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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 12:47:24
I know I suffer from PMDD on top of MDD/gad/bipolar/whatever the heck my diagnosis is. I think I have a lot of mixed episodes, but that's another issue.
I had a horrible Thanksgiving with family and realized I provoked it. It's killing me. And I realize now it was PMDD. My main symptoms are out of control ranting and raving and freaking out on everyone around me, extreme melancholia and severe anxiety. Pretty much the stereotypical "female psychotic crazies."
I deal w/ enough mood swings as it is--how do I treat this??? What should I do? My pdoc is aware, but it's been on the back burner.
I appreciate any feedback.
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2012, at 14:59:21
In reply to Help w/ PMDD, posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 12:47:24
As silly as it sounds I had an ob-gyn that prescribed diazide an antidiuretic seemed that I retained water and hence I believe it also swells in the brain.
Also have you asked about maybe some bioidentical hormones. Don't others also go on a Birth control pill? Phillipa
Posted by ChicagoKat on November 26, 2012, at 16:41:50
In reply to Help w/ PMDD, posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 12:47:24
Hi Bryn,
Well, seeing a therapist as you said you were gonna start doing might help you to recognize what's going on when you get PMDD and to control your thoughts and actions when it happens...I mean, I know you know you've got bad PMDD, but when it hits it's probably hard to think straight...if you learn to tell yourself when it hits that it's the fault of the disease, and not your fault, it might help you from going out of control as you said has happened.
But of course this does nothing to help with the pain you feel when it happens. I wish I had some good ideas on that. Hopefully a resident expert will chime in. Have you had your regular doc check hormone levels when you're actually experiencing the PMDD? What does your regular doc say anyways? It's obviously a hormonal issue combined with the depression you have in the first place. I think Phillipa may have some good ideas. And I'm also wondering about testosterone...women also need that hormone, but in lesser amounts...I know it's supposed to lead to a sense of well-being. But this is just me guessing b/c I am really bad with hormones, never could really 'get'them. I wish you luck in figuring it out.
Are you feeling better?
Kat
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 26, 2012, at 16:45:15
In reply to Help w/ PMDD, posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 12:47:24
Isnt an SSRI the usual treatment, say Zoloft 50mg/daily?
If particularly bas, you could try a low dose atypical as well
Posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 17:12:13
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD » brynb, posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2012, at 14:59:21
> As silly as it sounds I had an ob-gyn that prescribed diazide an antidiuretic seemed that I retained water and hence I believe it also swells in the brain.
>
> Also have you asked about maybe some bioidentical hormones. Don't others also go on a Birth control pill? Phillipathanks, phillipa. that's an interesting idea, certainly a novel approach. i'll ask my pdoc weds.
thanks again!
Posted by gadchik on November 26, 2012, at 17:16:12
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD » brynb, posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2012, at 14:59:21
I think a low dose birth control pill would help alot.
Posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 17:20:12
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD » brynb, posted by ChicagoKat on November 26, 2012, at 16:41:50
> Hi Bryn,
>
> Well, seeing a therapist as you said you were gonna start doing might help you to recognize what's going on when you get PMDD and to control your thoughts and actions when it happens...I mean, I know you know you've got bad PMDD, but when it hits it's probably hard to think straight...if you learn to tell yourself when it hits that it's the fault of the disease, and not your fault, it might help you from going out of control as you said has happened.
>
> But of course this does nothing to help with the pain you feel when it happens. I wish I had some good ideas on that. Hopefully a resident expert will chime in. Have you had your regular doc check hormone levels when you're actually experiencing the PMDD? What does your regular doc say anyways? It's obviously a hormonal issue combined with the depression you have in the first place. I think Phillipa may have some good ideas. And I'm also wondering about testosterone...women also need that hormone, but in lesser amounts...I know it's supposed to lead to a sense of well-being. But this is just me guessing b/c I am really bad with hormones, never could really 'get'them. I wish you luck in figuring it out.
> Are you feeling better?
