[finallyfree2009]

My heart goes out to you!

Hi my name is christine and I have severe symptoms of PMDD. I am starting my second month of Yaz and just went through 2 of the worst days I have had in a few months. I truly feel like I am going crazy or maybe have split personalities! My irriatabilty and lack of patience for the people around me during those few days causes me to feel so guilty about it for several more days! My boyfriend has no patience for me and adds to my already overwhelming emotions. I really don't know how long I can go on like this! Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

I know exactly how you feel! I am 53 years old. I started my periods when I was 13. I've suffered with severe PMDD up until 2 years ago when my periods pretty much stopped (menopause). There are some things you can do yourself that might help a little but I implore you to get some medical help. PMDD is a serious condition that requires treatment. If your doctor doesn't recognize PMDD as an illness then find another doctor! In the meantime: watch your diet. Increase your protein and carbs. NO sugar, salt, caffeine (including soft drinks) and NO alcohol. Get plenty of regular exercise and think about getting some stress management training. Vitamins: B6, calcium and magnesium. Chamomile tea also is good for relaxation and sleep. For me, I was put on a medication called Effexor (an SSRI) and towards the end it helped me greatly. It did make a world of difference.

I want to stress one thing. I don't believe that just taking birth control will ease PMDD symptoms. I tried that when I was younger and it did nothing me. PMDD is NOT just a physical illness it is ALSO a serious hormonal/mental disorder and can get worse--much worse. PMDD ruined my life. I will post my story on this site in the hopes that it will help some young woman not go through what I went through. Good luck!

[finallyfree2009]

don't go so drastic!

Hello, I'm new here and I specifically registered to talk about my possible PMDD symptoms. I can relate to this thread whole-heartedly. I also feel like I have this split personality because I'm generally a calm, sweet, caring type person. When I'm "PMSing" I'm the extreme opposite. I'm irritable, angry, depressed and anxious. I feel overwhelmingly guilty when I take it out on my son and because I'm a single parent, it's hard for me to get the break that I need.

I have heard somewhere that women choose to have their ovaries removed in order to alleviate their PMDD symptoms. Having a hysterectomy won't do the trick - it's the ovaries that regulate the hormones we're struggling with. If you choose to have your ovaries removed, you're likely going to have to take hormone supplements. That's all I know. I wish I could just walk in the doctor's office and request it without having to go through the hoopla of trials and meds.

Having your ovaries removed is very drastic and should be a very last resort and most likely not necessary. If you have your ovaries removed you will go into early menopause and menopause has its own problems (believe me, I know, I'm there). Find a doctor who is sympathetic to woman suffering from PMDD and work with them. In this day and age there's no reason why a woman should suffer this way. PMDD is serious but it can be controlled through diet (protein and carbs), vitamins (B6, Calcium, Magnesium), regular exercise and dietary changes (absolutely no sugar, salt, caffeine, that means no coffee, tea, or soft drinks, energy drinks, exedrine or ANYTHING with caffeine, greasy food or spicy food of chocolate, these things tend to make PMS and PMDD symptoms much worse). I was put on Effexor which is a SSRI. It is primarily used for depression, bi-polar disorder and anxiety but it does work wonders for PMDD as it has a secondary effect on a woman's hormones. It is also a LOT safer than any synthetic hormones. Synthetic hormones are poison! They cause blood clots, stroke, heart attack, cancer, depression, and mood changes in some people. Synthetic hormones, I believe, are the reason so many woman end up with cancer later in life: Birth control pills when they are young and HRT when they reach middle age. So much for Big Pharma's gift to women!! Avoid them like the plague. Good luck.

[Estrella]

I am glad to read this. I am in a down cycle, one of the worst I have had in a long time. I usually go on a 3 month spin: one month, tolerable PMS, the following, a little worse, the third month complete insanity. That had been my pattern for long enough that I recognised it. Recently I began to notice that the downtime between periods was not as long. So I started keeping track of my cycle. And I hadn't had the big crazy in a while. Except for now. It forced me to pay attention and go to the doctor. It turns out it is not normal to have your period every two weeks, and to have your period last 7-8 days. Well we will find out what the cause is soon.

