PMDD-Getting to the end of my rope

[Chesnut13]

Hi everyone, Im new to the forums so Ill do a brief introduction.

Im 24 and live in Seattle. My life here so far has been up and down. Really up and down, but mostly up. I moved here from Los Angeles 3 years ago and am really loving the city. I have made great friends that I never want to let go of and study Physics full time, play in a band that is going on tour at the end of the month and do various activities (cycling being my favorite as of late).

Ive been struggling with what I absolutley know as PMDD for a long time. As far as I can remember, I become completely what feels like "insane" and "psychotic" when I am about a week and a half to two weeks before I menstrate, with all the effects slowly going away as soon as I bleed. Every month is a struggle, because a day or two after mentrating I feel great and happy for about two weeks, and then its like it happens overnight, the next morning Im depressed, irritable, cranky, sad, angry and overwhelmed for almost two weeks till it happens again.

This month I was doing really well. I went about two and a half weeks without feeling anything low, and then come this morning and yesterday it hit. It doesnt go away, and even if something great happens, I somehow find something wrong with it. I basically feel like my true self is dulled down and disinegrates. A part of me is being sensible, telling myself to relax and not to take things personal, but its like my frontal lobe doesnt want to listen to reason, and I cant handle it.

Every relationship Ive ever had has had a negative outcome because of my PMDD. I become completely irrational, jelous, negative, clingy, emotionally volatile and moody, and there have been many times in my past that i have become violent (although not anymore for a long long time). I am currently in one of the best relationships of my life right now, and I dont want to screw it up. Ive had long talks with my boyfriend about what goes on with me during the month, and whats incredible is that before i even talked to him about it he told me he noticed I would get this way the time before my period, but more extreme than any girl he knows. I know its extreme and I hate it. It is really REALLY hard to control, and I really try my best, but I fail at controlling my emotions every time because of it. Thankfully, we just dont talk as much on the weeks Im feeling that way or see each other as much because we both know silly fights will happen over nothing. That is really the most responsibilty I can take when Im like this. Leave people alone, and have them leave me alone until it passes.

Another thing that happens is for some reason (i know this is super weird), I get OCD "relapses". I used to have OCD for a year when I first moved to Seattle, and I know this was because of a lot of anxiety I had and my life honestly at that point was a little low. The OCD went away permanently when I started taking the supplement 5HTP which REALLY helped my PMDD and OCD. The OCD went away, but now has been making weird appearances when Im two weeks into my cycle and its closely tied in with when Im feeling all the things I mentioned above.
I crave really horrible foods when im like this. Sugar, starch, heavy and rich high fat foods, oils,...just junk, basically. Although Im vegetarian, you can still eat a lot of cake and veggie burgers. That still adds on pounds.


I went to a gyno. two months ago, andn told her how i was feeling and told her I knew it was pMDD, she gave me a hormone test to see if anything was out of the ordinary, but when we got the results back they were normal. She dismissed what I thought of as PMDD and said that my ovaries were over-producing eggs which leads to high spikes of hormones. What is going on here? What can I do to stop feeling this way when Im getting my period? I seriously cannot handle it anymore and dont know what to do. It interferes with everything in my life! I dont want to go to school, I dont want to go out, I dont want to talk to anyone. I am a generally fun and happy person, but when I get liek this it controls and ruins my friendships and relationships. Anyone have this problem? Any advice? Help!

[jss2000]

Hi Chesnut,
I'm surprised that your ObGyn diagnosed your problem but didn't suggest how to manage it. Also, you said you were taking 5HTP, but that you are not currently?
5HTP helps boost levels of serotonin, a hormone tied to mood regulation in the brain. It is also related to obsessive-compulsive symptoms, in that people who take serotonin-promoting drugs tend to experience some relief, especially if the OCD symptoms are severely time-consuming and/or distressing.
Consider talking with your doctor, a psychiatrist, or another specialist about treatment options. The most commonly used anti-depressant drugs are Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. They work by blocking the neuronal reuptake of serotonin, meaning that the serotonin in your brain remains available for a longer time. People respond differently to SRI's, and it sounds like you've had good results with similar drugs. Bottom line is, start a conversation with a competent physician about treatment options. It sounds like diet and exercise are not entirely doing the job for you. Best wishes!

[Chesnut13]

jss2000-

thanks a lot for you reply!
The OCD coming in when Im close to getting my period is super weird. It is very distressing but I have more control on that than my anger and anxiety and crazy mood swings. Its not a fun roller coaster Ill tell you.

