Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

[Foresight]

Does anyone else have this? Mine is so bad. I feel so much more anxiety/depression the week before my period. Once I get it I level back out. Makes me feel insane sometimes. I can't believe some doctors don't even believe in it.

 

[dreadpirateroberts69]

Yeah, I get this too. It fucking sucks

 

[forgotten15]

Yes, I can definitely relate. Every emotion is amplified in the period before. I feel so depressed and anxious, much more than usual. It is absolutely horrible, I hate going through it. I wish there was something we could do to stop feeling like this.

 

[Famous Last Words]

This should be in the main section as it's a really important subject.

 

[S like suicide]

This should be in the main section as it's a really important subject.

I agree totally!!this thing is insane

 

[Foresight]

I'm going through it right now. I've heard of people using fluoxetine just for that week? I don't particularly like SSRIs but I think I need to become more open to treatment again.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/201778

 

[Mixo]

I recently tried to help a friend who has this condition in researching non-pharma interventions to ameliorate some of the more crippling mental health symptoms PMDD can produce. Vitex agnus castus is one medicinal that has promising effect in controlling this condition.
Here's clinical research if you're interested: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29063202/

Also anecdotal discussions of Vitex on r/PMDD here.

 

[Foresight]

@mixolydian you're the best!! I'll do some research on vitex agnus castus. I'm really wary of SSRIs.

 

[Mixo]

@mixolydian you're the best!! I'll do some research on vitex agnus castus. I'm really wary of SSRIs.

You're smart to use pharma as a last option, in my opinion. Good luck.

 

[Foresight]

"the herb could theoretically interfere with the actions of medications for Parkinson's disease, such as bromocriptine (Parlodel) and metoclopramide (Reglan)" - Keep that in mind SS if you use it close to meto use.

I'm looking into dosage and whether to just use that week or consistently?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/vitex
Bad reaction: https://www.scielo.br/j/rpc/a/9Nd4rFYw75czpkfrHSWS5Ls/?lang=en

-Increased effects of beta-blockers and antihypertensives
-Chaste berry has been found to reduce libido

Chaste berry (Vitex agnus castus) has been approved by Germany's Commission E for treating hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations and vaginal dryness, appears to be an effective treatment for the complaints associated with PMS.

 

[Livingvsdying25]

Yes, such a struggle. I use birth control on a continuous use for this.

 

[ultrafuntimes]

Yes. I don't understand what the universe wants from me. My depression and suicidality is debilitating enough as is. This is just overkill.

 

[NasiGoreng]

I also have it, not sure what to do about it and its debilitating. Its been an issue since I first got my period, and doctors here say its depression which its clearly not...

 

[Foresight]

I also have it, not sure what to do about it and its debilitating. Its been an issue since I first got my period, and doctors here say its depression which its clearly not...

I'm sorry to hear that. I just feel a general ignorance in the medical community about it. It clearly isn't depression. It's something else and it is very disruptive.

 

[ColorlessTrees]

I never realized so many people here had this! I'm so sorry, it's hell. I don't have a diagnosis, as they like to imply it's all mental, but it is clockwork. Mood starts dipping around ovulation, providing I do ovulate, and it's all downhill from there until I'm completely dysfunctional, actively suicidal, and crying every single day or full of so much rage I get intrusive thoughts. Then I'm back to square one a few days into/after my period. It all depends. This disorder is debilitating and doctors will just scream "it's depression!" and send you on your way. Yet it can be physical, too. Endless cravings, fatigue, brain fog, aches and pains. Hormones affect so much of the body, yet there is so little research and answers.

Normally, I have a few days of feeling good, a few days of baseline mood, and then it all starts up again. Unfortunately, this month I didn't get my 'good week'.

Needless to say I understand. I feel for everyone struggling with this, and it's not in your head.

 

[Mixo]

"the herb could theoretically interfere with the actions of medications for Parkinson's disease, such as bromocriptine (Parlodel) and metoclopramide (Reglan)" - Keep that in mind SS if you use it close to meto use.

I'm looking into dosage and whether to just use that week or consistently?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/vitex
Bad reaction: https://www.scielo.br/j/rpc/a/9Nd4rFYw75czpkfrHSWS5Ls/?lang=en

-Increased effects of beta-blockers and antihypertensives
-Chaste berry has been found to reduce libido

Chaste berry (Vitex agnus castus) has been approved by Germany's Commission E for treating hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations and vaginal dryness, appears to be an effective treatment for the complaints associated with PMS.

