Anyone have experience with PMDD??
Replies
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This! After much ho humming I had a Vaginal hysterectomy and quality of life came back. Feeling like I was hit by a mack truck was my "normal". My iron was a 9. Turns out I had fibroids and a severe case of adenomyosis (tissue that grows into the muscle of the uterus) and my uterus was 3xs normal size. Life is good now! It's the most extreme option but my god it is the Best decision I have ever made for myself!courtneyfabulous wrote: »Check vitamin D levels. Check magnesium levels. Heck, have them check ALL YOUR LEVELS OF EVERYTHING. Get an MRI. One doctor tried to send me to a psychiatrist because I seemed depressed... well turns out I had EXTREMELY low iron & hemoglobin levels, a vitamin D deficiency, fibroids, adenomyosis (similar to endometriosis) and heavy bleeding & pain all the time. Can you guess why I seemed depressed?!!
Post hysterectomy now and back to feeling great and healthy thank goodness- but it still pisses me off how that doctor tried to treat a physical problem as a mental one. Change doctors if you feel your needs are not being met until you find someone who can actually help you.
So glad you are feeling better!! It's amazing how many conditions go undiagnosed until something extreme happens.1 -
Not sure if I have PMDD or not but PMS has gotten worse for me as I approach menopause. I have a history of dysthymia (depression) & anxiety. Gyno prescribed low dosage of Zoloft & I feel so much better!
It's what my gyn recommended too but frankly I'm reluctant to get on those again... I used to be on anti depressants and I was just exhausted all the time (plus I'd fall asleep within 20 minutes of taking them - same with progesterone pills actually). Being very sensitive to hormonal changes really sucks.
My PMS symptoms range from insane appetite (I was probably 4000 calories over maintenance last week - I don't dare counting - it's not hunger as much as huge carb cravings that make me physically sick if I don't eat) to severe depression, or 10 days of horrible cramps. Sometimes a mix of all of those. I'm still not sure which one is worse (at least when I was depressed I had no appetite so I actually lost weight that month!).
I've talked to 3 different GPs/GYNs about it, they all basically shrugged it off as normal, and only recommended the pill or anti-depressants (I tried different pills years ago too and had some bad reactions to them as well so I'm not too sure about that either - plus they all increased my cholesterol, which is already borderline). Some days a hysterectomy sounds great, if the recovery didn't suck.0 -
The first couple of days on Zoloft I felt cold and a bit sleepy within an hour of taking it. But now it doesn't affect me that way. I'm getting lots of work done at home and getting my workouts in. I'm not as angry, that's a big bonus!
Sorry that you had a poor experience with the antidepressants, @Francl270 -
alexsuffell wrote: »For me, going onto Depo has made my PMDD so much easier. Once every 12 weeks it starts to kick in again - about five or six days before I get my next shot. I do find my appetite goes sky-high just after getting my shot though...
It's not for everyone, but it helped me. Different things for different people, but there are options out there - your doctor needs to kick into gear and help you find out which one works for you!
My dr doesn't want me to do the depo shot, and I just had my Mirena taken out (AND feel noticeably better), and my hematologist doesn't me to do an IUD. So that leaves me with the mini-pill or basically condoms. After reading the side effects of the mini-pill (increased depression, weight gain, cancer, etc., it makes me hesitate to give it a try). Ugh! Being a woman sucks. LOL
We do not use any chemical birth control and never have. We've been married 21 years. Have you considered natural family planning? It is very effective once you learn how to use it. For a few months a person might want to use condoms until they learned it really well. Effectiveness wise though, when done properly, it is as effective as condoms and no damage to your body from regular hormone BC. Just a thought.....0 -
ronjsteele1 wrote: »alexsuffell wrote: »For me, going onto Depo has made my PMDD so much easier. Once every 12 weeks it starts to kick in again - about five or six days before I get my next shot. I do find my appetite goes sky-high just after getting my shot though...
