Posted by LynneDa on December 26, 2003, at 12:08:31
In reply to Bipolar or PMDD? « Casey P. Thompson, posted by Dr. Bob on December 24, 2003, at 16:18:41
Hi Casey -
I've been diagnosed with PMDD. I'm 40. I think I've had bouts of minor depression over the years, however nothing debilitating. I take 10 mg of Lexapro, going up to 20 today (after 10 weeks) to see if I can even myself out better.My symptons are definitely cyclical - irrational anger and inexplicaable sadness, thought of suicide occasionally, obsessive thinking on certain subjects, in a mental fog, anxiety with some minor panic attacks, not productive enough at work, can't make decisions easily, tired all the time,etc. They become unbearable for the 2 weeks prior to my period. I did track them on a calendar - just rating myself on a scale of 1 - 5, 1 being intolerable behavior and 5 feeling normal. I rarely had any 5's! So the 1 - 3's were the ones that told the story for my doctor.
I do feel like I swing in moods, but I think it's very different from what I've read about bipolar. I don't see any reason why someone couldn't have both! But, I don't really know enough about BP to say. From a common sense perspective it seems that treating the BP would definitely help alleviate the PMDD symptoms, but not vice versa.
2 weeks isn't enough time to evaluate whether a drug works for you. You really need to wait 5 or 6, I think.
If you can find a med that levels you out, your job performance won't be as affected. Give yourself some time and realize at 22 you don't have to know who you are just yet, you will get there!! Also, don't worry so much about your *label* for now as you do about tracking your behaviors, feelings and symptoms. Those will tell the story and help your p-doc do the prescribing. Educate yourself as much as you can about anything he/she suggests. There are some extremely knowledgeable and highly intelligent people on this Board, it is a great place to ask questions.
I wish you the best of luck, Casey! Don't give up!
~ Lynne
poster:LynneDa
thread:293179
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/293513.html