Pmdd - Erie,PA

Hi J.,

This seems to be a topic that many people don't talk about. I am glad you posted this question. I have PMD too and although my ob/gyn is very supportive, I feel people brush it off as silly. My doc told me 3 things to try. First, she said exercise, aerobic at least 30 min, 3 times a week. Second, she said to try a B vitamin supplement. (you can't od on them, she said you pee out any extra). The 3rd thing she said I could try was Sarafem. It is Prozac but only taken day 14-28 of your cycle. This was last May that I got this advice. I am taking the B vitamins but really don't think they help. I do find that exercise helps but I don't always make time for it. (life gets in the way) I am taking Sarafem and it helps but doens't make everything perfect. I think it takes the edge off, I'm not as likely to yell at my husband and the depression only lasts for about 3 days instead of 2 weeks. I still don't sleep well. It helps with thoughts of horrible things happening to those I love. I am less likely to avoid social situations. I found a site online and printed a form to keep track of my emotions and symptoms for about 3 months. It showed that they, mostly, centered around my period. It also gave validity to my feelings. I would like to have fewer periods but need to talk more to my doc about this in a few months. I tried to take the pill (which I've been on for years) back to back so I only got a period every 3 months. I loved not getting a period, and cramps (think labor, they are awful) but after 2 weeks I cycled into PMDD and was in and out of it until I got my period. It was awful.

Sorry about all the information. If you want to have someone to vent to, please feel free to email me. It isn't often that I come across someone else who has PMDD. ____@____.com I hope some of my ramblings help.

L.

PS The pill I'm on is Yaz. I don't think it helps but I do have shorter periods which is nice.

I don't have PMDD but I know that the birth control pill, Yaz, is made to be given to women who suffer from this.

www.yaz.com

I was diagnosed with PMDD last year after finding that my antidepressant wasn't doing the trick. My dr. put me on Yaz, in addition to my antidepressant. I can't tell you how good I feel ever since.

Good luck.

I have suffered from this for years, but only was recently diagnosed. It was bad enough to put me on a small dose of Zyprexa. I also take Wellbutrin for depression. Whatever they give you I'd avise you to NEVER stop the meds yourself. ALWAYS taper off under the close supervision of your Doctor.
If you need to talk, feel free to drop me a line. :)

It might take a little longer to feel the effects with Lexapro. Most meds take up to 6 weeks to feel full effect as they take longer for your system to "build up" to the proper levels. Also, Lexapro might not work for you and uyour bopdy chemistry. I would offer that you make a log of your symptoms and the length of time that you have been on the Lexapro so that your doc can look at your feelings and adjust your dose (if needed) or switch you to something that will offer you relief to your symptoms. Good luck :)

My dr. perscribed me the Yaz birth control pill for mine. I ended up not taking it though because I'm affraid of taking pills and especially birth control pills.

I have PMDD. I take Yaz for birth control and it makes a HUGE difference for me. I actually just ran out of my prescription a month and a half ago and need to get it renewed-and there is a HUGE difference. I feel awful when I don't have the Yaz in my system. It's designed to help with PMDD symptoms. My OB suggested it and I am so glad that he did.