PMDD - how to get it under control?

[SulkySeagull]

After a particularly bad episode I’ve decided this is the year I will do everything possible to get my diagnosed PMDD under control. I’ve had CBT which does help in some instances. I’ve had awful reactions to birth control pills which made it 10x worse.

Currently taking 5HTP, magnesium and some pre menstrual supplements, but not long enough to see if they work. Have been looking at starflower, SSRIs, mirena, St John’s Wort, and studies and experiences around histamine intolerance.

Has anything worked well for you (or been a complete waste of time)?

Have you sought the view of a medical professional? booked a GP appointment?

what does a “particularly bad episode” look like ?

How much calcium do you get from diet etc? Extra calcium daily has helped me massively and I now have minor PMS. Definitely worth a try.

I have diagnosed PMDD, which have involved lots of GP appointments, as well as scans for abnormalities (all clear on that front). First port of call was CBT and birth control. Then SSRIs which I am considering. But the NHS is notoriously ill equipped to deal with PMDD, which is why I’m keen to hear what has worked for others.

An ‘episode’ is typically PMDD - emotional symptoms including anxiety, depression, overwhelm that I’m not able to snap out of, and in the past suicidal thoughts (though the CBT has helped me snap out of those). Physical symptoms too. All lasting 2 days - 2 weeks depending on the month.

try SSRI if that is what your doc has suggested next step should be

@imalongwayfromhome ill look into that thank you.

If you haven't experimented with vitamin b6 then you could try that. 50-100mg a day was found to have some effect in reducing pmdd symptoms. It certainly helped me a lot. Currently I take calcium, magnesium, and b6.

I'm sure I've heard that an antihistamine can help? May be worth looking into. Hope you can get some relief from a truly shit condition.

@NurseP yes seen lots on this! I’ve been reading the studies on anti histamines. Annoyingly the ones that seem to make an impact are prescription only in the UK, so I’ll need to see if the dr is willing to prescribe them to me. Also don’t think it’s a long term solution. However maybe low histamine diet is also worth looking into….

Which one was it? I can't remember.

@NurseP Famotidine, which is Pepcid AC in the USA which is what the studies used

Mirena was amazing for me, totally changed my life and I was the same with adverse effects with other contraception. I had it taken out to have a baby and then got put on a waiting list to get it back in afterwards but by the time the appointment came around we had already discussed trying for a second in the coming months so didn’t want too much in and out, but I can honestly say I’m struggling a lot every month! Feel free to PM to chat if you want as it’s an awful struggle so would be good to discuss what has helped and hasn’t!!

Can you exercise or walk?

@doglover92 this is really good to hear! There seems to be mixed feelings about Mirena and PMDD, but I think it’s top of my list to try next. I’m just concerned about having to get it removed if I do have adverse reactions to it, that’s been my hesitation.

@Sinkintotheswamp yep, I’m a regular gym goer and walk my 10k steps a day (maybe less over the past couple of weeks)! Sadly still feeling the effects of PMDD though :(

Mirena coil. Transformed my life. I was diagnosed when my symptoms got markedly worse after having DC1. Took Prozac for years until I was pregnant with DC2. Symptoms returned when weaning started despite continuing to BF so went back to GP and couldn't go back in the Prozac due to BF. So, tried the mirena. Best thing I ever did.

my dd takes agnus castus latter half of cycle. i have mirena and am also on long term low dose ssri . just be mindful of interactions or unwanted effects if you are mixing herbal and prescribed meds. try one thing at a time and make sure you keep a mood /symptom diary.

I haven't tried much tbh but I really need to!