To ask about PMDD

[Bussells]

I’ve suffered with incredibly bad PMT since starting my periods, (I’m now 40) to the extent that it has caused relationships to end and problems at work. I was wondering if anyone else who has suffered with this has received treatment for it, if so what, and had it helped/had any negative side effects. I’m (finally) seeing my GP next week and am hoping a) they take it seriously and b) that treatment, if any, will help? Thank you

Hi, yes i had it so bad I was ready to leave my really lovely DH.
The Dr put me on a lowish dose of the anti depressant and anti anxiety medication; Sertraline and it completely sorted me out. I had non of the side effects either! Good luck.

Yep. I was initially diagnosed with depression and treated with antidepressants, but then I found that my mood was still awful around my period. So I was referred to a gynaecologist who prescribed the combined pill, to be taken 3 packs in a row with a brief break before the next pack of 3.

I had breakthrough bleeding for ages, but my mood is so much more positive. I still feel shit during pill breaks, but at least I can plan ahead for them.

Thank you, that’s really helpful and encouraging!

Im younger than you (27) but I suffer incredibly bad PMDD. For the week before my period, I feel lost, hopeless, aggressive, tearful and like I want to die. Even suicidal sometimes- often when nothing is even wrong in my life- just because of period. It's hereditary for me, and I try and control it, by taking long baths, napping when possible, no alcohol that week as makes it worse. As I want children, a hysterectomy is not a possibility for me.

My mum (48) had it really bad, would often want to leave my dad, pack her bags, cry and scream, and as soon as she came on her period she was fine again. In the end, she ended up having a hysterectomy- it was the only way. She now has HRT patches and is like a completely different person. Calm, happy, settled. Her doctor was a bit boo-hoo about PMDD, so she actually saw a specialist in London who specialises on PMDD- I think it was quite cheap?

Haven’t found a ‘cure’ yet but suffer with this myself, have spent past 5 days in bed depressed and wanting to die. On antidepressants anyway but they seem to have no effect on the pmdd symptoms and have tried combined pill in past as previous user said taking 3 packs in row with no break... ultimately to little or no effect again. I will keep a watch on this thread.

I believe I have PMDD. I've started tracking my period using an app. My cycles are on average 44 days and I get 2/3 weeks of PMT including feeling suicidal, white hot anger, severe anxiety, I feel like leaving my fiance because of it.

I'm already on anti depressants, and Propranolol. It's just terrible. I'm going to make an appointment with my GP once I've got another few months of data. There's got to be a solution. I went on the pill a couple of years ago cerelle I think and it made me even worse, so thats out. If it couldn't be controlled then I will seriously ask for a hysterectomy. Theres no way I can put up with this for another 30 years.

@GracieEllis19 thanks for your reply. I’m sorry your mum and you have suffered so badly, I completely relate. For 7-8 days before my period I am basically mentally ill - I have severe anxiety and depression during that time, cry constantly, explode in rage frequently and am basically a nightmare to myself and others, so I really need to find something. I’ve had as many children as I would like and would consider a hysterectomy but would need to discuss the pros and cons - I hadn’t thought of a private consultation so thanks very much for that, I will definitely look into it if I don’t feel that seeing the GP is enough.

Sorry crossposted with the last two PPs - sorry to hear how bad it is for you both, it’s just awful isn’t it. Especially when people think it’s a bit of a joke when you try to explain which they probably wouldn’t if it was some kind of mental illness. It’s basically ruined a third of my adult life, I hate it so much

Bussels, you have my sympathy. It can and is for me totally deliberating most months. I am 29 and have spent since early teens suffering with ‘mental illness’ and misdiagnosed with other mental health conditions over the years as no health professional pieced together the cycle pattern. The only time I was symptom free was when I was pregnant and I felt absolutely great! There is definitely a lack of understanding and knowledge on pmdd and people thinking ohhh it’s just pmt! I have symptoms from the moment I start ovulating until a few days into my period it’s like a light has been switched.

@Summerfalls thank you - yes being pregnant eliminated it for me and it felt so nice to be on an even keel emotionally!

I’ve been on low-dose antidepressants (sertraline) for it for about a year. At first they really seemed to help, then the effect seemed to kind of wear off a bit. I quit booze a couple of months ago and would say that’s definitely helped.

