Absolutely!! I had never heard of PMDD (I was diagnosed in 2004) but my husband and I started noticing that I became extremely irritable and then horribly depressed right before my period, and then *poof!* once it started I was fine. So for a month or 2 I kept a daily mood chart, and took the chart to my OBGYN. She asked me some questions and then declared I have PMDD and here are some things I can try to manage it.

Firstly, it was such a relief to have a professional like her BELIEVE me and diagnose me--I felt a lot less crazy immediately. And then, she has been so gentle & understanding & helpful. We have messed with meds over the years and she has had to fight insurance companies for me. She has just been my most valuable ally against PMDD.

If I may ask. What kind of things did she tell you to try & manage. I have been trying different meds with my obgyn also. The problem is that I am so sensitive to everything. I hardly drink any caffeine - about a half cup of half decaf/regular in the morning & then I have a caffeine free diet soda in midday and then water. If I alter that in any way by having more caffeine, I am practically bouncing off the walls and don't sleep well. It sounds like we have the same problem - I am fine until that time of the month, but it isn't every month either. Any words of inspiration would be welcomed!

She recommended some books (like "The PMDD Phenomenon") and Yaz and Lexapro. I just got lucky...lexa worked beautifully with no side effects, and it took the Yaz a good year to REALLY take control, but it works for me, too. Not everyone's body agrees with these meds, I've learned here on this forum. But I love them. I would be a complete mess without them!

with regularity but they have basically given up having exhausted all the drugs and treatments they have to little effect.