RSS Feed (xml)We all joke about PMS and the mood swings and indecisiveness that goes a long with it. For the most part it can be manageable with some chocolate, a nap, St. John's Wart, a neck to strangle, and our trusty heating pad.
Men can learn to adapt to this world full of estrogen and tears quite nicely once they get the hang of it. Granted they don't truly grasp how we are feeling. They just know to stay far away. Take a mini vacation and to keep there mouths shut for at least a week.
But what happens when even you can't handle the PMS? The extreme anger over the crumbs on the couch, the nasty comments to everyone within ear shot, the crying constantly for no reason at all. Do you just sit there and take it and just think well it's part of getting older? Not on your life! You fight it. Get some meds to help those out of control hormones.
After my third child I thought that everything would go back to normal. That I would have the slight irritation that I never voiced to anyone and the slight cramping. Oh No. It was like I had morphed into the girl from "The Exorcist". I didn't even recognize myself. My poor children got the brunt of it. My husband was always the bad guy whether he did anything or not. I felt horrible, I was exhausted, and cried for days. The more the months went by the worse it got until I couldn't take one more month with PMS like that .
Last month I finally broke down and asked for help. It takes a lot for me to do that. I'm not one to depend on medication unless it is absolutely necessary. I described my symptoms to my doctor who came to a very quick conclusion. PMDD with Anxiety Disorder thrown in the mix. After one week on the medicine, I felt tons better. I had no PMDD symptoms save for a little food craving, and bloating. Even my husband mentioned to me that I seemed happier this time.
I figured that most of you know what PMDD is but just for a refresher I will list the symptoms for you. If you think that you are suffering from this please see your doctor. Don't let it go and think you just have to live with this. PMDD is not the real you.
All of the symptoms do not need to be present, and they may vary from month to month. At least 5 are required to make the diagnosis, including at least one of the first four.
- Very depressed mood, feeling hopeless
- Marked anxiety, tension, edginess
- Sudden mood shifts (crying easily, extreme sensitivity)
- Persistent, marked irritability, anger, increased conflicts
- Loss of interest in usual activities (work, school, socializing, etc.)
- Difficulty concentrating and staying focused
- Fatigue, tiredness, loss of energy
- Marked appetite change, overeating, food cravings
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or sleeping too much
- Feeling out of control or overwhelmed
- Physical symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, headache, and muscle or joint aches and pains
I had every single one of these symptoms. PMDD has been known to mimic Anxiety Disorder and Depression. Make sure you keep track of when you start having these symptoms and how they correlate that wonderful time of month.
How many women have this this disorder? Share your stories. You're not alone!
Tiffanie
7 comments:
Ooh, so good to know. Thanks for this reference point. I would say that more than 5 of those refer to me, but don't have any sort of monthly regularity/correlation, so I'm probably not a PMDD...but who knows, I should probably keep track anyway just to be sure.
Always great to hear from you on my blog!
I am glad you are feeling better!
Amen sista! I have been on meds, but lately, forget to take them. Like 3-4 days in a row! Just enough to have me all messed up. And I haven't been keeping track of my monthlys! So, this last time - I seriously did NOT think it was that time. I swear - I just had that time. Yet - I was SO IRRITATED at everyone!! My husband received the worse part of me. He thought I hated him. But I was irritated with EVERYONE! Even the tots - I mean HELLO?! If you are hungry, WHY are you throwing your food on the floor??!! Then I "started" and some how I immediately felt better knowing there was a reason I was such a crazed maniac. I HAVE to remember to take my meds. Have to. :)
Hi Tiff!
OMG! I sound/feel just like you. Thanks for the post and the list.
Hugs!
i usually get # 3, 4. 8, and 11. but i can manage and it helps to have a very understanding boyfriend. hehe.
i'm glad you're feeling better. :)
Great post! Very informative! Thank you for sharing it at the Moms In A Blog group on MBC.
Crystal
http://momsinablog.com
I also suffer from this but have not been able to find a medication I can tolerate (tried two). It's so tough because the rest of the month, I feel great!
So frustrating!
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