PMDD?

stephyannette · Post by **stephyannette** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:46 am

So, It's been about two months that I have been dealing with this horrible case of anxiety, and depression. Sometimes it gets so severe to the point where I don't think I can live anymore, and dread the future. It has really disabled me from doing a lot of things, like getting a job.

It might just be a coincidence, but it appears that I start getting really emotional about a week or so before my period begins. The first time the episode lasted almost two weeks, and was going on and off several medications. Things seemed to get a little better, and then it came back, as well as my period. Last week my symptoms came back and I was really losing it because I can't stand feeling the way I do and can't stand some of the thoughts I get when I am like this. And then today, I wake up with my period.

So I have been kind of wondering if it might be PMDD? I don't really get bad phyiscal symptoms like cramps, but my emotions are off the charts. Has anyone else been diagnosed with PMDD? What kind of treatments did you seek, and did they work?

Any feedback is appreciated!

Barb G. · Post by **Barb G.** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:07 am

Hi Steph.

It could be PMDD or just PMS that's overagressive because of anxiety. Whatever problems we may have, it seems as though stress makes them feel worse. Maybe, because stress throws our hormones out of whack, and because hormones are what controls PMS, it makes sense. Right? I know exactly how you feel because I went through it too. But as the anxiety started to go away, that started going away too. I use to feel as though PMS was going to kill me. Now i'm barely bothered by PMS.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:39 am

I used to get this pretty bad. I found a doctor who put me on natural transdermal progesterone for two weeks out of the month and it helped me tremendously. It really calmed me down that awful 'week before' time.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:49 pm

Thank you both for your response.

A friend of mine told me it might be horomones a while ago but I brushed it off because I seriously thought something was seriously wrong with my mind. But it seems to make more sense that horomones could be the cause, especially having three coincidences around my period like I have.

I will talk to my doctor and councelor about it sometime this week and see about some options, like the natural transdermal progesterone, if they think horomones could be to blame for my emotions.

Did any of you have any really irrational thoughts while going through your issue?
I do nothing but worry and think about worrisome things. Always afraid that someone close to me is going to die and I won't be able to cope, or sometimes I just can't stand thinking about the future because I can't see any happiness to come. Afraid of getting old and possibly sick. It drives me nuts.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:04 pm

Steph, Those irrational thoughts are just anxiety and depression with a little ocd. Hormones out of whack will cause all of your symptoms to get a little or a lot worse. It wont last forever.

How old are you? I'm 43. You're only as old as you feel.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:54 pm

My thoughts are off the wall and send me further down in depression. I believe sometimes that I have no foundation b/c I'm knocked down so easily.
My husband rented a movie tonight and I started out in my head with thinking he didn't want to spend time with me. It progressed through crazy thought after crazy thought (and I mean odd when I say crazy) until I got home and briefly saw CNN about a child given up for adoption years ago reuniting with her siblings and worried that I might give mine up??????????????????? That's when I decided things had gotten way out of hand. My hubby had been asked for an hour "What's wrong? Something's bothering you." But I denied it. Now he's had to talk me out of my down state, and I feel stupid again for going through that cycle. Stupid- b/c I tell myself I should have prevented it.
I have a hard time justifying these thoughts, but I guess I'm not alone. I wish it were as simple as stressing over dirty dishes, b/c I can take care of that.
I know mine is hormone related- post partum- twice now. But I am also worse with no sleep and physical pain. Both are huge triggers for me.
I am on the backside of this funk or my post would be more positive. I'll bet those who have read my posts before can tell a difference. I never hardly answer anyone when I feel like this. I always put up a good front.
Do you hide from people when you are down too?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:27 pm

I have PMDD. I understand how it can really devastate you - especially when you don't have a "label" for it. Many people don't think there should be labels. Well, it just is what it is. I am trying hard to deal with it and not let it or the "label" define me and my life. I've been on numerous anti-depressants, counseling, read books etc. over the past years. It's not easy and I won't sugar-coat it and tell you there's a magic pill or cure. I've developed panic attacks & anxiety & it makes relationships hard. Each month my husband gets asked at church "where's your wife" and answers "oh she's not feeling well" etc... My periods are horrendously painful; I'm confined to bed for the first 2 days. A few people know & joke & that hurts, but they mean well. How do I cope? I've cut down on caffiene. I have this Stress program & I do believe it is helping aLOT... slowly, yes ,baby steps yes, but still any step is a step forward. I don't look at anything (except future menopause) as a "cureall" and I have a prescription for panic attacks. When I have the "episodes" I now let myself "cry it out" and although that is exhausting it does "let it out." I watch movies & stay home & write & draw & just kind of "hole up" for a few days. What always amazes me though is when it's over, every time, every month, I have SO much energy, enthusiasm, ambition & JOY... sure it's a roller coaster, but I've accepted it, and I ride it, each month, and on it I have learned so much compassion for others. THAT is the one thing I am the most grateful for, but yes, I DO look forward to menopause! Take care & don't be too hard on yourself. Don't stop searching if that is what you want to do, but again, learn to ride in both the hills and the valleys.

Coach_Pete · Post by **Coach_Pete** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:32 pm

deedee - I am 22.

Bev - I don't hide from people when I am down. I actually have this weird "afraid of being alone" thing going on, and grasp at anyone who can tolerate me. Usually it's my parents and my sister who I go to.
It's kind of comforting to know that I am not the only one who has the most irrational thoughts. I remember a couple weeks ago, when that kid shot up his school and they said he was on Xanax and antidepressants, I seriously thought I would become like him because I was taking Xanax and an antidepressant. I worried so much about my medications making me "crazy". I had to stop watching the news for a while because everything on it depressed me and made me stir up crazy thoughts.

Sybil - I try to find things to do when I get my symptoms, but unfortunately I lose so much energy from crying, and I have no interest in anything. Everyone tells me to get out and do stuff, but sometimes it's just so hard to push yourself when you are in that state. Glad you have learned to deal with your symptoms. I hope I can find some ways to cope with mine in the near future.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:01 am

Hi Steph.

Enjoy 22. Try not to think of getting old. You're still young. I have a daughter your age.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:52 am

I will work on getting over the "growing old" fear eventually. I really want to be able to enjoy my youth while it's here.