T.B.
I have PMDD and it is very difficult for others to understand how this disorder can disrupt our lives the way it does. I've had it for 8 years. It began after the birth of my second daughter and intensified after the birth of my third child, who is 4 years old. I'm currently pregnant with baby #4 so I am indeed concerned how my PMDD will be after the birth of this baby. When I first talked to my OB about my symptoms he suggested I go on an antidepressant. I didn't want to go that route so I decided to research this disorder and found that I am not alone. You are not alone! This happens to a lot of women and I believe it is very misunderstood by our doctors. They want to medicate us and I researched the antidepressants to "fix" PMDD and I was not happy about what I read. I read that for some women, PMDD is caused by a calcium deficiency, B vitamin deficiency, and/or problems with serotonin levels. I increased my calcium intake for over a year and found very little relief. I had my doctor check my blood but my B levels were fine. The last resort was serotonin so I researched that. My OB asked me to try a birth control called YAZ. I was on it for exactly 13 days but I had to get off of them immediately. I developed daily migraine headaches, intense nausea, and an insatiable appetite. And I did NOT experience any relief from my PMDD symptoms. In fact, I became more anxious! So, back to the internet I went and found that many women have found very much success with an herbal supplement called 5-HTP. It comes in pill form and in 50 mg and 100 mg capsules. I began with 50 mg for about a week and found little improvement. I increased the dosage by 50 mg each week until I found a good balance for me. You can overdose on this supplement and experience what is called Serotonin Syndrome. YOU NEED TO RESEARCH THIS SUPPLEMENT VERY WELL BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO TRY IT. The symptoms I experienced from taking too much was: rapid heartbeat, and a feeling of almost floating outside of my body. It was eeary and somewhat frightening. Once I found a dosage that was right for me, I stuck to it, and for me that dosage is 150 mg. I buy my 5-HTP in 50 mg form.
For me, my PMDD symptoms go away the moment my period begins. Like you said, it's like a fog is lifted. You feel normal! No anxiety, no anger, no rage, no mood swings from high to low, no moments of sadness. NORMAL. For me, my PMDD symptoms return the moment my period is over. Some women only experience PMDD a week or two before their periods begin. My symptoms begin the day my body stops bleeding and the symptoms increasingly get worse as I get up to my first "bleed day." It's a constant roller coaster ride for myself and for my spouse and for my children. The 5-HTP works for me, though not 100% but pretty darn close. It's manageable. On the days when I feel very bad, I increase my dosage only by 50 mg (total of 200mg) but I will not increase it more since I know what to expect if I take too much. Your OB most likely will NOT support you taking 5-HTP because it is an herbal supplement, not a prescribed drug. Also, IF you are taking ANY antidepressants, you can NOT take 5-HTP with it. You have to be off of all medications before taking 5-HTP because 5-HTP increases your serotonin and you could overdose with the herbal supplement and with whatever you are taking. I cannot express enough how you have to research this thoroughly before taking it. Herbal supplements are like drugs so you have to treat them with respect. I found a web site a few years ago. It's an online support group for women with PMDD. It might help you! Here is the link: http://www.pms.org.uk/
You are not crazy. You are not alone.
There are other remedies you can try but I have NOT tried them so I cannot say if they work but some women have had success with the following:
Vitamin B, Folic Acid, St. John's Wort.
Again, research PMDD thoroughly and the options that other women have tried with success. What works for one woman may not work for another.
