(no subject)

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yesterday i went and talked to my doctor because ive been having a lot of problems with really severe pms. ive been on orthotricyclen since april, and that has cut down the cramps/headaches/bloating/etc. but its done nothing for the awful moodswings and depression that usually come the week before my period. i told my doctor this, and asked if maybe a different bc pill would help with *all* of the symptoms. instead of suggesting that, however, she reccomended that i try something called Seraphem. Apparently my symptoms fell almost exactly into a condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (pmdd) which is caused by low seratonin levels resulting from something screwy with my cycle.

question: has anyone else been diagnosed with pmdd? what have been your experiences with it? have you been treated with seraphem? how did it work for you? any other tidbits of wisdom?

many thanks!
~meredith

Comments

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the only reason id disagree that the orthotricyclen is causing the depression is that ive had many many problems with it in the past. since ive been on the pill the depression has reduced in intensity and concentrated itself into the week before my period. i feel normal and sane and stable most of the time, its just when im pmsing my sanity seems to flee.
i asked her about switching pills, and she said that since the one im on has helped so much with physical symptoms, i should try the saraphem for two months and if i dont like it i could try switching pills. i think ill give it a shot, but ill do some of my own research on different pills and talk to her again in a few months. any place youd suggest looking?

thanks!

[geminigirl]

PMDD is an extreme form of PMS. I've read arguments both for and against its existence. Some people think its a condition created by the medical and pharmeceutical communities to push Sarafem (which is really just repackaged prozac) and some believe it's a real condition. You really have two choices here; you could try the Sarafem, which may or may not work, or you could try another birth control pill, which also may or may not work. I've found that my PMS is seriously reduced on the pill, but not gone...I'm much more prone to tossing some Rescue Remedy into my juice or water for the duration of PMS than messing with an anti-depressant.

inquiring minds

[tara-incognito.livejournal.com]

What is this Rescue Remedy? Please do tell.

Re: inquiring minds

[geminigirl]

http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/38/rescue.htm

Rescue Remedy is flower extracts, which I mix with my water when I'm tense or PMSing and it reduces the anxious or PMS-y feelings.

It's amazing stuff...plus I can even use it on the cats when they have to travel or they're out of control.

Re: inquiring minds

[tara-incognito.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

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::nod:: ive looked a lot of different places for info on the pmdd thing and im tempted to believe its legitimate because a good deal of the research came out before sarafem was released. at this point, i think im going to try the sarafem (even though it is just repackaged prozac) because anything that helps would be welcome. im definitely not going to limmit myself to that, though, and if it doesnt help ill be off it as soon as possible.
i think the link to a site with info on your rescue remedy stuff is in one of the other comments? ill definitely also look at that.

thanks!

[urania.livejournal.com]

Whether it was diagnosed as a separate condition or not, cycle-linked depression has been noted for quite some time in medical history. Since it's an affective (ie mood) disorder, it's entirely possible that an antidepressent (which Serafem... sp?... is) could help; it's a re-packaging of the Prozac/Paxil class of drugs, called SSRIs. They don't work for everyone, but if you're comfortable giving it a try it may work for you. While taking it, if you do, I recommend making sure you get enough water and fiber in your diet--they can constipate some people and lead to dry skin, etc., and water + roughage can sometimes help your body adjust to the new medication. Like any other new medicine, keep an eye on your body as you start it and watch for any other side effects--and if it doesn't work, by all means push your doctor to try another formulation of the birth control pill on you!

I'm on ortho-try, have been for years now; it works quite well for me (despite my history of depressive/anxiety problems) but every individual's body chemistry is different. A pill that works well for you may take a couple tries to find--and if ortho-try plus serafem doesn't do it for you, one of the other birth control formulations might. If your doctor won't work with you at that point, I strongly would suggest a second opinion ;) your body might thank you for it, down the road! Good luck