Thread: Managing PMDD with OTC-anything...? Help!

Hi All,

(Sorry for the length but I feel the need to properly get into my purpose for posting on the board so I can received informed responses. I'll just bold the main points so people who are reading quickly can cut to the chase.)

I signed up for this board because I recently began reading about PMDD, and through reading just about every possible source on the web with descriptions, strongly believe I have the condition. I believe I have been suffering of PMDD since age 14, my very first cycle... that's about 10 years now.

About 2 weeks (sometimes even 3 weeks) of each month I feel just rotten - flu-like symptoms, migraines (some lasting over 20 days), severe cramping, depression/lethargy, feelings of being "mentally out of control"/anxiety, tingling arms, swollen nodes, stomach issues/vomiting, periods of time where I only sleep for an 90 minutes a night ranging to having to sleep 15 to 18 hours to feel "rested," heart palpitations, being confused/forgetful/feeling like I'm becoming senile to the point where even driving becomes dangerous, absurd mood swings where I've gotten into physical altercations with people (assault & battery) to the point where I'm reduced to a blubbering mess and feel completely helpless and pathetic, feeling that suicide is the only way out, the list EVEN goes on if I felt like being more comprehensive.... it doesn't paint a pretty picture as you can see.

I've mentioned all this to doctors since age 14 even with my mother advocating on my side since this was interfering with my studies at the time... and they just told me that it was "normal" or began scribbling furiously in my chart without telling me what is going on with my body. Either that or I'd be given diagnoses all over the board... anywhere from post traumatic stress disorder (after a sexual assault/mugging) to a possible brain hemorrhage, so you can see how frustrated I am becoming with the entire process.

The only time I've been able to explain the way I feel is by stringing together nearly ALL of the symptoms of PMDD, and it seems like my life in a nutshell.

Of course all of this has been extremely destructive to my life and the lives of all around me. Everyone just views me as a loose cannon, cold-hearted, etc. I began performing terribly in high school and worse in college. I've had difficulties at jobs getting along with co-workers and lost many jobs or just quit because my mood swings were interfering with my ability to work. Nearly ALL of my relationships with people have blown up in my face or failed in a miserable way... except one: more recently I was married and I'm TERRIFIED that my husband will leave me one day because of this condition, just like everyone else has...

I'm furthermore convinced that it may be PMDD based on my mother's behavior and descriptions of my grandmother's behavior when she was raising my mother.

I know there are ladies on here also suffering with PMDD and I was wondering if there were any remedies that have seemed especially helpful that were easy to acquire over-the-counter (supplements etc.) I am on oral contraceptives and tried everything from counseling to light therapy and nothing has worked. It even feels as though its getting worse with age. I am 24 now.

Please please please help... I'm not expecting a "cure-all" supplement or medication, just something that may even improve my symptoms a little bit will mean the world to me. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Prior to yesterday I felt that I was really alone with my health issues. Even just finding out that there are other women with similar issues has helped in its own small way.

Again, there's no real way I can get to the doctor for quite some time due to financial issues. This is even more frustrating having found a possible answer to my problems and not being able to validate with a medical professional and get help.

I'm nineteen and have had PMDD for the past few years. As I've gotten older my symptoms have turned into depression (the worst part), lack of interest, feeling overwhelmed, having to sleep several more hours a day than normally necessary, irritability, as well as others. I've been put on Prozac which does help...if you take it at the right time. My period isn't very regular (it comes around the same time but gradually shifts throughout the year) and when you are supposed to start taking the Prozac one day before your period it doesn't really work out. I usually end up not realizing the signs that it's coming, not taking my pill, and having to deal with the worst part of my period before it even kicks in. Just not a very good symptom. I know this probably doesn't help much, but just know that you aren't alone. We are here, feeling just like you. At least it's getting more recognition than in past years. I'm sorry I couldn't help more.