Hi Erika,
I read your article and wanted to share with you all;

In May 1993 the name ‘Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder’ PMDD was given to ‘Late luteal phase dysphoric’ LLPDD.
And can you believe it wasn’t until 2007, when the first significant genetic finding in premenstrual dysphoric disorder was reported, which I suppose does represent an important advance in understanding PMDD.

I often advise patients to keep a diary of their fluctuating emotions and physical changes throughout their menstrual cycle, this then offers clear evidence to show to their doctor.

Thank you
Regards
Dawn Pugh

It would really be helpful to spell out somewhere what PMDD stands for.

A patient told me about your posting and I appreciate your information. I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner specialing in perinatal psychiatric disorders and I have written a book. The title is Overcoming Postpartum Depression and Anxiety. It is published by Addicus Books, available at Amazon and the bookstores. Be sure to get the second edition.
Thanks.
Linda Sebastian

Laurie,

Absolutely, and I should have in this article – premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In fact, I probably ought to in every article I do on PMDD, as if it might be someone’s first exposure to it. Thanks and I will keep that in mind for future posts.

Linda,
That’s great! It’s always good to see current resources emerge about perinatal mental health. I so appreciate the information.

Dawn,

Wow – the recognition and research on premenstrual dysphoric disorder is still so new. I appreciate hearing about this, and your advice to have women track their periods is right on. It makes a doctor’s visit about PMDD so much easier.

hi,
Over the last year I have noticed an increase in symptoms associated with my period, to the severity that I cant function at times. this does not happen every month but if I am busy and stressed it seems to happen more. do you have any advice?

Hi,
I have experienced “extreme” mood swings that seemingly correlated with my period for most of my life. It got increasingly worse as i grew older and after having children, which was at age 29^. I am now 43 and have been on 25 mg. of Ceroquel for about 6mo. I have not had the extreme moods swings that I was experiencing before. Turns out I have/am Bi-polar II, with periods of hypomania. The mania I experienced was two-weeks worth of crying and such emotional upheaval and split-second hostility that I couldn’t be around family or go to work. Only I did, because I had no choice. I new I needed help when my husband remrked to me during an argument that the kids have on occasion asked if Mommy was going to be “mad” (in a bad mood) when she gets home from work? My GYN back in ‘93 had diagnost PMDD at the time, and prescribed Zoloft. I took 150 mg a day for 5 years and got steadily worse. I often would think it would really be better for my family if I just “kept on driving” and never came back. I was constantly thinking about suicide. Ways I could die without being painful. But , then I would dismiss it because I knew there was no way I could hurt my husband and chilren in such a way. I JUST COUDN’T SEEM TO HELP MYSELF THOUGH. I cold go on and on about it , but I won’t. The point of my post is this…..I needed help, I knew it, and I couldn’t seem to find the right “help”. My nurse practioner listens to me. We have a mutual respect that I think has helped me to get to the right diagnosis. I don’t remember when I started thinking about Bi-polar disease. The more research I did though the more I was convinced. After several months of visits with her and discussions with a therapist, weeks of emotional (stress), for lack of a better description, I am now much better!

…I had to press and press for help though, because I wasn’t getting better after years of this and countless different anti-anxiety/depression drugs. I am still stressed out and “have my moments” , but I don’t have those awful day after day “upheavals” that I was having. My husband at first thought I was , well , I’m not sure what , but he does now admit to the fact that I am better. I haven’t wanted to throw the container of laundry detergent at the wall just because somebody didn’t put the cap on strait! PMDD can be wrongly diagnosed VERY easily. As in my case. Thank you for reading this and I am sorry for such legnth….

I too suffer from PMDD. I have all the classic symptoms but was so stressed and full of anxiety I had been experiencing dehibilating muscle spasms. After many spousal fights, (not like me) we came to an agreement that something was wrong. I consulted my OBGYN and this summer was diagnosed. I was skeptical of any prescriptions but knew I needed to try something. Doc prescribed Zoloft and within a week I could breath and laugh again. I feel good most of the time now. I had very few side effects from the Zoloft. My lips burned and was extremely tired for a few days after I started it, and it has amazingly supressed my appetite. Not all medicines work the same way for everyone but this drug has made life pleasant for me again. I never thought I would suffer extreme hormonal changes and glad I saw the doctor as quickly as I did or my marriage may have sadly dissolved. Ladies, talk it out understand what your body is going through and I wish you well>!

