Anyone else intolerant of AD's? PMDD Nightmare

[WendyO]

I have been diagnosed with PMDD, which is like PMS, but a LOT worse.

 

My moods swing with my cycle.

 

From mid-cycle to the time I get my period, I feel horribly.

 

It starts out with growing apathy and feeling crappy and getting really angry and mean to the point that right before I get my period, I am so depressed and anxiety-ridden, that I wouldn't say that suicide is something I consider, but if I got hit by a bus, I wouldn't mind. During this time, I become a shut-in. I don't go out, and I rarely can make it to the gym.

 

Then, as soon as I get my period, it is like the skies clear, and I am once again happy and productive. I eat right, exercise, talk to my friends, become social and content.

 

And this happens EVERY month.

 

So, the most prescribed cure is meds.

 

First doc put me on wellbutrin, which caused me to have not only a severe skin reaction, but also sent my anxiety so through the roof, I thought I would die. Heart was racing, whole body was tingling, short of breath, etc.

 

Second doc put me on zoloft. First day I took it, as soon as it hit its peak (just like the wellbutrin), I also had my anxiety shoot to the moon - same physical reactions. And it is VERY scary.

 

So, here I am with spending two weeks out of every month useless and miserable, and then the thing thats most supposed to help me, I dont seem to tolerate.

 

Can anyone relate?

[chigal28]

I can totally relate to the PMDD...although I haven't gotten to the dr. yet about it, what you experience sounds exactly the same as my month. Two weeks of utter hell, hating my life, thinking I suck at everything, not wanting to do anything or talk to anyone...then suddenly it's like I popped on rose-colored glasses and everything is completely different.

 

I'm sorry to hear that you've had such negative experiences with the medication. That must be very frustrating, especially as it seems some of the worst side effects (ie. anxiety) are exactly what you're trying to get rid of! Are there any herbal remedies you could try?

[WendyO]

I can totally relate to the PMDD...although I haven't gotten to the dr. yet about it, what you experience sounds exactly the same as my month. Two weeks of utter hell, hating my life, thinking I suck at everything, not wanting to do anything or talk to anyone...then suddenly it's like I popped on rose-colored glasses and everything is completely different.

 

I'm sorry to hear that you've had such negative experiences with the medication. That must be very frustrating, especially as it seems some of the worst side effects (ie. anxiety) are exactly what you're trying to get rid of! Are there any herbal remedies you could try?

 

Oh, it's horrible, isn't it??? I never used to be like this, until I started perimenopause. It SUCKS. It's like I spend two weeks a month living a nice life, and then two weeks undoing it all.

 

Do you plan on seeking treatment?

 

The only things I seem to tolerate are the short-acting drugs - like ritalin, xanax... I have an appt. with a new doc in a week.

[Ac143]

I was diagnosed with PMDD & my gyno put me on YAZ, it helped me alot & I mean alot. I was only on it for about 4 months, I had to stop taking them for other reasons...nothing related to yaz or pmdd. lol

 

But maybe look into it?

[WendyO]

I am with you there, it is not pretty.

 

 

You also have PMDD? Are you taking anything, or have you tried anything?

[WendyO]

I was diagnosed with PMDD & my gyno put me on YAZ, it helped me alot & I mean alot. I was only on it for about 4 months, I had to stop taking them for other reasons...nothing related to yaz or pmdd. lol

 

But maybe look into it?

 

I started taking Loestrin and four days into it, I had severe cramping, spotting, leg pain and I thought I would kill person, so I went off of that pronto.

 

I know when you have PMDD that you are sensitive to even your own hormones, so I guess for me, adding more made me insane.

 

You are LUCKY!!!

 

So, are you taking anything new now?

[WendyO]

Just St John's Wort but no other medications. There are times I feel like a real wack job

 

Do you think it works? How many weeks is your bad time? I'm evenly split. Like to the DAY. Two happy weeks, and two spend as a crazy lady.

[Ac143]

I started taking Loestrin and four days into it, I had severe cramping, spotting, leg pain and I thought I would kill person, so I went off of that pronto.

 

I know when you have PMDD that you are sensitive to even your own hormones, so I guess for me, adding more made me insane.

 

You are LUCKY!!!

 

So, are you taking anything new now?

 

Nope I just take regular PMS OTC meds now, its torture. lol

 

Are you on birth control?

[WendyO]

Yes, I am a crazy person for about that long..it does help me some yes. It is an herbal for anxiety and a few other things.

 

Im just so frustrated with only living a life two weeks out of the month. I work from home, so those last two weeks, I truly barely leave the house.

 

Do you take the herbs all month?

[unabashed]

I was diagnosed with PMDD & my gyno put me on YAZ, it helped me alot & I mean alot. I was only on it for about 4 months, I had to stop taking them for other reasons...nothing related to yaz or pmdd. lol

 

But maybe look into it?

