PMDD
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Every month for about a week I feel like crap. No, it’s not PMS (Pre Menstrual Syndrome) but PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). PMS includes things such as: bloating and weight gain, breast tenderness, foot/hand swelling, aches and pains, poor concentration, sleep disturbance, and change in appetite. I’ve never had PMS in my life. I always had an inkling (or a physical feeling) when my period was soon to come but I was lucky enough not to have any of the symptoms associated with PMS.
After being pregnant, then breastfeeding, then pregnant, then breastfeeding again for about 4 or 5 years in a row I was lucky enough not to get my period, except for a couple before I fell pregnant for the second time. But since my period has returned this time around I have battled with a depression that lasts for about a week out of every four. It starts just before my period does and lasts till a couple days before the period ends.
As many people may not have heard of this (I hadn’t!) I thought I would put some info up about it. From Yahoo Health: “PMDD symptoms are related to hormone changes during the menstrual cycle. Emotional symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, irritability and sensitivity, anger, being overwhelmed, and the need to withdraw from others. Physical and behavioral symptoms include lack of energy, problems with concentrating, sleep problems, food cravings or binge eating, breast tenderness, bloating and weight gain, headaches, and joint or muscle pain. Women diagnosed with PMDD are typically encouraged to use healthy lifestyle choices and prescription medication to manage their symptoms.”
For me, it comes as a depression and extreme lethargy. So in practical terms, I want to do things but I just couldn’t be bothered. Of course, I have to feed the kids and take them places (because they climb the walls if I don’t and that is just counter-productive) but for instance, I desperately want to craft and just can’t! It’s the therapy I know I need but I can’t be bothered.
Sometimes I force myself to do something to try to kickstart the getting over it, and it sometimes works a bit but there’s no real joy in it. I just have to wait until it passes and then I get back to normal. While it’s happening it feels like it will never end, though I know that is just a trick my mind is playing.
So up until yesterday (when it magically cleared) I did a lot of laying around, feeling miserable and lethargic, having trouble sleeping at night and napping in the day, being cranky and having a bit of a cry here and there. What fun! Anyway, it has passed again now and now it feels like it was never here. Having suffered a major depression for many years (that I got over about 4 years ago) I am aware of what to look for and act quickly. I am lucky (and very thankful) it’s not every day of the year but even for one week of every month it really disrupts my life!
Here is a quick rundown of symptoms and a checklist to use if you think you may be experiencing this: Screener Test from this info site.
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Janet Said,
Monday, April 16, 2007 @ 9:35 am
contact me - we need 2 talk - I have just been diagnosed with this and have no one to chat w/
If you can.
Stef Said,
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Hi.
I have lived with PMDD since the beginning of my cycles. I am 33 now.
I like the remark you made about once it’s gone, it’s as if it was never there. SO TRUE. It’s almost freaky how that happens. I will even say things to my husband like, “I know it happened just the other day, but was it really that bad?” Of course he looks at me like I have 3 heads.
Taifa Said,
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 @ 10:54 am
I am really having a ruff time each month right before my period. I I am afraid to take medication because of the risk however I feel that I make my familys life miserable each month. Is there anyone who has taken medication for PMDD specifically YAZ.
Kelley Said,
Monday, July 30, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
Right now Im in the middle of what I call the “kelley monster” week. I’m normally a very happy go lucky, laid back person, but the week before my period I’m a COMPLETELY different person. I become very irrational and say things I don’t mean. I feel terrible, exhausted and uncomfortable. At times I feel so horrible I’ve contemplated suicide. When my period starts I snap back into my normal self about the second day and, it is as if it never happned. Every time I get like this I always have to ask “is this how I am every month?” My fiance has to reassure me that in a week I’ll be right back to normal. I’m thinking about trying YAz and if it has wrked for anyone I would love to know if it’s worth a try
Kathia Said,
Friday, April 4, 2008 @ 5:51 am
I came across this blog because I just wanted to feel like I’m not the only person on Earth going through this. I’m actually in the middle of my “hell week” and I’m feeling really helpless.
I decided to write because someone mentioned YAZ and I wanted to say that I’ve been on YAZ for 1 1/2 years. The reason I got on it was because of my uncontrollable bouts right around my period. I am a firm believer that the mind is the most powerful tool we have. During my bouts, I felt like I totally lacked control and decided to get on the pill because I figured if I at least knew when my period was coming, my mind was strong enough to deal with the rest. It worked for a while but as of the last 4 months, I’ve been getting worse. So, I say all that to say that between me being head-strong and taking YAZ, I was able to deal with PMDD for a while but as of today, I feel like I’m losing the battle.
Morgan Said,
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 @ 8:05 am
I’ve tried Yasmin, but didn’t feel like it did anything to help me. I’m currently on a 25-100mg variable dosage of sertraline (generic Zoloft), after trying various herbal and dietary remedies. Sertraline is the only thing that works for me… The side effects (for me) are minimal, and it actually helps me sleep and doesn’t kill my libido. I know I’m lucky, SSRIS don’t work that well for everyone.