PMDD (Pre Menstrual Disphoric Disorder)

[lilv]

Hi, anyone out there have any experience with this? I have done some online research and all the info I can find is on American sites which have been really helpful but I just wondered why no UK sites? Mentioned it to the doc and he had never heard of it. Thanks in advance for your replies.

[Ethel]

Maybe it's because you are using American spelling.

The English spelling is Dysphoric. There is not a lot of information about it because it is not really recognised by the medical profession as a true medical disorder.

However, Prozac (Fluoxetine) can relieve the symptoms, which strengthens the medical professions' belief that sufferers are simply suffering from depression and/ or anxiety that is made worse by Pre Menstrual Syndrome.

[Hans_Olo]

Try looking under PMT/PMS - premenstrual tension/syndrome as PMDD is the US term for it - medical profession does recognize it in this country or at least some parts of it do! It's not really an illness/disease but the effect in some people the change in oestrogen/progesterone levels have on brain chemistry particularly serotonin which is why prozac works - you only need take it for the last 2 weeks of your cycle also not all the time for it to work which it does very well - much better than most things. Prozac did have a licence for PMT but most of europe cant define it or wont so it was withdrawn on the grounds of european harmonization!

[lilv]

Have found a brilliant site pmsandpmdd.eclipse.co.uk with loads of advice on alternative medicines for any of you out there suffering PMS/PMDD but trying to avoid the Prozac option.

Hans_Olo, have just completed my first 2 weeks and have to say it did take the edge off but by no means was I "stable" and now I still feel low whereas I usually start feeling better as soon as my period comes. Maybe I should persevere but scared of all the comments I've found online about people withdrawing and feeling worse than ever and attempting suicide etc. I think another visit to the docs is in order to discuss all of this, he pretty much just gave me the perscription and ushered me out.

Thanks to you both for your replies!

[Hans_Olo]

If you take prozac for PMT - one thing you need make sure though is it is just PMT and there arent other issues in your life as these will probably be better dealt with by talking therapy - you only need take it for the last 2 weeks fof the cycle so the withdrawl problems shouldn't occur. Like all treatments it aint perfect nor does it work for everyone but is an option amongst the others such as exercise and reducing caffeine intake. As with any treatment if you aren't happy you do need to discuss it hopefully most GP's will wonder why you are returning and think a bit!