Seriously, I think I need to go to the doctor and get this shit sorted out. It’s pretty obvious to me that I have PMDD. About 5 years ago I had a major freakout and I was diagnosed bipolar. I disclosed this to all my doctors I have now and although I have been unmedicated for about 4 of those years, all my current doctors won’t listen to me when I tell them I was misdiagnosed as being bipolar and I have PMDD instead.
I’ve been told that PMDD doesn’t exist, I’ve been told that I just need to get back on my bipolar meds, etc. This from doctors that are normally great, but they just don’t understand what I’m going through. Take the last couple of days and today. I’ve had people ask me if I’m pissed at them, or what’s wrong with me. I’ve wanted to do nothing but sleep. I’m pissed off. I can’t write what I’m supposed to be writing. Hell, I can hardly focus enough to write THIS post, much less the shit I’m supposed to be writing.
I’m depressed. I want to cry. Ugh. This started about Friday, and today’s cycle day 21. I’m on a 25 day cycle. If I was any better at math, I could figure out what percentage of the time I’m affected by this. Since I’m not, I’ll just say it’s an unacceptable amount of time and go on with it.
I guess I could go on and go back to the bipolar meds, but that’s NOT what’s wrong with me. I guess I could go on an anti-depressant, but it’s not like I need it all the time. But I think you have to take them all the time for them to be effective.
Soooo hopeless, haha. The worst part is, I KNOW it’s just hormones and underneath, I’m fine, but I can’t fight it off. OMG, this is so ridiculous. Send help.
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August 27, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Do you think maybe you should find another doctor?
I am soooo sorry you are suffering. You know that I know what that is like and I hate it when any human suffers, much less one that is my friend.
I thinking about ya and praying for ya.
*HUGS*
August 27, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Yep, might try another doc, and let me know if you need me to find anything for you. Sorry you’re going through this.
August 27, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Hey, you’re too normal to be freakin’ out, woman. But I feel your pain. I have no insurance, and I obviously need psychoactive substances to function in society. Society will just have to keep sufferin’, I suppose!
.
August 27, 2007 at 11:53 pm
sending hugs….
lemme know if you want a psychiatrist recommendation…
August 28, 2007 at 12:41 am
Aaaaaaaah and therein lies yet another obstacle of mental illness, real or perceived. Meaning, with a ”diagnosis” even one lacking in validity, it is almost impossible to get a Dr to take you seriously when you say, ”No. That isn’t what’s the matter but as I live with myself every.single.day, I’m pretty sure I know what the issue IS”.
I have a history of depression (um, duh, right?) and it took three years and half a dozen (seriously) Ob-Gyn’s to find ONE that took the time to listen. I keep my shit on a pretty even keel (past two years excluded, heh) but 4-6 days out of the month are a living hell for me and those around me.
It’s not in your head and it can be treated. Hugs.
August 28, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Man, that sucks. Sorry to hear that you’re feeling held down and jerked around.
Yes, it’s real and it can be treated. If you don’t want to take an SSRI all the time, you can try some stuff with naturally occuring serotonin in it. Walnuts and hickory nuts are the two biggest plant sources of serotonin. You might want to try a spoonful of black walnut extract put in something — also has been studied as a potential way to lower “bad” cholesterol — but go easy on it as it also can be used as a laxative in a higher dosage. Lesser concentrations can be found in stuff like pineapple and banana, so a black walnut/pineapple/banana smoothie in the day or so as you’re peaking into PMDD could be helpful to you.
August 28, 2007 at 4:32 pm
hang in there ivy. i’m with rachel on this. You need a doctor that is going to take your condition seriously. but while you are waiting maybe a banana split with pineapples and walnuts sprinkled on top will help. sorry you feel bad
August 28, 2007 at 5:28 pm
They’re right. You do need a responsive doctor.
Unfortunately medical doctors are not always responsive to hormone-accelerated female illness.
There are several things you can do in the meantime, including dietary changes and altering your method of birthcontrol. (Many BCP agents are shown to exacerbate the symptoms of PMDD)
August 28, 2007 at 6:56 pm
How can anyone mistake extreme PMS for bipolar disorder when it most closely resembles schizophrenia? Your doc’s a quack.
August 28, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Sweetie,
You are the patient. They are the doctor. You are PAYING them for an accurate diagnosis.
Call Rachel. She can help. She should be a damned doctor. She also understands things.
Shit, Get better and you really are the HBIC when it comes to your own life, and your own comfort.
I wish I could give you a hug.
August 28, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Hmm. The article mentions hormones and hormonal imbalance… *puts on hippie cap* Check out a book called “The Estrogen Alternative” and consider trying to find a holistic doctor who can help you get your hormones in balance. Don’t stop until you find someone who will take you seriously, no matter what route you go.
August 30, 2007 at 7:52 pm
I agree. Keep trying to find a doctor who will listen to you. Hormones suck bad enough that your shouldn’t have to put up with extra crap like this!
August 31, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Sorry I’m jumping in late here - what is PMDD?
October 4, 2007 at 2:19 am
I had the same thing… bi-polar diagnosis for almost 10 years until I went to a doctor who specialized in hormones. She recommended a total hysterectomy, even though I was only in my 30’s. She tried to regulate my hormone levels through medications but was unable to effectively control them to the point that I did not have “break-through” symptoms. Even though I had the hallmark “bi-polar” up-n-down mood swings, my hormone doctor felt certain that I did not have the disorder because I did not have a familiar history on either side of my family.
The turning point for me in understanding how hormones could play such a huge part in all of this was when she initiated the Luprin injections (a hormone that shuts down ovaries). The injections initiated menapause (but with Luprin, menapause can be reversed once the injections are stopped). Unbelievably, EVERY SINGLE ONE of my symptoms went away during my Luprin treatments. Unfortunately, the treatments are just REALLY expensive and it got to the point where the hysterectomy became the better option for me. Now, 2 years later…. I have been off ALL medications for bi-polar/ mood disorder etc. I have kids, have a wonderful job that I love and I feel great! You would NEVER know I once had a diagnosis of bi-polar. Wishing you the best on your journey for answers.