To feel like I'm going crazy once a month?!?!

[welshnat]

I have recently been diagnosed with PMDD (pretty much super PMS). It was after I came off the contraceptive pill, and splitting up with my ex.

Now I could cope with the mood swings, and random crying fits but every month for a week I get the overwhelming urge to get back with my ExP. In my right mind, 3 weeks out of 4 this is the furthest thing from my mind. It is driving me crazy every month and there's nothing I can do to stop it.

Has anybody else had experience with PMDD or any tips with how to cope?

?
and hide your phone.

ex is an ex for a reason.

other than that I am useless

That's the problem, I can't hide my phone because he likes to be told at least once a day that DS is alive. The wine doesn't help as it makes me feel even more depressed than I am anyway. I literally was crying today because I saw an old jar of peanut butter (it was his, I hate the stuff!)

I take super-strength evening primrose oil (the seven seas capsules) & ward off the worst of hormone-related craziness, it definitely takes the edge off. Having said that, for at least 2 weeks out of every month I wish that DH would just fuck off. Sounds like I'm joking but I'm not, I really do!

I know this is probably teaching grandmother to suck eggs, but are you taking anything in the way of supplements to at least ease it a little? My PMS is nothing like yours, for which I am profoundly grateful, but I found that selenium and zinc supplementation help enormously in reducing symptoms.

Alcohol is a depressant so probably not a good idea if you are down already, but you know that already.

If it is really that bad (and I don't doubt you, just the judgement of the medical profession), shouldn't your doctor be doing something more than just diagnosing you? You shouldn't have to live like this.

low carbing cured my vile pms. mine wasn't as bad as yours but was still pretty horrific.

As I said it is a recent diagnosis, I had to come off microgynon as I have been having migraines. This seemed to trigger it. Either because it was masking the sypmtoms before (it is prescribed for PMDD) or because of coming off it at the same time as a bout of depression.
I tried the mini pill which just turned me loopy for the rest of the 3 weeks anyway.
I have recently had the Mirena coil fitted which I had before and never had any problems with. I am hoping that once it has settled and my body gets regulated hormones then it will get a lot better.
Thanks for the advice re supplements, I will definitely look into that.
My doctor has said that if it continues for longer than 6 months then he would recommend taking antidepressants, which I don't really want to do. but I need something to change as when I had the first and worst experience of it I was having suicidal thoughts and really scared myself and my family.

I thinkt eh worst part is that I feel like I have a multiple personality. Is how I feel 3 weeks of the month - happy and better off without cheating ExP how I really feel, or is the week of loving him and wanting him back, feeling like I have ruined our little family, how I really feel.

Funnily enough I have been eating healthy since around the same time (break up diet) and get plenty of exercise with my nearly 2yo. So if that has helped I better not stop and see what happens!

Well last time I had the Mirena my periods stopped entirely within 3 months so fingers crossed

You do have my sympathy, OP. I have rapidly worsening PMS every month (though maybe not quite as bad as what you are describing), on an increasingly unpredictable cycle which varies a lot between 3 weeks and 5 weeks, but more often now around 3 weeks.

In my case it is because I am smack bang in the middle of the perimenopause (the changes that take place in the years leading up to the actual menopause). I get precious little respite from it, and it is horrible so I am now considering some supplements. If those don't work then it may be down to anti-depressants.

Who on earth designed women to be like this?? I often think that men have the better end of the deal here.

Dont think for one minute you are alone. Every month I turn into a complete nutter as im sure alot of women do. I have crazy thoughts, cry, have black moods etc, I also have a habit of driving through red lights and mounting pavements. (only 1 week a month though) I do think that the primrose advice may be a good one and I might try that myself so thanks for that Chuck. Hang on in there