In the meantime reading these posts - I thought no one understood. I tried to say to people in my life 'It feels like I am outside myself'. The last few days have been nonstop weeping. The blackest depression feeling so worthless. Out of control. What makes me angry is how two days from now I will be fine. None of this is real but when you are in the middle of it, it is too real. I feel so lost.

I can't continue like this.

But reading that others know what it is like helps

[Tizzy]

OMG!!! What a blessing to have found this site! We are not crazy ladies! We are all experiencing the same stuff! It is indeed PMDD! Thank GOD! This is real. I just knew it. This is not your normal PMS . It is time for all of us to take control of our lives. I am 40 years old and a smoker so I can not take YAZ because of the risk factors. I have read that someone takes Estroven PMS. I want to research that more. Where can I get it? Over the counter or prescription? I have also read that a gluten free diet could help as well. Is there any one out there doing that?

[Tizzy]

Your feelings are real! I know what you mean about each month not being the same. I have definitely noticed that it really hits me hard pretty much on a quarterly basis. Sounds like you are experiencing the same type of cycle. I just spent 2 days on the sofa. Turned my phone off because I didn't want to talk to anyone. But I really did want to talk to people because I was in such a dark and lonely place. Drives me nuts! I want my husband to give me a hug and hold me BUT I want him to leave me alone! Of course he thinks I am nuts! I do too! I just wanted to let you now that I am a member of the PMDD gang just like you are. You are not alone. Let's stay in touch. Please be sure to post anything that brings you power against this terrible monster!!!! Thanks.

[alaska]

Tizzy, i haven't been back here for a while and haven't taken the estroven pms for a few months either because I did a cleanse where i was not suppossed to use any type of vitamin or supplement.
The cleanse in itself helped to relieve the pms symptoms as well. I avoid taking salt,caffeine,cigarretes or anything that is not organic now. I am convinced there is a correlation with what we put in our bodies and the symptoms of this terrible state. I am sure our hormones are imbalanced for some reason and we are more sensitive to this than others.
So far, doctors havent helped me and now that i am 42 they suggest perimenopause (although,have been suffering of this since my teens) and antidepressants. I refuse to use them because i do not want to be overmedicated like so many people are these days. I do not believe in farmaceuticals anymore but I will leave that for another thread .
Regarding Estroven PMS, I don't find them everywhere but I have purchased them from The Vitamin Shop (they order them for me if out of stock)in the past or you can google ESTROVEN PMS and I am sure you will find some source of information for your are.
Best of luck.

[plzhelp]

I know how you feel

I read your thread and am so aware as to how you feel. I'm lost at the moment. I feel very lonely and unimportant to anyone. I've tried everything i can think of anti depressants, angus catus, primrose oil, talking, the marina coil and more, nothing seems to work not long term anyway. My patner says he understands but i don't believe him. He loses his temper with me and says he's had enough, great me too. Our children are suffering my partner is suffering and I'm suffering. I can't control how i feel, I can't stop the moods or the feelings of pure and utter hatedred i feel for a short time. I cause family rows and family break downs on a monthly cylce. I feel so bad and guilty but also so angry that I'm not understood. The tension inside is so awful so strong sometime i want to ripe my insides out. I'm 40 this year and am really considering a hysterectomy. My only fear is it will make no difference and then what, what other options are there. I feel my relationship with my partner and my step daughter and my ownn draughter are at risk.

[caterpillar79]

I read your thread and am so aware as to how you feel. I'm lost at the moment. I feel very lonely and unimportant to anyone. I've tried everything i can think of anti depressants, angus catus, primrose oil, talking, the marina coil and more, nothing seems to work not long term anyway. My partner says he understands but i don't believe him. He loses his temper with me and says he's had enough, great me too. Our children are suffering my partner is suffering and I'm suffering. I can't control how i feel, I can't stop the moods or the feelings of pure and utter hatedred i feel for a short time. I cause family rows and family break downs on a monthly cylce. I feel so bad and guilty but also so angry that I'm not understood. The tension inside is so awful so strong sometime i want to ripe my insides out. I'm 40 this year and am really considering a hysterectomy. My only fear is it will make no difference and then what, what other options are there. I feel my relationship with my partner and my step daughter and my ownn draughter are at risk.

