomfort turned into a nagging, full-blown, full-head pain that dominated her daily existence.

“I’ve had a headache for approximately 1,200 days straight. Every second, every day. It feels like a balloon pressing on my entire head,” Tina revealed in a conversation during her first visit to Dr. Rahim Saleehmohamed, a chiropractor and spine wellness expert known for treating chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

In spite of the relentless pain, Tina kept working. Since she was a professional photographer, she habitually carried heavy camera equipment, consistently subjecting her neck, shoulders, and spine to tension. "It's like adrenaline that drives me. But it's pain. It's exhaustion. It's part of my life," she confessed.

Dr. Rahim's clinical strategy is to make a thorough structural analysis—beyond the presenting signs to determine the anatomical and biomechanical origins of chronic problems.

After having a look at Tina's spine and posture, Dr. Rahim found an array of imbalances. In particular, a past tailbone (coccyx) injury had deranged her pelvis, which, over time, created a chain reaction of compensatory shifts throughout her spine—from her sacrum and mid-back to her top cervical spine, shoulders, and jaw.

Her left hip was misaligned, which created a functional leg length discrepancy. Not only did this change the manner in which she walked, but it also made her body compensate by side-to-side movements—"a zigzag of pain," as Dr. Rahim put it.

"Every one of the muscles is always firing just to keep her upright," he said. "All that constant firing causes fatigue and, ultimately, chronic pain. The stress from the pelvis propagates upward, affecting everything from the sacrum on up through the jaw."

Chain Reaction in the Spine

X-ray examination confirmed several misalignments:

• Tilted Pelvis: Resulting from the tailbone injury and rotation of the pelvis
• Thoracic Kinks: Particularly near T6, related to mid-back pain and even stomach discomfort
• Cervical Displacement: The highest cervical vertebra (C1) was displaced, impacting her neck and head alignment
• TMJ Dysfunction: Jaw strain from bad head posture
• Frozen SI Joints: Her sacroiliac joints did not have sufficient mobility, which hindered effortless hip and lower spine movement

Even her gait while walking exhibited these problems. Tina exhibited signs of pronation of the left foot—a compensatory mechanism to elevate her malaligned hip. "There's not much movement through her SI joints when she walks. It's just. stuck," Dr. Rahim observed during her examination.

Dr. Rahim's treatment was precise and individualized. In the first session, he used a series of specific chiropractic adjustments:

• Coccyx and Sacrum (S5): Correcting foundational pelvic alignment
• T6 Adjustment: Severe kink in the thoracic spine generally linked with stress and digestive system
• C1 Adjustment: Straightening the upper cervical spine to eliminate tension from the neck upward
• TMJ and Ear Adjustments: Relieving tension on the jaw and pressure around the cranial area
• Shoulder Balancing: To offset the unbalanced muscle tension

Every adjustment was to minimize nerve interference, redistribute weight more evenly, and enable her spine to stabilize.

Though chiropractic treatment may take a course of sessions, Tina noticed a subtle change immediately after her first adjustment. "Something feels different," she ventured, hesitantly hopeful.

Dr. Rahim noted increased spinal mobility and a more defined base of the neck—showing her nervous system was already reacting to the alignment.

By clearing the “blockages” in her body’s structure, the goal wasn’t just pain relief—it was to help her body heal from the inside out. “The foundation was behind her. Now, we’re working to bring her back into balance,” Dr. Rahim explained.

What Tina’s Case Reveals About Modern Pain?

Tina's case is not unique. As sedentary lives, screen-oriented jobs, and physically stressful jobs such as photography become more prevalent, more and more people are experiencing unexplained chronic pain. Pain is commonly addressed symptomatically—with medication or temporary relief techniques—without probing the underlying mechanical misalignments.

Dr. Rahim's integrative chiropractic model shows that chronic problems can be caused by what seem like minor injuries that lead to long-term structural tension. "Pain is the body's alarm system. If we don't address the cause, it keeps ringing," he said.

If you have recurring headaches, neck pain, or back pain—particularly following injuries or decades of bad posture—have a complete spinal examination. It might uncover what blood tests and scans won't.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or a certified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment.

Many people believe that the modern-day skincare trends are a scam made by the big pharma companies who wish to make more and more money. The whole trend of ‘Anti-Aging’ and keeping yourself young stemmed from the innate need for women to stay ‘young’ if they wish to be desirable. But the recent rise in the trend has taken a different turn. While before people used to do it to seem prettier or fairer, now people look at it more as taking care of themselves rather than doing it for others. A new trend that has popped up recently in the skin care community is the blue light routine.

In today's digital age, we spend countless hours looking at screens, from phones and tablets to laptops. This constant screen time exposes us to blue light, which research suggests can have negative effects on our skin, including premature aging and dark spots. There are also indirect issues like restless sleep and more stress due to the devices that cause our skin to be dull. While ditching our devices isn't realistic, a growing number of skincare products claim to protect against blue light. But do these products actually work?

What is Blue Light Skincare?

You can find many skincare products that say they protect against blue light, like sprays, creams, gels, and sunscreens. Some promise to undo the damage blue light might cause, while others try to prevent it in the first place. Blue light sunscreens are special because they protect against both the sun's UV rays and blue light, which regular sunscreens don't do very well. Regular sunscreens, whether they use chemicals or minerals, don't block blue light as effectively. However, tinted sunscreens are different. Tinted sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher can protect your skin from blue light, as well as UVA and UVB rays from the sun. This is because of the coloring in the tint. Some newer sunscreens also have special ingredients that help protect against visible light, including blue light. While scientists are still learning about how blue light affects skin, many skin doctors think blue light sunscreen is a good idea.

