PMDD Ruining my life.

[danid26]

Hi all,

As the title says really, I'm currently day 6 of mood swings and I’m really struggling and could do with hearing from people who actually get this. I have PMDD. About a week before my period I turn into a completely different person. The anger is the worst part, not just irritability, but full-on rage over things I’d normally brush off. I feel overwhelmed by everyday life to the point where I just want to escape it. When I'm feeling this way, I could happily just run away from everyone and everything.
I’m also getting brain fog so bad I can’t think straight, nausea, exhaustion, and these awful fleeting thoughts of “I just can’t do this anymore.” It’s not that I want to die when I don't have PMDD, it’s more like everything feels too much and my brain goes into “shut it all down” mode.
I’m already on antidepressants. I’ve tried the pill and it made me feel awful constantly, and with endometriosis I’m not keen on adding more hormones. I also have trauma from birth and invasive procedures so things like the coil aren’t something I can face.
Has anyone found anything that actually helps with this? Especially the anger and overwhelm? I feel like I’m fighting my own brain every month and I’m exhausted.

How do the people you live with fare? What’s their response to this behaviour?

Not a helpful response.

OP, I am seeing the doctor about this tomorrow. It's awful. For me it's like a switch gets flicked at ovulation. I want to try antidepressants only in the luteal phase, but I appreciate if you are already on these that might not be possible. How old are you? Drug-induced menopause or surgical menopause seem appealing right now. That's how bad it's got.

Have you tried herbal remedies or supplements? There is lots of info online. Magnesium seems to help me a bit.

No advice but I am currently going through the same thing. It is exactly like a switch being flicked and I become a different person. It’s horrific!

I had this - I’m post menopause now. For 10 - 14 days in each month I was depressed angry irritable tired brain fogged up. I thought I was going mad. As a teacher I couldn’t be like this around kids. I joined a research programme at st Thomas’s hospital in London - it really did help me. We were given high doses of evening primrose, magnesium, zinc and b6 and b vitamins. You can buy a product called Magnesium OK which has these in and you can get good quality evening primrose from most health store. Try it it might help

Have I considered how inconvenient my suffering is for everyone else? Yes, yes I have. Read the room. Not me pouring my soul out you are like: 👉 “Yes but how does this affect OTHERS? It’s not really behaviour, it’s a medical condition that affects mood and cognition, which is why I’m trying to find ways to manage it. Thanks for you input though.

in the eyes of your partner and children… it will be “behaviour”… hence asking

I totally understand this, its like being highjacked once a month, and I become a totally different person that is completely intolerant to literally everything. I'm so sorry you are going through the same thing, it is truly awful. I'm just about to turn 31, we ideally wanted one more child, but I genuinely cannot go on like this. Thank you so much for this tip, I will definitely be trying! 💖💖💖💖

If someone had epilepsy, we wouldn’t call a seizure ‘behaviour’ just because others experience it. Same principle. Luckily, my husband is medical so has full knowledge and is incredibly supportive in this time, and knows what he and us as a family need to do to keep all of us supported. As do I for him, when I am not battling this.

It truly is awful, thank you for your reply. It makes me feel less alone in this. It feels like someone comes along and highjacks my brain. Its scary, because I know these aren't my everyday thought patterns. I am mortified when I finally come on my period.

Thank you so much for your reply, I truly appreciate it. I will definitely be trying this! 💖💖💖

Are you for real? Literally fuck the fuck off 👋🏼

Guessing you’re experiencing this too. Today. Right now

Thank god someone said it 👏👏👏💖💖💖

Guessing you actually wind people up for fun. You can leave now.

She's on Mumsnet trying to find out how to address it and get some support from people who can empathise. I hope you've left and won't see this.

Just to let others know who may also have PMDD, or feel that they may. I have reported this comment to be removed. Its an extremely harmful view to woman who may already feel suicidal in accepting that this is the way they are. PMDD is nothing to be ashamed of.

I have PMDD and it almost ruined my life. I was at crisis point where I just dreaded every month and my mood crashing for ten days. I now take eloine contraceptive pill back to back with no breaks and it’s been life changing. It is now recommended on the nice guidelines for the treatment of PMDD.
my life is so much better than 18 months ago so I would try it. I did get headaches for the first 3 months and some irregular bleeding but for mood I am a different person.

I had PMDD that when I also got PTSD it became a million times worse.
I was suicidal every month and regularly under the crisis team. I got whizzed to the top of the hysterectomy waiting list. For the 3 months I was waiting (and to be sure that the hysterectomy would solve the issue) they gave me a chemical injection to bring on menopause. I then had a complete hysterectomy. This may appear a drastic solution but is was the only way that they could keep me safe.

How many different pills have you tried? There are a few good ones now for endometriosis, so perhaps you haven’t tried the right one?
I have PMDD when I’m not on the OCP, so there isn’t really an option not to be on it. I’d much rather the pill side effects than the mood ones. I would definitely recommend going and trying a contraceptive pill that helps address endo and PMDD

I’m going through the same thing. I’m 41. It’s like turning into some sort of beast for two weeks every month. Mine is also triggering off trigeminal neuralgia so I end up with a lot of pain in my face on top of the period pain and the terrible anxiety/ rage/ mood. I tried citalopram but didn’t work it so they doubled the dose but I was a zombie and couldn’t function. This month they’re trying me on HRT. I’m not feeling very hopeful

Its not just friends and mumsnet users treat you like your imagining these symptoms or putting it on, its even the medical professionals themselves - years ago, i got referred to see a gynaecologist at the local hospital -, I was so pleased to get this appt as I thought someone was finally taking my symptoms seriously - it wasn’t the case at all as this gynaecologist listened to me describing my symptoms and turned to his colleagues in front of me and laughing said “thank god my wife isn’t like this woman”!!
He put me on some pills to stop my periods altogether which made me feel strange - but I had no Pmdd, but as soon as I was off the pills the symptoms came hurtling back

Random but I heard psilocybin can help

Things you could look into trying: Antihistamines (short term), GLP 1 - low dose to combat inflammation rather than weight loss.

I understand if you are concerned about the coil fitting, but could it be done under GA?
Other women have said that diet changes and exercise can help (see MIND if you like), and trying to sleep early, easier said than done for some people, with no blue light for hours before bed.