I wanted to add this page for those that aren’t quite ready to post to all of us about PMDD.
If you need someone to talk to that understands PMDD, or have a question that you want to discuss privately, feel free to email me.
It helps to post at the site, that is how we all learn from one another, but it is understandable if you are not ready to about such a private topic.
Stef
Sorry I accidentally pressed send. Anyway, do you know if that works, natural hormone replacement. I do not want to suffer 2 wks a month anymore or make my family miserable and I would really prefer a natural approach. I have tried many herbal supplements with not much luck and I do not want to live like this anymore. Thanks, Kim
Hi Kim,
I do not know if hormone replacement works, I haven’t done it. So far my Prozac and Topamax works great for me so I have looked into it, but not pressed forward.
Herbal supplements didn’t work for me either, but I can tell you that they work for some women. The ONLY way they do work for anyone though is if they are used with the following: Daily exercise, Good sleep, Healthy eating, No caffeine. The meds nor herbs will work alone without following some of the above along with it, it really is a do it all to get the end result the way you want it.
Believe me when I say I know it’s hard, I’m with you.
If you read thru the site, some of the other Women who have done this have posted comments as to how it has worked.
Good luck to you and please read some of the other info I have here on how to be better to yourself and your family. Like you, if I am not good to my family, I beat myself up, it’s a vicious cycle.
Dear Stef, I have been struggling with finding a doc and a treatment for PMDD. I live in the Austin area and was wondering if you have any recommendations for a doc. Thanks.
Hi Jodi,
Unfortunately your situation is all too common.
I don’t know any doctors in Austin, but I can tell you what I do when I look for a doctor.
(I’m in San Antonio which is close to you, however, I haven’t found a new doc I love yet) :(
When I call the office I call in advance from when I need to get in. I tell them that I have PMDD, I have been treated for PMDD for several years and here is the medication I take.
I ask if they are able to discuss it or help me with it or if it would be better to have the nurse call me back.
I don’t make an appt with them until someone has confirmed with me that they are okay dealing with anti-depressants and my mood stabilizer with my PMDD. I don’t have time to waste, or money to waste on co-pays if they don’t prescribe the meds I have been on for years.
I have seen plenty of doctors and plenty of types and know that this is the medication I need.
YOu can talk to them before you go in.
Also, if I don’t like the front office management I won’t see them either.
You can talk to gyn or general doctors for PMDD.
Hi, I just got off the phone with a consultant with the Hotze Clinic. They do hormone testing. First of all, she had not heard of PMDD, so was not thrilled to hear that. After a multitude of questions, she said I have VERY low progesterone, the “happy hormone” as she called it. Now the testing is expensive and not covered by insurance because they are considered non-traditional. So, it sounds like if I did this she would prescribe a natural progesterone and some vitamin supplements. Is is at all possible that the solution to this horrible disorder is just low progesterone? I am at the breaking point and need some advice on trying this or just get the freaking Prozac and be done with it!
Also, if I get an SSRI, does it help with the breast tenderness?
Thank you,
Martha Hubbard
Martha,
No SSRI’s have ever helped me with breast tenderness, and I have extreme breast pain to the point of it hurts to get a bra on. I wish it would help. Maybe someone else here will be able to tell you something that helps with it.
Next, the prozac will still only do so much. For me it allows me to keep from crying and raging so much, however, I still have my PMDD to the extreme. Basically, it allows me to control myself- to keep myself under control to keep from hurting my family more thru words.
I would be interested in how intense the tests are because most of the tests will show your numbers to be in the okay range. I don’t know of anyone that has been able to get these tests done with insurance- Ridiculous isn’t it!
As far as her prescribing vitamins, you sure don’t have to go in and pay a fortune for that, alot of us can tell you what works and why. (just remember we aren’t doctors, but go by our own dealings.)
