Pmdd???

[down_under]

I have PMDD and have been fighting this battle for 12 years with doctors. I have been on so many different antidepressants. They do actually really work for me, but after about a year or so, I have to "up" my mg's and then eventually it doesn't work at all. That's when they switch me to another kind and I relive the cycle. It is a very debilitating disease. I've noticed that mine gets worse the older I am getting (42). It is literally affecting my job to where I don't know how much longer I am able to work. I get two weeks a month of this (extreme irritability, headaches, back pain, groin numbness, extreme cravings for food, sense of smell is heightened, extreme exhaustion in which I fall asleep at work and some days can't even get out of bed to make it to work. I will literally sleep one to two entire days!). The physical symtoms mask pregnancy for me (breast tenderness, lower back pain, breaking out, headaches, total exhaustion). I too wish the medical community would take this condition more seriously. They don't understand just how debilitating it is for the person who has to live with it month after month. I've tried everything from diet to exercise to natural remedies and nothing has worked except for the antidepressants for me. Although, I had never heard of 5-HTP until now. I will definitely give it a try. Anything is better than living this nightmare!!!!! Wish all of you well!

[Kate484]

I have PMDD. During the week or so before my period I become incredibly anxious, feel like everyone is staring at me, afraid to check the mail (feel like the neighbors are watching me) and I hate everything and everyone in my life. I hate working. It even effects my spiritual life as I even get angry at God and obsess over winning the lottery.

I break out on my normally clear face, gain and retain water weight, and snap at everyone, including my boss. I feel like I am this monster of a person and that I am just wasted space. I almost walked off my job today-when the PMDD happens. When I finally get my period, I am so happy, I have this happy, wonderful, amazing experience. I can feel the overflow of ridiculous hormones raging through my body. The first day of my period I am exhausted- so tired I feel like I've been hit by a bus. I am so exhausted I feel like just laying in bed and doing nothing, no work, nothing. The lethargy is overwhelming. My family hates that I lay in bed and call me lazy- but this is just my cycle at work, and when my period ends, I am back to myself again, until I start getting my PMDD symptoms. I can only imagine how being pregnant might be, since my period symptoms are so exagerated. I have decided not to have children since obviously there are some serious things wrong with me. I wish I didn't have to deal with people at all and could just work in a quiet office somewhere dealing with paperwork when I'm like this. Any ideas of jobs like that?

[pmddloon]

hi im new to this site and have pmdd. i just wanted to know does any1 else act feel like stacy slater from eastenders? (not the sleeping around bit but the utter crazyness she does and is?)

also has any1 wiv pmdd wiv server progesterone intolerance gone through pregnancy? what did u feel like?

[Joan]

hi im new to this site and have pmdd. i just wanted to know does any1 else act feel like stacy slater from eastenders? (not the sleeping around bit but the utter crazyness she does and is?)

also has any1 wiv pmdd wiv server progesterone intolerance gone through pregnancy? what did u feel like?

To your first query--yes, you can feel like that as PMDD is more about psychological symptoms and that too in somewhat chronic form.

For you second query, I won;t be able to answer as I do not have any personal experience regarding that...but you surely can overcome that by asking your gynecologist about such symptoms alleviating medications.

[OUGirl]

Hello everyone,
For the past year I have been very sick with migraines, severe headaches, muscle pains, back/neck pain, abdominal cramps, moody, bloating, constipation, nausea, vomiting, very fatigued and depressed. I've always had severe periods and I also stress myself out about every little thing. So I've been going to my doctor and have had ultrasounds, xrays and a hidascan. He's also done numerous blood test and overall exams. With the blood test he always has the lab do a ANA test and it always comes back "trending high" as my doctor puts it. He says he doesn't think its lupus and a number of things can cause a ANA test to trend high. He's mentioned PMDD and chronic fatigue but doesn't think its either. So I went to a lupus specialist and she did her own lab work and said everything came back normal. So that alone has me very confused. My doctor sent me to a GI specialist and he wants to do the scope to check my stomach and also do a colonoscopy. So that's scheduled for a month from now. It seems like my symptoms always get worse about two weeks before my period. It seems like three weeks out of the month I'm sick and the other week I don't feel that great. I've read some of the post and have read about symptoms of PMDD. I'm just trying to get some answers. I'm to the point I can't take it anymore. From what I've read it seems like PMDD symptoms don't last like the entire month. Does anyone have thoughts or suggestions? I would really appreciate it!

