Ladies: birth control as treatment for PMDD/bipolar?

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I'm currently on four medications to handle bipolar II:

Lexapro (40mg)
Lamictal (300mg)
Wellbutrin XL (300mg)
Zyprexa (5mg)

I inherited my mother's SEVERE PMDD and it absolutely wreaks havoc on my system every month. I get suicidal while in the throes of it and do stupid things like putting knives to my hands and arms to see how hard I can press without drawing blood.

My mother has been suggesting birth control as a hormonal treatment for a while now; I balked due to increased cancer risk and difficulties if (and it is a HUGE if) I ever want to have children. After my last wild, violent desire to slice myself open I agreed to try it.

It's been three weeks and I seem to be dealing with a low level of depression daily save some moments where I really wanted to cut myself - but not much else. I take my 21st pill tonight and I'm really scared about what I'll be like once my period starts.


Has anyone else done this?

I wasn't sure whether to put this in The Haven or here. Mods, please move this if it is not an appropriate topic for this forum.

I'm not sure. If the antipsychotic isn't helping, I guess giving the birth control a shot is worth it. If it isn't working, maybe talk to your pdoc about trying a different antipsychotic. Are you on the SSRI for PMDD? I wonder if that isn't making things worse?

I've heard that taking Calcium and Bcomplex vitamins can help PMDD.