 

My daughter is on Yaz, and it's helped her a lot, also. When you went off of Yaz, did your symptoms return? She also has polycystic ovary syndrome.

 

Thanks!

[Ac143]

My daughter is on Yaz, and it's helped her a lot, also. When you went off of Yaz, did your symptoms return? She also has polycystic ovary syndrome.

 

Thanks!

 

Yes they did but not as bad not sure if that really had anything to do with yaz though.

 

It really worked well & I wish they had something else that works as well that isn't a birth control.

[chigal28]

Oh, it's horrible, isn't it??? I never used to be like this, until I started perimenopause. It SUCKS. It's like I spend two weeks a month living a nice life, and then two weeks undoing it all.

 

Do you plan on seeking treatment?

 

The only things I seem to tolerate are the short-acting drugs - like ritalin, xanax... I have an appt. with a new doc in a week.

 

I do plan to visit my dr. about it very soon. It took a while of noting when I felt each way to notice the pattern, and more research to figure out what it might be! The weird thing is that although it's exactly two weeks each way, the "happy two weeks" don't start at my time of the month. It's kind of a mid-cycle thing...so I'm hoping it's not something more serious...

[chigal28]

Do you think it works? How many weeks is your bad time? I'm evenly split. Like to the DAY. Two happy weeks, and two spend as a crazy lady.

 

Mine too. It's helped me deal with the "bad times," because I have it marked down on my calendar when I'll feel "normal" again, so I just look forward to that day. I can look at it objectively and know that I'm only feeling horrible because of all of these hormones and whatever's got me jacked up inside, but it doesn't help the fact that I still DO feel horrible...ya know?

 

I totally know what you mean by crazy. For me, I respond differently to everything, I perceive everyone differently, etc. I'm even beginning to dread a party I'm hosting on Feb. 21, simply because according to my calendar, a few days before that I'll be flip-flopping back from "happy" to "horrible," and I'm afraid I'll get really irritated with everyone, or just be a complete downer. GAHHH

[calidreamin0]

I have anxiety and I think a lot is mostly due to hormonal changes. I am on birth control (nuvaring) and a low dose of Prozac.

 

Have you tried Prozac? I have found it to be very effective. I couldn't tolerate Zoloft at all and it actually made me sick to my stomach at one time. Have you tried Yaz? I didn't have much luck with that one.

 

Had the doctor suggested an IUD? Or a birth control such a Seasonale? You need something that will regulate your hormones and/or your mood.

[whes]

I got diagnosed with PMDD and also have that two weeks of hell two weeks normal cycle. I just started yaz a few weeks ago, so we'll see if it does the trick once the it hits. I really really hope it does because I am almost non-functional during that time. I'm just an emotional train wreck! It can't really get any worse.

[babysunshine]

I have severe PMDD, and I mean SEVERE. Like the OP, I am only my normal self one week out of the month. Two weeks before my period I get extremely bloated, my breasts swell immensely, even the sound of people chewing (with their mouths closed!) can make me want to rip someones face off. I get very, very depressed, melancholy, irritated, and irrational. Then after two weeks of misery I get my period only to be greeted with cramps that make me double over in pain/vomit/ and a couple times I have even fainted from the pain.

 

The only thing that has helped me, and trust me I have tried EVERYTHING. ( I have been on six different types of BC, I even flew to Brazil to go to a special doctor and tried homeopathic medicine) are these things:

 

Two weeks before my period I up my excercise. I feel so tired and sluggish that sometimes I have to literally drag myself out the door. But, the endorphins it produces are really, really helpful.

 

I drastically cut out caffeine, alcohol, or any highly salted foods.

 

I also take Evening Primrose Oil (you can get it at trader joe's) and St. John's wort the two weeks before and while during my period.

 

Lastly, I drink lots and lots of water and try to get as much sleep as possible. These things have helped me a lot but it's still a horrible thing to live with. =( For me and those around me!

[crosstownTraffic]

So the two weeks happen before your period? Hmmm. that's interesting, I seem to more happy myself the two weeks after my period also. I guess, it's good to see your period, know you are functioning normally and then all the hormones you get before you ovulate... after that.. it is sort of downhill, I'm in that downhill phase right now and starting to feel a bit blue.

Wow! I never thought I had PMS though.. Actually I have pretty mild period, there isn't much cramping. I never want to kill anyone during them or after. I guess I'm lucky that way.

Try go online, and go to maybe somethign like link removed and type in herbal remedies for your problem. YES, the herbal remedies DO take longer, but there's little side effects and they are "probably" safer. I cannot say for sure b/c there are some herbals that cause bad side effects in some people, what did they say Verbena or something shouldn't be mixed with other stuff... I cannot remember now.. but make sure if you are taking other over the counter meds, or prescriptioni meds you check with your doctor first to make sure they will mix okay!

Hope you feel better. water, and exercise help alot of things, strangely enough.