Welcome to PMDD Warrior Princess

Season 01, Episode 01

"Nothing is impossible. The world itself says I'm impossible. " ~ Audrey Hepburn

I am a PMDD Warrior Princess, a military spouse, a mother, a sister, a friend and coworker. I travel the world from duty station to duty station, supporting our service members and their families. I am a recent graduate, earning my degree in Health Science, pursuing a career in the Health Information Management Department. I enjoy a variety of eclectic hobbies such as photography, reading, movies, crafting, playing games (video, board, and rpg). But most of all I love to travel and learn about diverse cultures and societies.

"I see you"

I was diagnosed with PMDD for the first time in the spring of 2017 when I spoke to my primary care manager (PCM) that around the start of my premenstrual cycle (PMS), I would have these sudden burst of rage for no reason. I told him that I actually hated my husband for roughly 4 days before my cycle would start. Once my cycle started, I would go back to normal, like all that ugly rage was a dream and it didn't really happen. My PCM told me that there have been rare cases of "out of control" PMS called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and it can be controlled with a "mood enhancer" (aka Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor - SSRIs). My PCM then prescribed me a happy pill, but before I could even start using them ...

I got pregnant and all, yes ALL, of my symptoms went away. For 9 blissful months I had absolutely zero PMDD symptoms. I have to say it was magic to feel that way. I can also say that my pregnancy was also perfect. I had zero negative pregnancy side effects. Once my little bundle of boy was evicted, I got slammed with a Tsunami of PMDD symptoms. Not only did they come back in epic proportions, but their seemed to be 5 times more amount of symptoms and I was also PMS'ing for 3 weeks before I actually started my cycle. Out of the 50 plus different types of symptoms you could experience with PMDD, I was experiencing about 85% of all symptoms AND I was only getting about 3-4 days of normalcy during a month. This is not including Postpartum. It took me another 2 years, after the birth of my son, for a doctor to re-diagnose me with PMDD and start me on a SSRI.

Several years later, I am finally getting one of the two cures for PMDD. As my husband and I were talking about my upcoming surgery, we were discussing the after math of PMDD. My journey with PMDD will still not be over. After the cure comes the healing. My husband mentioned to me that he thinks our story, with this debilitating disorder, is worth sharing. He told me that out of everything I have gone through, all the changes I have made in my life to cope with this disorder, there is someone out there who is going through it and needs our help. He asked me to create this blog to not only tell my story, our story, but also create a place that others can share their stories . He said that there needs to be more knowledge, awareness and support out there for the warriors, survivors and those who stuck by us.

You are NOT alone

Living with PMDD is a journey that is both harrowing and inspiring. It tests our strength and our resilience, but it also shows us the power of the human spirit. Join me as we navigate the trials and tribulations of living with this uncontrollable, debilitating disorder. Together, we can find the courage to face each day with hope and determination. Let's explore what it's like to survive in a world that doesn't always understand us, and find the support we need to thrive. So glad you're here.

Help Me - Help You

I am hoping to create a safe space for those of us who suffer from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder to share our stories and support each other.

~ Carpe, Carpe Diem, seize the day, make your lives extraordinary. That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. Only in their dreams can we be truly free. 'Twas always thus, and always thus will be.~ Robin Williams as John Keating

Dead Poets Society, 1989

Tune in next Tuesday for Episode 02: What is PMDD