Severe PMDD symptoms every month - can’t cope! Help!

[mamatothreebunnies]

I’m in my mid 30s, have always suffered with weird periods (pcos) where it’s irregular cycles , sometimes once every 6 months period and sometimes every 2 weeks. After my 3rd baby my cycles have totally regulated BUT I have started suffering with the most horrific hormones from ovulation - period. So every month for 2 weeks, I am severely depressed and anxious, I hate my life, don’t want to speak to my friends or family and want to divorce. I don’t like exaggerating but it really is ruining my life because for those 2 weeks, I am going through all the motions of someone ready to leave their marriage and someone who hates their friends. Then my period arrives and I can take a sigh of relief except everyone around me who I’ve been acting crazy around aren’t okay (totally understandable)

what do I do? What’s the solution to PMDD? I don’t want anymore kids so seriously considering have my entire reproductive system removed if it means no more of this shitty hormonal life.

please tell me I’m not alone and if anyone has solutions please share

Sorry you're going through this. Have you spoken to your GP? They may suggest antidepressants.

Silly of me but no I haven’t gone to my GP, haven’t managed to find the time during my “ok cycle” and definitely not up for it during my “off” phase. I should go but I also don’t want antidepressants, I’m not sure they’re the fix to it

Gp and Sertraline

I went on the progesterone only pill and it has really helped level out my moods after a few months of settling in. It's stopped my periods entirely so no more 2 week misery cycle.

I’m a mental health nurse and PMDD sufferer. Antidepressants are first line treatment for PMDD. Sertraline is prescribed most commonly. You don’t have to suffer, set an alarm on your phone for tomorrow morning and ring your GP

IME a GP will need proof that it is actually PMDD before prescribing anything.
So you'll need a record of symptoms for at least a couple of months.

And honestly, also getting blood tests will help to pinpoint and confirm the cause (usually a huge estrogen/progesterone imbalance) and then your GP can give you the options of the best way to treat it.

Private blood tests (if you have health insurance / something like a Randox clinic within a reasonable distance) may be of use and provide more information than the generic NHS ones if you can manage.

But if not, as a starting point, defintely request blood tests from your GP - and request a copy of the results so you can check them.

I know you say you haven't found the time / you're not up for it depending on where you are in your cycle. Maybe though, when you're in your 'ok' cycle you could make an appointment at the GP for a future date when you know you'll be able to go?
Or enlist the help of your DH / DM / trusted friend to make an appointment for you?

I think the actual solution can vary from woman to woman ...... some women find using supplements helps; agnus castus (meant to be very effective) along with magnesium, B6 / B12

My friend was really resistant to the idea of anti-depressants, but took the plunge eventually because she was so desperate. She says that sertraline has made a huge difference and has 'evened-out ' her emotions so she can function more 'normally' - she still gets a bit sad or a bit down, but it's just more 'normal and copeable-with' instead of the huge troughs of unhappiness and despair she was experiencing before.

It's such a horrible thing to suffer from! But you'll find it easier to get the help you need to beat it if you enlist a bit of practical support from your family / friends - and I'm sure they'll thank you for it!! (too early to joke about it??! 😬)

My DD really suffers but has been better since she had the mirena coil fitted. She gets a couple of sad days a month now but she knows it won't go on like two weeks as it did before.