PMDD and endometriosis help

[superprin]

Hi guys, hoping to get not only advice but to hear whether anyone else experiences what I do..I have had awful periods my whole life with endometriosis which only seem to be worsening. I have had awful experiences with the NHS...one doctor sexually abusing me and then me being unable to fight the case as they claimed that I had never showed up to the appointment and was lying. They had also performed an ultrasound scan on me and said I had nothing wrong with me, only with my own research concluding that I needed a laparoscopy to see anything. I've had doctors gaslighting me my whole life, on top of my PMDD (which I know is directly linked to my periods) and have been simply turned away because I refuse to take anti-depressants. Have been told by doctors that my mental health has nothing to do with my periods (which is obviously crazy as not only is it a direct hormonal impact, it is simply the depression of being disabled for two weeks of every month - isn't that a very valid reason for being upset?). Although I am grateful as my laparoscopy is FINALLY soon approaching after years of hammering down their necks (I got lucky with a gp practise I tried near my parents house)...It seems as though my PMDD symptoms are getting crazy awful every month. With this comes extreme suicidal thoughts, zero energy, motivation, I am completely not myself, I'm angry etc. I understand anti-depressants may be great for some people, but I am totally for a holistic route...I exercise regularly, I don't eat gluten or dairy, and I take lots of supplements, so I really want to avoid taking these pills, especially when the depression only affects me for a this PMDD period. I guess I am hoping to simply connect with people who have experienced similar situations to me and to find comfort in that, and perhaps see if anything I haven't tried yet has worked for anyone else? The NHS seems to be awful for this and I have been laughed at by gps and told there's nothing that can be done etc...not even therapy has been offered to me as an option when I have said I am suicidal...Also, has a laparoscopy and endo removal helped peoples PMDD symptoms? Sorry for the chaotic and long winded message, but hopefully this may bring similar experiences and frustrations together and help each other? Thanks x

[Endofitall]

I am so sorry you’re going through all this and have been gaslit for so long (many of us have too so understand).

I have horrendous PMS/PMDD since my teens together with endo and menstrual migraines. I definitely feel there’s some link for some people.

It’s early days post lap for me to comment if it’s helped just yet but I have noticed fewer migraines already.

At its worst I found using an SSRI antidepressant like sertraline just for the luteal phase (so between ovulation and period) helpful for take the edge off. You don’t have to take it all the time for PMDD. But I can’t take it now I’m TTC.

I didn’t find any diet or exercise particularly helpful, and while mindfulness training and acupuncture have helped me cope mentally through years of fertility treatment and a recent ectopic pregnancy, I don’t find they do anything for the PMDD which is so chemical in the brain from hormonal changes. I did find switching off my cycles completely helped but can’t do that while TTC, and it’s not great for bone health etc long term to be basically menopausal from young age.

Have you seen a PMDD specialist? Nick Panay in London is a specialist. If you’re in England you could have a choose and book referral to a PMS specialist.

[superprin in reply to Endofitall]

Thank you! I'm glad you've noticed less migraines, I hope it only gets better for you! Did you have any side effects with the sertraline? Yes, I do need to do some mindfulness training for sure, it's just so hard to do anything positive when you are in PMDD mode...it's totally like a different person. The diet and exercise front is a tricky one for sure...whilst I think it can benefit many aspects of life which can benefit the cycle, it's still hard to see any major changes. I do find however that yoga before/after my period is really helpful for me, as stretching is good for a period body and the mindfulness aspect of it. Also tried acupuncture a few times but I got harassed by the man...very bizarre experience and put me off it completely. He took advantage of me as I was paralysed with the needles but anyway...I have been thinking about trying it again with a woman, it's just the cost of it is so off putting. About a PMDD specialist, I honestly didn't even know they existed! I have an appointment with my GP about this in April, so I'm hoping that she will be able to navigate me somewhere...will mention Nick Panay. Thank you so much for the advice, and I hope everything works out with you. Good luck to you with trying to conceive (I've heard Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture is great for this!) Also might be worth trying ashwaghanda for fertility? Great for calming the mood also...All the best xxx

[Darcy9]

I have PMDD and endo. Mine also gets so bad I feel like I'm going crazy, suicidal, can't function. I was put on BC at a young age and it's apparently leveled me out well. I had to stop it for 2 months for fertility testing and all of my PMDD symptoms came back. It got so bad I almost checked myself into a facility. The only thing I've found that helps is BC. I take it continuously and maybe have a period every 6 months. Even then its not a real period so the PMDD symptoms don't return thankfully. I am scared to come off birth control and wish there was another way to try treat it. I'm sorry I don't have better advice.

[superprin in reply to Darcy9]

Feel for you...totally feels the same for me. I'm so glad BC has worked out for you, I have a friend who is the same and is scared to come off it so totally understand. Unfortunately I tried all forms of BC inc patches and tablets, and it made the mood swings awful. Helped with pains a bit maybe but I might of just had some okay months...Discuss with your doctor about coming off it, there might be supplements which will help ease symptoms? Def worth doing some research, as the more I read about BC the more shocked I am. Medical industry does not cater to helping women, very patriarchal and barely been developed at all for women. (I heard that it even can make you choose the wrong partner..something to do with your pheromones altering). Wish woman didn't have to deal with these things! I hope things get better for you anyway x