It's not for everyone, but it helped me. Different things for different people, but there are options out there - your doctor needs to kick into gear and help you find out which one works for you!
My dr doesn't want me to do the depo shot, and I just had my Mirena taken out (AND feel noticeably better), and my hematologist doesn't me to do an IUD. So that leaves me with the mini-pill or basically condoms. After reading the side effects of the mini-pill (increased depression, weight gain, cancer, etc., it makes me hesitate to give it a try). Ugh! Being a woman sucks. LOL
We do not use any chemical birth control and never have. We've been married 21 years. Have you considered natural family planning? It is very effective once you learn how to use it. For a few months a person might want to use condoms until they learned it really well. Effectiveness wise though, when done properly, it is as effective as condoms and no damage to your body from regular hormone BC. Just a thought.....
Well natural family planning doesn't exactly help with PMDD (and no, it doesn't always work either).2 -
Not sure if I have PMDD or not but PMS has gotten worse for me as I approach menopause. I have a history of dysthymia (depression) & anxiety. Gyno prescribed low dosage of Zoloft & I feel so much better!
It's what my gyn recommended too but frankly I'm reluctant to get on those again... I used to be on anti depressants and I was just exhausted all the time (plus I'd fall asleep within 20 minutes of taking them - same with progesterone pills actually). Being very sensitive to hormonal changes really sucks.
My PMS symptoms range from insane appetite (I was probably 4000 calories over maintenance last week - I don't dare counting - it's not hunger as much as huge carb cravings that make me physically sick if I don't eat) to severe depression, or 10 days of horrible cramps. Sometimes a mix of all of those. I'm still not sure which one is worse (at least when I was depressed I had no appetite so I actually lost weight that month!).
I've talked to 3 different GPs/GYNs about it, they all basically shrugged it off as normal, and only recommended the pill or anti-depressants (I tried different pills years ago too and had some bad reactions to them as well so I'm not too sure about that either - plus they all increased my cholesterol, which is already borderline). Some days a hysterectomy sounds great, if the recovery didn't suck.
I found a list of supplements to take that can help PMDD, and while I'm not sure if it was getting the Mirena removed, or adding in the supplements that have helped, I will say I feel better.
Nutritional supplements
Vitamin B6, up to 100 mg per day
Vitamin E, up to 600 IU per day
Calcium carbonate, 1,200 to 1,600 mg per day
Magnesium, up to 500 mg per day
Tryptophan, up to 6 g per day
Evening primrose oil
500 mg per day to 1,000 mg three times per day
Days 17 through 28 of menstrual cycle
Chaste tree berry
30 to 40 mg per day
Days 17 through 28 of menstrual cycle
At this point I am desperate enough to try ANYTHING!!!0 -
Ya, I successfully used Fertility Awareness for years when I was married. My SO now had a vasectomy. Words cannot describe how nice it is to no longer worry about unplanned pregnancy.ronjsteele1 wrote: »alexsuffell wrote: »For me, going onto Depo has made my PMDD so much easier. Once every 12 weeks it starts to kick in again - about five or six days before I get my next shot. I do find my appetite goes sky-high just after getting my shot though...
It's not for everyone, but it helped me. Different things for different people, but there are options out there - your doctor needs to kick into gear and help you find out which one works for you!
My dr doesn't want me to do the depo shot, and I just had my Mirena taken out (AND feel noticeably better), and my hematologist doesn't me to do an IUD. So that leaves me with the mini-pill or basically condoms. After reading the side effects of the mini-pill (increased depression, weight gain, cancer, etc., it makes me hesitate to give it a try). Ugh! Being a woman sucks. LOL
We do not use any chemical birth control and never have. We've been married 21 years. Have you considered natural family planning? It is very effective once you learn how to use it. For a few months a person might want to use condoms until they learned it really well. Effectiveness wise though, when done properly, it is as effective as condoms and no damage to your body from regular hormone BC. Just a thought.....
