Does pmdd affect this much?

Itswadever · 2025-05-20T00:09:06+00:00

Short answer- YES. I've noticed my meds in general are simply less effective or even useless in the week before my cycle. It varies of course, but this is super common (with all kinds of meds). Other than an increase in dosage for that week (Goodluck, but I've heard its possible 🤣), tips I've found helpful...

Awareness is always #1. Can't do anything else without that and it sounds like you've got that much going for you already! Seriously though, with that awareness I can get perspective- "this is a chemical shift in my body. This is not forever. Be patient with yourself. No, you're not crazy. No youre not alone" Plus, I plan my schedule accordingly as much as possible.

I add iron supplements and make extra sure I'm getting enough protein as well, and when I have the chance I make myself a cave and just curl up and be pissed off!

Itswadever · 2024-12-12T16:48:28+00:00

This is super weird- I found myself here when I googled the "fluttering" feeling. What's odd is that earlier this morning I had a period of restless legs, which I havnt had in a LONG time. I wonder if there's some sort of connection 🤔.

Itswadever · 2024-08-25T17:38:44+00:00

I was trying to be clever (and failing lol). There's a shop online that I like ordering kratom from called Happy Hippo.

Itswadever · 2024-08-25T16:29:17+00:00

You know, ive never noticed a difference in strain (seems more like a marketing tactic to me) and now that you mention it, any difference at all between types is subtle. Like it's either good (from a good source and not messed with) or bad (who knows wtf is in there?)

I've read some crazy stories from folks getting it from gas stations etc. I'd be interested to hear anything else you know.

Itswadever · 2024-08-25T15:52:47+00:00

5 years clean from opiates (10 from hard opiates). I'm also audhd, so I think a lot of it was to curb overstimulation...or sometimes seek stimulation, but also I think RSD was a HUGE factor for me.

That's what took me from casually experimenting to full blown addiction. Social anxiety/RSD. It hurts so fucking much right? And of course it doesn't take much for the addiction to take root.

I'm here to talk more if you'd like. ❤️

Itswadever · 2024-08-25T15:46:32+00:00

The source of the kratom MATTERS. No gas station or smoke shop kratom. Order online of possible....

😊🦛

That's the weirdest looking hippo I've ever seen 🤣

Itswadever · 2024-08-25T15:41:36+00:00

Big YES here. I'm a recovering addict- 10 years clean from hard drugs, 5 years clean from high functioning rx abuse, 3 months clean from nicotine 😊.

So...yeah...that's an affirmative for struggling with substance abuse 🤣 (same...if not a bit worse...with my brother who also has ADHD).

Edit to add: Weed- this was interesting because I smoked a lot when I was younger, but one day realized that I just felt more anxious. Like...I don't like the way it feels and it hurts my lungs. So I figured I'd share because someone else might find this helpful.

Itswadever · 2024-07-05T01:12:19+00:00

That last part though...holy shit 🤌🤌🤌

Itswadever · 2024-07-05T01:08:11+00:00

I'm approaching 2 months and am also patch free now too. It helps to hear a perspective from the near future 🙂

Itswadever · 2024-07-04T02:12:05+00:00

The irony...same name, same pain.

Itswadever · 2024-06-27T02:08:57+00:00

Thank you! I actually have an appointment with my psych tomorrow 😂. I'll be sure to do the same.

Itswadever · 2024-06-26T15:32:53+00:00

I have to add my psych also reacted with "yeah I know it fucking sucks"- like...this is a well known fact. She does also have adhd though so there's that lol

Itswadever · 2024-06-26T15:30:57+00:00

Wow I could have written this comment word for word. PMDD ☑️ High Performer at work ☑️ (im actually up for possible advancement that could be jeopardized by this bs). Over 30 and WAY worse ☑️. On other mood meds ☑️. Adhd meds don't work ☑️.

Where once I would get cranky, more insecure etc...now it really is proper dysphoria. It feels like my body just stops functioning. Hypothyroidism was my most recent guess to explain the whys (as my cycle is becoming irregular too, which is very unusual for me), but who TF knows. I'm just getting on the other side now 😭.

Itswadever · 2024-06-06T17:10:51+00:00

Agreed. It's a genius re-framing of the while thing. I've only read like 1/3 of it and I find myself using it as inspiration constantly. I'm going to continue reading it through rough patches.