What is Blue Light and Why Might It Be a Problem?

Blue light is a type of light that comes from screens, TVs, and even the sun. While we used to worry mostly about how it affects our eyes and sleep, now we're learning it might also affect our skin. Some studies show that too much blue light can damage skin cells and speed up aging, leading to wrinkles and uneven skin tone. It can also cause dark spots on the skin. This happens because blue light can cause something called "oxidative stress" in the skin, which is linked to aging. It can even make skin cells die. Blue light goes deeper into the skin than the sun's UV rays and can make skin cells produce more pigment, causing dark spots. It's important to know that not all blue light is bad. Doctors use it to treat acne and some skin cancers. The problem is the constant exposure from our devices.

As demand for weight loss medications like Ozempic skyrockets globally, health officials are sounding the alarm: a surge of counterfeit jabs—often sold through unregulated online vendors and even beauty salons—are endangering lives. These fake injections are deceptively difficult to identify and, in many cases, could trigger life-threatening complications, including hypoglycemic shock, seizures, and even coma.

While these medications have revolutionized weight loss management for individuals with obesity and Type 2 diabetes, the black-market boom has opened the floodgates to dangerous look-alikes. Here’s everything you need to know about identifying fake Ozempic jabs, understanding their health risks, and ensuring you're accessing safe, approved treatment.

Ozempic (semaglutide) and its counterparts, Wegovy and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), are GLP-1 receptor agonists originally designed to help manage blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patients. Their weight loss effects, however, made them blockbuster drugs—with users shedding up to 33 lbs in clinical trials.

Unsurprisingly, this popularity has given rise to a dangerous market of counterfeit versions. Criminal networks are capitalizing on demand by relabeling insulin pens, creating fake formulations in unsterile environments, and peddling them on platforms where regulation is minimal or absent.

Andy Morling of the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reports that fake jabs have been flooding the market since early 2023. Over 600 counterfeit Ozempic pens have been seized in the UK alone. “There’s no way of knowing what’s really inside them,” warns Morling. “They could be made with arsenic, cement, or even rat poison.”

How Dangerous Are Fake Ozempic Pens?

The short answer: extremely. The risks go far beyond inefficacy.

Some fake jabs contain:

Insulin – Can dangerously drop blood sugar, leading to seizures or coma.

Toxic substances – Seized products have been found to contain mercury, cement, and rat poison.

Bacteria – Due to non-sterile production environments, leading to infections.

Wrong or mixed medications – Including none of the intended drug at all.

Dr. Nick Kaye of the UK’s National Pharmacy Association has voiced concern about a potential explosion in black-market sales. “The supply of Ozempic is already tight. That, coupled with high demand, creates a perfect storm for counterfeiters.”

Telltale Signs Your Ozempic Is Fake

Identifying a counterfeit jab can be difficult without lab testing, but drug experts have noted some red flags:

Suspicious labeling: A genuine Ozempic pen comes with pre-printed, high-quality labeling—not stuck-on, crooked, or low-resolution stickers.

Dark or discolored pens: Most genuine pens are light in appearance and consistent in color.

Damaged packaging: Misspelled text, missing serial numbers, or unclear batch codes are warning signs.

Non-pen formats: Real Ozempic comes in pre-filled injector pens. If your product arrives in a syringe or vial from an online order, it’s almost certainly fake.

Sold on social media: Legitimate medications are never sold on Instagram, TikTok, or salon backrooms.

Still unsure? Check the batch number and barcode with the manufacturer or pharmacy.

Online vendors and salons may promise affordability and availability—but that’s where safety ends.

Unlike licensed pharmacies, these sources do not:

• Verify your BMI or medical history
• Provide guidance on correct dosage and administration
• Offer patient counseling or disclose side effects
• Follow FDA or international regulatory standards

Regulated services screen for medical appropriateness and ensure that the drugs have passed stringent safety tests. Using counterfeit jabs skips all of these safeguards.

If You Do not Qualify for the Treatment, How Can You Lose Weight?

If you don’t qualify for Ozempic or similar weight loss medications, it’s essential to explore safe alternatives rather than seeking out illicit versions. Healthy lifestyle changes remain foundational to weight management:

• Eat whole foods and reduce processed sugar
• Incorporate daily physical activity—150 minutes per week
• Avoid crash diets or over-the-counter supplements with unverified claims
• Speak with a doctor or dietitian for personalized support

For those with disordered eating patterns, reaching out to mental health professionals or organizations like Beat Eating Disorders can offer a healthier path.

When the Price Seems Too Good to Be True

It probably is. A major lure of counterfeit Ozempic is the price tag—black-market versions are often heavily discounted. But remember: this comes at the cost of your health, safety, and potentially, your life.

If you’re unsure about a product, consult your pharmacist or primary care provider. Always ensure that any medication you take has been prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider and obtained from a licensed source.

As the obesity epidemic collides with a global supply crunch, counterfeiters are betting on your desperation. Don’t fall for it. The allure of a quick fix should never outweigh the risks to your health.

Choose regulated, prescription-only weight loss treatments. Trust your pharmacist. Ask questions. And if something feels off, it probably is. Fake Ozempic isn’t just ineffective—it’s potentially lethal.