Intro and question...Long

momto3angels · 04-29-2005, 01:09 PM

Hi Everyone,
I have been reading this board for several weeks, but haven't posted yet. I thought it was time to stop lurking and introduce myself.
My name is Beth, DH is Josh we're both 30. I have Bipolar I, and have been off meds since Dec 2003 while TTC. Since DH and I decided to put TTC on hold until closer to the end of the year (if then) I have really been struggling with my moods. Mostly depression, and mostly around PMS time. My new shrink (due to an insurance change) says that he thinks I also have PMDD. I get very, very depressed and anxious about a week before my period, and then it's just gone about 2-3 days into AF. I guess he could be right. I just never thought of the timing before. He wants to put me on meds for it...Something in the Prozac group for 2 weeks of the month, and a mood stablizer (probably Lithium because of my previous success with it.) to help gaurd agains mania. I guess my first question is...Do you beleive in PMDD, and does anyone here have experience in how it is treated that worked for them...Are there any alternatives to meds?
Secondly I was wondering if anyone has heard of TFT. (touch field therapy) My shrink also wants to use this therapy totreat PTSD caused by the stillbirth of my son, and the subsequant birth and deaths of my twin girls...The treatment seems a bit of hocus pocus to me, but again there are mixed reviews to how/if it works...Anyone have any insight?

Sorry this was so long. If you all made it throughYaY! If not it's okay. Thanks!

TickledPink · 04-29-2005, 01:53 PM

I just want to say hi, and (((((hugs)))))

Yes I get worse depression around the time of my period for sure!

I definatly think the loss of your babies could be affecting you in ways you don't know.

I have some articles that may help you out on my website, the link is in my sig!

Don't be a stranger talking about your feelings and getting stuff out is good!

I am sorry for your losses!

asrai · 06-17-2005, 07:21 PM

Beth, I know you wrote this a while ago, but I'm new here (I've lurked off and on for ages, but never posted until today). Yes, PMDD is real. I was finally diagnosed with it last year after years of suffering with it. My experience was that from the time of my last bcp until I would start bleeding, I would gradually get more and more depressed, fatigued, bloated, etc. I would bloat up to 20 pounds! And I would be suicidal and sometimes violent. This is not like me at all! Some days I could not get out of bed. I could physically feel the grief in my stomach, shoulders, and chest, and all I could do was cry myself to sleep (when I wasn't dealing with migraines, sore breasts, and insomnia!).

I take 10mg of Fluoxetine (generic of Sarafem, which is just another name for Prozac) once a day from the time my symptoms start through my period. This is usually about one-two weeks, because I start taking it from the very first sign of symptoms. I don't wait for it to get bad enough to do any damage.

I can't tell you what a miracle it was for me to get the diagnoses and treatment. There were days I pondered going into an institution, but didn't know how that would work only needing it a few days a month!

It was such a blessing for me. Now I get a little tired (I think the prozac makes me sleepy), but I will take tired over the rest of it any day.

Hope you're feeling better.