Hi,

Thank you for getting this information out there. Women with PMDD and their families need all of the help they can get. Based on my own experience with PMDD (which I no longer have after a total hysterectomy BSO), I had to go through five doctors before I found someone who would listen and who had heard of PMDD.

I am a Certified Vocational Counselor (we specialize in assisting persons with disabilities/chronic health issues) and have recently started my own site & practice to assist women with PMDD. When I dealt with it I saw an enormous need for practical support with family and in work and academic settings.

I also work with a woman on another site which was created because of the need for awareness and support (http://lifewpmdd.com/). Women around the world are taking it upon themselves to create the changes we need regarding PMDD – and we appreciate anyone willing to discuss it and treat is seriously.

Thanks again,

Jennifer Wells-McCullough, M.A., CRC
http://www.pmddhope.com

*Another site that I found very helpful when trying to understand PMDD,chart symptoms, and find a doctor is: http://pmdd.factsforhealth.org/what/ (Madison Institute of Medicine).

Still trying to find remedies for this condition.
I have a very concerned GYNO except when I mentioned PMDD (I self-diagnosed); she seemed to think my symptoms were a “bad case” of PMS.

She did write me an Rx for Seasonale & then Yaz birth control pills at my suggestion. In my researching I read that Yaz, might help ease PMDD. Both medications gave me chronic yeast infections & odor. I stopped Yaz in March 2009 (b/c of the side-effects) & PMDD symptoms seemed to lessen & presented as “regular” PMS.

However in recent months the PMDD has returned w/ a vengeance. I tried taking Paxil CR but experienced palpitations & my Dr. (a heart specialist) advised me to discontinue immediately. He suggested I take Lexopro but I am afraid the palpitations will return; arrhythmia is not something I’m willing to mess with.

I’ve tried alternative methods such as yoga, acupuncture, supplements, meditation…these can help but only if continuously used. And time & money can get in the way of these approaches.

My diet is mainly vegetarian (eat chicken on the rare occasion). I was going to try to incorporate fresh fish into my diet because of the omega-3’s which are supposed to help inflammation.

Don’t know if anybody else gets this but I get terrible joint pain which goes away a few days after I get my period. But leading up to it is often miserable not only joint pain, crying jags, angry & depressed moods too. I’ve been going through this for 20 years!

This month I’ve been in pain for 3 weeks & wishing my period would come. Today it has & missed work because of it. I’ve developed anxiety around the whole process because it feels like something happening to me & I have no control.

Hi

I came across your article while trying to find ANY
helpfull information that might ease my pain. I’ve
been given the run around by doctors for years, from counslers to OB-GYNs to family doctors to specialists back to psychiatrists etc….
I can handle the physical pain but am very worn out from the years of monthly battle with the severe depression driving me to the brink of suicide. I have to constantly remind myself that “it shall pass” in order to keep myself from actually going that last step where I can’t come back. I’m afraid and worried about the following month(s) and how the battle will be….
I currently am on anti-depressnts and mood stabalizers but they don’t seem to help. like I said before, I’ve been given the run around for yrs, now when the drs see me coming I can almost see thier eyes rolling back “not HER again”
Every month I suffer from joint pain, abdomanol pain, lower back pain, extreme fatigue, extra sleep, crying fits, extrem depression..

I’m 40 years old and have suffered from these symptoms since age 13, please help.

many thanks

I haven’t been diagnosed with PMDD, but I really think I have it.

I have the following, and I really think they are all linked…any thoughts?

PCOS, history of depression, SAD in the winter months, and severe pms (or PMDD??)

Is there any type of hormonal treatment available. I swear all my mood problems are hormonally related. (BCP’s don’t work)

When I was going through IVF treatment, my happiest time was when my estridol levels were elevated…does estrogen therapy work?
I’d love to hear back from you!

Hi there,

I have a question. I have been taking Sarafem for my PMDD on and off. I say on and off because I am scared to be taking it for long periods of time. It helps my PMDD and I feel like a new person when I take it. But my concern is, what are the risks in taking this for long periods of time? When I stop taking it I go back to the person I was before. Miserable.

Thank you so much.

Michele

Michele,

Thanks for writing in! I am not a medical doctor, so I really can’t give you specific medical advice. If you have questions about the risks and side effects, you should write out your questions and take them to your doctor. I know that by and large, anti-depressants are a fairly safe drug. But please speak to a medical professional about prolonged use. It may be possible that despite some small potential physical risks, your quality of life (because of how well it helps you) may be worth it in your opinion. Just something for you to consider. Best wishes.

