PMDD

[TheGlossy]

Hi all,

I'm not sure if there's a thread on this already - if yes, happy to merge. If not, I thought I'd create one to discuss this debilitating variation of PMS.

I have not been formally diagnosed, but I recognize a lot of the following symptoms:

• Lack of control
• Agitation
• Anger
• Insomnia
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Depression
• Severe fatigue
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Poor self-image
• Paranoia
• Emotional sensitivity
• Crying spells
• Moodiness
• Trouble sleeping

For those of who have experience with PMDD, I'd be happy to hear your stories and how you've dealt with it.

Thank you!

 

[virtualorigami]

i have this, i saw a gynaecologist who specialises in it and i take a progesterone only pill which actually does help (because it stops me ovulating) - only have symptoms if i do ovulate which does happen occasionally but the fact it’s not every month is manageable. that’s not a first line treatment but i couldn’t tolerate yasmin (i had a really bad reaction to it!!) and i wanted to try something less invasive than the coil due to a bad experience with the copper coil! thankfully the POP works perfectly.

it’s great to have it under control and would totally recommend seeing a specialist if you can

 

[PeepholePringle]

Bumping this thread. I'm diagnosed with PMDD and can't have hormonal contraceptives due to this. I also have ASD, anecdotal evidence seems to indicate there is a large crossover between the conditions.
My GP prescribed buspirone to take on the bad week which has completely changed my life. It's an anxiety medication and it takes away my urge to react in extreme ways (I do still need to be aware and exercise self control, but tracking my cycle and knowing what week it is does help). I'm here to recommend this to anyone who hasn't heard of it.

 

[shadowcat5]

Bumping this thread. I'm diagnosed with PMDD and can't have hormonal contraceptives due to this. I also have ASD, anecdotal evidence seems to indicate there is a large crossover between the conditions.
My GP prescribed buspirone to take on the bad week which has completely changed my life. It's an anxiety medication and it takes away my urge to react in extreme ways (I do still need to be aware and exercise self control, but tracking my cycle and knowing what week it is does help). I'm here to recommend this to anyone who hasn't heard of it.

I’ve never heard of this before but I have ASD too and relate to a lot the symptoms above. I don’t want to self diagnose or anything but could this possibly be why I get

Spoiler: TW

suicidal

around my period?

eta: diagnosed with autism, and I have had depression as a teen but I don’t really suffer now besides the week before my period, sometimes the week after but not too common

 

[JARhead]

i have this, i saw a gynaecologist who specialises in it and i take a progesterone only pill which actually does help (because it stops me ovulating) - only have symptoms if i do ovulate which does happen occasionally but the fact it’s not every month is manageable. that’s not a first line treatment but i couldn’t tolerate yasmin (i had a really bad reaction to it!!) and i wanted to try something less invasive than the coil due to a bad experience with the copper coil! thankfully the POP works perfectly.

it’s great to have it under control and would totally recommend seeing a specialist if you can

That’s really helpful information, because I’ve just gone through a nightmare with the Mirena and that had to be removed, and they’ve given me a script for a POP, but I’ve been nervous to do anything else because the IUD thing was a whole ordeal.
Your data gives me a little hope that it’s worth one last try, thanks!

 

[Slaybutter]

I’ve been taking the Flo O Positiv sugar free supplement since February. It has definitely made a difference in my PMDD symptoms. It’s expensive but I’ve come to see it as necessary.

 

[Begborrowsteal]

i have this, i saw a gynaecologist who specialises in it and i take a progesterone only pill which actually does help (because it stops me ovulating) - only have symptoms if i do ovulate which does happen occasionally but the fact it’s not every month is manageable. that’s not a first line treatment but i couldn’t tolerate yasmin (i had a really bad reaction to it!!) and i wanted to try something less invasive than the coil due to a bad experience with the copper coil! thankfully the POP works perfectly.

it’s great to have it under control and would totally recommend seeing a specialist if you can

PO pill helped my pms too - sadly it caused hormonal imbalance and i started losing my hair Yasmin used to be good but changed to a similar one due to weight and now the mood swings are back

 

[S29S37]

Can a GP diagnose this or would it be a referral to gynaecology?
I'm pretty sure I have this, I've been tracking my cycles since 2017 and have noticed I go to a really dark place around my period, along with alot of physical symptoms.

 

[gardengnome2]

I have PMDD and take fluoxetine in small dose for days 10-28 of my cycle which changed my life! My mood is much more stable and I’m able to cope with the symptoms so much better.

 

[Meangirl815]

I had a full hysterectomy for my PMDD after failing all previous treatments.
Managing hormones after surgery unfortunately has proved extremely difficult too

 

[mochibean]

Can a GP diagnose this or would it be a referral to gynaecology?
I'm pretty sure I have this, I've been tracking my cycles since 2017 and have noticed I go to a really dark place around my period, along with alot of physical symptoms.

I'm not so sure actually, my GP has put it on my file but has not referred me anywhere so idek if I'm technically diagnosed or not atm.

 

[Niknak]

I'm not so sure actually, my GP has put it on my file but has not referred me anywhere so idek if I'm technically diagnosed or not atm.

I'm the same as you @mochibean, I'm unsure if I'm officially diagnosed with PMDD or not. I've discussed it with my GP who agreed that the symptoms I have around a week before my period is due would suggest that I have this.

I was initially prescribed Citalopram which didn't help - if anything, they made me feel worse. I was then switched onto Venlafaxine three months ago and it has been life changing. I have absolutely no symptoms of PMDD anymore. The only negatives are the two side effects I have from the meds - I'm now constantly lethargic and I sweat terribly - but having a stable mind definitely outweighs the cons.

I spent nearly 10 years where every month I would have a week in an absolute state and spend the other three weeks picking up the pieces and dreading what's to come again the following month. It's so hard to make and go through with that first appointment but I'm lucky to have a great GP and I wish I'd spoken to them years ago.

Thinking of you all going through this, you're not alone x

 

[Meangirl815]

Can a GP diagnose this or would it be a referral to gynaecology?
I'm pretty sure I have this, I've been tracking my cycles since 2017 and have noticed I go to a really dark place around my period, along with alot of physical symptoms.

I had to receive my diagnoses from the gynaecologist. My GP told me to increase my complex carbs and take vitamin B6

 

[S29S37]

Thanks I think I'll have a chat with my GP about it.

I have Essure sterilisation and im trying to figure out if that is causing all my problems or not. It's a lot.
I'm just coming out the other side of an awful period, the fatigue this time was on another level, I'm still so drained.