Can the three of us be friends pls 🥹 don’t want to sound like a fan girl (I am), but your writing was genuinely one of the biggest reasons I wanted to start sharing on here too - feel very seen in your story.
Also PMDD is the most under-researched cherry on the sometimes-shitcake of being an autistic AFAB gal, my god. I’m gonna write about it soon, but it’s hard to without going bleak bleak bleak on it all.
Anyway, thank you so much for the mention, I went running to my boyfriend like “omg my Substack twin shared one of my pieces in her pieceeeee”.
Gah! Sorry to hear that. I was diagnosed with PMDD when I was about 36 and then had to wait 4 years for a hysterectomy. But like you I suffered in the week before every period. Weirdly, even post hysterectomy there seems to be a small monthly shift in my moods, and medical science can't seem to explain that. Obviously peri-menopause will help you in a way but my advice is to keep changing doctors if you can until you get one that knows something about hormones - my mood is much more stable on HRT estrogen. I had no idea until recently that pmdd was more prevalent in autistic people... autism seems to explain everything I've ever experienced. Hope you feel better soon, and keep writing! xx
How mysterious re the monthly shift. I bet there is an explanation and it's more of the mega sensitivity shiz of autism. Omg ME TOO re autism explains almost everything I've experienced too! Sleep issues, stomach issues, hormone issues etc... it's amazing that somehow I still don't hate that I'm autistic. I guess I am still the same just now I know why I seem to gather so many of the niche experiences throughout my life. Like if one percent of people experience some weird side effects to medication you just know I'm gonna get it...
Thanks for tip re doc and hormone informed one being important. It hadnt even occurred to me to go! Partly cos ya know lack of 'common sense' but also it's such a roulette whether they take you seriously isn't it? I know they're overloaded but it's not v motivating.
I hope you're doing better. I wanted to share your piece in my post but I couldn't find it. Can you resend? How's the writing?
Thank you so much for sharing my letter, Chelsey. 🖤 That’s really kind of you.
I really relate to everything you are writing about. I am, literally, right there with you in luteal/PMDD. It thankfully doesn’t seem as bad as last month but I’m feeling all the feels.
I also really relate to everything you say about knowing and having these conversations earlier. I was out every Fri and Sat for years, drinking stupid amounts, believing it made me a better person but my life was never going to one of contentment and joy. I never really thought I’d get to be this old and that’s quite devastating because, with all I know now, I make so much sense. And I’ve found so many people I relate to and who relate to me. I wish a few more were IRL but I do have my partner and my Mum. And it’s all worth celebrating.
You're welcome! It has been lovely to find your writing and start to feel a part of a sort of community... You will find more people irl I'm sure. Have you read any of Devon price's work about unmasking? He has a new one out and I'm excited to read. Oooh maybe I'll do a book club!
Hahaha, I just saw this and was so happy! Yes! FRIEND! (Have you seen the Inbetweeners?)
It's funny too as I was just imagining that I had upset you by asking you to please share the Dido cat lyrics. There's a lot of psychological fun to be had with overthinking everything.
And thanks for sharing, it means a lot as I often lose track of why I share this stuff which doesn't always make me seem like the coolest person on earth. (Unless you think the coolest people on earth are the ones who go around admitting all their secrets to strangers which I guess I do.)
I look forward to your writing on pmdd. I'd actually forgotten how bleak it is. Pregnancy/motherhood hormones have been a sweet dream! And motherhood generally, actually...
Ok, I'm writing this leaning on the wall at the top of the stairs like a weirdo and need to get moving. Have a good day! xx
Can the three of us be friends pls 🥹 don’t want to sound like a fan girl (I am), but your writing was genuinely one of the biggest reasons I wanted to start sharing on here too - feel very seen in your story.
Also PMDD is the most under-researched cherry on the sometimes-shitcake of being an autistic AFAB gal, my god. I’m gonna write about it soon, but it’s hard to without going bleak bleak bleak on it all.
Anyway, thank you so much for the mention, I went running to my boyfriend like “omg my Substack twin shared one of my pieces in her pieceeeee”.
Gah! Sorry to hear that. I was diagnosed with PMDD when I was about 36 and then had to wait 4 years for a hysterectomy. But like you I suffered in the week before every period. Weirdly, even post hysterectomy there seems to be a small monthly shift in my moods, and medical science can't seem to explain that. Obviously peri-menopause will help you in a way but my advice is to keep changing doctors if you can until you get one that knows something about hormones - my mood is much more stable on HRT estrogen. I had no idea until recently that pmdd was more prevalent in autistic people... autism seems to explain everything I've ever experienced. Hope you feel better soon, and keep writing! xx
How mysterious re the monthly shift. I bet there is an explanation and it's more of the mega sensitivity shiz of autism. Omg ME TOO re autism explains almost everything I've experienced too! Sleep issues, stomach issues, hormone issues etc... it's amazing that somehow I still don't hate that I'm autistic. I guess I am still the same just now I know why I seem to gather so many of the niche experiences throughout my life. Like if one percent of people experience some weird side effects to medication you just know I'm gonna get it...
Thanks for tip re doc and hormone informed one being important. It hadnt even occurred to me to go! Partly cos ya know lack of 'common sense' but also it's such a roulette whether they take you seriously isn't it? I know they're overloaded but it's not v motivating.
I hope you're doing better. I wanted to share your piece in my post but I couldn't find it. Can you resend? How's the writing?
Thank you so much for sharing my letter, Chelsey. 🖤 That’s really kind of you.
I really relate to everything you are writing about. I am, literally, right there with you in luteal/PMDD. It thankfully doesn’t seem as bad as last month but I’m feeling all the feels.
I also really relate to everything you say about knowing and having these conversations earlier. I was out every Fri and Sat for years, drinking stupid amounts, believing it made me a better person but my life was never going to one of contentment and joy. I never really thought I’d get to be this old and that’s quite devastating because, with all I know now, I make so much sense. And I’ve found so many people I relate to and who relate to me. I wish a few more were IRL but I do have my partner and my Mum. And it’s all worth celebrating.
Thank you for writing. 🖤
You're welcome! It has been lovely to find your writing and start to feel a part of a sort of community... You will find more people irl I'm sure. Have you read any of Devon price's work about unmasking? He has a new one out and I'm excited to read. Oooh maybe I'll do a book club!
I haven’t read any Devon Price yet but his book is on my “Need to get” list!
Hahaha, I just saw this and was so happy! Yes! FRIEND! (Have you seen the Inbetweeners?)
It's funny too as I was just imagining that I had upset you by asking you to please share the Dido cat lyrics. There's a lot of psychological fun to be had with overthinking everything.
And thanks for sharing, it means a lot as I often lose track of why I share this stuff which doesn't always make me seem like the coolest person on earth. (Unless you think the coolest people on earth are the ones who go around admitting all their secrets to strangers which I guess I do.)
I look forward to your writing on pmdd. I'd actually forgotten how bleak it is. Pregnancy/motherhood hormones have been a sweet dream! And motherhood generally, actually...
Ok, I'm writing this leaning on the wall at the top of the stairs like a weirdo and need to get moving. Have a good day! xx