Posted by pmddmom on June 25, 2003, at 22:44:52
In reply to Re: I'm scared, posted by Emily B. on March 29, 2001, at 23:07:23
Just wanted to add that I am someone who has suffered from pmdd for 20 years. It used to be one week before my period. Over time, it got longer and more intense so that finally it was 2 weeks out of the month. And I not only felt depressed and irritable, I also felt rageful and miserable. I tried taking Sarafem last year, but just for the 2 weeks before my period. All I felt were side effects and none of the positive effects. Now I am a mother and have even less time to put my life on hold 2 weeks out of the month. Plus, my monthly rages and depressions were beginning to threaten my marriage and preventing me from being the mother I so wanted to be. So I talked to my current gynecologist about my situation. He told me that Sarafem doesn't work when taken only for 2 weeks out of the month because it takes 2 weeks for the side effects to diminish and the positive effects to take hold. So, in essence, all I ever experienced were side effects without the relief. So I decided to give Sarafem another chance. Mostly because I was desperate. I had tried all the "natural" remedies, such as B-12, low-sodium diet, no alcohol, no caffeine, etc. But nothing really made me feel better, because the real culprit was a lower concentration of seratonin. And the problem only worsens with age and after pregnancies. After 3 months of taking 20 mg. of Sarafem daily, I am a new person. I feel like a "normal" person. I spent my entire young life just accepting that I would always have to plan my life around my period. It was an amazing experience to go on vacation with my in-laws, during the thick of my pms and have a wonderful time. I kept waiting to feel exasperated, annoyed, even rageful. And it never happened. I am a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, and a better person because of Sarafem. I know I sound like a commercial, but after suffering for 2 decades, I feel like I'm finally able to live a happy, normal life. I can't recommend it enough. It's tragic that shame and fear keep us from getting treatment. But it should give you hope to know that it's out there. Any any gynecologist you go to should know about this because the AMA recently sent out a memo to all gynos to tell them that Sarafem is indicated for pmdd, along with guidelines for diagnosing it. As for sideeffects, I do feel more tired some of the time. And I have noticed that I have less interest in sex, but I'm certainly not anorgasmic. I still have great sex with my husband, it just takes a little longer for me to orgasm. But my husband is more than happy to be patient with me. After all, without the Sarafem, we had a guaranteed fight once a month, which meant no sex anyway :) And as for being tired, I was much worse off when I was depressed 1/2 the month. Anyway, that's my story. I hope it helps someone.
poster:pmddmom
thread:3315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030624/msgs/237104.html