Did anyone here suffer from terrible PMS symptoms or PMDD before perimenopause?
Do you think it is possible to have hormone imbalances your entire life? I suffered from bad PMS symptoms for years, even pleading with my doctor to give me some relief, but all he ever said was drink more water and take B-12. Well, that didn't work. I felt good about one week out of the month, and the other three were consumed with irritability, crying jags, mood swings and tension. I never had a blood test to determine hormone levels until I went to a new GYN (my old doctor retired). I have severely low levels of progesterone which have led to dyplasia. I have two cervical freezes in the past, but NO follow-up medications for either. So, I have spent the last 37 years (from my first period at age 12) wondering what was SO WRONG with me. The only time I felt good was when I was pregnant with my two kids.
Now, at age 49, I find out that I probably had low progesterone levels for years and years, and now that I am perimenopausal, those levels have been depleted which has led to a severe depressive state. I am now on Zoloft and Provera.
Re: Did anyone here suffer from terrible PMS symptoms or PMDD before perimenopause?
Yes, I think people can have hormonal imbalance all their lives.
Quote:
Originally Posted by f33l h3lpl3ss
Do you think it is possible to have hormone imbalances your entire life? I suffered from bad PMS symptoms for years, even pleading with my doctor to give me some relief, but all he ever said was drink more water and take B-12. Well, that didn't work. I felt good about one week out of the month, and the other three were consumed with irritability, crying jags, mood swings and tension. I never had a blood test to determine hormone levels until I went to a new GYN (my old doctor retired). I have severely low levels of progesterone which have led to dyplasia. I have two cervical freezes in the past, but NO follow-up medications for either. So, I have spent the last 37 years (from my first period at age 12) wondering what was SO WRONG with me. The only time I felt good was when I was pregnant with my two kids.
Now, at age 49, I find out that I probably had low progesterone levels for years and years, and now that I am perimenopausal, those levels have been depleted which has led to a severe depressive state. I am now on Zoloft and Provera.
Re: Did anyone here suffer from terrible PMS symptoms or PMDD before perimenopause?
I, too, from the age of 12 had dreadful periods. I was always irregular, bled profusely, felt ill, and had cramps I can compare to labour pains.
When I was pregnant, I was sick for 7-1/2 months. I had to take medication just to keep the nausea under control so I wouldn't be throwing up all the time.
A couple of years after giving birth, I once again started to have bleeding problmes. The doctor kept telling me there was nothing wrong with me until one month I lost so much blood, I had to be taken to emergency. I was given a blood transfusion because I had lost so much blood. Apparently it hormonal imbalance.
At 33 I had my uterus removed. My quality of life improved dramatically, because of no pain and no bleeding, but, I still had the mood stuff, the emotional stuff, bloating, etc. Then finally peri and real menopause.
When menopause hit me, I could barely function. Extreme mood swings, crying, hot flashes that were so overwhelming, I couldn't focus, night sweats that kept me awake half the night, so, consequently, exhausted during the day.
In a nutshell, I was so desparate, that if I hadn't gone to my doctor ( a different one from the past), I would probably not be here to tell you my story.
Last year, I went on the estrogen patch. No more hot flashes, night sweats and extreme mood swings. I was however still having some problems with dealing with feeling like my life was over because of being 52 and in menopause and a bunch of other stuff, so, the doctor suggested an anti depressant. At first I was reluctant, but, I decided I had been struggling with borderline depression and all the other junk that life throws at you for so long, and I just wanted to find a sense of calm.
So, I am now taking Celexa and am still on the once a week estrogen patch.
Ah-h-h life is good now.
Re: Did anyone here suffer from terrible PMS symptoms or PMDD before perimenopause?
Quote:
Originally Posted by f33l h3lpl3ss
Do you think it is possible to have hormone imbalances your entire life? I suffered from bad PMS symptoms for years, even pleading with my doctor to give me some relief, but all he ever said was drink more water and take B-12. Well, that didn't work. I felt good about one week out of the month, and the other three were consumed with irritability, crying jags, mood swings and tension. I never had a blood test to determine hormone levels until I went to a new GYN (my old doctor retired). I have severely low levels of progesterone which have led to dyplasia. I have two cervical freezes in the past, but NO follow-up medications for either. So, I have spent the last 37 years (from my first period at age 12) wondering what was SO WRONG with me. The only time I felt good was when I was pregnant with my two kids.
Now, at age 49, I find out that I probably had low progesterone levels for years and years, and now that I am perimenopausal, those levels have been depleted which has led to a severe depressive state. I am now on Zoloft and Provera.
Can anyone else relate to this?
You mentioned you had a severly low progesterone level. I had a blood test done in January by an OB/GYN/Endocrinologist the result was 1.3. Two weeks later another blood test result was 1. What do you mean when you say it caused dyplasia? The dr. diagnoised me as having a hormone imbalance. Apparently I am estrogen dominant. I have not had a problem with periods and symptoms for years like you have , mine started in August of 2003 with symptoms that sent me to the GP who said it was panic/anxiety attacks. I began to watch the pattern of the attacks and saw that it was around my period each month. So I began research on the internet and went to the GYN because I knew it had to have something to do with hormones. The endo put me on 100 ml of natural progesterone cream days 14 until my cycle starts and a sublingual(under the tongue) natural progesterone pill of 50 ml every night. I have had an arrray of symptoms, I am 43 years old. Also I read a post from Molly who was taking Paxil CR and doing well with it. My GP wanted me to take anti-depressants, but I would not because she gave me Lexapro in August I took one and had a HORRIBLE reaction to it. After reading and posting back and forth with Molly I decided to try Paxil CR. This is my 19th day and I do feel alot better using the natural progesterone cream/pill and the PAxil CR. I cannot get anyone, not even in the medical profession to tell me how and why my progesterone level is so low???? Have you had an answer from your doctor as to why your level is s low? After reading your post I began to wonder about what you are saying about dyplasia, please explain. Hoping you have much better days ahead and thank you for the reply.
Penny
Re: Did anyone here suffer from terrible PMS symptoms or PMDD before perimenopause?
Quote:
Originally Posted by PennyD
You mentioned you had a severly low progesterone level. What do you mean when you say it caused dyplasia? Have you had an answer from your doctor as to why your level is so low? After reading your post I began to wonder about what you are saying about dyplasia, please explain. Hoping you have much better days ahead and thank you for the reply.
Penny
Estrogen dominance promotes abnormal cell growth; Progesterone prevents abnormal cell growth and allows the uterine lining to shed the cells. Since I have had low progesterone levels (supposing here for previous two abnormal cell episodes...but confirmed for this latest dyplasia), this allowed the abnormal cell growth. Since I was producing very little progesterone and the stress I have been under, depleted my supply of progesterone. Now, my progesterone level is less than 1. Apparently, I am producing even less now that I am perimenopausal. (Kept on wondering why I couldn't handle things as well now as I have for the last 17 years of single parenthood.) You are on 50 ml of natural progesterone...I am on 10 mg of Provera and the natural progesterone cream in the morning for quick absorption. I am on 75 mg of Zoloft and have been on it for 4 weeks. I AM feeling better than what I was, but I have only been on the Provera for 5 days now. Started bleeding again yesterday which is what the GYN said to expect. I am to take the Provera every day for 90 days, and then, another biopsy. If that comes back clear, then, it's on to ????? If it comes back negative, then, it is hysterectomy....and immediate menopause?
I don't know anything anymore. There is just TOO much going on with me.
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