We're on a "What to do about BC" tangent nowronjsteele1 wrote: »alexsuffell wrote: »For me, going onto Depo has made my PMDD so much easier. Once every 12 weeks it starts to kick in again - about five or six days before I get my next shot. I do find my appetite goes sky-high just after getting my shot though...
It's not for everyone, but it helped me. Different things for different people, but there are options out there - your doctor needs to kick into gear and help you find out which one works for you!
My dr doesn't want me to do the depo shot, and I just had my Mirena taken out (AND feel noticeably better), and my hematologist doesn't me to do an IUD. So that leaves me with the mini-pill or basically condoms. After reading the side effects of the mini-pill (increased depression, weight gain, cancer, etc., it makes me hesitate to give it a try). Ugh! Being a woman sucks. LOL
We do not use any chemical birth control and never have. We've been married 21 years. Have you considered natural family planning? It is very effective once you learn how to use it. For a few months a person might want to use condoms until they learned it really well. Effectiveness wise though, when done properly, it is as effective as condoms and no damage to your body from regular hormone BC. Just a thought.....
Well natural family planning doesn't exactly help with PMDD (and no, it doesn't always work either).
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Sheks41191 wrote: »I ended up in a psych ward because of PMDD. I know everyone's symptoms are different but it can be debilitating.
I was a wreck, self medicating, I had insomnia, compulsive over eater got to 250+ pounds at 5"4.
Relief for me only came when as a result of having a cyst on my ovary I had to have a laproscope and the discovered stage 4 endometriosis as a result of the surgery to then remove that I am on Visanne. I know very little regarding the make up of pills but Visanne is a progesterone pill.
Which means I have no cycle and as a result no symptoms.
My advice is to get it under control using medication that will not cause blood clotting. You will feel so much better. It quite literally changed my view on the world.
This is exactly me!!! I just had my Mirena removed because I was hoping that it was causing my problems. Progesterone I can take, just not estrogen, so I may look into that. All I want to do at this point is eat and sleep. I'm highly irritable, and can barely concentrate or remember anything. I'm even forgetting my coworkers names. I used to weight over 300 lbs, and lost down to around 145 and maintained for over three years, so putting back on 30 lbs is devastating to me.
I take Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, for matters unrelated to PMDD. But if you tend to have side effects to hormones, Prometrium might work well for you.2 -
This may sound harsh, but I really don't intend it to be, so I am sorry if it comes across that way.
I took a look back in your posting history, and with quite a bit of what you posted, I really think you should go back to your doctors and let them sort this out (not rely on Internet posts).
A while back you said you had PCOS, did they ever treat for that? http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/37550150/#Comment_37550150
You also mentioned a pretty significant eating disorder history with binge and restrict cycles. That also could have played havoc on your body; which you even admit.
I've had treatment for PCOS for years now, probably around 14? So that should be covered, hopefully.
I am talking to my doctors. The only conclusion that has been drawn was my doctor saying PMDD. That's why I was asking. I don't necessarily want a diagnosis for the internet forums, I just want to hear other people's experiences with it, and if they had any luck in treatment.
Luckily, I have been free of the binge/restrict cycles for awhile. Especially the restricting LOL, which is why I now have 30 lbs to lose again. I'm sure it has affected my metabolism though.
Thank you for taking the time to reply!
What I eat makes a big difference on my hunger levels, mood, energy, etc. 40% carbs, 30% fat, 30% protein works well for me - 45% carbs and I feel indulgent
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kshama2001 wrote: »Sheks41191 wrote: »I ended up in a psych ward because of PMDD. I know everyone's symptoms are different but it can be debilitating.
I was a wreck, self medicating, I had insomnia, compulsive over eater got to 250+ pounds at 5"4.
Relief for me only came when as a result of having a cyst on my ovary I had to have a laproscope and the discovered stage 4 endometriosis as a result of the surgery to then remove that I am on Visanne. I know very little regarding the make up of pills but Visanne is a progesterone pill.
Which means I have no cycle and as a result no symptoms.
