Anger, lack of sleep and PMDD

[happyseal]

So for the last 4 months my PMS has shifted and now it presents the full list of symptoms for PMDD. So basically PMDD is worse than PMS. Below is what I found on woman’s health dot gov.

“Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a health problem that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious. PMDD causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before your period starts. Symptoms usually go away two to three days after your period starts. You may need medicine or other treatment to help with your symptoms.

Symptoms of PMDD include:3

Lasting irritability or anger that may affect other people

Feelings of sadness or despair, or even thoughts of suicide

Feelings of tension or anxiety

Panic attacks

Mood swings or crying often

Lack of interest in daily activities and relationships

Trouble thinking or focusing

Tiredness or low energy

Food cravings or binge eating

Trouble sleeping

Feeling out of control

Physical symptoms, such as cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain “

Do you have PMS or PMDD. If PMDD How do you manage these new symptoms? Lack of sleep, anger and depression?

[Faith103]

I think I get this, as soon as I’ve ovulated I start to feel all these symptoms. I don’t know if it’s this or it’s just the fact I know it’s another month with no baby xxxx

[happyseal in reply to Faith103]

I find that after my ovulation I have a lot of triggers and if something is not going as I hoped then it makes my symptoms worse. Good luck and I wish you get pregnant soon

[happyseal in reply to Faith103]

I hope you get your baby soon

[Faith103 in reply to happyseal]

I think it’s all delayed with this vivid 19 xxx

[happyseal in reply to Faith103]

Isolation definitely does not help, right?

[Anastasia17]

After my lap in September 2018, the gynae consultant told me that it wasn't possible to have perimenopause and PMS. However, reading the above symptoms I had a lot of anger 2 weeks and sometimes throughout the month, painful breasts, suicidal thoughts which left me bewildered, depression. The psychiatric that I saw 8 months after the urgent original letter of referral from the consultant, by which time, with my husband help, this site's support, changing my diet to reduce the inflammation and consequent pain, the psy concluded that I had a lot of 'unfortunate events' but I am a conscientious woman. And that was it:8 months of waiting, of chasing to be told I didn't need any treatment. I was prescribed Pregabalin to which I reacted and Gabapentine for the pain in case of flare ups, which didn't work. A lady GP asked me in June this year why I was so angry and gave me the Internet address of Dr Brain 'understanding your pain' which didn't help me. So, yes, this is the highly innovative 21st century medical help I have received over the past 12 months. Thanks to your post tonight I now understand why I can be so angry. The highly qualified medical corporation never acknowledged, helped. I try with my husband's help, and women like you have. A massive Thank you. 😊

[happyseal in reply to Anastasia17]

I understand how you feel and is good to know that sharing this helped. Doctors don’t always acknowledge what we say unfortunately. I hope this info can help you find a way to manage the PMDD symptoms. It’s good to share this with other women so we don’t feel like giving up and not being able to get help.

[kate24601]

I have awful PMDD and have heard Agnus Castus does wonders, just not been on it long enough to judge that for myself yet! I also have to talk myself into taking comfort that I know it will pass soon and this isn't how I REALLY feel, just my hormones dealing with things for me!

[happyseal in reply to kate24601]

I have taken agnus cactus for endometriosis pain but it stop working after a year of taking it. It used to help me with the mood issues and tender breast.

[deafhound]

Hi,

This is my first post here. I have PMDD and am taking sertraline, which has helped enormously. It is an antidepressant, but has a unique action on hormone pathways. My understanding is that has a different action in PMDD than in clinically depessed patients. For this reason it can be taken for the luteal phase only - it alleviates extreme reactions related to hormonal fluctuations that happen between ovulation and menstruation.

I am currently under investigation for endo. For me the PMDD came alongwith the endo symptoms and got progressively worse. It was only because I was tracking my cycle due to abnormal bleeding, pain and bowel issues that I really became aware that the issue was cyclic. I was *extremely reluctant* to mention it, as I did not want my diagnostics/treatment to be influeneced by any mention of psychiatric symptoms.

I didn't go into detail how bad my moods were with my GP - I simply stated that I was getting extreme mood swings at ovulation which preceded the pain/bleeding issues and were making it difficult to cope with the symptoms. My GP was super helpful in seeking external info on the pharmacology of sertraline and confirming its unique hormonal role in treating PMDD - without that support I would still be battling extreme suicidal thoughts each ovulation!

I would urge anyone going through such extreme mood swings to get the help and attention they need and self advocate/switch doctors if necessary. Battling endo is bad enough without throwing untreated PMDD into the mix!

[happyseal in reply to deafhound]

My GP prescribed the mini pill which doesn’t work for me and gives me horrible migraines. Thank you for sharing. I’ve tried different supplements and talking therapy but still is too hard to deal with everything with the depressive and suicidal thoughts...being irritable and tearful all the time. I’ll probably have to change GP and I’ll bring it up. Thank you