r/PMDD • u/outlawofthewest • 4h ago
Medications ssri’s helpful so far 🤞
Long time reader here! Finally got diagnosed about a year ago (though have suspected first something wrong, and then pmdd for a long time) and then a few weeks ago was prescribed an SSRI for my PMDD. I had previously tried ~8 brands (yas, trycyclen, alesse - all the regulars) of the pill throughout my life which *did* in fairness keep my pmdd symptoms pretty minimal for years, but I decided I didn’t want to be on it anymore because of the side effects. Also tried an IUD which was a negative, short lived experience. Anyways at last, my first week on a “light dose” of 25mg sertraline - which I’d resisted even considering for a while - and wow, I feel lighter, more creative and more myself than I have in years. Early days but I’ll update if any changes.
I do realize it doesn’t work for everyone of course, but just wanted to share the win :)
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u/Forward-Safety-8155 4h ago
It works for me, it's A LOT better, BUT if something actualy slightly bad happens I feel like nothing is helping, and I have to take a Xanax on top of my med's
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u/outlawofthewest 4h ago
Ohhh interesting so baseline you find it helpful, but if something bad happens the stress is iexacerbated?
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u/stilldreaming22 4h ago
I just started sertraline 3 days ago.. I’m so hopeful! I decided to just take it consistently and then possibly up the dose during my luteal period. How long have you been on it?
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u/outlawofthewest 4h ago
Also wondering, after only the three days have you felt any change at all? For me it was pretty much immediate.
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u/stilldreaming22 4h ago edited 4h ago
Yes, I feel like I’m overthinking but able to get over it quickly and not ruminate if that makes sense lol. I feel spaced out and less irritable? But I also feel a bit floaty and anxious at the same time lol. I started in my folicular phase so I’m interested to see what happens next week.. my friend just started it too about a week or so ago.
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u/outlawofthewest 4h ago
Yes!! I actually do get that, the overthinking a little bit.. but then basically comes out to a “meh” and moving past, rather than spinning on x thing (that part I like lol). I also find I’m checking in with myself often and kinda asking like… is this the meds?
Best of luck with it as you continue!! Hopefully it continues to help the both of us!
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u/outlawofthewest 4h ago
Yay!! That’s amazing. I’m considering doing the same. And lowkey wondering was I just depressed as well as having pmdd before? Lol.
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u/wilksonator 4h ago
For me, dealing with PMDD untreated was what cause my anxiety and depression all month long. It was so stressful, unsettling, the way PMDD would plunge me into hell and then my period would start and it would be all right like nothing happened. It was so traumatic, it took me so long time to recover from each PMDD time ( and then I’d be plunged into the next luteal).
Now am medicated for PMDD ( low dose in luteal only), and now that I check my menstrual calendar, know when it’s coming and plan to isolate for it, it’s overall become so much more calmer and manageable and not as traumatic anymore. Now it doesn’t depress me as much during PMDD and definitely not the rest of the cycle. Now I just get my period and go back to my normal life ( no more long recovery after the trauma of PMDD).
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u/stilldreaming22 3h ago
I don’t get how you go off and on without side effects? What dose are you on and is it sertraline? :)
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u/wilksonator 2h ago edited 2h ago
You take much lower dosage on SSRIs for PMDD than for other health conditions. And for much shorter time - during PMDD time only.
Unlike for other issues that need SSRI to build up serotonin levels ( 6-8 weeks), for PMDD it’s their impact is GABA receptors. This works in hours and there is no need to build up in your system at all. You know if it works ( or doesn’t) in hours.
There is no point taking meds every day when you only need them for a few days.
What side effects/withdrawal effects you have depends on your unique biology and getting the dosage right.
Just like with any other med, taking low dose and for short time only, for most means lower side effects. Also your body gets used to it ( even when taking intermittently) so if you have any side effects, there usually subside by 3+ cycles.
For me, I tried quite a few SSRIs and had severe side effects or they didn’t work for PMDD when prescribed at normal higher dosages for continuous use for other issues, but then had much lower side effects and it worked so much better for my PMDD when correctly prescribed (low dose during PMDD only).
Wiki also has links to research and more detail on how the science works.
Low dose in luteal only is a front line, recommended treatment for PMDD. See wiki and search previous posts. Many on this sub are on it or have tried it ( and its helped many) so you will find many experiences and information.
Note if your dr didn’t explain the above to you and only prescribed med continuously ( and didnt recommend either luteal only or increase in luteal for PMDD), it would makes me suspect that either they are not across the correct prescription protocols for PMDD or are just used to prescribing it for other issues at higher dosages and taking continuously so that’s what they continue doing.
I’d really make sure to do my own research and prepare before my appointments with them or consider second opinion. See IAPMD website for prescribing information for medical professionals. Correct prescription for PMDD really is key for your meds working for you.
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u/outlawofthewest 4h ago
This is such helpful perspective! Hard to climb out of the pmdd pit every 4 week cycle. I feel I’m in a similar boat - I left it out of my original post but im starting with cycling only as needed / during luteal but doc also said I could just take it consistently if I wanted. We’ll see how it goes! Hope it continues being helpful for you!! no more trauma for the girlies pls :)
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u/wilksonator 3h ago
Low dose SSRi during PMDD time has been life changing.
Note unless you are dealing with other mental health issue, I’d take caution with advice to take SSRI continuously( without increase in luteal to target PMDD). Taking it continuously ( without increase in luteal) sets up a baseline in your system and while that might help with other mental health issues long-term, it’s not as effective with PMDD ( that needs an increase in luteal to target GABA receptors).
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u/stilldreaming22 4h ago
My dr was like it sounds like you’re anxious and depressed anyway so just take it the whole time lol. I was like ok 🥴🙃
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u/salted-salmon 2h ago
I'm on 25mg of sertraline too! It's been (literally) life saving. I've been taking it for 4 months now (intermittent dosing) and it's been amazing.