PMDD - Ladies Has Anyone Taken Sarafem?

I take Effexor SR for similar reasons. Has the same problem when I first started. Once I switched to taking it in the morning instead of at night, the sleeplessnesss went away.

M.-The drug will not cure your problem only mask the symptom. Drugs are acidic and just flat out never "CURE" any health ailment. You have an excess of estrogen built up in your body along with toxins.

The estrogen is because of what is in our environment.

www.johnleemd.com

You need to rid your body of the toxins and escort the estrogen out of your body.

There are many great books and website and wonderful teas, tinctures and herbs. Those are healing and will help you get rid of the problem.

Email me for more info

T.
detox coach

I realize no one has really answered your question - I used to take Sarafem - for the exact reasons you mentioned. The first two weeks you may feel lethargic during the day and wake up a lot at night - I was told this would happen until my body got used to it. After two weeks I started sleeping better and started feeling myself. It's certainly not a happy pill, but it does lessen the incredible ragefull thoughts I would have - I was so irritable - that's not even the best word to used I was constantly annoyed at everyone. Nearing the end of the first month I really thought I was a 'normal' person again; sure, I'd still get angry, but at times one really should feel angry; I'd get sad, at regular sad sorts of things. It did not make me a different person, just made me feel much more peaceful.

Question, however, did your doctor give you actual Sarafem or a generic version? I asked my dr. about Sarafem about a year ago and was told they didn't make it under that name anymore, but a generic name.

Best wishes - despite the fact that many feel it's 'shameful' to take medication I don't feel that way at all, sometimes we need help, and I was/am one of those too.

M.:
You're not the only one. I've been on the generic version of Sarafem for some time now. It's called fluoxetine. I don't remember having any side effects. I take it 2 weeks before my period and it really did change my mood swings. Before starting it, I was a wreck-moody, mean, and I had this feeling like I wanted to just blow at the drop off a hat. If I remember correctly, Sarafem was very expensive, so I was able to get the generic.
Try to take the pill first thing in the morning and you shouldn't have the nighttime side affect of staying awake.

Good Luck- V.

M.,
I would take a serious look at diet and lifestyle as well for managing things. There are many natural supplements and diet changes that can help immensely without causing negative side effects. Let me know if I can get you some more specific info.
C. (Registered Nurse, Wellness coach)

M.
O havenever done the serafem due to family medical history of problems. But I found that Flax seed worked great for me with out using drugs. I would add it to salads and casseroles it is natural and has alot of added health benefits. My whole family eatrs it. I learned of its benefits for the premenstral mood swings from a vet when my mare would get so crabby when she went in season and I was amazed how quickly it helps.

I had symptoms of rage and just short temperness when I was on the pill. I was just not myself!!!! I would start about 10-14 days into my pill pack and last for about a week and a half or so. I had this happen off and on for about 2 years. MY OB/GYN said it was probably stress, told me to exercise, and get more calcium. I briefly went to a psychologist. She recommended that I ask the OB/GYN about getting off of the pill-I was on YAZ. So, I did. THat was in January. It took about 2 months, and then I felt fine. I have felt fine ever since. I have to say that I was Ortho Novum 777 for about 10 years prior to having children and have never had issues. It might just be how the hormones are mixing together in your body to make you have these mood swings. Good luck. I know it can be scarry.

A friend of mine took it on an as needed basis only, meaning that she only took it when she was feeling "crazy". She took it quite often, but not for the straight 10 days prior to her period. It did not work well for her. Did you know that Sarafem is another name for Prozac? Since it wasn't working for her, she went on Effexor. That worked wonderfully for her. Also, she was on the pill and she thought that may have had something to do with the nasty mood swings. Have you considered that? If it doesn't work for you, which I hope it does, talk to your doctor about taking Effexor or another SSRI antidepressant. I worked with her about 3-4 days a week and I noticed drastic changes, for the better, in her mood!

M.,

My GYN had me on Prozac for PMDD two years ago and it didn't do anything. I was put on Lexapro three months later and it was a life saver but I take it every day. These drugs are SSRIs and don't work unless they have a chance to build up in your system, and just taking them as needed doesn't do much good. You can also get the same response from birth control pills, but due to my age and family history, I chose not to do that.

Diet is also a big factor in controlling the symptoms and the better you eat, the better you'll feel - lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, small meals, and no caffeine (or cut it down right before the PMDD starts) plus a lot of water. I've also found a few supplements that help, like B12 and E.

PMDD is different in every woman who has it and what works will be different too. The one common thread I've discovered the last two years I've had to deal with this, is that Prozac - or Sarafem which was the manufacturer's way of softening what the drug is - doesn't seem to work for many. But there are other excellent SSRIs out there that will if that's the route you want to take.

I hope you feel better soon!

A few years ago my sister told me her gyn gave it to her for same reason....and she liked it (it worked). She may still be taking it (not sure). So, I think that is a thumbs up for Sarafem.

Safaem is just another brand name for the anti-depressant Prozac (Generic name: Fluoxetine hydrochloride) which is prescribed for the treatment of depression.
Sarafem is more specifically given for PMDD. Although I find it shameful that your doctor is giving you drugs instead of finding the route of the problem-such as doing a female hormone panel which would indicate what hormones are elevated and when that may be contributing to yoour symptoms-here is some info regaurdung the medication your on and some side effects many of my patients have noticed with Sarafem:
Never use Prozac in combination with other ant-depresant drugs known as MAO inhibitors. Never take Prozac with one of these drugs or within at least 14 days of discontinuing therapy with one of them; and allow 5 weeks or more between stopping Prozac and starting an MAO inhibitor.

Most of my pateints who were given Sarafem complained of nightmare and nigt sweats that interffered with their sleep to the point where they stopped taking the drug because it wasn;t worth the poor nights of rest. I had two patients who reported vison problems, they felt dizzy and would see spots. I had one patient complain of feeling “out-of it” like she was in a “funk” while on the medication-so she opted to stop taking it. I had a handful of patients who had no side effects but wanted to opt for more natural options and not be dependant on an antidepressant. Keep in mind this is a brain-alterning drug-it works as serontin re-uptake inhibator (a chemical made in the brain). If possible try to get a female hormone panel done and see where your levels fall through your cycle and then maybe you take a combination of vitamins and herbals that correspond to those cahnges to help regulate your body and moods as wel as prevent future problems. Just a suggestion.

I hope this helps. Please email me if you have anymore questions

I would look in to a overgorwth of yeast in your body too. This can cause aggressiveness and triedness and depression and mucle aches and so mcuh, foggy brain like menopause symptoms. etc, Google it and see what sounds like you. Hope this helps, then you can take probiotics and a yeast diet and some other things and you will be feeling better too and it keeps your weight down! amazing what happens when you get rid of this darn yeast problem!
good luck
J.

Hi M.-
I have been taking Sarafem for a few years now and it really works for me. I take it all month though. According to my doctor, it works better when the dose stays at a constant level in your system. Maybe if you take it all month, your body will get used to it therefore not keeping you up at night.