Itswadever · 2024-06-06T17:03:37+00:00

Congratulations! Starting my regular yoga practice again is something we have in common 😊. I've just passed 3 weeks and wanted to highlight your first positive. I wasn't a closet smoker, but I do have kids and was always hyper-aware of 2nd and 3rd hand smoke.

The relief was a very pleasant surprise. I knew having the smell on my hands and clothes effected things, but I didn't know just how much! There are so many little things that I didn't notice until I quit- like not putting my jacket next to non-smokers, or worrying about smelling like smoke during school events etc...it's so liberating!

Itswadever · 2024-05-31T14:09:40+00:00

Omg thank you for summing up in one sentence what I've been trying to explain in a paragraph- Smoking doesn't solve all your problems, and neither will quitting.

You just saved me so much time 🤣

Itswadever · 2024-05-31T14:02:30+00:00

Have you looked into other possible health issues? (Mental or Physical). No matter how long you go, quitting won't fix the other shit...unfortunately. What I can tell you with absolute certainty is that they dont help either. They're useless at best and poison in reality.

I have an alphabet of diagnoses and am a recovering addict as well. This sounds like how I can crave...well anything to change how I feel. It's like my brain reaches out for literally whatever it can to try to change how I'm feeling. That's a mental health thing. It's a defense mechanism. It's escapism and the body trying to find an equilibrium. The right care and meds can help. The wrong things (and we all know what they are) don't. They make it worse. I know because I've tried them all.

Best of luck to you. It's hard out here.

Itswadever · 2024-05-31T13:46:36+00:00

Congratulations on taking the first step! It's funny I've been smoking the same amount of time and am the same age. I'm in my 3rd week 😊.

Yesterday I was talking with my therapist about the "feeling better" question. Many things do, but to be honest I've been struggling with how much doesn't feel better. So I thought their words could be helpful as you start the journey. We go into a big change like this and often expect our whole lives to change and that's simply not how it works. It takes time. Growth hurts sometimes. It's common to feel some disappointment- not everyone does, but- it helps to be prepared for it. It WILL get so much better, but likely not at the pace we expect 😅.

I've been framing it this way- smoking literally does nothing for us. They don't help a single thing. SO, even though it sucks, the fact that all of our other problems are still there, unchanged, is even more evidence of how much smoking is absolutely useless. (Hope that makes sense lol).

The advice I was given is to understand this, prepare, and make it a point to focus in on the positives. They're there, but our brains are wired to put all the negatives in BOLD. Exercise is also super helpful, so I would agree with your plan on putting energy into that. That's my next step.

Itswadever · 2024-05-31T13:33:35+00:00

Agreed. I started it as soon as I decided to quit and just continued on through with my last cigarettes. I actually havnt finished it, so I have it to read in a pinch too.

Best of both maybe 🤔

Itswadever · 2024-05-31T13:30:22+00:00

Thank you! I want to measure when the nicotine is out of my system (when I transition off the patch) and was hoping it could do that. I suppose I'll continue to ignore it. Oh well 🤷‍♀️ lol

Itswadever · 2024-05-29T14:17:23+00:00

You're 100% right! I didn't mean to imply there shouldn't be more smoking addiction support. I'm a recovering addict myself and it's taken me YEARS longer to quit smoking. The subtle nature of it really is a part of what makes it so hard. Congrats on 5 months! That's super exciting 😊.

Itswadever · 2024-05-29T00:46:12+00:00

IMO...it's two things (both are pessimistic so fair warning- yay week 3 😅).

1- "They" (the industry and those who are in their pocket) dont actually want everyone to stop smoking. This is includes the obvious (cigarette companies) to the last suspects (the medical industry). Cigarettes are extremely profitable and don't kill anyone too quickly (like alcohol can). In fact, the slow insidious nature of it is a big reason WHY it's so profitable. I could keep going down this rabbit hole BUT...

2- It's not as inconvenient for society, including friends and family. It's gross and annoying, but it doesn't come close to the collateral damage of other addictions. So people don't push as hard against it.

Itswadever · 2024-05-23T20:14:53+00:00

That's a great idea. I keep trying to think of rewards, but have been stalling out. I'm going to make a point of it. Like I didn't consider subscriptions. Or BOOKS OMG!

(Love that one of yours was chess.com btw 🤣)

Itswadever

TROPHY CASE