Lynn,

Hi – I am not sure about the effectiveness of hormone therapy for PMDD. As I said to Michele, I am not a medical doctor so I direct you to your physician for medical questions like that.

Maybe hormone therapy will emerge as something helpful in the future – I really don’t know. But quite honestly, I think effective treatment for PMDD hasn’t been going on for a long time. Probably not nearly as much research as in other areas of women’s health. So your doctor would know more about why that would or maybe wouldn’t be a solution for you. Good question, though. Let me know here on the blog if you find a specific answer to that.

Hi! I have been crazed for 39 years. PMDD has been my hell. I have had doctors tell me that I’m nuts, well I agreed, I felt like I was nuts. I’ve had anger, agression, depression, anxiety, worry, panic, weight gain, achy joints, confusion, headaches, frustration, painful periods and then 3-5 days of sanity. At which time I thank god I’m still alive and haven’t killed myself through my own stupid acts. I’ve been on almost any anti-depressant available, they work kindof, but they don’t deal with the cravings and the overspending and almost manic side of PMDD. I noticed in peri-menopause IT GETS WORSE AAAAHHHHH. I have been told by my new gyn I need a hysterectomy. I’m so sorry that I didn’t have this solution 20 years ago, who would I be today if I had. Sorry so long

I have felt so out of control for so long, i have not been diagnosed with PMDD however i know something is definitely wrong. does anyone get alcohol cravings? this has been a serious issue, i can go without drinking all month but 1 week before i am going to start my period this occurs, i have irregular periods but i know once i get the urge to go into self destruct mode, it is only days away. i have an appointment this week with a new gyn.

I am so surprised to see how many women suffer from this disorder. I had begun to take note of my weepy, anxiety filled, and hopeless days over the past two years, and it has lead me to this. I experience many of the symptoms including dreadful yeast infections and achy joints. I thought I was crazy too, but I knew I wasn’t always “crazy” just for about a week out of every month, which didn’t make sense because it wasn’t even during my period…just within the week before. I have known PMDD was the problem for awhile now, and tried self-managing with diet changes, vitamins, and exercise. I finally have an apt with a counselor and a gyno…I’m going to get this under control! All you women out there suffering from this, it is real, and you are not alone…I believe you

It seems we’re all in the same boat… Lots of symptoms, Little answers!
I am 41 years old and have had PMDD (self diagnosed after my second child with the help of a Sarafem commercial) since I was a teen… Unfortunately, to my knowledge there are currently NO cures for this disorder. Once I finally wrapped my head around that, I decided to try to at least try to get some relief! When I take 20mg of Lexapro on the 10th day before getting my period & stay on it until I start, this helps for sure but does not eliminate the: bloating, acne, crazy mood swings, forgetfulness, sadness, swollen yellow eyes, cravings, hair loss, muscle aches, social avoidance, crying, despair, cramps & more! I’ve also tried diet, exercise, vitamins and acupuncture (all seem to help but again the symptoms persist and now seem to be getting worse with age). What is worse is that my cycles are now only 21-23 days apart instead of 26-28 days. What? Why!! This constant struggle is too much for me, for my body!
My GYN told me to go get mental health counseling (she is no longer my doctor). I’m going to try one last holistic approach (hormone specialist in my area). Recent articles lead me to conclude I have excess estrogen that if untreated could cause cancer. As a last resort, I may opt for a complete hysterectomy if I can convince my doctor to do one.
Has anyone out there found something … anything… that really cures PMDD once and for all?

I was diagnosed as bipolar when I was 12. Until the development of new drugs like Effexor or Cymbalta, I dealt with extreme depression that was treatment resistant. Coupled with this, I also had pretty extreme endometriosis. At 33 I had a hysterectomy when the endometriosis worked its way through the walls of the uterus. Because of my age, the ovaries were left. Unfortunately, due to the PMDD I have which leads to unbearable depression, this has been pretty difficult at times. About six months ago, the Effexor I took for ten years stopped working. I switched to Cymbalta, but have considerable doubts about how well it’s working. I’ve got a lot of depression, and seem to be having dreadful bouts of it so intense I cannot function for a few days each month. I have a psychiatrist that I work with, as well as a talk therapist, but still find myself bearly dealing with the crippling emotional pain that seems to come on without warning. It’s always a guess when it will arrive. It’s not every month, nor do there seem to be any regular indicators of the impending doom that falls. Any treatment advice or specialists you may be aware of in the Kansas City area?