[autumnaurora]

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.

[autumnaurora]

I also forgot to add in that I suggested a hysterectomy as treatment to the severity of this all to the doctor and was yelled at in the office. I've already decided that because of my condition I am unfit to be a mother and do not wish to have children ever. I was told that I was unable to make decisions about my own body because I may change my mind. I strongly felt that making the choice NOT to have children rather then having them anyways and being an awful mother was more responsible, but thanks to the hypocrisy in this country I am apparently incapable of making my own decisions.

[GreenTea]

Thanks for you post. I understand what you have been going through and it sounds awful. I have had pmdd since the birth of my second son. It can be pretty awful, and make me feel out of control and lead to some embarrasing behaviors. I tried Zoloft after being hospitalized after my second son. My symptoms were so bad I thought I was losing my mind and I couldn't sleep for about three days. I admitted myself to the hospital. I had this feeling of nto being able to cope. As soon as I was admitted to the hospital I got my period and started to feel better. They sent me home with a prescription for Zoloft. I had panic attacks on the Zoloft, but didn't realize it was due to the Zoloft so I stayed on it and it did actually help, but I got bloated and eventually got restless leg syndrome. The doctor said I could wean off the Zoloft and I did, but the symptoms came back, the build up of anger, hopelessness, crying fits, feelign unable to cope. I got desperate to fix the condition so I tried some pharacuetical grade vitamins and herbs from a program I found online. In order for it to work, you also had to dedicate yourself to a diet program, which was actually quite difficult. I forced myself to do it for about 18 months and it actually worked. I excercised regularly and felt really good for a time. Then I made the big mistake of thinking I was better. It was a bad idea. Two months ago I stopped the program, and this month, it was horrible. I'm still embarrased by my awful behavior over the past days. I had this awful intense anger, and I felt justified in being mean and awful to peoplel and now I'm sick about it, and I was not the person I want to be. I'm motivated to start the program again. I think a good place to start is diet, by cutting out caffeine, sugar and alcohol and just eating good food, fruits, vegetables and meats.
Have you tried changing your eating habits? Give yourself a break, and let yourself be the good person taht you are. We all need to forgive ourselves more and move on. This is what I'm trying to do as well.

[down_under]

Trying to Live w/ PMDD

I've had PMDD now for approximately 11 years. It began when I was about 30. It wasn't too bad at first, but over the years it has become debilitating. I used to be very outgoing, always on the go, a very productive employee, doing great with my life. Due to PMDD, I have become a person who I despise. For two weeks out of the month I am a monster to be around. My moods are terrible. I've pretty much stopped going out much because I can't stand to be around people when I'm in this condition. This has taken over my entire life. I used to have so many friends, but because of my moods and not socializing at all for two weeks out of the month, they've pretty much given up on me.
I've done so much research on this condition and it is always the same. Either change diet and exercise; use natural hormones, birth control or antidepressants. I tried doing the exercise, diet, supplements, but it didn't work for me. Although, everyone is different and it did work for the woman of a previous posting. As she said, the diet is very strict. The only thing that has worked for me are the antidepressants. Birth control actually made my symptoms work.
I try to live with this, but it is very, very difficult. Although the antidepressants seem to work, they stop working when your body gets used to it and you have to switch to another one, and so on, and so on.
Thank God efforts have been made finally for the medical field to start looking at women's health. Maybe there won't be a cure in my lifetime, but hopefully there will be a cure in the future.
My heart definitely goes out to you. Just knowing that you are not alone in this and that you are not crazy.

[down_under]

I also forgot to mention that I had also asked my gyno for a hysterectomy. I have two daughters and two stepsons, and we weren't having anymore children. Mind you, I was 40 years old when I brought this up. My gyno told me that they do not do hysterectomies anymore, only in emergency situations. Believe me, I feel you, I would love for them to just take it all out and not have to deal with this anymore!

[Kabybaby]

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.

[Kat64]

Hi Ladies, I really feel for those of us who struggle with PMDD and other difficult circumstances. As a 49 year old woman my story is quite long so I won't bore you with the details. Late onset of puberty, years of amnorreah, difficult childhood...I could never tell if it was depression or hormonal. After nursing my mother thru her illness and death I was put on Ssri for depression, OCD, anxiety and there I remained for 7 years. I weaned myself off slowly then endured 10 months of increased symptoms of crazy town. These last several months I have tried to go natural with a wellness coach and my doc. Was it adrenal, thyroid, pms? I had been journal ing a lot and realized the three weeks of each month that I was miserable and developing suicidal fantasies. Physical symptoms as well as emotional. I had been taking fish oil, st johns wort, vitamin d, juice plus, emergenC, I excercise and don't eat processed foods. I did develope a penchant for wine over the years. (quitting alcohol next on the to do list). Any way after my doc tested me and my thyroid was good, but at my age estrogen and progesterone were all over the place. I finally gave in to 10 mg Prozac each day as well as progesterone cream from ovulation till I get my period. So I had been in hell but the last few days after being on Prozac for 2 weeks indicate to me that I may have made the right choice for me. Granted I just finished my period but comparing my charts to last months I am much better. I am praying this works at this small dose. I'll check in after my next cycle to let you know. It's good to search out all avenues if you have the patience and will to do so, but I guess it's also ok if we discover we need a little more help than we expected. None of us want to have to take meds but there is no shame in it. We have lives to lead and loved ones to care for. If this were me centuries ago I'm sure I would be dead by now. Not to sound dramatic, women in the past just did not have the medicinal advantages of our generation. Best to you all.