> KatThanks for your input, Kat. Testosterone is an interesting idea. I think therapy will help, but I must say PMDD can be worse than my depression at times because it's like mixed states; screaming, crying, rage, extreme melancholy, etc...
I see my pdoc Weds., thankfully. I'm a bit nervous though; I gobbled up one of my Rx's as I've been so down...
I am feeling a bit better today, thanks. I'll write you later--I'm just so damn exhausted.
Posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 17:23:04
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD, posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 26, 2012, at 16:45:15
> Isnt an SSRI the usual treatment, say Zoloft 50mg/daily?
>
> If particularly bas, you could try a low dose atypical as wellThanks, Jon. I already take Lexapro, 20 mg. We discussed going up at certain cycle times, but other issues have been more pressing currently.
I wonder about a low dose atypical--it makes sense. The only thing is I'm not a fan of them :(.
Thanks again.
Posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 17:26:30
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD, posted by gadchik on November 26, 2012, at 17:16:12
> I think a low dose birth control pill would help alot.
Hi Gadchik-
I've heard that too. I used to be on them, but it's been at least eight years, and I'm 38 now and not sure how I feel about it. It may be a good discussion to have with my gyn.
Thanks.
Posted by ChicagoKat on November 26, 2012, at 17:28:05
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD » ChicagoKat, posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 17:20:12
Don't worry about writing, especially when you're so tired and down. I love hearing from you, but I certainly understand.
But about the PMDD I really think that in addition to talking to your pdoc about it you should talk to your regular doc is well. I think there's really a hormonal side to the problem as well.
I'm glad you are feeling a bit better; I am too :) I can't wait to see my pdoc tomorrow; I've got lots of questions and ideas to bombard the poor guy with!
Kat
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2012, at 21:08:21
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD » gadchik, posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 17:26:30
Age 38? Second person I talking with about hormones this female feels it's perimenopause. Seriously I truly believe hormones. See a doc that does hormone theraphy. I did but I'm too old to benefit from them. You are at the age where it's safe to take bioidenticals. Google them. Not the horse pee ones the bioidentical hormones. Phillipa
Posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 21:51:22
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD » brynb, posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2012, at 21:08:21
> Age 38? Second person I talking with about hormones this female feels it's perimenopause. Seriously I truly believe hormones. See a doc that does hormone theraphy. I did but I'm too old to benefit from them. You are at the age where it's safe to take bioidenticals. Google them. Not the horse pee ones the bioidentical hormones. Phillipa
Thanks Phillipa. I hope it's not perimenopause!! I want kids, but I kinda need a husband first...
I will look into the hormones, though.
Thanks again.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 26, 2012, at 22:39:15
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD » Phillipa, posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 21:51:22
Why arnt you a fan of atypicals? Have you had a bad experience with them?
Taking 0.5mg-1mg of risperidone at night over the course of a few days a month shouldnt cause any side effects beyone initial drowsiness.
If atypicals arnt you, then hydroxyzine (Atarax) 50mg three times a day might be worth trying, or even a benzo, say Ativan 1mg twice a day - again, if you were only taking it for a few days a month, or even 10 days a month, dependence wouldnt be an issue.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 27, 2012, at 6:55:54
In reply to Help w/ PMDD, posted by brynb on November 26, 2012, at 12:47:24
A typical treatment is adding Prozac for the week before your period. It is sort of strange to take an SSRI that way, but this is the one issue they do this for. It is always Prozac though (rather than another SSRI) because of the long half life.
Now with bipolar Issues, adding an SSRI may have different implications. If your doc wants to avoid that, birth control pills might be a better option.
Good luck!
EE
Posted by brynb on November 27, 2012, at 8:16:46
In reply to Re: Help w/ PMDD, posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 27, 2012, at 6:55:54
hi EE-
my podoc mentioned we try that, but other issues were a priority.And, as you wrote, bipolar can be tricky with sris.
ugh. it's very frustrating.
thanks for your reply!
This is the end of the thread.
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