Another Woman that has been living with PMDD for a gazillion years like me recommended to me that if I get more extensive tests run make sure they do a T3 and T4 for thyroid, not just the TSH. Also get the hormone level tests done the week before your period starts because this is the time we are the most sensitive to our levels being off.
So, call first and make them tell you which tests, make them be specific. This isn’t just a copay you are giving them, I know I would be over the top ticked off to pay a lot for tests that were just your basics and came back just fine.
I hope that helps.
I have been suffering from PMDD for 4 years. Last year, after much debate with my doctor, I had a the Novasure procedure done to hope to try and curb some of my symptoms. Well, all’s it did was stop my period from actually coming, yet PMDD is alive and well (although, not having a flow has been quite nice). I am on Citopram 30mg a day and then for my 2 weeks 40mg a day and also Elavil at night. I’ve gained 20 pounds in addition. I suffer from depression, the physical compliants of PMDD, rage, and immense anger. I’m looking for some tips to help improve these conditions. I’ve never heard of any special diet to try, etc. I would really appreciate any help you can give me or direct me to.
Hi Alisyn,
That really sucks that your PMDD is still there. Is Citolpram the generic for Celexa? If so, I took Celexa many many years ago, but found it to be more for anxiety rather than PMDD symptoms. Prozac (Sarafem) and Zoloft are the 2 that are usually for PMDD symptoms, though I know docs grab at them all and use them. Have you tried either of those, or did they choose Celexa for you? Celexa was the only other one that I used that put on less weight than the others (other than Prozac), but it was still 10-15 lbs. With Prozac, I would say mine is more like 5 lbs.
I haven’t ever heard of Elavil, but I was just looking it up while typing this.
Of course you know I am not a doctor, I am not questioning you or the doc, just asking questions and throwing things out. :) Are you on the two anti-depressants because one wasn’t working? I just ask because maybe changing which anti depressant you are on could help get rid of the 2nd anti depressant which of course could possibly help with the extra weight gain. I have also read numerous cases where the wrong anti depressant (I should say one that may not work the best with your body- I hate to say the ‘wrong’ one), but it can cause more anger/rage, actually intensify it.
I would love to know what other meds or remedies you have used.
Special diet stuff: Stay away from dairy during your 2 wk hell time (I stick to yogurt only), dairy has been known to intensify the PMDD. No (or very little) red meat during your 2 wk time.
PMDD Women are super sensitive to caffeine, though no one knows why- stick to one cup or alleviate if you can any caffeine. (I do admit to not giving up my coffee, it’s my one thing i am holding on to, but it is highly highly recommended. No processed foods- stay away from fast food, stay away from the ‘quick cook’ frozen section of your grocery store. If you are going to heat something from that area rather than cooking, read it before you eat it, you don’t want something cooked in a lot of salt, fat, etc…
I find it easier to just buy chicken breasts and stick them in the oven with bbq sauce or throw them on the grill and toss them in a salad, plus it’s usually cheaper than frozen foods.
No alcohol (especially if taking anti-depressants, but really none during your 2 wk time, period)
No junk food- If you are like me you are thinking, how am I going to keep myself away from the salty and sweets during this time? I limit myself if I am having cravings. I find that drinking a bottled water when I get these cravings helps, it helps me to just eat a couple of chips or 1 cookie, the water fills me up and takes my mind off of it.
I hope some of these ideas get you started. Please let me know if you would like more.
Thank you so much for the diet tips! I’ve been reading up on elimating dairy completely from my diet to help not only with the PMDD and depression, but also other physical ailments. I also am going to attempt to elimate sugar, hopefully by doing the two of those this extra weight will come off on it’s own. I agree with you about the coffee. I know it isn’t helping, it’s certainly an addiction! However, I know there is no way I can totally rearrange my eating, wean myself off of my meds (after I have a visit with my doctor, of course) and give up coffee. I really would like to stay married :-)
I was on prozac years ago and then zoloft about 5 years ago. Neither of those helped me at all, I felt no difference but had horrible side effects (no sexual drive at all, weight gain and headaches with zoloft). The hope with the Celexa is that it would curb the anxiety and work for the PMDD as well. Honestly, I’m so fed up with the meds I’m more interested in trying to control my PMDD and depression through diet now and getting off the meds all together. The Novasure has helped the most, not only does not having a period been awesome, but the cramping is gone and when I should be having my flow is about the time I start feeling normal again.