I was taking 5HTP for a year, and it was starting not to work recently, at all...so I decided since December I was going to give my body a break from it for a bit and see what happens. Big mistake. Everything is so much worse! But even when I started taking it this month the grand effects it had the first year arent the same. Would you highly recommend me trying to get on interval SSRIs? Ive hear that for treatment of PMDD that I dont have to take them everyday, just prior to my mentrual cycle.

I also have taken birthcontrol in the past (not for PMDD but for birth control) and birth control made it A MILLION times WORSE...I cant even stress how against I am to taking hormones for myself. I seriously am surprised i didnt have a hormonal problem when we took the blood test! I also have really unattractive facial hair that drives me nuts and costs a fortune to wax all the time! My body is just so weird! lol

[jss2000]

No problem--Sounds like you have an overwhelming personality makeover each month! I don't know enough about hormonal impacts on mood to say what's going on for sure--so definitely find a good doc, psychiatrist, or ObGyn to sort things out and see if SSRI's might be a good option for you. It's too bad the lab tests didn't give you any new information to work with. Also that the pill made things worse! From the little reading I've done, birth control usually helps with pMDD by stabilizing hormone levels.

The facial hair problem--that's interesting, makes you wonder if that could also be related to out of whack hormones??
At any rate, have you ever looked into getting an epillator? I've never used one myself, but I've heard they don't hurt any more than waxing if you do it right (although it might not work in the space above your upper lip unless you can get one with a narrow tip). Like waxing, epillators also work by pulling the hair out at the root, so it doesn't grow back for a few weeks and actually thins out the hair growth over time. And they save money! Good ones run about $60.

[Ladii]

I can relate with this issue. I don't have any recommendations but thought if I shared my experience, you can see a connection between us.. if it'll help.

I'm the exact same way. I'm generally a calm, collective type person. I'm a behavioural interventionist so I have all sorts of tricks up my sleeves when dealing with different behaviours. However, when I'm "PMSing" I'm a different person - it's like a have a split personality. I wondered if I had Bipolar even because I go from one extreme to the other. The reason why I think it's PMDD is because during my pregnancy, I didn't have any symptom of PMDD. In fact, I was one of those really happy-type people. I felt balanced for the first time in my life, despite the hardships I was going through with my (now) ex. Also, when I went on the pill, it made me worse too. I thought it was suppose to balance me out but it surely didn't do that at all.

You mentioned OCD. Interesting because I had a co-worker ask comment on how I like to "rearrange" furniture when I'm PMSing. lol I've never been diagnosed with OCD but I've had people tease me about it. For me though, my anxiety and depression hits me hard. I've never been diagnosed with that either but I find it really difficult maintaining conversations with people because of the anxiety/depression. My lack of focus makes it difficult too and my (suspected) ADD symptoms are at its peak. Then, I'll get my period and within that day after my first bleed, I'm calm. It's almost a "relief" state of feeling. My worst day of this cycle is the day before. That's when I fall apart.. in extreme.. and the guilt attached to it is so overwhelming.

I can relate, is all. I'm looking for advice as well.
Nice to meet you. Hopefully we can find a solution together.

[hatmaker]

Hi - I wanted to share what I've learned and experienced as well. You said "insane & psychotic" - wow! Exactly my words, too. I have had no luck trying to "control" my emotions, much less my actions. From what I've read, when diagnosing PMDD they look at the same symptoms for at least 2 consecutive months. When I started to sense a pattern, I just made small notes in my calendar. When I checked it...Bingo - every 28 days like clock work. All of my hormone tests also came back normal. I don't think PMDD is actually a problem in the hormone levels themselves. From my research, there's no known cause. One theory is we have an "abnormal reaction" to normal, fluctuating hormones. PMDD is considered a mood disorder. And with the OCD, you might do best with a psychiatrist. I was only recently diagnosed, but now I wonder about some odd behavior in my 20's-30's and if it was PMDD back then.
I can't offer anything new about OCD, having a history of depression is a risk factor, maybe it's the same for anxiety disorders?
I started Savella 3 months ago, an SSNRI (I also have fibromyalgia). I have three great, symptom-free months until this week.
I wish you the best. Keep us posted?
Melissa (I'm new here, too.)

[Ladii]

I wonder if our PMDD/PMS is a result of a vit/mineral deficiency. I've discovered I'm deficient in zinc and B6. Sometimes I also have "post-menstral symptoms" (for lack of a better term) and when I looked that up, I read something about copper imbalances. Read on:

"Some women do not have symptoms before the period, or they are mild. However, when they get their period, for at least a day or two they are depressed, exhausted, anxious or have other symptoms at this time.

