PMDD or severe PMS - anyone else?

[Eldermillennial2024]

Just that really. I'm in my dark week, have zero patience, feel low, angry over nothing and have zero patience. I tend not to talk about it to people who don't understand.

I understand. I posted about this not long ago. For me, it's peri, even though I'm not quite 40. I have PMDD symptoms around ovulation too. And my period cycles are shorter so it feels like I feel this way most of my life. It's awful, you have my sympathy, im right there with you!

Thanks for the solidarity @carlottacandle I missed your post but I'm sorry you're dealing with it too. I have symbionts for a few days around ovulation too as well as about ten days before my period sometimes so it feels like half my time is spent like this.

Hi OP. My PMDD has been worsening since I had a baby aged 32, now 40.
The Drs will fob you off or put you on contraceptive meds or antidepressants. My advice: take antihistamines the week leading up to your period. I can actually feel when the 10 days before my next period has struck because I feel very agitated and annoyed by DH’s noises!
I also get a but overstimulated by mess and constantly tidy up to soothe myself then furious that no one else is helping.
Antihistemines help a lot. Just cheap over the counter ones. Also time alone

Hi OP - I also used to suffer with PMDD, severely. It impacted by life in so many ways.

It disappeared during pregnancy, then when my periods came back postpartum it was much milder. It's never returned to the same extent - I'm now pregnant again and so zero PMS symptoms.

I have to be honest I look back and can't believe I didn't pursue treatment for it. Being suicidal for half of your life is just not worth it!

There are several treatments that are known to work - SSRI antidepressants taken ONLY during your luteal phase. This often cures people.

Another treatment that has good success is taking a combined contraceptive pill (DON'T take the mini pill, as only the combined pill completely stops your natural cycle) and take it continuously, without a week break for a withdrawal bleed. This will stop your natural cycle and keep your hormones at a consistent level all month.

Hope this comment helps - talk to your GP! And hope you feel better soon, I know how rough it is!

@Hmmmmnotconvinced I've recently read about the antihistamines. Trouble is. I have symptoms around ovulation too so I'd end up talking them every day, all month!

Mine got significantly better when I came off birth control - I had implants all my adult life.

Are you on anything now?