Thank you again for all your help, it really means a lot to me!
Alisyn
Hi Stef,
thanks a lot for creating this website, it is really helpful and make me feeling less alone in this battle.
I am 35 years old, not married and unfortunately with no children. I have a wonderful boyfriend and it is also for him that I want to find a solution for this horrible disease.
I have been suffering from depression in my last 10 years and was cured successfully with citalopram (celexa). Had two crisis in the meantime each of them after stopping gradually the citalopram. My last one was 4 month ago where I was diagnosed with PMDD due to the strong connection of depressive symptoms with my period. For the last cycle I started again to take citalopram(30mg), but it did not help at all and had a very bad crisis. I went twice to the doctor and asked him to be taken into hospital (I was out of control and scared of myself that I could do something horrible to me), but he sent me back since my health insurance is not paying. Well I survived and I do not know how (my boyfriend was away, my mum came for support but had an accident and broke her feet and went to hospital for operation, I guess it was too much for me..). Anyway today is my last day before this terrible thing might start again…I enjoyed this week as much as I could, met people, called my friends did a lot of sport with my boyfriend…hope it will help a little.
I have some questions for you and hope you or other people in this forum might help me or direct me to the right way.
In the PMDD (from what I read into your web) women suffer from PMDD before their cycle starts. In my case I actually start suffering when my cycle begin, have then two very bad weeks with very strong depression and suicidal thoughts (these scares me the most) one moderate one and one good one, where I feel normal again. Is this possible, Could it be that I have something else?
From my next cycle on I will take in combination with citalopram (30 mg) also Yaz a new BC. I have never took BC in my life and from what I read for some women it made PMDD even worse.Do you have experience with that or maybe somebody else here in the forum ever tried this solution and could report me its/their experiences?
Then I have to ask you something that is very important to me and that make the most sad about this terrible PMDD. Would I ever be able with all that meds to be a mother one day? Myself and my boyfriend were thinking of trying to get a baby one year ago, that was the reason I started to reduce citalopram and then everything changed…
I love my life, I love my job (I am a biologist and would love one day to do more medical research on PMDD) and just want to live a normal life, I am not asking for perfection because this does not exist, but I do not want to lose all what count for me!!!
Sorry if my english is not that good, I am italian (you can notice that from how much I wrote ;))
Big hug to all of you
Nina
Hi Nina,
I mentioned to another Woman that the doctor I just went to mentioned to me that some Women are actually allergic to the shedding. This could possibly be what is happening to you. For me it didn’t make sense to me since once I start shedding, I feel a thousand times better.
If I understood right, you start your period and when you start your symptoms start and continue after you stop bleeding. (sorry to be so blunt just want to make sure we are on the same page).
It does sound like you have the PMDD symptoms, I just wanted to make sure I understood it that you don’t have the symptoms other than that 2 wk time.
As far as the BCP, I only took them way back when and it about killed me, thru my symptoms thru the roof.
I decided that I wouldn’t even try Yaz because I was too scared to even test it. You are right though that most Women do get worse. There are a few though, a couple have posted here, that have said they feel better with the Yaz.
On my blog type in Yaz in the search, it should come up from that.
Being a mom is a definite yes! Myself, I have 4 kids and up until recently took Topamax and Prozac and have for years. These 2 don’t get rid of my PMDD, but they help me to keep it under control. No suicide feelings, raging, overwhelming crying, etc… I am able to stay in a more quiet spot when necessary.
