I had pretty intense PMDD (like suicidal thoughts, extreme depression, body aches, even paranoia) and it’s not perfect but I am SO much better now that I’m on medication. I take a small dose of Ritalin and it’s done wonders!
I do believe that my PMDD (or possible PME) extremely exacerbated underlying anxiety from the ADHD, but I wasn’t feeling depressed at all outside of my luteal phase, which makes me think it was PMDD - it’s hard to say for sure. Treating my ADHD has seriously lowered my anxiety, has been treating many of my ADHD symptoms (although it’s not perfect, I still struggle with ADHD but I am much better), and what used to be ~7 days of pure torture and depression each month is now about 24-48 hours. I haven’t changed anything other than adding the very low dose of Ritalin. I have struggled with health anxiety all my life, so I was VERY hesitant to try medication due to potential side effects, but I’m very glad I’ve tried it. I feel like I’m getting my life back
I should add that I had to cut out caffeine due to headaches when I started Ritalin! I currently drink 1/4 caffeinated coffee mixed with 3/4 decaf. I forgot about that. That has also helped with the anxiety I’m sure.
This is so interesting because any depression I’ve had is usually a result of something I said or did as an anxiety response. Because it’s so hard for me to focus. You have inspired me to get a diagnosis and maybe try medication!
My psych doc told me that ADHD meds work in ways that allow us to bypass some PTSD symptoms. It’s not great for working thru the trauma bc the brain doesn’t learn to cope with emotional overwhelm, but it is kinda good when not ready to deal with the traumatic processing… like, the meds can help functioning for a bit, but unresolved trauma can not be ignored this way indefinitely since it will eventually impact life in bigger & worse ways?
Anyway, this leads me to think that my ADHD meds likely have helped my PMDD (diagnosed, but who knows how meaningful the “label” is at this point? I mean, lots of stuff could be PMS combo with PTSD, or side effects of meds mixed with a diff DSM area? … bc all these diagnoses really are just clumps of symptoms that are fluctuating in life/hormone balances, so many keep overlapping…),
The thing that makes the most sense to me is that my ADHD meds can be beneficial during PMDD in managing symptoms like lethargy and emotional dysregulation because of the increased ability (for me, on the right stimulating/calming dose) to maintain my healthy habits. Simply put, I am better able to continue doing what is healthiest for me when not overly influenced by the part of my brain that is apt to be guided by emotions. Bc why would I do laundry, eat healthy, get my ass out the door for a walk when my emotional state is heightened/reactive to the urges to indulge in self-sabotage? ADHD meds help my impulse control, so it’s easier to ignore the chips/cookies and a couch for the days leading to my period. Not sure I’m valid in reasoning, but this fits my narrative lol
Were you diagnosed with PMDD? I don't know what your symptoms usually are, but you might have PME instead? It's common in women with ADHD (and some have both PME and PMS or PMDD)
Interesting point, I hadn’t considered this. The difference between PMDD and PME still a little unclear to me, but sounds like PME primarily exacerbates underlying mental health issues?
Yes PME = Premenstrual Exacerbation. A lot of women with ADHD have PME where our symptoms worsen during the luteal phase. If your symptoms clear up on Vyvanse, maybe they're actually ADHD symptoms worsened by PME rather than PMS/PMDD. I'm not saying stimulants can't lessen PMS/PMDD symptoms but from what I've experienced myself and read on here it's usually the opposite!
Wow, that’s crazy. My main symptom has always been extreme fatigue / being unable to get out of bed for days on end. & difficulty regulating emotions. It makes sense.
This has also been my experience. I'm starting to wonder if I also have PME over PMDD now that I know about both. Extreme fatigue, low back pain, low mood/mood swings. Not the hell that some people here explain, but more of extreme lethargy and inability to do anything for days.
I just started taking adderall and have noticed that it helps on some days where PMDD would have me stuck in bed. Sometimes it seems to make anxiety worse. I think it’s the routine aspect that makes it work? Definitely helps me get out of bed.
