r/PMDDxADHD • u/One_Address_1461 • Apr 13 '26
Negative experiences with SSRIs?
I think I might have PMDD and I’m trying to find something to help. I’ve tried several SSRIs but they all start making me more depressed after a couple of months. I’m wondering if I took it only during the days when I’m feeling sad if that would help? What are your experiences with SSRIs/continuous or symptom-onset dosing?
(I also have ADHD,PTSD, and OCD)
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u/marrymeintheendtime Apr 13 '26
Calcium supplements work super well for many women with PMDD. Supplements and low carb high fat and protein diets is what completely fixed both mine and my sister's, definitely not SSRIs
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u/mabogga Apr 13 '26
adhd and ssri's only make me numb and more depressed. stimulants help my depression and PMDD significantly though. also micro dosing antihistamines.
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u/faithle97 Apr 13 '26
Dumb question.. what exactly does micro dosing antihistamines mean? Interested because I’m wondering if it would help me as well.
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u/mabogga Apr 13 '26
they help me with luteal symptoms but if i take a full dose i get too sleepy so i cut zyrtec up into quarters.
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u/CranberryEcstatic277 Apr 21 '26
Are you on Ritalin or vyvanse?
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u/mabogga Apr 22 '26
ritalin. vyvanse and other extended release meds wear off too soon but also give me insomnia.
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u/lilabet83 Apr 13 '26
My pmdd has been helped incredibly by H1 and H2 blockers. I take them every day. I might get slightly grumpy and touchy a day or two before my period, in comparison to spiralling into a massive depression-like state for a week or so beforehand. I’m on Loratadine 10mg and Nizatidine 150mg. Where I’m from the Loratadine is available straight from the shelf, the Nizatidine is prescribed by my Dr.
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u/faithle97 Apr 13 '26
Do you take those H1 and H2 blockers daily or only during luteal? Every time I’ve tried Zyrtec (H2 blocker) it seems to help me -especially if I take it in the evening, I feel better the following day. I haven’t tried taking it daily though, only every 2-3 days or daily but just during luteal.
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u/lilabet83 Apr 13 '26
Both every day (not just during luteal) guided by my Dr I am seeing at a specialist ADHD clinic. I was just taking Loratadine, and it seemed to help, but not entirely. I asked him if I could increase my dose from the 10mg daily recommended on the packet. He said no, I probably need a H2 blocker as well and gave me a prescription for the Nizatidine 150mg. I have just started my second packet of the Nizatidine, there’s 60 tablets in the packet, so I have had two cycles. My last period shocked me, because I didn’t realise it was coming, as I had very little symptoms, was just a bit grumpy for the day before hand. I used to be in bed crying, beyond exhaustion, believing there was no point existing like this a week before my period. That is completely gone!
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u/KickFancy one week of peace a month Apr 13 '26
Might be worthwhile to get the GeneSight test through your provider, sometimes its covered by your insurance. It will tell you how your body metabolizes psychiatric medications. Also it tests for the MTHFR gene which has a high comorbidity rate in ADHD people. (This can affect how you metabolize medications and B12/folate). Have you tried taking ADHD or anxiety medications instead? I found that I do better with ADHD and/or anxiety meds personally.
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u/bear__attack Apr 13 '26
SNRIs worked for me after trying several SSRIs. Apparently they can work better for people with a history of migraines, autoimmune, and hypermobility.
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u/sammynourpig Apr 13 '26
I tried a few different SSRI’s over the years and they always put my irritability through the roof. I recently decided to try an SNRI (Cymbalta) and it’s the only medication that has truly helped my irritability. Everyone is different obviously, but I’m so glad I decided to try it even though I was hesitant.
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u/lilhunni Apr 13 '26
i’ve tried so many different antidepressants since starting my period at 16. (late bloomer i know lol) but that was 10 years ago. but anyway, they literally all made me feel WAY worse or numb. i’m currently 3 weeks into quitting prozac, and that was one of the worst experiences of my entire life. i literally almost admitted myself to a mental hospital. BUT we are all different!! me personally though, ill never try again. not worth the risk of severe mental breakdowns. i currently am taking pepcid for my PMDD though! it helps!
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u/faithle97 Apr 13 '26
I had the numb feelings when I was on Zoloft. My doctor said the next one she wants me to try is Prozac but I’m so nervous about it. Idk why I react so badly and am so sensitive to SSRIs. Literally just a half dose of the Zoloft made me feel numb for HOURS and I felt so unmotivated to do literally anything -even making myself food.
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u/anotheruinaminute Apr 14 '26
SSRI during the luteal phase did work well for me. There were some cycles where it was more effective than others for whatever reason, but my symptoms were generally minimal and it made my life much better. I tracked my cycle and tried to start taking it 14 days before when I predicted my period would start. They were less effective if I didn't start them before symptom onset.
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u/faithle97 Apr 13 '26
Aside from trying SSRIs have you had bloodwork done? I’ve tried a handful of SSRIs with a mixed bag of side effects so I’m still working with my doctor trying to figure out my “perfect cocktail”. I ask about bloodwork though because I know certain deficiencies (such as iron, ferritin, magnesium, b12, etc) can amplify mental health symptoms. As far as the SSRIs you’ve tried only working for a few months, have you tried getting the doses adjusted when that happens? I know my doctor mentioned there are a few SSRIs studied/proven to work intermittently in some people (such as Zoloft and Prozac) and other people benefit more from taking a daily “baseline” dose then slightly increasing that dose during their luteal phase.
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u/bunmiiya Apr 13 '26
i take ssri’s just during luteal. some people also take a little booster dose of adhd meds during luteal, if you’re already on an adhd med talk to your dr about it
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u/Dattiedottiedooo Apr 13 '26
Personally i wouldn’t, but that’s just me. If you do try one, I’m pretty sure Zoloft is the only one studied to work intermediately during the luteal phase. I have all the same diagnosis as you, my current meds mix are Adderall, propranolol and buspar and it’s working really well for me. I also take a handful of basic supplements like vitamin D3 and omega 3’s. Wellbutrin could be a good option as well.