Also, your body will have a rest off of meds, if you decide you still need them, after having kids, because you won’t need them during pregnancy. PMDD disappears during PG. For me I nursed my kids so that kept my period at bay which kept my PMDD away even longer.
I hope this helps.
Stef
Hi Stef,
thanks a lot for your reply!
Yes it is correct, I start feeling bad with my period, it actually gets worse and worse during my period and the first week after my period stopped and then slowly down to normality in the next one week, then one entire week for just being myself and do what I usually enjoy.
Actually before I took citalopram, 5 to 7 days before my period I was really nervous and getting annoyed in a exaggerate way for nothing, especially with my boss and my boyfriend, but somehow citalopram gave me one more week time to recover from PMDD!
It is true that exercising helps a lot, I have been always sportive luckily, but when I am with PMDD I also get such a stomach hake and cannot eat for at least 10 days, I obviously force myself to eat a little but I generally lose 4 to 5 kilos in 1 week and of course I get very tired and without energies, do not sleep and so on…but somehow I needed my evening walk in the park with my boyfriend when nobody is around since I have also panic attacks and even to enter into a shop for buying bread is the most difficult task ever ! For that I am taking oxazepam,it helped a lot, but I am slowly decreasing now on my doctor advice, since it is not recommended for long time due to strong addiction (better to save it for the worse time!).
I will meet my psychiatric late this week and discuss with him the medicines issue, I am not sure I am taking the correct ones: citalopram (30 mg) for depression, oxazepam (7.5mg at night and 2.5 at 4 p.m.) for anxiety and trimipramin (35 drops) at night to manage to sleep (this does not work so well in the two bad weeks). I am scared of trying and switching medicaments and obviously also of starting Yaz since I cannot think about something worse than my last cycle, but I also know that I have to be patient and just try… only by trying there is a chance for getting better!!! (I am saying that in my last good days, actually I took the habit of writing good thought during the good weeks that can help me in the bad ones…something like: today the sun is shining and makes me feeling good, I like reading a book on my balcony in the evening..do not give up, be patient and it will get better, go for a walk also if you are not motivated at all and so on, so that in the bad weeks I would also try to do those things, of course in that moment I do not enjoy them like before but very much less but still I have a little feeling that gives me hope!)
Coming back to the meds you said that melatonin helps for sleeping. How much and when (daily for the entire month) are you taking it?
You said that vitamins B6 and B12 help, could I get them in a drug store or I need a prescription from the doctor for higher doses? Which doses are you taking?
About being pregnant I am really relieved that this is possible! and especially that you can have some rest from PMDD! But did you stop completely the meds before trying getting pregnant? In my case this did not work and I guess I will have to take small antidepressant doses even during pregnancy and honestly I am not sure I wanted. How did it work for you or for other women that cannot stop completely antidepressant?
Since I suffered from depression before I am myself a bit confused about having PMDD, why I never had it before and now suddenly it appears? But what I am sure is that since 5 month my depressive symptoms are really cycling together with my period.
Thanks again for your great support, just simply for being there and listening to me without thinking I am just a depressed crazy woman…
Anna,
After I replied to you last night I started doing some more thinking. I was too exhausted to reply again last night, but did more research this morning and more thinking on your situation.
Remember: this info is from my research, my own dealings with PMDD, etc: I am not a doctor.
OK, with that said…
First, it’s not unusual for Women to start acknowledging or eve recognizing PMDD as late as their 20′s and 30′s and ALOT of Women start researching in their 40′s because of peri menopause. So, you not realizing it early on is not a big shock.
Next, PLEASE! PLEASE! don’t think I am dismissing you as not having PMDD as I write this next section. That is NOT what I am saying by any means, just offering you something else to look into in addition to PMDD.
For some Women, and since you said that yours starts when you start your period and you have a long history of depression, it could be that your hormones are causing your Depression to be much worse, rather than just the PMDD. A lot of times your cycle can cause an existing disorder (your depression) to be thrown into overdrive.