This, too, can be explained in terms of copper and adrenal imbalances. As stated above, when the period comes, estrogen, progesterone and copper levels all decline to their lowest levels. This is hard on some women who depend on these hormones for their mood or bodily functions.

These women often have severe adrenal imbalances or emotional imbalances that are worse when copper declines. Often they do not want to face a situation. Copper actually protects them from it by causing a degree of detachment or “spaciness”.

This is one symptom of high copper, which some people depend on for their very emotional existence. They are often sensitive individuals as well. This combination is often the cause of this syndrome. It may be termed post-menstrual syndrome.

The solution to this in the short term is to greatly increase the amount of B-complex vitamins, adrenal and thyroid glandular supplements when the symptoms occur. Usually, after a few days they subside and one can return to one’s normal nutritional supplement regimen.

As with PMS, post-menstrual symptoms will resolve and go away in time if one follows a nutritional balancing program designed to balance and strengthen the body chemistry and remove all the toxic metals and toxic chemicals from the body. Nutritional balancing is one of the few methods I am aware of that can offer this great benefit."

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME AND THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

[autimom4ever]

I have been suffering from PMDD for years. So many years that I now calender my periods so I know when my "good" days will be and when my bad week will be.

I have tried many different SSRI's. The one that has helped the most is Cymbalta. That along with Midol (yes.. midol) actually dramatically decreases the anger, moodiness, crying at the drop of a hat, etc...

What I feel when I'm at my worst (right before my period starts) is like a vice is squeezing me tight and I can't get loose. I feel like my head is full of water and is squeezing my brain. I really think the diuretic in the Midol really helps.

I have noticed that if I go a month without taking midol during the bad week, I really fall apart.. To the point of wanting to take off and run away from my family, almost losing my job numerous times, etc...

I hate that I have to go through this every single month... Some months I actually consider having my ovaries removed...lol... It's THAT bad

[keragan77]

A few months ago I doubled up on my birth control. A month after that I, with consultation from my doctor, (not my obgyn) I got off of Budripon (Wellbutrion). In June I had a one day period. In July, I started having anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings. I was once diagnosed with PMDD, so I went to the doctor to discuss this with her.

She said it was because I got off the Wellbutrion. But from previous issues with my cycle and the label of PMDD, I have kept a log of my cycle. I tried to tell her and she tells me take the Wellbutrion and come back in a month.

I had a horrible, HORRIBLE month. The day before my period, I was normal, feeling great. Saturday, I was angry, foot swelling, felt out of it at times. My flow is still off, however.

I went back to my doctor yesterday. She sadi oh, so it is hormone related. I asked about PMDD, she said it was possible. She said that I need blood work to test my hormones and thyroid. She thinks I have low or almost no progestogen. She upped my dose of Wellbutrion, which I do not like taking. She said if the levels are off, then she will take me off my yaz and put me on progestogen.

I'm starting to think I need to go see my Obgyn. Although, this is a new obgyn, that I have seen twice. I wonder if it is PMDD. Reading through soime of your problems and issues really make me feel like I am not alone. And I thank you guys for posting.

[Miya]

Hi Chesnut,

It really sounds like you need to speak to someone in addition to your gyno. A psychologist could give you more information. In Psychiatry they use the DSM IV (tr) diagnostic manual and it classifies PMDD symtoms as follows

DSM-IV symptoms are as follows:

* Depressive symptoms
o Markedly depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, self-depreciation
o Suddenly feeling sad or tearful, with increased sensitivity to personal rejection
o Decreased interest in usual activities
o Lethargy, fatigue, marked lack of energy
o Accompanying depressive symptoms there is always the danger for suicidal ideation and behavior.
o Marked changes in appetite and cravings for certain foods
o Insomnia or hypersomnia
* Anxiety symptoms
o Marked anxiety, tension, feeling of being keyed-up or on-edge
o Persistent or marked irritability, anger, increased interpersonal conflicts
o Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
* Cognitive symptoms - Subjective sense of having difficulty concentrating
* Physical symptoms - Breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, joint or muscular pain, weight gain, bloated feeling

Physical

The physical examination findings are usually unremarkable. Mild swelling of the ankles, feet, and fingers may occur secondary to fluid retention. Breast tenderness may be present.

Some of the things you mention could fall under this and some not.

Just a thought and best.