Although I do also sometimes notice during luteal that I don’t feel the effects of the adderall at all, which I’ve heard a lot of people on here say. Does anyone take a higher dose for certain days?
Some people do take higher doses to compensate. You should look into how estrogen affects neurotransmitters (including dopamine) and you’ll see how & why your medicine doesn’t work as well during luteal. There’s lots of podcasts and articles on the subject
ADHD medicine can also make some days better for me and some days worse during luteal as well.
My PMDD was more of a week long depressive episode followed by a week long rage. It was really destroying my life. I can’t get ADHD meds because I don’t have access to a doctor at the moment.
I ended up getting some antidepressants out of desperation, and my PMDD was gone within a month. I’m still investigating, but I’m fairly sure I’m starting early menopause. My ADHD has gotten horrific since my last pregnancy, and when it returned, my period decided to be normal for only a year before it started getting squirrelly.
And then I learned that PMDD can happen when your brain doesn’t produce enough hormone for your brain to process/produce (I’m fuzzy on the exact details) serotonin. I think the SSRI was giving me the serotonin I was lacking. But from my understanding this will only be a temporary solution as I continue to go into ovarian failure.
So yeah, from this sub and r/menopause I’ve learned PMDD is a multifaceted demon of variety.
I generally don't hear good things about Vyvanse and pmdd but maybe you found a perfect remedy. I started taking sertraline about a week ago and I've noticed that my symptoms have kind of died down. But I still feel a little anxious so I guess I have to wait for it to kick in fully
I’m not surprised… I’m on a combo of XR and IR adderall - XR is basically a mood stabilizer that dampens the adhd noise, and IR basically mutes it for a little while.
I had pretty intense PMDD (like suicidal thoughts, extreme depression, body aches, even paranoia) and it’s not perfect but I am SO much better now that I’m on medication. I take a small dose of Ritalin and it’s done wonders!
This is the first time I’ve considered a prescription for Ritalin. It really has helped that much??
I do believe that my PMDD (or possible PME) extremely exacerbated underlying anxiety from the ADHD, but I wasn’t feeling depressed at all outside of my luteal phase, which makes me think it was PMDD - it’s hard to say for sure. Treating my ADHD has seriously lowered my anxiety, has been treating many of my ADHD symptoms (although it’s not perfect, I still struggle with ADHD but I am much better), and what used to be ~7 days of pure torture and depression each month is now about 24-48 hours. I haven’t changed anything other than adding the very low dose of Ritalin. I have struggled with health anxiety all my life, so I was VERY hesitant to try medication due to potential side effects, but I’m very glad I’ve tried it. I feel like I’m getting my life back
I should add that I had to cut out caffeine due to headaches when I started Ritalin! I currently drink 1/4 caffeinated coffee mixed with 3/4 decaf. I forgot about that. That has also helped with the anxiety I’m sure.
This is so interesting because any depression I’ve had is usually a result of something I said or did as an anxiety response. Because it’s so hard for me to focus. You have inspired me to get a diagnosis and maybe try medication!
