[Sam_I_Am]

**Warning: could trigger b/c of talk of suicidal thoughts**
Also warning about the length of this post!

Hi all. I was wondering if any of you have had issues with PMDD and how you've coped. I haven't officially been Dx'ed (and I certainly have depression, anxiety, and mood issues anyway) without the help of hormones. But I've noticed a tendency since adolescence (I'm 25 now) of extreme depression/agitation/anxiety/irritability (and sometimes paranoia) the day before my period. The two times in my life that I've attempted suicide (at age 15 and 16) happened the day before my period. I used to be really irregular, and its not like I was expecting it...I had my attempt and the next day (or later that same day) started my period intensely. The feelings almost instantly went away when the period started, to the point that I couldn't imagine ever having felt the way I just had an hour prior. Any other time I've felt suicidal has followed that similar pattern. Fortunately, those times trickled off when I got into my late teens and early 20s probably b/c I got on BC pills. (And if it did happen, I was more able to control myself.)

In April 08, I had laser ablation of the cervix to treat precancerous cells. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but I missed a couple periods after (not pregnant), then when it restarted, it was coming every 2 weeks, in spite of the pill. Sometimes the "spotting" week (week 2) was heavier than the actual "period" (the dummy pills, week 4). Then the severe emotional symptoms came back...but I don't get them in week 4, only when I'm spotting! And again, they go away almost immediately as the spotting begins.

I thought my period just wanted to come during week 2 so I tried adjusting my cycle...I was able to shift it 2 weeks, but then that "week 2" (the former period week) became the heavy one with the mood issues. I tried taking it straight through without the dummy pills but then I just never knew when the spotting was coming. My OBGYN tried me on 2 different BC pills after that, higher doses. With the most recent one Femcon, I was doing better after a 2 month adjustment period-- no spotting, no suicidal freakouts, etc. A few months later though the spotting creeped back in and some day-before mood symptoms...but I was able to manage them and actually able to predict if I would be spotting based my mood. But yesterday, into last night and this morning, I became extremely depressed, tearful, anxious, agitated, sleepless, etc...I had suicidal/self-harm thoughts but no wish to act/die; I seriously thought I needed to be hospitalized. This AM, shortly after waking, it started up again, to the point where I was showering and actually looking around for something in the shower to self-harm with. I called a friend for distraction and got through it. Then a couple hours after I got to work, I felt better, and when I went to the bathroom, I noticed I was spotting quite a bit. And now, I actually feel pretty good. But this is week 3, and its never happened in week 3. What the hell is going on with me? I feel like now I can't predict at all when these feelings will come about. Its frustrating and scary too. (I also won't have insurance again until Aug b/c I switched jobs so I really "can't" go to the hospital.)

Its not that I feel suicidal every time...its just that every time I feel suicidal, its been the day before/of a period or spotting. Has anyone ever had similar experiences, or have any other suggestions? I know talking with my OBGYN (and pdoc, though he kind of minimizes the hormonal connection) again is key...which I was going to do anyway in Aug. But I've switched pills (and feel that I'm better on them than off, though its been awhile), and I'm already taking 2 antidepressants and a mood stabilizer (part of the reason I'm taking the mood stabilizer is these "symptoms"). I took a Seroquel for sleep last night, which usually knocks me out and that didn't help. I don't really know what to do...

Thanks!
Sam

[Rhapsody]

I have a dx of PMDD and mine was severe enough that I became clinically depressed with suicidal tendencies one week out of every month that scared the hell out of me and my husband... please do not try and handle this on your own as there are several good medicines out there that can give you your life and sanity back.

I am presently taking Celexa 20 mg per day with 20 mg twice a day during my period and I will continue to do so until I go through menopause (I am 42 - was dx around age 31).

This topic has been talked about before here on the forums... just do a search for PMDD and the others threads will come up so you can read over them.

