Info on PMDD

I am told that I have PMDD. I am a 37 year old mother of one and my symptoms got worse after the birth of my daughter, six years ago. I was diagnosed by my OB/GYN, who has suggested either going on a low dosage of the Pill, or starting an anti-depressant that I would only take for about 7 days of the month. Neither option has been that appealing to me and I am in the process of exploring alternative methods, including accupuncture, to control the extreme swings in my mood in the days (approx. 10) leading up to my period. Perhaps, because of your daughter's age, the Pill might be a good way to go. The one that was suggested to me is called Yaz. I would urge her strongly to consult her GYN!

I went through that in my early 20s. It really is the age, but stress can also trigger it. I used to flip out in the same way. I think it is a period of adjustment in life as well as hormones. It was hard for me at 21, 22 to try and figure out where I stood in the world, what was I going to do, etc. I had therapy for a year. I would definitely suggest having her seek some help just to have someone to talk to. I would first though, contact her ob/gyn just to be on the safe side. To me, its all about growing pains as well.

T.,
I am an Arbonne consultant and I have been hearing great things about our balancing cream. It has natural progesterone in it and it helps a lot of things. You might want to look up some info about natural progesterone on www.johnleemd.com not trying to sell you anything but if you have any questions let me know. A lady I know in Arbonne her ob/gyn suggested it to her when she was having some problems.
A.
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I feel your pain. I have PMDD. It is a much more severe case of PMS. Usually about two weeks before I get my period, I start having extreme feelings...usually for the worst... and I am not a depressed person by a long shot! I started having symptoms when I was about 19 years old. I am now 26 and the mother of three. I'll tell you the truth about PMDD. It sucks. I was on a prozak drug call Sarafem for about a year and I think that my symptoms actually got worse. I would schedule an appointment with your Dr. These signs should not go undiognosed and untreated. Although I still suffer from PMDD, and again I am NOT on medication, however, there are some things that I can do to help relieve the symptoms. First of all, I know it's going to happen. I know that two weeks before my period I will start to feel helpless, depressed, angry, frustrated, and completly unrealistic and illrational with every aspect of my life. The second thing to do to self help is to find someone who truely understands that this condition exists and that it is not your fault. Talking a loud about these feelings will help. It will also help to prepare yourself ahead of time. I tell myself to be strong and when I start feeling bad... I take a bath, workout and I also rely on my husband to help out a little more with the kids and housework. Change of subject and change of pace will also help. Whatever stress you can get your daughter to eliminate for this week of PMDD it will help out a lot. It is so easy to get caught up in the emotional side of this condition, but you can fight it. It takes a lot of effort and focus but you can always find someone to support you. I hope that this helps you and your daughter out some. Best wishes. A. Mom of 3, buxton, maine

Bioidentical progesteron cream helps wonders with PMS and PMDD, I had it myself too.
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I.

I have been diagnosed with PMDD. It took a super episode for it to be diagnosed (I was out of my mind not being able to slow down my thoughts and/or emotions.) I have a BA in psychology so I knew the thoughts/emotions were not real and I could rationalize things to myself as I tried to get help. I told my PCP (because my health insurance did not cover any psychiatrists in the area), and I told him I can feel my period coming, not in my body, but in my head three to four days before it starts. I also have such a hormal flux, that often I feel like I am going to throw up those days. I went through the gammit of anti-depressants (Proazac - made it impossible to reach ... um ... well the big "o", Paxil wore off, and the other SSRI's (selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors), and ended up with amytriptiline and that one seems to help most. My doctor also prescribed Ambien (because it often causes me insomnia) and clonapin for the times that my mind will not slow down. For all those who doubt the exsistance of PMDD, I say that if a man felt the way I did that day I was frantic to find help, then we would have a definite treatment and cause for the disorder.
It is a rough road about once a quarter, but the therapies seem to help the rest of the months.
If I were her, and she trusts her ob/gyn send her there. If she likes her pcp better, send her there.
I also suggest that she look for therapy as well, because it sounds like she has some issues that are exasperated by her hormones.
I hate who I am during that 4-5 day period, so that's why I got help.
If she needs to talk, or you do, feel free to e-mail at ____@____.com

I suffer from PMDD. I would say that the best way to descibe it is like this, take normal symptoms of PMS and multiply them by 50. I have days when I'm completely fine and then all of a sudden I can become enraged for no apparent reason. It doesn't really take anything to set me off. It's like Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde. I am extra irritable and my cramps seem to be more severe now, than in the beginning of womenhood. Your daughters OB/GYN should have information pertaining to this disorder. I can tell you some of the things I know can help. 1) taking extra calcium helps. I take an extra calcium vitamin everyday. I also went to counseling for a little while at first because I had these fits of rage that at times I didn't feel I could control. Unfortunatly, my symptoms start 2weeks prior to when my period is due. I devloped this problem shortly after my second child was born. For a while I thought it was just my hormones. But, now I know. 2) she should drink plenty of water during her cycle. Exercise and a good nights sleep can often help. I also suffer from fibromyalgia and often feel like I have twice the battle. I hope that I was of some help to you.