My daugher, 17, has severe PMDD (hospitalized twice for being suicidal and once for attemting). Tried many SSRIs for years and none worked, made her far worse in fact. she's too young to take SSRI's. Too risky at her age.

Sam-e, 1,000mg per day, has made a huge difference but she still dips a couple of days before she starts and feels better about 24 after she starts.

I just started doing research on PPMD because I am pretty certain I have it. It was very interesting to me to read the descriptions people have posted, especially about not being yourself. When I describe this to people(just a few) that is the description I use. That someone or something takes over during that time. Up to this point everyone, including my husband, who I have discussed this with think that I am using that as an excuse(for what I cannot seem to understand). Anyway, I am wanting to approach this medically at this point because it is becoming debilitating and I am concerned that it is going to have a seriously negative affect on my important relationships.

I appreciate the solutions that people have posted so far and hope that others will do the same, especially since there does not seem to be much help from the medical community. As I try things I hope to post them as well.

Just wanted to let yall know what I have learned so far about this terrible problem. My PMDD is worse EVERYOTHER MONTH and it is really bad. I did find out that if you have depression or anxiety then these problems will be worse during pms time. Now I have tried many AD'S but most of them cause too many side effects. I have an appt. next week to get the results of my estrogen and progesterone lab work we did. I will let yall know what happens. I will be discussing this with her.

hi
i just joined this forum. I am not sure how to explain how crazy I feel. I started to circle the days on my calendar again because once a month I don't feel like doing ANYTHING for anyone. I get so ****ed off and mean. the whole edgy, irritable thing identifies me. I do take primerose oil and vitamin B6, which helps, but seriously...is this the way its going to be until i hit menopause and then I'll just join another forum to talk to people about sweating.
My first marriage failed because I was so nasty once a month. My current boyfriend seems to understand. I jusy told him not to call me on certain days of the month. It works.
I have talked to my doctor but he thinks its just a phase.
i do like the quitting caffeine thing. I may try that. I don't drink, so I don't have to concern myself with that. But each month...I dread it.
help.

I don't think I have one of the most extreme pmdd strains, but I recently learned about it and I think it explains a lot. I am a college student, and for at least two years, the two weeks leading up to my period have been unbearable. I feel hopeless, sad, apathetic, and tear up for no reason. I feel guilty calling my own friends to go to meals with them, and I can't concentrate on my schoolwork. Sometimes I spend over an hour wandering around campus trying to find a place where I feel like studying, and today even though I was starving I debated whether or not I felt like walking the five minutes to the dining hall to eat. I don't have suicidal thoughts, but sometimes I wonder how other people would react if I were to accidentally die (such as in a car crash), which kind of scares me. I just started talking to a therapist once a week about it, but I'm not sure how well it's working, since she seems to want to find symbolic reasoning in my symptoms which just make the whole illness seem flat. I don't really know other steps that I should take if therapy doesn't work out. I don't want to take antidepressants, and I've heard mixed reviews about birth control (some have said it makes these symptoms worse). But I guess I'll see how the therapy sessions work out first.

I posted a while back. I am the one that talked about caffeine allergies. I must say I am a bit shocked that no one else posted saying they had the same thing. I just want to make sure that as many people as possible know about this. I still have had NO pmdd symtoms, not even once. There is so much on the internet about caffeine and all the side effects it can cause someone who has the allergy. If you consume tea, coffee, chocolate, energy drinks etc., this could really be effecting you. When I was suffering with pmdd, I would be so tired sometimes, depressed, scared, lonely, no happiness, panic attacks, and coffee and chocolate was so comforting to me plus it would give me energy, but what I didn't know is that the same thing that was comforting me was making me sicker and my pmdd worse. It is worth researching, and much healthier than pills. I know caffeine is nice, especially chocolate, but not being depressed is so much better. I know this doesn't apply to everyone but maybe this could be the case for some of yall too. I am so thankful to God for answering my prayers. My pmdd got so bad that I had to depend on God 100% because doctors, pills, myself, family, nothing helped. I give all the Glory to Him! I should have turned to Him first. Google : Caffeine allergies, and see what all comes up.
Susanne1234

Hi I am 36 and had my son last year. I have been one of the lucky ones and have never even had painful periods. Then after my son was born I just seemed to go nuts. Week before my period got so bad I was yelling at my boss, my husband, and even my 9 yr old daughter.I finally sought help from my md after my boss told me I was in danger of losing my job if I didn't get this under control. My husband has told me it might be a good idea if I just locked myself in the bedroom for 2 weeks.
Anyhow my md really listened and prescribed prozac. It works great!!! I am back to my old self again. I know a lot of people don't like the drugs but I can't survive without it normally.
Also I agree that the stigma is ridiculous. When people find out you take prozac they automatically think you are nuts. I've tried explaining but even my female friends don't seem to understand. I'm really glad to hear so many similar stories. Thanks for sharing. It really helps to know you are not the only one who suffers.

You just described me to a T.