Regardless, you still have the symptoms and as long as we can help you, with your doctor, have a better quality of life, it really doesn’t matter what the name of the disorder is that you are living with, KWIM?
I was just thinking that with PMDD really your symptoms shouldn’t go longer than 1-2 days, 3 tops once you actually start your period. Again, this makes me wonder if an allergy to your shedding is kicking your depression into over drive. That would explain the vicious cycle you are living, you start-symptoms get worse.
You asked about me and anti-depressants and pregnancy. I took them until I got PG and as soon as I found out I quit cold turkey. Do I recommend cold turkey-NOPE! With the Prozac I didn’t feel it as badly quitting since so many Women take it for 2 wks and off anyway. You could definitely just taper as recommended and you would be off early, if you are watching your body and know when you get PG, early on.
My body is really LOUD when I get PG. Literally, I can try to take a sip of coffee and the smell alone will make me sick, I won’t even be a month PG and all the signs are already there for me. Maybe it’s from years of knowing what’s going on with my body and all the monthly hell.
Also, depending on which meds you are taking would depend on how fast the taper. There are Women that take anti-depressants during PG and your doctor can tell you which would be the safest. If you find that it’s your depression is controllable because you aren’t shedding, it may be easier to stop. Of course you know your body best and if the depression is still too much, even without your period, your doc will decide what’s best, with your thoughts and wishes.
The vitamins you can purchase at the store, no prescription necessary. I last read that taking no more than 100mg/day of the vitamin B6 has shown in studies to help, no more and no less needed.
Right now I am only taking a multi-vitamin and calcium. Trying to stay as limited as possible to see where I am with regards to my decision of a hysterectomy.
If you are having trouble sleeping only during your hell time, take the melatonin. Use the recommended dosage on the bottle. I struggle with sleep all month long most of the time, but sometimes i am blessed with good sleep during my 1 wk good time. I use the melatonin when ever necessary. I can tell when it’s getting later and I know I will struggle to sleep. I figure it’s better than taking a sleeping pill. I have mentioned before that when necessary I will also use a store bought sleep aid.
We are here so that you know you are not just a crazy woman. LOL, at this site there’s no such thing. PMDD is the crazy, not us. :)
Hi Stef
Do not worry I do not feel dismissed at all, actually I just would like to thank you for taking care of my situation.
I have been quite confused myself when they told me I have PMDD since the premenstrual symptoms of it are actually postmenstrual for me.
I just feel lost…it has been already difficult to realize that my depression was connected to my period, and this was not like that before…I am just thinking thinking, thinking, searching, looking in internet because I do want to improve my quality of life and if there is a possibility to be better we should not give up, right?
Could you please address me to some sites where they talk about this kind of allergy to shedding, I did not find anything but I might have typed in the wrong words. (allergy to shedding?they talk about cats and dogs stuff…guess it is not my case, postmenstrual syndrome also did not help a lot, just some forum where in the end they talk about premenstrual syndrome.
Anyway, my period just arrived this morning… I am going to try this yaz pill…at the moment I am okish, a little nervous, but probably I am just scared the monster might come back!
just wish me good luck and I do the same to you for your BIG decision!
Nina
Hi, I keep forgetting to ask my doctor for help. I have something wrong with me and I am guessing it is PMDD from reading about it. I freak out of nowhere and just do and say horrible things. A second later I start crying and sobbing and have to beg my boyfriend to take me back. I do not want medication. Where can I just find what I need in food and maybe working out?
Jules,
We would need a little more info with regards to what else you are going thru. I understand you not wanting medication, and most definitely working out and eating right will help you.
If you don’t mind me asking, how old you are, how long you have been noticing these problems and anything else you are going thru that has recently changed in your life.
Special diet stuff: Stay away from dairy during your 2 wk hell time (I stick to yogurt only), dairy has been known to intensify the PMDD. No (or very little) red meat during your 2 wk time.