People no matter how patient they are sometimes reach their limit and scream. Then realizing later, it was just an outburst of their frustration, which could be caused by others and themselves. But we cannot read minds, so let's not assume it's our fault.

If your spouse says he understands, he does. But, know that he, too is human like you, who is bombarded with stress everywhere, hence, reaches his limit.

I know how much you and the others are suffering right now because of PMDD. I have a suspicion that my mom suffer the same in silence. She had complete hysterectomy. She doesn't have anyone to share her inner thoughts but me or my youngest brother. But both of us are away.

First thing off, you said you tried 'talk' therapy, is that right? For how long? Ever considered finding a different shrink?

Likewise, how are you managing your diet? Do you at least go and do some walking outside in the sun? I hope you find a compassionate doctor to help you with this. Your family also needs support, especially the kids. If your budget and insurance allow, have them see a counselor as well.

Take care.

[Madonna7601]

Hello ladies. I am so happy to finally have a place to talk to other women who suffer from PMDD. I've been sufering from it for about 10 years now, but I didn't know what it was for 8 years. My co-worker seen a highway sign with the symptoms on it and said "That sounds like you. I bet you have PMDD." That was one of the best moments of my life. Sounds strange, but when you don't know what's wrong with you it's the most awful feeling ever. Especially 8 years of wondering what the was the matter with me.

I have lots more to say about my issues, but I have to save that for another time. I just had my gall bladder removed and am very sore. I was looking for a gall bladder forum when I came across this forum. I wanted to pop in and say hi to my fellow PMDD sufferers.

Ladies please, when your at your worst moment remember that it's just a moment. It's going to pass just like all of the rest of the bad moments you've had with PMDD. You will get through it even if it feels like you won't this time. Stay strong and remember that the ones that love you need you to be strong not only for yourself, but for them too. They love you and need you on earth with them.

[Kathleen Cameron]

Dear friends,

I was recently diagnosed with PMDD after having my first child and through my experience, I've decided to make it my mission to educate and help women about this condition.

Going through this experience I had no idea that such a condition even existed and more importantly I did not know where to go for help.

Through this I found that this was a very common condition, yet so many women don't come forward or more importantly, many woman don't know they havev this condition or don't know where to go to for help.

My story starts w/ the birth of my first child. Overall, I felt great. I felt great before, during and after pregnany. I never had any bad pms in the past. I was considered probably one of the lucky ones. I decided to breast feed and overall it went well I still felt good, but never had a menstral period. Until Aug of 09' rolled in and I decided to ween and then my life and moods turned up side down.

August was filled with a feeling of not feeling like myself - a feeling that many woman I know what I'm talking about. I would feel ok, then emotionally down and weepy for no reason, or feeling so much anxiety (like I wanted to crawl out of my skin) then would get my period and feel fine. Then all of a sudden I would feel this intense anger like I wanted to punch something ... then I had these intrusive thoughts that were very alarming to me. I got my period 3 times in August and all of the above symptoms were prevalent off and on ending w/ a massive headache, then period and then feeling fine.

I decided to make an appointment w/ my doctor who thought tht mayeb what I was suffering from was post partum anxiety disorder and off to a therapist I went. I found the therapy experience to be very helpful in terms of helping me cope better w/ everyday and parental stresses, but overall I still felt that something in my body was off. September and October of 09' were better, but I noticed that sometimes I'd feel key'd up or on edge/not like myself and at the tail end of my period I would be so emotionally down and weepy and then it would just disappear.