Am I the only one who laughed after seeing "reduces libido" after seeing it's literally called "chaste" berry? lol ANYWAY....

The literature you've cited seems to suggest a dose of 40 drops of tincture daily. Your tolerance to this will obviously be specific and individual to you. I am sure you have already decided this already, but trialing with a small amount like 5 drops and ramping up slowly over the coming days seems like it would be an appropriate way to make sure you can tolerate this drug and that it is not interfering with other stuff you're on. I don't know if you saw the discussions on reddit about this medicinal, but most seemed to just take it straightaway in order to test it out and kept doing so continuously. I don't think anyone here could safely advise you on this, but my gut says it would probably need to be built up in your system before you experience benefit. Again, I could be way off base here, but just thought I'd throw in two cents here so you didn't experience total radio silence on this one.

 

[Foresight]

I never realized so many people here had this! I'm so sorry, it's hell. I don't have a diagnosis, as they like to imply it's all mental, but it is clockwork. Mood starts dipping around ovulation, providing I do ovulate, and it's all downhill from there until I'm completely dysfunctional, actively suicidal, and crying every single day or full of so much rage I get intrusive thoughts. Then I'm back to square one a few days into/after my period. It all depends. This disorder is debilitating and doctors will just scream "it's depression!" and send you on your way. Yet it can be physical, too. Endless cravings, fatigue, brain fog, aches and pains. Hormones affect so much of the body, yet there is so little research and answers.

Normally, I have a few days of feeling good, a few days of baseline mood, and then it all starts up again. Unfortunately, this month I didn't get my 'good week'.

Needless to say I understand. I feel for everyone struggling with this, and it's not in your head.

I relate to this so much! I get insanely low, teary and full of rage when I normally don't have depression and I'm not an angry person at all. It's funny because my period week is one of my favorites because I feel the most me.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. I've never talked to people about it before other than my husband. He sees it firsthand so he knows.

 

[Nigh]

I've just been diagnosed with this recently. I never even really had pms before, so to have this is quite overwhelming. My doctor has put me on hormones but I'm scared to take them, as I always react badly to most medications.

This has taken my depression to another level. I know what you mean about the insane bit, there's times I've felt like pulling out my hair. I was exercising regularly and lost quite a lot of weight. But once PMDD takes full effect I haven't even got energy to get out of bed, and can feel the weight coming back on. The anger is also immense and unnecessary. Aaagh.

 

[Foresight]

I've just been diagnosed with this recently. I never even really had pms before, so to have this is quite overwhelming. My doctor has put me on hormones but I'm scared to take them, as I always react badly to most medications.

This has taken my depression to another level. I know what you mean about the insane bit, there's times I've felt like pulling out my hair. I was exercising regularly and lost quite a lot of weight. But once PMDD takes full effect I haven't even got energy to get out of bed, and can feel the weight coming back on. The anger is also immense and unnecessary. Aaagh.

I'm glad you got a diagnosis! I have the same concerns for new treatments. It's good to hear they validated the issue. Whatever treatment you decide I wish you the best. This disorder can be so harsh.

I bought 40mg vitex capsule. I noticed a lot of sellers had super high doses like 225+ and I think that's unnecessary. I'm sensitive to medicine so I don't need the overkill.

I feel an aggressive rage today. I'm about 5 days out from my period. I really don't like feeling this way.

 

[Nigh]

I'm glad you got a diagnosis! I have the same concerns for new treatments. It's good to hear they validated the issue. Whatever treatment you decide I wish you the best. This disorder can be so harsh.

I bought 40mg vitex capsule. I noticed a lot of sellers had super high doses like 225+ and I think that's unnecessary. I'm sensitive to medicine so I don't need the overkill.

I feel an aggressive rage today. I'm about 5 days out from my period. I really don't like feeling this way.

Thank you

I really hope it works out for you also x

 

[Foresight]

Like clockwork.

So I had to quit the vitex because I immediately noticed skin issues.

@Nigh did you start treatment? I'm really just considering the fluoxetine for just the week leading up. This condition really scares me. I went into a really dark place starting the day before my period this month.