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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anybody here have PMDD?

65 replies

PMDDhell · 19/05/2022 22:05

It's ruining my life big time. I literally have a nervous breakdown for 1.5 weeks every month and another mini one during ovulation.

Have you found any type of contraception that helps? I've been apprehensive about trying any as I'm clearly v sensitive to hormone changes and don't want to make it any worse 😔

OP posts:
Original poster
PMDDhell · 19/05/2022 22:06

Not sure why I didn't disable voting 🤔

OP posts:
MissMaple82 · 19/05/2022 22:10

Yes, I had it for years and years. I found out about it a long time ago before it was known, even my GP hadn't heard of it, and had to go away and research it. Ive tried all sorts of pills, supplements and antidepressants for it. The only thing that worked for me is the progesterone only mini pill. I have no periods at all as a result and it has eradicated my PMDD and I now have a normal life.

katcatkat · 19/05/2022 22:15

For me the mirena coil has been a life hanger. No period much less ups and downs and as its targeted at the womb its one of the lowest levels of hormones.
But I know it doesn't suit everyone.
I went from multiple suicide attempts and quite seriously mentally unwell in parts of the month to a relatively normal life (with some other mental health support and counselling)

Original poster
PMDDhell · 19/05/2022 22:17

MissMaple82 · 19/05/2022 22:10

Yes, I had it for years and years. I found out about it a long time ago before it was known, even my GP hadn't heard of it, and had to go away and research it. Ive tried all sorts of pills, supplements and antidepressants for it. The only thing that worked for me is the progesterone only mini pill. I have no periods at all as a result and it has eradicated my PMDD and I now have a normal life.

Oh wow this is so encouraging, thank you!

Can I ask what sort of symptoms you had with the PMDD that went away when you began taking the pill?

With me -

I always know when I'm ovulating as I have the most debilitating anxiety and cant think straight, I'm a jittery mess.

Then in the weak leading up to my period starting (and for the duration of my period this month actually) I'm irritable to the point of feeling quite aggressive. More debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. I feel generally quite ill in myself and as though I've lost control of my mind.

Blooming horrible, horrible thing.

It all began after my second baby, I didn't have any PMS issues before that.

I had my third 7 months ago and it is worse than ever.

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teleskopregel · 19/05/2022 22:19

I manage it well with escitalopram and the mini-pill. Unbelievable difference. I tried weaning off the escitalopram but the PMDD was bad again so now I have a low dose (5mg) which keeps it stable. I wish I had done it sooner. But was reluctant for a long time to take medication.

Original poster
PMDDhell · 19/05/2022 22:19

katcatkat · 19/05/2022 22:15

For me the mirena coil has been a life hanger. No period much less ups and downs and as its targeted at the womb its one of the lowest levels of hormones.
But I know it doesn't suit everyone.
I went from multiple suicide attempts and quite seriously mentally unwell in parts of the month to a relatively normal life (with some other mental health support and counselling)

Oh that's brilliant, so encouraging!

I'm really really pleased you and the above poster have seen such a massive improvement with contraception because I resigned myself to not trying it incase it made things worse.

Do you think it may be a case of trial and error for me, trying a couple of different things and seeing which one works?

I cant live like this anymore it's ridiculous.

OP posts:
Original poster
PMDDhell · 19/05/2022 22:23

teleskopregel · 19/05/2022 22:19

I manage it well with escitalopram and the mini-pill. Unbelievable difference. I tried weaning off the escitalopram but the PMDD was bad again so now I have a low dose (5mg) which keeps it stable. I wish I had done it sooner. But was reluctant for a long time to take medication.

I'm very much the same when it comes to medication unfortunately, I have a prescription of amitriptyline waiting to be started for another issue I have (TMD) and I'm just so reluctant to take it.

Something has to give with this PMDD though, it couldn't possibly be any worse than what I deal with already.

I'm glad you're managing it well 🙂

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hotmess19 · 19/05/2022 22:26

I have it, I was on the mini pill before I fell pregnant and it worked fabulously. However, after he was born nothings worked and the PMDD is only getting worse (ha!).
I’d say go for it, try. Because if it works your life might improve, and that’s worth trying.

MissMaple82 · 19/05/2022 22:32

Yes - I have suffered since a teen with chronic mood swings, which got worse once I had children. Moods swings were horrendous, my relationships with everyone were impacted severely. I would become mentally unstable, cry uncontrollably, sob hysterically, I’ve walked out of jobs, couldn't concentrate on anything, binge eat, snap at everyone, smash things up, I thought I was crazy and wanted my life to end!. I eventually kept a diary as advised by a dr and realised it was my cycle, I was only having 1 week per month where I felt "normal" and stable. Drs tried me on various contraceptive pills and antidepressants but none worked. 'Cerezette' changed my life, been on it 6 years now and I'm a different person. It takes a while to settle into your system, I would have bleeds in-between initially but now I'm period free completely and finally mentally stable. Don't be put off, you just need to find the right pill for you, its a trial and error.

Question10 · 19/05/2022 22:38

I have this. I’m trying to figure out my options to treat it! I’ve found the international association of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (IAPMD) website really insightful and a good support.

Original poster
PMDDhell · 19/05/2022 22:42

Solidarity to those still struggling with it. I hope this thread can help others too.

Sometimes I just wish I could have a total hysterectomy and never have to worry about any of this again. I'm done with hormones, pregnancy, everything. I'm only 28 and cant bare another 15-20 years of this.

