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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by courtney Simon on November 2, 2003, at 15:30:25
I just don’t know what to do anymore. I feel tired, depressed, paranoid, and angry and completely out of control. And all I can tell my loved ones is "I have PMS". It’s not validating. I am getting a Ph.D. Yet this monster controls my learning and me. I want out. I want it to end. What are my options? I could go to the gynecologist where they will open me up tickle my cervix and I will leave feeling all the more violated. And after I go through that humiliating exam what will the experts do? Give me a hormone replacement and send me on my why? Is that what it is a laps in hormones that is causing all this absurdity? Wow women must be filled with powerful toxins to cause this when there is a deficit. Am I just supposed to embrace the symptoms as part of my womanhood? I am afraid to take the first step yet I want so much to be free. I cant live my life waiting for my period to arrive.
Courtney
Posted by Mariposa on November 2, 2003, at 18:12:00
In reply to afraid... PMDD, posted by courtney Simon on November 2, 2003, at 15:30:25
I'm 48 and thought I was going through peri-menopause.....Uncontrollable fits of RAGE, screaming fights w/hubby over semantics, terrible road-rage, customer complaints and write-ups at work. Told my gyn doc and he says I'm too young, I have PMDD, and gives me Lexapro. (Also depression from insomnia, sleep apnea, and recent death in family.)
I started in Feb. and have been doing much better, no more RAGE, and depression is at least partially under control.
You might check out "www.herplace.com"
Best of luck to you!~~~8|8
Posted by Mariposa on November 2, 2003, at 18:19:25
In reply to afraid... PMDD, posted by courtney Simon on November 2, 2003, at 15:30:25
Well you might have to type in the address as I just clicked on my link and it went elsewhere.
Dr. Elizabeth Vliet is an excellent source for hormone related issues, and *herplace* is her web-site.~~~8|8
Posted by courtney Simon on November 2, 2003, at 18:45:05
In reply to Re: afraid... PMDD » courtney Simon, posted by Mariposa on November 2, 2003, at 18:19:25
Thanks I went there and sent an email. Thank you so much for letting me know I am not alone. It means so much.
Courtney
Posted by cupcake on November 2, 2003, at 20:31:33
In reply to Re: afraid... PMDD, posted by courtney Simon on November 2, 2003, at 18:45:05
hi courtney et al...
i have an idea how you're feeling...nobody ever formally diagnosed me with pmdd, but i started noticing the symptoms when i was about 18 years old, in college. it's been a long and difficult road to figuring out exactly WHAT is wrong with me and how to deal with it most effectively :), but you can do it. i started by going to the library--and now there is soooo much information online, as well.
i finally started going regularly to a therapist (in my case, an lcsw (licensed clinical social worker)) to deal with some personal and family issues, but it really got me on the road to dealing with the physical, hormonal, and biochemical components of my problem. a good therapist can help you figure out a plan of action when you are feeling depressed and out of control and help you learn to advocate for yourself with doctors and others. i finally got diagnosed with depression, which also intensifies during the 2 weeks before and during my period. i think that some antidepressants have been approved to help treat pmdd and pms. that might be something for you to look into.
also, it might sound overly simplistic, and even though it's hard to make yourself do when you feel like crap, exercising, eating right, and taking supplements can be a big help. some supplements that have helped me and are often recommended for pmdd and pms are:
calcium/magnesium
evening primrose oil
flaxseed oil and fish oil
vitamin b6 and/or b complex
chasteberry extractdo an internet search on PMDD and treatments also, that could help. good luck--you are definitely not alone!
> Thanks I went there and sent an email. Thank you so much for letting me know I am not alone. It means so much.
>
> Courtney
Posted by courtney Simon on November 3, 2003, at 7:15:37
In reply to (don't be afraid) Re: afraid... PMDD, posted by cupcake on November 2, 2003, at 20:31:33
thanks cupcake. Your message gave me comfort in knowing I can get a hold of this. I am just afraid of going to the doctor. I dont want to have a pelvic exam. I know thats what they will do. And then I might be put on meds that affect me in other ways where I seem to be balanced. I am reading more about the symptoms and I really think I do have PMDD. I just want to get over this fear of going to the doctor.
Courtney
Posted by cupcake on November 3, 2003, at 10:56:05
In reply to Re: (don't be afraid) Re: afraid... PMDD, posted by courtney Simon on November 3, 2003, at 7:15:37
hi courtney,
i hope you are feeling ok. i know what you mean - i am always afraid that trying a new med or treatment will upset the precarious balance i have between all my screwy brain chemistry, hormones, etc. :) anyway, it also took me awhile to muster up the motivation to go to an ob gyn. i definitely didn't want to go to a male doctor, and i found a female doctor who was really nice, gentle, and sensitive to my situation. you definitely want someone who will make you feel comfortable. the only advice on this i can offer at the moment is when looking for an ob/gyn or having your first appointment or consultation, don't be afraid to tell them about your misgivings or that you are really uncomfortable about the whole pelvic exam idea.
finally, i don't think you even need to have a pelvic exam to be diagnosed with pmdd. do you have a therapist or psych doctor you can talk to about this?
> thanks cupcake. Your message gave me comfort in >knowing I can get a hold of this. I am just afraid of going >to the doctor. I dont want to have a pelvic exam. I know >thats what they will do. And then I might be put on meds >that affect me in other ways where I seem to be balanced. I am reading more about the symptoms and I really think I do have PMDD. I just want to get over this fear of going to the doctor.
>
> Courtney
Posted by LynneDa on November 3, 2003, at 11:25:22
In reply to Re: (don't be afraid) Re: afraid... PMDD, posted by courtney Simon on November 3, 2003, at 7:15:37
Hi Courtney -
Just wanted to let you know I can relate 100%. I am 40 and have suffered with these horrible behaviors for about 3 years. I finally talked to my gyn about it. There was no pelvic exam involved, though. That puzzles me. They did a blood test to check my hormone levels, to see if I was in menopause. He diagnosed me with PMDD and peri-menopausal.I am on 10mg of Lexapro - just 2 weeks into it. I felt better after ONE DAY! I can now work on the other things that are not related to depression or PMDD - other behavioral issues I may have some control over. I've tried one other med - Sarafem - and couldn't stand the side effects. There are some with Lex, but they were easy to get through and worth it for the peace I've found.
I totally understand feeling out of control and being driven by forces that are inside of you, yet not under your jurisdiction so to speak. I truly don't think you'll lose the other areas in which you are already balanced and see as positives.
Hang in there and switch docs if you are uncomfortable with their procedures! This is too important a time in your life to waste with all this pain :-)
~ Lynne
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