PMDD Women are super sensitive to caffeine, though no one knows why- stick to one cup or alleviate if you can any caffeine. (I do admit to not giving up my coffee, it’s my one thing i am holding on to, but it is highly highly recommended. No processed foods- stay away from fast food, stay away from the ‘quick cook’ frozen section of your grocery store. If you are going to heat something from that area rather than cooking, read it before you eat it, you don’t want something cooked in a lot of salt, fat, etc…
I find it easier to just buy chicken breasts and stick them in the oven with bbq sauce or throw them on the grill and toss them in a salad, plus it’s usually cheaper than frozen foods.
No alcohol (especially if taking anti-depressants, but really none during your 2 wk time, period)
No junk food- If you are like me you are thinking, how am I going to keep myself away from the salty and sweets during this time? I limit myself if I am having cravings. I find that drinking a bottled water when I get these cravings helps, it helps me to just eat a couple of chips or 1 cookie, the water fills me up and takes my mind off of it.
I hope some of these ideas get you started. Please let me know if you would like more.
Stef,
on your previous blog you had some emoticons, for what it’s like to have PMDD. I can’t find them anymore and the computer that i saved them on crashed.
is there anyway you can direct me to those?
I have severe pmdd, finally, after fighting with 4 drs about Yaz and my inability to take it, I had a Mirena IUD put in 9 days ago, I’m hoping and crossing everything that it’ll help.
I want to track my symptoms again with the Mirena in place, but as I said I lost the emoticons. (They were easy for hubby to look at on the computer to see whether or not he should ask me what was for dinner. ever had those days?)
Thank you so much for this website, it’s been a great asset to me and my husband.
Angela
Hi! I just wanted to say first off Im so glad I found your site (just googling natural remedies for PMDD) I have not been offically diagnosed with this disease but Im close to 100% sure I have it. Im 24 years old and I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter, not to mention stress the size of a mountain. I have always been a “not very nice person” (before my period) per say but it is only getting worse with age and stress. I have a boyfriend who breaks up with me about once a month because of outrages and attitude they make me say things I dont mean, and do things that scare me, and send me into an even bigger rage. this only happens about 2 weeks out of the month, the two weeks right before I start. I know i have something wrong with me, i have always just said “an attitude” is to blame, but Im to the point now where I cant take it anymore, its ruining my life. My question is, can I see a regular doctor to talk to about this or do I need to see my gyno? Its so hard to get into my gyno, thats why I ask. Also, I cannot take antidepressants, they make me nervous and even more crazy, nor can I take birth control, it makes me violently ill. So, Im pretty much left with only options for vitamins and possibly anti anxeity meds. let me know what you think. Thanks!
Hi I wanted to ask if decaf coffee is ok ? I have stopped the caffeine and am no on decaf.
Kirsten
From what I have read it’s best to go with a tea rather than any of them, but to have switched is huge so congrats!
In moderation decaf is definitely better than reg.
Stef
Hello Stef, I just read your posts. I’m still learning how to navigate around the site. Today I am very scared. I finally found a doctor that heard me and I have an appointment for surgery. Suddenly it hit me. Will I be opening up another can of worms by going into surgical menopause at 38 y.o.
Can you tell me how you feel. One of my biggest fears is getting migraine headaches. This is because I suddenly started getting migraines while I was on Lupron (injection for medical menopause) and couldn’t get the hormone replacement right.
Could you tell me how you feel and was it the better choice for you.
Thank you, Nadine.
I just found your site this morning and so very glad that I did. I have decided that surgery is my only answer. Between having fibroids, endometriosis, menstrual migraines (3 days at a time), and pmdd, my life is in complete turmoil. Counseling, meds have not helped, and at this point, I don’t think any med can help because the hormones are always going to be there unless I have the surgery. It is great to know that this site is out there for mental/emotional support. My marriage is about over. My husband cannot understand that I cannot control everything my hormones bring about and that more meds are not the answer. I see my gyno tomorrow to plan out details. Thank you.