((( hugs )))

[AAAAA]

Hello Sam,

I don’t have any answers for you but I want you to know you’re not alone. My cycle is very similar to your in that it’s never really been regular. I had some female problems after my second child, when my period began again more than a year after her birth it came with paranoia, anxiety, and severe depression. It took me 18 years to figure out that it had something to do with my cycle. A few years ago a light just went on. Well actually it was my husband that put it together.

Do discuss these things with your GYN. Let him/her know the severity of your problems, as Rhapsody said, there are meds out there to help you, but you have to let them know how bad it is.

[Rmdctc]

I dont have this but I just want to say that I hope you can get some help with it that makes you feel alot better.

[deliquesce]

another one here who hasn't been diagnosed, but has noticed the connection between suicidal thoughts & pre-period.

my Drs (GP and pdoc) do not want to put me on birth control because they say that there is not enough evidence for it to be useful, and they want me to be stable (with my normal depression) first. my pdoc put me on an SSRI (which is meant to be the most useful med for PMDD) but i didnt find it was enough, so i gave it up.

i am currently taking evening primrose oil throughout the month, more when my period is coming. it does not take everything away, but i have noticed i will probably cry instead of make sui plans, so that's gotta be a good thing, right?

[Rhapsody]

While the supplements and natural remedies did not work for me during my period I wish you all the best with them.... but please do talk to your doctor about Celexa or Serafem - they are both given for PMDD and they help with depression.

Celexa literally saved my life and gave me my mind back.....

[Sam_I_Am]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody

While the supplements and natural remedies did not work for me during my period I wish you all the best with them.... but please do talk to your doctor about Celexa or Serafem - they are both given for PMDD and they help with depression.

Celexa literally saved my life and gave me my mind back.....

Thanks Rhapsody (and everyone else)! I did what you suggested and did a forum search of PMDD and found a lot of validation in what I am going through. Someone had even posted about suicidality before periods.

As far as treatment goes, unfortunately I am already taking the 2 standard PMDD treatments: an SSRI and a birth control pills. I'm already taking Zoloft for depression and anxiety, and one of Zoloft's indications is for PMDD. I've been on the med-go-round with all of the SSRIs and found this was the only one I could tolerate. I'm on Femcon for BC. I've already switched twice but have given it enough time (8 months) to know whether its working. I know I'll have to switch again. The earliest OBGYN appt was Aug 24, so unfortunately I'll have to endure another cycle. I was thinking of trying Yaz since it's advertised for that (but I don't really see how it could differ from the others). Has anyone ever tried that? Also, has anyone found that birth control makes the symptoms worse? (My mom said that was the case with her....she's never been formally Dx'ed, as it hasn't been around that long, but had all of these symptoms and more before her period when I was a kid.)

[Irine]

wow i have it very similar... without cuicadal attemps
huggs

[doubtful]

Sam,

I take yasmin without the placebo pills, I haven't had a period in over two years. And, I haven't been hospitalized in over two years either. The two definitely go hand in hand for me. My most serious suicide attempts were always the day before my period.

My current med-regime, which has me pretty stable: Lamictal, Cymbalta, Valium, Yasmin

I think it is the Yasmin that has helped the most.

There are ob-gyns who work with psychiatrists and understand some of the connections of the hormone and mood stuff. I highly recommend seeing someone like that if you can. If nothing else, at least mention the mood disorder stuff to the ob-gyn, so that they can help you figure out what's going on with your cycle as well as your moods.

I'm 33 now. It took a long time to finally get the right med combo, but I think it's possible and I hope you find yours soon.

~d

[darleen]

I have been having very similar problems. However, my cycle is regular and I don't take birth control (never have). I'm bi-polar, but the week before my period I feel comply out of control. The mood swings were unbelievable.

I started thinking maybe it was PMDD. But I'd rather not take birth control if it can be avoided. How can I tell if its PMDD and not just my illness being made worse by hormones?