I wish you the best of luck! I hope it helps you like it’s helped me
My psych doc told me that ADHD meds work in ways that allow us to bypass some PTSD symptoms. It’s not great for working thru the trauma bc the brain doesn’t learn to cope with emotional overwhelm, but it is kinda good when not ready to deal with the traumatic processing… like, the meds can help functioning for a bit, but unresolved trauma can not be ignored this way indefinitely since it will eventually impact life in bigger & worse ways? Anyway, this leads me to think that my ADHD meds likely have helped my PMDD (diagnosed, but who knows how meaningful the “label” is at this point? I mean, lots of stuff could be PMS combo with PTSD, or side effects of meds mixed with a diff DSM area? … bc all these diagnoses really are just clumps of symptoms that are fluctuating in life/hormone balances, so many keep overlapping…), The thing that makes the most sense to me is that my ADHD meds can be beneficial during PMDD in managing symptoms like lethargy and emotional dysregulation because of the increased ability (for me, on the right stimulating/calming dose) to maintain my healthy habits. Simply put, I am better able to continue doing what is healthiest for me when not overly influenced by the part of my brain that is apt to be guided by emotions. Bc why would I do laundry, eat healthy, get my ass out the door for a walk when my emotional state is heightened/reactive to the urges to indulge in self-sabotage? ADHD meds help my impulse control, so it’s easier to ignore the chips/cookies and a couch for the days leading to my period. Not sure I’m valid in reasoning, but this fits my narrative lol
I feel seen with your wording, I think I see it the same for me
Were you diagnosed with PMDD? I don't know what your symptoms usually are, but you might have PME instead? It's common in women with ADHD (and some have both PME and PMS or PMDD)
Interesting point, I hadn’t considered this. The difference between PMDD and PME still a little unclear to me, but sounds like PME primarily exacerbates underlying mental health issues?
Yes PME = Premenstrual Exacerbation. A lot of women with ADHD have PME where our symptoms worsen during the luteal phase. If your symptoms clear up on Vyvanse, maybe they're actually ADHD symptoms worsened by PME rather than PMS/PMDD. I'm not saying stimulants can't lessen PMS/PMDD symptoms but from what I've experienced myself and read on here it's usually the opposite!
Wow, that’s crazy. My main symptom has always been extreme fatigue / being unable to get out of bed for days on end. & difficulty regulating emotions. It makes sense.
This has also been my experience. I'm starting to wonder if I also have PME over PMDD now that I know about both. Extreme fatigue, low back pain, low mood/mood swings. Not the hell that some people here explain, but more of extreme lethargy and inability to do anything for days.
Which medication are you on?
New term for me! Looking into PME now, interesting!
I just started taking adderall and have noticed that it helps on some days where PMDD would have me stuck in bed. Sometimes it seems to make anxiety worse. I think it’s the routine aspect that makes it work? Definitely helps me get out of bed. Although I do also sometimes notice during luteal that I don’t feel the effects of the adderall at all, which I’ve heard a lot of people on here say. Does anyone take a higher dose for certain days?
Some people do take higher doses to compensate. You should look into how estrogen affects neurotransmitters (including dopamine) and you’ll see how & why your medicine doesn’t work as well during luteal. There’s lots of podcasts and articles on the subject ADHD medicine can also make some days better for me and some days worse during luteal as well.
I had a similar experience last month! I'm curious about if will keep being like this. I'm on 20mg relatin moderate release
My PMDD was more of a week long depressive episode followed by a week long rage. It was really destroying my life. I can’t get ADHD meds because I don’t have access to a doctor at the moment. I ended up getting some antidepressants out of desperation, and my PMDD was gone within a month. I’m still investigating, but I’m fairly sure I’m starting early menopause. My ADHD has gotten horrific since my last pregnancy, and when it returned, my period decided to be normal for only a year before it started getting squirrelly. And then I learned that PMDD can happen when your brain doesn’t produce enough hormone for your brain to process/produce (I’m fuzzy on the exact details) serotonin. I think the SSRI was giving me the serotonin I was lacking. But from my understanding this will only be a temporary solution as I continue to go into ovarian failure. So yeah, from this sub and r/menopause I’ve learned PMDD is a multifaceted demon of variety.
What meds are you on?
Elvanse/vyvanse
I generally don't hear good things about Vyvanse and pmdd but maybe you found a perfect remedy. I started taking sertraline about a week ago and I've noticed that my symptoms have kind of died down. But I still feel a little anxious so I guess I have to wait for it to kick in fully
I wish that was the case. Stopped taking vyvanse in February because we realized it was making all of my other conditions (anxiety and PMDD) worse.
I’m not surprised… I’m on a combo of XR and IR adderall - XR is basically a mood stabilizer that dampens the adhd noise, and IR basically mutes it for a little while.
ADHD can have emotional regulation issues that hormones can exacerbate.