My advice is to get it under control using medication that will not cause blood clotting. You will feel so much better. It quite literally changed my view on the world.
This is exactly me!!! I just had my Mirena removed because I was hoping that it was causing my problems. Progesterone I can take, just not estrogen, so I may look into that. All I want to do at this point is eat and sleep. I'm highly irritable, and can barely concentrate or remember anything. I'm even forgetting my coworkers names. I used to weight over 300 lbs, and lost down to around 145 and maintained for over three years, so putting back on 30 lbs is devastating to me.
I take Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, for matters unrelated to PMDD. But if you tend to have side effects to hormones, Prometrium might work well for you.
Does the Prometrium require a prescription?0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »This may sound harsh, but I really don't intend it to be, so I am sorry if it comes across that way.
I took a look back in your posting history, and with quite a bit of what you posted, I really think you should go back to your doctors and let them sort this out (not rely on Internet posts).
A while back you said you had PCOS, did they ever treat for that? http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/37550150/#Comment_37550150
You also mentioned a pretty significant eating disorder history with binge and restrict cycles. That also could have played havoc on your body; which you even admit.
I've had treatment for PCOS for years now, probably around 14? So that should be covered, hopefully.
I am talking to my doctors. The only conclusion that has been drawn was my doctor saying PMDD. That's why I was asking. I don't necessarily want a diagnosis for the internet forums, I just want to hear other people's experiences with it, and if they had any luck in treatment.
Luckily, I have been free of the binge/restrict cycles for awhile. Especially the restricting LOL, which is why I now have 30 lbs to lose again. I'm sure it has affected my metabolism though.
Thank you for taking the time to reply!
What I eat makes a big difference on my hunger levels, mood, energy, etc. 40% carbs, 30% fat, 30% protein works well for me - 45% carbs and I feel indulgent
I've noticed that too. I have a major sweet tooth, but if I have a day that I go overboard with sugar, I feel absolutely HORRID.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Sheks41191 wrote: »I ended up in a psych ward because of PMDD. I know everyone's symptoms are different but it can be debilitating.
I was a wreck, self medicating, I had insomnia, compulsive over eater got to 250+ pounds at 5"4.
Relief for me only came when as a result of having a cyst on my ovary I had to have a laproscope and the discovered stage 4 endometriosis as a result of the surgery to then remove that I am on Visanne. I know very little regarding the make up of pills but Visanne is a progesterone pill.
Which means I have no cycle and as a result no symptoms.
My advice is to get it under control using medication that will not cause blood clotting. You will feel so much better. It quite literally changed my view on the world.
This is exactly me!!! I just had my Mirena removed because I was hoping that it was causing my problems. Progesterone I can take, just not estrogen, so I may look into that. All I want to do at this point is eat and sleep. I'm highly irritable, and can barely concentrate or remember anything. I'm even forgetting my coworkers names. I used to weight over 300 lbs, and lost down to around 145 and maintained for over three years, so putting back on 30 lbs is devastating to me.
I take Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, for matters unrelated to PMDD. But if you tend to have side effects to hormones, Prometrium might work well for you.
Does the Prometrium require a prescription?
Yes.1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »Sheks41191 wrote: »I ended up in a psych ward because of PMDD. I know everyone's symptoms are different but it can be debilitating.
I was a wreck, self medicating, I had insomnia, compulsive over eater got to 250+ pounds at 5"4.
Relief for me only came when as a result of having a cyst on my ovary I had to have a laproscope and the discovered stage 4 endometriosis as a result of the surgery to then remove that I am on Visanne. I know very little regarding the make up of pills but Visanne is a progesterone pill.
Which means I have no cycle and as a result no symptoms.
My advice is to get it under control using medication that will not cause blood clotting. You will feel so much better. It quite literally changed my view on the world.
This is exactly me!!! I just had my Mirena removed because I was hoping that it was causing my problems. Progesterone I can take, just not estrogen, so I may look into that. All I want to do at this point is eat and sleep. I'm highly irritable, and can barely concentrate or remember anything. I'm even forgetting my coworkers names. I used to weight over 300 lbs, and lost down to around 145 and maintained for over three years, so putting back on 30 lbs is devastating to me.
