[ridge123]

Once a month I feel like a monster takes over my body and I can't function. Evertyhing I could do "normally" becomes the heardest tasks in life. Just yesterday I had an extreme mood swing and attacked the ones I love, emotionally and physically. This is not who I am. I was sent to the hospital because I was thought to be "crazy". I know I am not, this is a biologocal issue I have no control over. It effects my job and most importantly my relationship with my partner. I feel so unworthy at times and that I want to end all the pain and suffering.

Can someone relate?

[emmylou]

I don't know if its the same thing but I am currently on a prescription called megace to stop heavy menstral bleeding (it is a progesterone pill) and I find that I have outrageous angry at the drop of a hat and yell and find myself getting fits of anger. this is the second time on this medication and i beg my doctor not to put me on it but I have to be right now....the mood swings suck!

[francesg]

I am a 41 year old woman who has been dealing with this for roughly five years (PMDD). I have physical symptoms 10 or so days prior to my period (moderate breast tenderness, heart palpitations out of nowhere day/night, some night sweats, some hot flashes, never a headache/cramping, aches/pains in joints, etc.)

Unfortunately, the mental manifestations of PMDD are the real kicker. So yes, I relate very well to what you are saying. Bring on the night sweats any day!

I've had thyroid tests, hormone/endocrine tests, etc etc. I have had these tests done at different times of the month and the results all show no major hormonal fluctuations.

Here are my facts:

For five years and presently:
1) 10 days before period, I can sleep 12 hours easily. Really tired. Heart palps out of nowhere.
2) 2 - 10 days before period, mental fogginess kicks in (pretty major - I feel like a confused idiot at work and I'm not an idiot otherwise!)
3) 2 - 3 days before period, I become Mr. Hyde. I am extremely irritable, the slightest things really anger me, I cry more easily over bizarre little things (like looking at my dog), I have compulsions to clean and vaccuum and dust (and I'm not even close to being a fantastic housekeeper).
3b) I feel like I have a sort of flu (generalized aches/pains/feverish/hot face, hands and feet) and heart palps are wildly unpredictable and increase the anxiety/irritability.
4) The day before my period, I stay to myself as much as possible. My head reels with angry/negative/irritable thoughts. My brain feels different, if that makes any sense.
5) The day I get my period, I am back to normal. It's as if the flood gates opened and I'm free of the mental mess of PMDD.

I hope when you say "I want to end all the pain and suffering" you will try a few things and also get help from a sympathetic counselor of some sort. I presently live in a small town, or I'd go to a support group that they have in some bigger cities.

What works for me are the following:

1) I take Ocella (generic of Yasmin or Yaz, I believe). It regulates my period better so I can plan meetings, etc around the time I am NOT going to be wacky PMDD.
2) I do yoga/meditation/deep breathing when I am feeling particularly bad (which is 10 days before my period).
3) I have been to a therapist (three months) to learn biofeedback for the anxiety/irritability (relaxation techniques).
4) Write on forums like this, or blogging about it. Or just writing in a journal.
5) Give your partner a book about what you are going through. Or print off things from the internet so they can understand. My husband is a patient man, and I am very grateful for that because I know I am unbearable.
6) Try to plan vacations for when you are going to be "full-swing PMDD". Obviously, you can't take a vacation every month, but I find that when I can take a "PMDD vacation", the symptoms are somewhat lessened.
7) Take a brisk walk. Or heck, shut yourself in your bedroom and cry and holler. Works for me. Then I take a nice, hot bath.

I hope you know you are definitely not alone! I feel for you, and I feel for myself and all the other women who are more concerned with the mental problems brought about by PMDD.

[LittleMsGrowingRoots]

Hi all,
I have been suffering, and researching PMDD for over 2 years now! I am currently trying bio identical progesterone cream, which i much prefer to all the other things i have tried (SSRI's, contraceptive pill) This is because, for me, it treats the root problem - an imbalance in hormones - rather the symptons: depression, anxiety, crying spells, etc, etc.
I am sure that i have not got the dose right, and really want to try tablet form. I struggle for more of the month than i would like, up to 3 weeks. I am sick of it, and would love any advice from anyone who has a similar viewpoint to me (ie treating the hormonal imbalance, not the sympton)
I am feeling pretty rubbish right now, but will try to show some humour and light heartedness at another time! I do not react well always to people saying you need to be positive - it is kind of stating the obvious, and is usually advice offered from someone who has never had a painful period, let alone something like PMDD!
I really do wish all you fellow sufferers well - the more we talk, the more awareness will be raised. It is very hard here in UK, not one of the GP's i've been to has had any idea of what i've been talking about. I had to self diagnose, and prove my findings to my doctor! Luckily I have now found a medical homeopath. But I am still not coping with day to day life!
I know there are people on this site who understand! Please say hi!

Andrea xx