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PMDD

by Eli R

Dear Wray,
I'm 48 years old. I know today that I always had PMMD. It got definitely worse when I started Peri-Menopause around age 42. I'm currently on 40-60mg Prozac, Vitamin D 10,000 once a week and in therapy. After I ended up in the ER/Psychiatric Hospital August 19 until August 22 I did a lot of research about PMDD. That's when I found out about NATPRO. I liked what I read and ordered 3 tubes. I did not start with it because I wanted to wait until my PCP/s appointment on October 20 - same with Chasteberry Plus. Here's what my PCP emailed me regarding Chasteberry Plus:
"I looked up chasteberry in our medical journal. While "possibly effective", when in a study with fluoxetine (prozac) for PMDD--prozac patients did better from the PMDD symptoms you have (mood with depression, irritability, insomnia, anxiety). Also chasteberry can cause insomnia and irregular bleeding in addition to upset stomach and weight gain. Therefore I would NOT start the chasteberry and let's see how the prozac is working over these next few cycles.

So, I'm not taking it, because I don't want to have maybe even more insomnia, irregular bleeding, upset stomach and weight gain. I ALREADY have those! Prozac and therapy helps a lot, but mainly with my mental state. I need something additional for my other symptoms: Anxiety Disorder/Panic attack, Endometriosis, Arthritis in my lower back,Complex Migraine, I'm not diagnosed with Hashimoto's but I have all the symptoms and sometimes my Thyroidlevels are elevated (around 5), a lot of food intolerances, I get a lot of infections and after I take antibiotics I must increase my Prozac and even than my PMMd is way worse - it takes a long time before I am back to my "normal self", Fluid retention, easily bruising, etc.

I'm on a few support groups on FB for PMDD. Well, whenever someone is asking for natural or alternatives I suggest NATPRO and Chasteberry Plus. BUT, that doesn't go down well with some people! I'm so frustrated - can you please write something easy to understand why NATPRO might help with PMDD, I'd like to post your reply - I don't want to sell something - I want help for myself with PMDD!!! I've had it with those stupid comments regarding the organic progesterone cream. And I'd like you to write something for my PCP. Not too long ;-) She's terrific, but I can't explain to her with my words, why I think it really would benefit me....

I hope my long rant makes some sense to you. I read all your emails in my Inbox - they are so well written and easy for me to understand. That's what I need for FB and for my PCP.

Thank you so much,

~Elisabeth

PS: You may use at anytime this letter, etc.

Comments for PMDD

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Oct 28, 2014
 PMDD
by: Wray

Hi Elisabeth Thanks so much for the kind words. Agnus castus (Chasteberry) has been used for many problems which women suffer from, PMS, mastalgia, menstrual irregularities, fibrocystic breasts, reducing prolactin, increasing lactation and more, see here. In days gone by it was used by monks to reduce sexual desire, hence it's name 'chasteberry'. It can also reduce prolactin levels, prolactin is an inflammatory hormone which can cause tender breasts, see here. It can help with luteal phase dysfunction, with subsequent problems in embryo implantation, see here. But because it has a mild oestrogenic action, levels of 17 beta-oestradiol can increase. One study found mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred in the luteal phase, see here. If Prolactin levels are high both progesterone and the amino acid tyrosine are very affective at suppressing it. I don't think you should take it, it appears you have excess oestrogen as it is. We do have a page on Anxiety, which includes panic attacks etc. Progesterone is a potent anxiolytic, but at least 400mg/day is needed. It can be very effective for both Endometriosis and Migraines. I would ask you to have a Vitamin D test done, it appears yours is very low. A lack of it reduces the benefits of progesterone, and can be behind arthritis, endo, anxiety, depression, insomnia, thyroid problems etc. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the following websites, Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L, and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. You are only taking 10,000iu per week! Please ask them to check your zinc and copper levels too, elevated copper can cause psychosis. A lack of progesterone is behind all our PMS/PMDD, post natal depression and Peri-menopause symptoms. Please see our page on Pregnancy, in particular this page here. I suggest getting all Dr Dalton's books and giving them to your doctor to read, she writes very well, clearly too. She used up to 2400mg progesterone per day for her patients with severe post natal psychosis. I would ask you to consider following a Ketogenic Diet. I feel your blood glucose is really disturbed which would account for many of your symptoms. This is another page you could look through here. Take care Wray
Oct 28, 2014
 Thank you!
by: Elisabeth

Wray, this makes a lot of sense. My PCP is checking the Vitamin D levels the next time in early December, until than I'll still take the 10000 D as recommended by my PCP. I'll do the reading on all your suggestions as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your fast response - I really appreciate it!

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