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About PMDD


For those of you who know me or follow my blog you know I have Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. PMDD is premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that is so severe it can be debilitating due to either physical, mental or emotional symptoms. The cardinal symptom is irritability. Anxiety, anger, and depression may also occur. 

When I was first diagnosed with PMDD there was little information available and a lot of women searching for answers. The biggest thing for me was to know that I wasn't alone. The doctor who diagnosed me was from a walk-in clinic and I wasn't able to see her again. I went through a number of attempts at finding a family doctor. It's frustrating talking to a doctor who doesn't believe PMDD is a real diagnosis. Again I found a walk-in doctor who finally acknowledged and even understood what I was talking about, but I was still without a family doctor. Last September I finally found a wonderful doctor who knows about PMDD and has been willing to work with me to figure out the best solution for me. For the most part a lot of what works for me has been figured out through trial and error over the past 5 years. Birth control worked for a couple of years and then they stopped helping with the hormones. I have my tubes tied so there was no point in continuing taking them. This led me to vitamin B which led to a cocktail of vitamins. I take vitamin B 100 complex, vitamin D3, ferrous gluconate, vitamin C, magnesium and maca.  I've gone from having 3/4 bad weeks to having a couple of bad days before my period is due. There has been some definite progress. I do have ongoing issues with low iron because of my flow, but I'm working toward a solution.
 
The main symptoms, which can be disabling, include:
    * feelings of deep sadness or despair, possible suicide ideation
    * feelings of tension or anxiety
    * panic attacks
    * mood swings, crying,
    * lasting irritability or anger, increased interpersonal conflicts. Typically sufferers are unaware of the impact they have on those close to them
    * apathy or disinterest in daily activities and relationships
    * difficulty concentrating
    * fatigue
    * food cravings or binge eating
    * insomnia or hypersomnia
    * feeling "out of control",
    * increase or decrease in sex drive.
    * increased need for emotional closeness,
    * physical symptoms: bloating, heart palpitations, breast tenderness, headaches, joint or muscle pain, swollen face and nose.

Five or more of these symptoms may indicate PMDD. Symptoms occur during the 2 weeks before the menstrual cycle and disappear within a few days after the onset of the bleeding.
 
If you have PMDD I'd love to hear from you!
 
 
**If you suspect you have premenstrual dysphoric disorder please contact your doctor.**