PMDD Support Community Group
A group specifically addressing Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder; severe emotional and physical problems associated with the menstrual cycle. A place where we can share our feelings during the tough times and different types of treatments. Moodswings welcome!
Please help. I'm desperately worried and anxious. My girlfriend of 4 years and my fiance of 3 years, I proposed to her 3 years ago before this pmdd thing. I'm 37 and she's 30. We both live in NYC. Her parents split about 4 years ago and she lives with her mother about 10 blocks from me. Her father happens to live in the building across the street from me. I love her and I'm still in love with her to this day even though I'm suffering greatly. She had both thyroids removed about three years ago and she has been taking synthroid. In the first few years of dating, I recall her having some mild pms. About 2 years after her thyrodectomy, her menstrual cycle went out of wack. About a week before her period she started turning into a monster. She would say hurtful things. She was still more under control. About one year ago she all of the sudden stopped having sex with me. She was always tired. She used to sleep over 3 nights a week. That started to decrease to 2 nights, then one, and now none. I was very hurt by this and worried. I tried discussing this, and she could never give me a straight answer. I suspected she was possibly cheating on me but I later learned that this was not the case. I built up a lot of resentment, anger towards her. She always tried to assure me that it's not me, that she's going through problems and her mother needs her and the family apartment is up for sale and she's losing the home she grew up in. She would lie to me and say she was going out at night to her weekly Bible classes, but I later come to learn that she was actually staying home in her room and watching tv alone. This is not like her. She is very paranoid and thinks everybody at work is against her. Whenever she has problems or arguments with her father, she takes it out on me. Her mother is very bitter and the divorce was quite messy. After these pmdd episdoes, she would come back to her senses and be more loving with me. But those good days have become less and less over the past 3 months. She has a lot of anger in her.
About a week ago, I was trying to get in touch with her because I didn't hear from her in three days. This is how it's been for the past year. Less calls, less time together, less everything, no sex. I'm confused as hell. I started to take everything personally and blame myself. I was desperate and loooking for answers because I knew that she loves me, she's not dating other guys. I put all the clues together and started charting her syptoms as much as I possibly could being that we don't live together. I have been trying to get her out of her apartment to move in with me for the past three years and plan a wedding but she keeps putting it off saying that she has to be there for her mother because her mother is depressed and suffering due to the divorce and losing the apartment (her parents split a few years back while we were dating and now they have to sell the apartement). but I have put those plans on hold now because the love of my life is not well and I have to focus now on getting her help.
It took me a year to finally recognize that she is not falling out of love with me but she is suffering from severe depression and most likely pmdd. Now she shows pmdd symtoms almost two weeks before her period. It used to be that once her period started, she would relax and be more loving by the first day of aunt flow. But now she doesn't think clearly until the last day of her period. I love this woman and I cannot give up. I have invested almost 7 and half years of my life for this woman. I have never loved or cared for anybody more than I do for her. And even when things are tough like they are now and I'm all alone crying everyday for the past week because she has shut me out,(as well as her loving father), I grow to love her even more. She is right now very close to starting her period and she actually blocked my number because I was calling her excessively. I called her excessively after I receive a text out of nowhere that she can't see me for six months and that I should date other girls, (this was out of nowhere), I was so worried and I frantically called her, but she would not answer. She even programmed by number to "do not disturb". She also shut out her father as well. This is not like her at all do go to this extreme. Her mother is of no help whatsoever and is most likely contributing to her daughter's depression. I need to get her help. I am willing to put the relationship on hold and focus on her. I cannot leave her and will not. Nobody understands. I can't tell my family because they will tell me to leave her, and everybody has that same response, "no girl is worth going through this", "just download tinder on your phone and start swiping, and maybe you'll get laid." I don't care about getting laid right now. I have a hand, and I know how to use it. But in all seriousess, no other woman interests me. I don't want to date other people. I want my woman back. I feel like her soul has been stolen from her and she walks around with a bitter and angered heart. I want the loving and sweet woman back who used to call me every night before bed to say "good night, I love you". I want to enjoy the our long walks in Manhattan together while I would listen to her vent her problems. It's been one week since she hasn't spoken to me and ignores all my calls, texts and emails. It's so hard to hold the all the tears back while I'm at work thinking about her and worried to death about her. And at the same time, knowing I can't do anything. If I were to confront her at her home or work just to talk, she probably would freak out and think it's harrasment and get a restraining order. Yes, she's that paranoid right now. I'm her number one enemy, and for no reason whatsoever than her own dellusions. Am I crazy for holding on to hope? I feel that the better I can understand what's going on the better I'll be able to manage. How can I even get her help if she shuts me out like this. Yes, I know she sounds like a basket case, but she's my basket case. I don't know many guys that would have stuck around with a woman like this. Am I crazy? Is she a lost cause? ...NO...I have to keep fighting for her. Even though we don't have kids and we don't live together and we are not married, I made a commitment over 7 years ago to this woman, and I feel even more committed to her now during this emotional roller coaster of a time. I cannot give up on her. She is not a lost cause. Any words of encouragement are very appreciated to help me get through this depressing and lonely time. Encouragement, not advice.
I'm so sorry to hear about your girlfriend. It really is so debilitating. I just posted a treatment that worked for me (after 25 years of this!) under the post: This saved my life! Also, if you live in NYC you mind check out this woman: http://kellybroganmd.com/contact/. I thought of her because of your girlfriend's thyroid issue. She seems quite thorough in her approach. I also found this book of hers helpful, although I am not quite as extreme as her in my approach I think realizing how what we put in our bodies can greatly affect our health/mood/and any condition we are dealing with.
http://kellybroganmd.com/amindofyourown/
I wish you and your partner the best of luck. I didn't think I would ever feel better, and I finally found something, so there is hope!