November rolled around and that was the straw that broke the camels back for me. I got my period as usual then at the end of it when it stopped I started to feel this emense cramping. followed by and emotional rollacoaster - I would feel teary/eyed and weepy, anxious, having a hard time concentrating and then the intrusive thoughts came back. Now, this wasn't me. I never had these types of problems in the past. Not before pregnancy or after and I really felt this was a coorelation to my periods coming back and from not breastfeeding anymore. I'm lucky to have a wonderful supportive husband to once again urged me to to see my gynecologist.

I couldn't get in to see my gynecologist, but was able to meet with the nurse practioner. I went through my list of symptoms that last couple of months and she said the cramping was due to me ovulating right now. As she listened intently and was wonderfully understanding she suggested that I take something to help stabalize my mood. But, that they don't have the qualifications for managing the medication so they refered me to a general practioner.

So, off I was to the genral practioner who was a woman who was also wonderful. when I went through my list of symptoms of the last couple of months and that I had no idea what was happenning .. she said I know exactly what this is and it's a condition called PMDD.

Thank god their was an explanation! For what she told me, was that we don't know what causes this condition, but we do know that it is triggered by a life event such as having a child or the onset of peri-menopause. essentially in my specific case, I was breastfeeding for almost one year w/o having a menstral cycle so essentially my body was pregnant for 2 years. when breastfeeding the body produces a chemical called prolactin which has a very calming effect on the body, but also tells the brain not to produce and estrogen/progresterone - hormones essential for reproduction. Once I started to ween, it was as if my body went into a state of shock .. as if my body gave birth all over again. These large hormone fluctuations have an effect of serratonine levels in the brain that severly affect your mood.

Now, there are some tests they need to run to rule out other conditions - they needed to test my thyroid, vitamin D levels, etc. as these can have an effect on the mood as well. Furthermore, sometimes they might even send you to a physciatrist to make sure there isn't an underlying depression, etc. In my case, I did not have a history of depression and the symptoms were prevelantly due to my periods coming back, there were days in my cycle where I felt completely fine so I was expempt of this option.

There are 2 ways to treat PMDD my doctor told me 1). Birth control pills to stop ovulation/regulate periods 2). Anti-depressant to help stabalize mood OR sometimes both depending on a persons symptoms. We started with the anti-depressant route as when these symptoms hit they really distrupted my life. The drug that was prescribed for me was Effexor and overall it has really helped me. Since being on the medication, I no longer feel as if I'm on anemotional rollacoaster. I don't feel anxious, key'd up or on edge, and more like myslef. I also do not have any of these awful racing thoughts that pop into my head.

Furthermore, my doctor said if I get pregnant again and after I have a child, I may need to go on something right away vs. waiting for menstral cycles to come back and I may need to go on medication when peri-menopause hits ... at least there is a plan now!

Now, if you feel that you fit into this category, the best thing to do is to chart your cycles via a calendar. X the days you have your period and write down the days you have symptoms to see if there is some sort of patern. You must have days in your cycle where you feel completely like yourself and this must be prevelant in at least 2 cycles to be diagnosed w/ PMDD. The best place to seek treatment is your general practioner vs. gynecologist for they can run other tests to rule out of conditions, help manage your medication or refer you to other specialists. Furthermore, if you don't have a general practioner, I'd recommend a woman and talk to friends and family about their recommendations on woman doctor - I think woman doctor's are more sensative to this subject vs. male (but that is just my opinion) Bottom line go to someone u trust.

In the meantime, there are some natural ways to help your condition too:
1. excercise - excercise has been proven to reduce stress levels, depressive symptoms, increase endorphins and help those seratonine levels
2. eliminate caffeine - caffeine can make these symptoms (especially anxiety symptoms worse
3. eliminate alchehol - which is a depressant
4. Make sure u take vitamins that are rish in iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin d and zinc
5. therapy/support group - can help treat your spirit and help identify natural ways to help cope better w/ the symptoms or make better choices that help reduce stress

I know my post is a long one, but I was in the dark and didn't even know this condition even existed. I think there are more woman out there that suffer from this and don't know that they can get help and treatment! It affects us on so many levels - ur mind, our relationships and our well being. If you've been diagnosed w/ this too, please join me in helping getting the word out so many more women don't suffer in silence. Thank you for listening!!