Anyone familiar with PMDD?

[lovetodance2018]

For the past 5 months my anxiety and depression appears to be happening around my menstrual cycle. I been tracking it more thoroughly this month. The problem is my cycle also stops and starts in one month. I think I might be in Peri-menopause ( I turned 50 last month). So my spiraling is all over the place this month and I have had a few other months like this. Some months I start feeling anxious a few days before the actual mensuration starts, thoughts go all over the place and within a couple of the days the depression comes, by the third - fourth day I begin to feel better after the mensuration starts. However, when it starts and stops I can feel bad and good in one day. I feel like a yo yo and going crazy. Plus my digestion too is all over. Any suggestions. I love this forum and all the wonderful support. God Bless!

[3crazydogs]

Hi, saw your comment was recent ... just trying to connect with someone ... i have read that women with your symptoms should take vitamins... Bcomplex, magnesium, fish oil to name a few. I know that I have been taking a liquid B complex and it has helped.

[lovetodance2018 in reply to 3crazydogs]

Thank you for your suggestions. I just increased my calcium and B6 as I read an article about that. Do you know how many cycles it took for you to stop the anxiety and depressive symptoms? It is wearing me out.

[lovetodance2018 in reply to 3crazydogs]

I have just realized that the B6 is causing me stomach issues, nausea and constipation. So back to trying to figure out what to do before my next cycle.

[3crazydogs in reply to lovetodance2018]

I have to take the bcomplex after food otherwise I get nauseous... I found the liquid minimizes the nausea. I would say I’m probably post menopausal, but before and during the worst of it ( my issue was hot flashes) I was on Lexapro. While I was an advocate for Lexapro .... I have now found that coming off of it is worse than anything I have encountered. I would suggest maybe going homeopathic.... and I believe fish oil is good ( Nordic Naturals no fishy burbs) and I’m told you have to take double doses to feel the affects. Hope the forum can help you ride it out.

[Dolphin14]

Have you talked to your GYN about it? I just rode out the symptoms.

Try the supplements the 3crazydogs suggested. It certainly can't hurt, hopefully will help.

[lovetodance2018 in reply to Dolphin14]

I appreciate your suggestion. How many months did you ride out the symptoms? Was your anxiety uncontrollable? Did you spiral really low? I get to a point where I don't want to live. I just moved and don't have a GYN yet but plan to look for one soon. I also had an insurance change so it takes time to figure it out? Thanks again for your input.

[Dolphin14 in reply to lovetodance2018]

If you don't have a GYN you can see a GP when you get settled.

It went on for a few months. I did not get to the point of not wanting to live. So, your symptoms sound more severe.

I opted out of hormone replacement therapy. Some md's will prescribe low dose antidepressants.

Exercise and eating healthy helped a bit.

[lovetodance2018 in reply to Dolphin14]

I have been on antidepressants for a while. They actual increased my dosage. I try to exercise daily and eat pretty healthy. Though I have no appetite during my cycle and really have a hard time eating at all. Thanks again for responding. I really appreciate it.

[Dolphin14 in reply to lovetodance2018]

Sounds like you are doing a lot of good things.

You may want to try the hormones after discussion with MD

I wish you the best of luck. It's a tough time for a lot of us.

[Hidden in reply to lovetodance2018]

Hi can I ask wat meds they offered youx

[hypercat54]

Hi I emphasise coz I suffered like you going through the menopause. Add to your symptoms night sweats and killer hot flushes too. The only thing which really helped me was HRT. x

[lovetodance2018 in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you for your response and what is HRT?

[lovetodance2018 in reply to hypercat54]

I just looked up HRT. What type of doctor did you work with to get HRT? GYN? Functional Medicine?

[Hidden in reply to lovetodance2018]

Gyn

[hypercat54 in reply to lovetodance2018]

I am in the UK so just got it from my normal doctor.

[Hidden]

PMDD isn’t simply anxiety and depression, It’s essentially PMS times a million as far as mood changes go. It literally can cause suicidality every month. With PMDD the mood swings are so intensified that you cannot manage them.

I struggled with PMDD for many years, was actually hospitalized once because of it. My PMDD came about when I was suffering from a severe case of postpartum depression.

That being said, what you’re describing can very well be attributed to PMDD. Symptoms typically begin during ovulation and subside once your period begins. Talk to your gyn ASAP.

[Hidden]

I am very similar I am 48

Started couple yrs ago

I have kept diary and noticed bout 10 days or less before monthly I get horrible out it the blue symptoms

Feels like I am dying

Dizzy

Ibs

Or acid reflux

Severe anxiety

Night sweats

Palps

Heart pounding

Sleep is everywhere

I get all this days before period

Thing is I suffer with anxiety anyway and did ask gp for test for hormones they said no point due to changing hormones they offered different anti depressants

I not taken any as I am not depressed I am anxious

Scared of hrt

As not had test yest they was telling me to try it

At my wits ends

I am totally with you

I also developed allergies like hay fever never had this is my life plus heavy cycles

Severe contraction like pains

Horrific

Xxx

[AAP10]

I suggest Vitanica Women's Phase I™ Premenstrual Support -- 60 Vegetarian Capsules. It takes at least a month or two to see the full effects. I personally used it everyday for a month. Now use it two weeks before my cycle. Options you can consider is taking Prozac or Zoloft 10 days before your cycle. Instead of continually taking antidepressants too. I recommend last resort yaz birth control.