I take Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, for matters unrelated to PMDD. But if you tend to have side effects to hormones, Prometrium might work well for you.
Does the Prometrium require a prescription?
Yes.
Thanks! I will ask my gyno about it! Any other option to consider is nice.0 -
[/quote]
I take Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, for matters unrelated to PMDD. But if you tend to have side effects to hormones, Prometrium might work well for you.[/quote]
Does the Prometrium require a prescription?[/quote]
Yes.[/quote]
Thanks! I will ask my gyno about it! Any other option to consider is nice.[/quote]
I could not take prometrium but have done really well on compounded bio identical cream in the past. So if you try prometrium and it doesn't work for you, push to be able to try a compounded bio identical cream instead. I was a hormonal mess until we got my progesterone up. It's way less common for people to have low estrogen and so unbelievably common for low progesterone to be the issue.1 -
ronjsteele1 wrote: »
I take Prometrium, a bio-identical progesterone, for matters unrelated to PMDD. But if you tend to have side effects to hormones, Prometrium might work well for you.[/quote]
Does the Prometrium require a prescription?[/quote]
Yes.[/quote]
Thanks! I will ask my gyno about it! Any other option to consider is nice.[/quote]
I could not take prometrium but have done really well on compounded bio identical cream in the past. So if you try prometrium and it doesn't work for you, push to be able to try a compounded bio identical cream instead. I was a hormonal mess until we got my progesterone up. It's way less common for people to have low estrogen and so unbelievably common for low progesterone to be the issue. [/quote]
Ugh. This makes it sound like I think prometrium is estrogen. It is not. It's progesterone. I need to give up tonight and go to bed.....1 -
Just a follow up, in case anyone else is having this issue. I had my Mirena taken out early October and . . . I am finally feeling like a normal person. I can actually go out at night with my boyfriend without being too exhausted to function. I am back to my two workout a day schedule. A lot of my depression issues are gone (excluding SAD). I am no longer binging. I no longer have food issues or issues with sugar. Sugar doesn't even taste as good to me anymore. I'm not craving. AND I've already lost 15 of the 30 lbs I put on (and that is including the holidays!). I will NEVER go back on hormonal birth control and I will definitely NEVER have another Mirena. I realize now that my binging started the same year I had my very first Mirena put in 12 years ago. So crazy how much that can screw with you. Interestingly enough, I know two other girls that had theirs removed due to how bad they felt. Of course, both of them are now pregnant, so I pray to G-d I won't have THAT issue. LOL3
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Thanks for the update! Glad to hear it!1
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kshama2001 wrote: »Thanks for the update! Glad to hear it!
I love how my OB said that it couldn't POSSIBLY be my Mirena, and she wouldn't recommend removing it. I emailed her office to tell them it WAS the Mirena, so hopefully if they have anyone else with similar issues, they might suggest having it removed. Maybe it will help someone.1 -
GOODBYE DEPRESSION!!! 3 weeks ago my gynocologist put me on visanne progestin pills to treat endometriosis. I've never tolerated birth control pills but this progesterone seems to be a miracle for stabilizing my moods. This was unexpected. Forget the endometriosis, I've never felt this happy in my life! I've had depression for over 15 years and antidepressants have never worked, and birth control pills made me moody and irritable. I never correlated depression with hormones simply because the moods were all over the place and didn't seem to follow my cycle except for extreme despair /PMDD a day or two before my period starts. So even though my tests never came back as having a hormone imbalance I now assume from the fact that this drug has changed my life I must have had reproductive hormone depression. The strange thing is I haven't ready anywhere that daily visanne (progestins) is a mood stabilizer on any website or message board. I was afraid to take this medication as I'm sensitive to medications in general but I'm so glad I did!!!
I hope this brings hope to others who battle depression.0
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