Its also the feeling thst you're wading through treacle, and no matter how much you sleep you feel foggy.

I'm sorry theres so many sufferers of this. It's absolutely debilitating

Same as bumbalaya my gp prescribed sertraline. I can either take it full time or in the two weeks before my period is due i opted for the latter. Mine comes in waves so i can have months and months of it, then nothing for ages.

Thanks all, I’ll let you know the outcome of my GP appointment, sounds like they might prescribe Sertraline

I ended up with a hysterectomy age 38 but it took me a vvv long time to get a Dr to take me seriously, my experience sounds much gracieellis19's mum.

What helped me when I went Dr and gynaecologist was to have a diary of symptoms. I took a normal calendar and colour coded my symptoms (I had physical and emotional) so it was easy for Dr to see that the symptoms were cyclical and had a pattern. My dh went to gynae with me a reiterated I was only like it a specific times.

It was extreme but I haven't looked back since. Am happy to speak further about it if you want

It also helped to say that while pregnant I was fine too

PMDD sufferer as well! I have a IUD in to help quell period issues and also am on antidepressants for both mental health issues and PMDD. I did try different ones for just my monthly but they didn’t overtly help. I forget which ones in all honesty as it was years ago.

I am on a higher dose of Cymbalta right now and it overall works for me. There are some months of break through emotions when everything else has gone to shit but overall I am myself again.

It’s amazing how much better you feel when you aren’t crazy 1-2 weeks a month due to PMT on crack! People don’t get it, they really don’t. It definitely affects your whole life. Work, family friends etc. Once you find what works for you it will be so nice!

Don’t give up! Be assertive, ask for a gyno appt if needed.

Saw the GP today who, as I expected, prescribed a low dose of Sertraline. I’ve started a thread asking for people’s experiences of it which so far sounds really encouraging so we’ll see!

Hope it works for you op, I see my gp today too who sent me away with cerazette to try, bit apprenhensive about it tbh not sure progetrogone only pill is the answer especially on reading side effects and has made me scared to try it

Well if it’s any help, I used to take that just as a contraceptive and had no side effects! Good luck

I take citalopram for the affected days only, and it works wonders. The first few doses made me shaky, and it did affect my sex life (hard to orgasm) but it changed my life for the better.

I’ve always thought I have this too.
2wks of crazy PMT every month- foggy brain, exhausted, depressed, on the verge of tears, shouty, low self confidence, no self worth, argumentative and I just can’t rationalise. It takes over everything and I’m horrid to be around. As soon as I come on, boom! I’m back to being me. It’s crazy and drives me insane.
Tracking my cycle works amazingly. I set an alarm on my phone for the day before-ish to remind me that I might start going a bit weird and it helps me no end. I do what I think is cbt, talk kindly to myself, play and dance around to music (sounds bonkers but it helps), take longggggggggg walks when I can, have naps unapologetically, eat shed loads of chocolate- and I mean LOADS. I have a lot of alone time -so then I can’t upset anyone and if I’m argumentative I can’t cause a row.
It sucks, as I hate upsetting people, hate arguments so it’s just not me when I’m like it and most people don’t understand. But the mini pill the dr put me on didn’t agree with me and I don’t want to take anything else. But my own self therapy does work. I hope you find something that works for you x

I've found taking hemp oil has really lifted most of my symptoms especially my anger and despair for 10 days before my period. Have also heard cbd oil helps too. I'm on in every day for last 3 months.

I am also a sufferer. It caused me great distress and deep depression in my teens and twenty.
Still now at 38 I turn in a horrible person every fortnight, I've learn to isolate myself around it other than siblings, as I am happy to see people one wk and not the next. DP is amazing very calm and loving. I usually stay low, he stay low.
I don't have the answer OP it is horrendous. I was advised by a male GP when I was 30 to keep a diary, I felt relieved when I knew it was pmdd and I wasn't a messed up maniac.
There are times it made me feel suicidal. I am on 40mg of Prozac which helps a bit but not much, I exercise regularly, I've seen a psychologist, I probably get 1 month a year free then there are stressful months when it is so intense the mood doesn't break until a week after.
I am down to have a hysterectomy this month was really bad.

Oh vitamin B complex really helps.