[pmddloon]

Hello everyone,
For the past year I have been very sick with migraines, severe headaches, muscle pains, back/neck pain, abdominal cramps, moody, bloating, constipation, nausea, vomiting, very fatigued and depressed. I've always had severe periods and I also stress myself out about every little thing. So I've been going to my doctor and have had ultrasounds, xrays and a hidascan. He's also done numerous blood test and overall exams. With the blood test he always has the lab do a ANA test and it always comes back "trending high" as my doctor puts it. He says he doesn't think its lupus and a number of things can cause a ANA test to trend high. He's mentioned PMDD and chronic fatigue but doesn't think its either. So I went to a lupus specialist and she did her own lab work and said everything came back normal. So that alone has me very confused. My doctor sent me to a GI specialist and he wants to do the scope to check my stomach and also do a colonoscopy. So that's scheduled for a month from now. It seems like my symptoms always get worse about two weeks before my period. It seems like three weeks out of the month I'm sick and the other week I don't feel that great. I've read some of the post and have read about symptoms of PMDD. I'm just trying to get some answers. I'm to the point I can't take it anymore. From what I've read it seems like PMDD symptoms don't last like the entire month. Does anyone have thoughts or suggestions? I would really appreciate it!

hi i have pmdd and only have 5 good days a month b4 the starts again. if u dont even get that u could have pme? if u google pmdd book it explains pme and pmdd.

[redhdlois]

Good to know....I just started taking 5-HTP....what dosage are you taking? I'm starting off with 50mg. I'm also taking some Kali Phos and Nervoheel. My GP wants me to go on Zoloft, but I am verrrrry reluctant. I have panic/anxiety triggered by my lovely menopause.

[bbinnc]

My mother was diagnosed with PMDD a year or two ago and was taking medication for it until recently. She has stopped taking the medication because she doesn't think that she has a problem. Those close to her though think quite the opposite...she is absolutely UNBEARABLE the week before her period and a few days into it each month. Her and I have never had a great relationship (I really think the severe anger from the PMDD has always been the reason) and I'm afraid if she continues on like this her relationships with everyone close to her will suffer or end. I guess my question is....does or did anyone have any sort of denial of the disorder when they were diagnosed with it? Do you realize that the anger is caused by the disorder, or do you blame others for the strained relationships and arguments? ANY advice would help!!!!! Thanks!

[goldiecl]

hi everyone - I'm new here too. I used to have more traditional symptoms, but lately, my pmdd seems to be entirely about mood swings, sad/crazy thoughts, ruminating on past events, and even suicidal at times.

My beliefs don't support medication but I was wondering what natural remedies really work for everyone here.

I've heard calcium/D are good, omega 3, and the B vitamins...but also, St. John's Wort...has anyone had overwhelming success taking these?

thanks!

[pip-pop]

Hi, I think I am suffering from symptoms of PMDD but have not as yet been to see a doctor specifically about the condition. My menstrual cycle started aged 11 and was not a problem, however after having an appendectomy six months later that soon changed. I was bedbound by extreme cramps and faintness and suffered (apparently) severe moodswings, although I did not fully understand this at the time. I was put on low level contraceptive pill to 'jump start' my system, as it was put. Later I came off and noticed some improvement. However I am now 18 and have been on the pill again on and off due to severe cramps and moodswings. I have read articles on pmdd and have noticed some likenesses, for example
i notice a definite change in my mood after i ovulate, about 2 weeks before my period. i just feel very low, lethargic and really not myself. from then on i get cranky, snap at people and an completely unable to tolerate other people's behaviour or actions. It gets progressively worse, and as the time gets close I feel very angry towards my boyfriend and friends, and usually my relationship is weaker in the 2 weeks leading up to my period. i am very restrained as a person so do not generally have outbursts at work, but sometimes I will come home and cry or feel very low. I understand that these symptoms seem mild in comparison to some others described, but this is is apparently already being 'controlled' by the pill. I saw my (male) doctor who recommended I have the hormone levels in my blood checked just before my period starts, but was otherwise unsympathetic and made me feel like a hysterical timewaster. I have also been switched to the pill logynon which is triphasic and will apparently be more effective. However regardless of what pill I am on (i have tried about 5 so far) I feel very unlike myself- it just feels like i have a barrier of stress and anger that I cannot control or rationalise. i have to wait for it to subside and generally feel much more like myself when my period is over.

I need opinions, does this sound like possible PMDD? I am worried about going to the doctor, but have been contemplating this for a year or so now. It is only since I have been with my boyfriend that i have noticed how badly this affects me and my relationships.

Pipx