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.
* 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.**
