PMDD anyone?

[Mems89]

Has anyone been diagnosed with PMDD? Or diagnosed themselves?

I am fairly certain this is what I have.

In the days-week leading up to AF, I get extremely emotional, teary, anxious, depressed, snappy.

Yesterday DF was saying how he would like to start collecting watches, and I got irrationally annoyed about it. I managed to somehow keep my annoyance to myself somewhat, but today I have totally lost it.
It started as a normal day, but its ended in me feeling like my family would be better off without me. I always end up feeling this way to some extent when I have my period. I am generally a happy, easy going person.

Last cycle DF bought me 2 packs of skittles, which was meant to last a while (obviously) but I ate the two packs in 2 days! Then last night, I'd had dinner (macaroni cheese, full of carbs!), which I then went on to eat nearly a whole packet of chips, a large freddo frog and 8 forreros, as well as a few other things that I munched on too. I would have also had the double brie with crackers and salami if I didnt control my urge. I have never noticed me bingeing before, not like this!

DF said today that he can not live with my moods, and to be honest, I dont blame him. I cant live with them either. I am so horrified by my performance today, I just want to die. The guilt is eating me up and I just wish so badly I could go back and have gone out today instead of subjecting him to my over emotional state.

The scary thing is that in my head I am telling myself "This isnt right, stop being like this, what ARE you doing?" but I am out of control. I can not control my actions until I have got it all out, until I have cried and screamed. I dont even know how to deal with my emotions, how can I expect DF to know how to?

I know its not right. I know I need to do something about it.

From things I have been reading, you can help PMDD with a special diet, and also becoming more active with excercise. Also the pill? I am on the pill, but I believe the YAS pill is the best for PMDD, I am on monofeme. I am not keen on going on antidepressants.

Please, please, please someone tell me they know what I am going through and tell me that there is a way to escape this, I cant live like this anymore and I can not put my family through it any more!

[Floweryfields]

Hun I posted about this a while ago, you're not alone. It is real and it's not all in your head! I know how you feel. I've had "I'd rather be dead" thoughts during these times of my cycle once or twice and I just have to remind myself that it will pass quickly and get through it as best I can. I haven't been to a GP myself as I really don't hold alot of confidence in mine taking it seriously enough to be bothered.

But do Go and see your GP.

I have found taking Vit B 6 complex and calcium has helped me quite a bit.

[Katters]

Go to Chemist and ask for Vitex tablets before you try anything else. It changed my life.

[Katters]

Also magnesium supplements go a long way towards helping. I've taken 3 daily for as long as I remember and they help my anxiety SO much. I can tell the difference when I forget to take them a couple days in a row.

[Mems89]

Thank you for the replies!
I'll go to the chemist tomorrow and grab some of the things mentioned. EPO too maybe (though I think I read vitex works the same as EPO?).

[~me~]

Monofeme turned me into a living nightmare! As soon as I stopped taking it was back to my old self.

Have you been like this forever when your periods were about to start? Was there a time you were not like this and can you pin point when the changes started?

I now have a Mirena which is brilliant. No AF at all.

Seeing a Dietitian and Naturopath may help as well.

[Mems89]

I've been on monofeme since I was 15, with breaks when I have had my 2 kids. This latest stint has been 2.5 years so far. Honestly I'd say its only started in the past 6-12 months. I've not always been this way, I don't think. I'll ask DF, coz maybe I've only just started to realise.

[~me~]

I found that contraception I used before kids worked differently after I had kids. My hormone balance changed and that is when monofeme gave me grief.

I hope you can sort out what is going on. My DH told me I was different when I was on Monofeme and became the person he knew when I stopped.

It may not be that at all...just something to consider.

[AnyDream]

I blamed pms for a couple of years before I realized it was mostly caused by the pill I was on. Switched pills, and still suffered from some symptoms but not nearly so bad as they had been before.

The big thing that I noticed made a huge difference was eating a low GI diet. I don't know if it smoothes the hormones out but the steadier blood sugar levels helps with staying calm, lessens fluid retention/headaches, and generally helps me cope better. Vit B, magnesium, and sleep also help.

Take some time out away from the demands of family etc when you know your symptoms will be at their worst & avoid scheduling demanding tasks (eg organizing a party) at those times as well.

[Frangipani Lou]

I haven't experienced symptoms quite like yours RP but I did Find a naturopath great for rebalancing my hormones and getting me onto some essential vitamins that make a real difference with mood, emotions, sleep and my cycle. It may be worth considering some TLC/ pampering during the times your feeling less than good.

[Frangipani Lou]

Also, are you eating enough? And getting enough variety and protein?

[Floweryfields]

I went to the doctor today, this is my vent from the other thread in platinum.

Finally got the courage up to speak to GP about my debilitating cyclic depression/anxiety today....wish I hadn't.

At the local practice there is a regular flow of temporary doctors so you never know who you will see, I was booked in with a female so thought perhaps I might have some understanding... ha what a ridiculous assumption to make.

I started off asking for a referral to have a follow up US - after the endo/cyst the gynae recommended having an occasional followup to keep check....she said WHY? (once she finished her drink and actually came and sat down in front of me).... explained history, she said, I don't know why you need one if there are no particular symptoms but ok.

That's when I decided I should tell her about the severe PMS as surely some sort of hormonal/ovary issues could play a part in that right? I told her how the few days leading up to my period I have really bad anxiety, feel extremely depressed, how it is debilitating to cope with then once period starts it goes away. How I've tracked it and it's definitly cycle related.
She says 'are you sure you don't have depression' - I said, I don't know, do I? (you're the friggin doctor).....and I restated the fact that it's only the few days leading up to my period that it happens.
Her solution is to exercise and eat better (yep I realise that but that only works to a degree). I asked if there was a possibility of doing some hormone testing - she asked, what for that wouldn't show anything. And I asked isn't it possible that a hormone imbalance could cause the feelings of depression/anxiety. She said no, you've just got PMS.

Now I am not a doctor, but I am pretty sure if someone tells you, they have really debilitating feelings of depression, that they should perhaps address that???
Waking in the middle of the night with your heart pounding and bawling your eyes out wishing you could go to sleep and never wake up again is NOT normal.

I am really sorry I even bothered, I feel like a fool and wish I could take it all back. And I am also angry, I'm angry that women's issues don't seem to be taken seriously and depression is a big deal whether it's every day of the year or a few days a month, if it is enough to wish myself dead, then I deserve to be taken seriously, don't I?


No need to feel sorry for me, I just needed to get it out somewhere.

Is it any wonder women just continue to suffer in silence?

[Mems89]

Eugh. You need a new doctor! That is horrible

[AnyDream]

Ausgirl, I saw your other thread but I wasn't able to reply at the time. Have you been able to go and see another, more understanding doctor? Regardless of whether you think there's a cyclic nature to it, it might be a good idea to get a mental health plan and go and see someone like a psychologist/counsellor ... and schedule those appointments during the part of your cycle when you know you'll be experiencing symptoms. Talking through it, and getting some self-maintenance strategies will be one part of the puzzle. Also, on a mental health plan, they have to report back to the GP so if there is a hormonal/cyclical element, that is something the psychologist can raise with the dr, which might add some weight to what you have been saying. I know, it sounds back to front, but I've been through a similar process recently, and it helped me to get a long-term health condition diagnosed.

[Floweryfields]

No I haven't been to a GP again, I've kind of lost faith in them! I had an ultrasound Monday and everything is as normal as it was 18 months ago so at least I am reassured that there is not ovarian changes to be concerned about.
I have a naturopath appointment for early February which was the earliest I could get in, so I will go with that route for the time being.