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Funnyname00 · 20/05/2022 07:51

I have this too. Mental from ovulation to and during period.
i Tried the progesterone only pill without a break. It didn’t stop my periods unfortunately but they were less heavy.

sertraline has worked wonders for the mental health side of things. I’d highly recommend it. I only wish I’d started taking it years ago.

like you pmdd got worse after each baby

Notawittyname · 20/05/2022 07:58

Yes, but hormonal contraceptives have never agreed with me so I haven't tried any. Anti-depresants helped a bit, it took 9 months to find a good dose.
I've recently been trying a boat load of supplements to try and balance my hormones a bit. It has helped slightly but early days for me. Hope you find something that works for you. It is awful. I'm barely holding it together enough to work each month.

iknowthismuchis · 20/05/2022 08:01

The coil. Stopped my periods, stopped my PMDD. Before the coil PMDD was wiping out 2.5 weeks of every month, I've been free of it for 5 years now

DogDaysNeverEnd · 20/05/2022 08:27

The contraceptive implant works for me. I was lucky that I worked a job that built up time off in lieu as I had about 3 days each month where I couldn't function. Every single time I lost the ability to rationalize I was pre-period. I started with a few days of euphoric high and being a total nightmare bouncing off the walls, then a week maybe of depression, anxiety and seriously intrusive thoughts with 3am being the worst, finally I'd start bleeding and be "normal" for a few days - the relief! To top it all I had a short cycle so pretty soon it started again. I still hate myself from that time, I must have been horrible to be around.

Original poster
PMDDhell · 20/05/2022 09:27

If I had the coil and it happened to make things worse would I be able to have it removed fairly quickly?

OP posts:
Original poster
PMDDhell · 20/05/2022 10:23

I've just requested an appointment with my GP, something I've been putting off for years as I've been too nervous about trying contraception. Hopefully they/I can find something that works for me.

OP posts:
LuaDipa · 20/05/2022 10:31

Yasmin pill as recommended by my gp. It’s been amazing and even brought my skin blemishes and heavy periods under control (although I prefer to take the pill back to back and have as few as possible now).

That being said, my gp will no longer prescribe it due to the cost (I offered to pay in full but was refused) so I pay for it from an online pharmacy instead and I’m happy to do so. However I do slightly question the cost saving logic if I couldn’t afford to pay privately as when I wasn’t on this pill I was at the doctors constantly trying alternative drugs to help such as anti-depressants, treatments for skin breakouts and iron-deficiency anaemia. My pill has eradicated all of this and I seldom visit the surgery now.

Original poster
PMDDhell · 20/05/2022 11:04

LuaDipa · 20/05/2022 10:31

Yasmin pill as recommended by my gp. It’s been amazing and even brought my skin blemishes and heavy periods under control (although I prefer to take the pill back to back and have as few as possible now).

That being said, my gp will no longer prescribe it due to the cost (I offered to pay in full but was refused) so I pay for it from an online pharmacy instead and I’m happy to do so. However I do slightly question the cost saving logic if I couldn’t afford to pay privately as when I wasn’t on this pill I was at the doctors constantly trying alternative drugs to help such as anti-depressants, treatments for skin breakouts and iron-deficiency anaemia. My pill has eradicated all of this and I seldom visit the surgery now.

Do you mind me asking how much you pay for it?

I've just been given an appointment at my doctors this coming Tuesday, hopefully the doctor has some experience of extreme PMS / PMDD

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Jj397 · 20/05/2022 11:08

Wierd to find this post... I was thinking this morning I've dodged the monthly bullet that is pmmd... Just hoping it's the start of the menopause.
Try googling pmmd and me... A good resource!!!

Original poster
PMDDhell · 20/05/2022 11:10

Jj397 · 20/05/2022 11:08

Wierd to find this post... I was thinking this morning I've dodged the monthly bullet that is pmmd... Just hoping it's the start of the menopause.
Try googling pmmd and me... A good resource!!!

I remember realising I'd dodged a months PMDD last year.. It turns out I was pregnant 😄

Roll on the menopause!

Thanks I will check out that site

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UndertheCedartree · 20/05/2022 11:14

PMDDhell · 19/05/2022 22:23

I'm very much the same when it comes to medication unfortunately, I have a prescription of amitriptyline waiting to be started for another issue I have (TMD) and I'm just so reluctant to take it.

Something has to give with this PMDD though, it couldn't possibly be any worse than what I deal with already.

I'm glad you're managing it well 🙂

Show quote history

I used to be reluctant to take meds but now I do my life is transformed. Please take the meds - you won't regret it!

Original poster
PMDDhell · 20/05/2022 11:16

UndertheCedartree · 20/05/2022 11:14

I used to be reluctant to take meds but now I do my life is transformed. Please take the meds - you won't regret it!

Show quote history

I'm definitely going to give it a try. I can't carry on like this, myself aside it's just not fair on my DH and DC. I'm determined to get this sodding thing under control now.

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Bigtruth · 20/05/2022 11:18

My wife has it, it's not only her life that it makes a misery.

Hopefully your family are very understanding but the misery you're bringing to their lives cannot be understated. It's absolutely imperative that you take every action possible to deal with it and that you are seen to be doing your best.

Good luck

Summerhillsquare · 20/05/2022 11:19

Yes, for many years the injection and the implant worked for me, til perimenopause anyway.

BUT look at the Royal College of Gynaecologists office guidance, there is a clear treatment pathway, including a particular combined pill Jasmine/Yaz.