lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
Does anyone else experience mind numbing pain and heavy bleeding with their monthly cycle? I have a fibroid uterus (meaning 3 large fibroids) and recurrent cysts that are causing alot of bleeding and pain.
Doctor says since I'm close to menopause (couple more years) that I should wait it out since they will probably shrink. With my health problems, I'm afraid to have surgery at this point anyways..
Any suggestions on what others do to alleviate the symptoms?
posted
I know that in general that I experience unimaginable pain right before and during my period. Not near menopause (34). I have Lyme induced RSD pain so pain is already a huge issue for me. But I'm telling you that my pain is rediculous around that time of the month. I take ketamine syrup for my pain. And sometimes during that time I have to double my dose or add a high dose of vicodin just to be able to walk or get comfortable in bed. Sorry not much help but you're not alone.
-------------------- Blessings to you! Posts: 141 | From Southern California | Registered: Mar 2010
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
mcaringella, it sounds like you are in the same situation as me. The pain is right through the night and even affects my heart rythmn. I for one can't wait for menopause just to be rid of the problems associated with this.
posted
I know some people that have had an ablation done and said it worked wonders for their cycle flares. Especially if you have heavy bleeding.
My llmd actual said it would be a good idea. I am done having children so it won't affect me that way. I'm waiting until I'm more stable and then I'm going to have it done.
Posts: 298 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I hope you can find an excellent ND (naturopathic physician). It's best if they are LL, but for this issue, they need primarily be more gyn-expert.
I suffered horribly with severe pain and while the ND I had gone to for lyme was not really LL at all, I was able to become totally free of all gyn pain and abnormalities. That was no minor miracle.
I only wish I had known about NDs and L.Ac.s (acupuncturists) when I was a teenager. I suffered one week per month for several decades before having these problems resolved with diet, herbs and acupuncture.
Acetaminophen can be very hard on the liver; ibuprofen can be hard on the kidneys. NSAIDS can really rip up the stomach. I was able to break free from all of that with the right herbs - and some time. It took about a year.
A stressed liver also directly affects gyn problems.
Magnesium and Tang Kuei help tremendously. Corydalis can help the comfort level, too.
Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness
- By Tori Hudson, ND
About $17 at Amazon
Forward: ``This is a book that should be in every woman's health library and every alternative practitioner's library. It is a resource for the new breed of conventional practitioners who are open to a more integrative health-care system.''
--Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom
posted
I would also recommend acupuncture. My husband is an acupuncturist and has had good results helping women with serious heavy bleeding and pain on their cycle.
As Keebler said, it would be nice if they were lyme-literate, but for this they may be able to help you regardless. Chinese medicine has the ability to look at these issues with a different perspective than we are used to in western medicine.
I hope you can find some relief, whatever you choose! It sounds really hard. Good luck.
Posts: 232 | From Oregon | Registered: May 2010
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
lyme987, I have heard of ablation, but none of the doctors I have seen even suggested it. Maybe in my case it's not practical..
keebler, corydalis does sound promising and I will be looking further into that..
lymeaware, I have had acupuncture before and found it to be extremely intense in that I could barely get off the table afterwards.. seems everything affects me tenfold now.. the doctor put electrodes on the needles which sent a strong current that I found a bit hard to handle.
posted
My monthlies are a nightmare. I wish i could post about what happens to me but would be way TMI. Two years ago i started missing periods. Then my dr put me on hormones to help with menopause sx. I havent missed a period since. I recently stopped the hormones cos i want this monthly nightmare to end! Im a 52yo woman who had a tubal ligation at 42 when i had my last child. I supplement with mag, d3 and calcium along with others and it hasnt helped at all. I have to take midol or ibuprofen to get any relief at all. I hope you have good results with the supps. There are times when i wish theyd just do a hysterectomy and get it over with.
Posts: 624 | From Oklahoma | Registered: Jun 2010
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
Misfit, sorry to hear about your situation but at least now I don't feel like I'm the only one.
I was hoping after menopause I will see some relief, but if not, I will be seriously considering a hysterectomy.
posted
I too have always suffered with severe cramps & heavy bleeding. I now use my rife machine for 20 minutes on my abdomen for the first 2 days of my cycle.
It is amazing that I no longer have cramps, it hasn't lessened my flow that much...but I will take not being in a ball on the floor or fainting from the pain anymore.
Posts: 379 | From Sydney, Australia | Registered: Nov 2008
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
I've heard alot about the rife machine, and have been hesitant to try it due to cardiac issues.
I'm glad it's working for you, though..sure would be nice to find something that works.
posted
The herb Shepherd's Purse, in tincture form, is what worked for my heavy fibroid bleeding. My Gyn put me on it and some other herbal pelvic tonics.
He had me take the Shepherd's purse only during times of heavy bleeding. It usually worked within the hour.
I'm not taking this herb now, so I don't have a clue how it might counteract with Lyme and Co-infections, any possible hypercoagulable states that go with Lyme, and/or any Lyme medications and conditions.
He wrote a helpful book on healing fibroids naturally. It didn't heal mine, necessarily, but many of the suggestions he had on herbs, castor oil packs, etc., helped with my symptoms tremendously. It made the unbearable, more bearable.
posted
Are you iodine deficient? I have heard that iodine can really help with fibroids. I don't have experience with it myself though. You can google it if you want more info.
-------------------- Sick since 10/2001. Tested CDC positive for Lyme 10/2008 through Quest and Igenex. Started treatment 1/2009 with LLMD. Lyme, Erichilosis, Chlamydophila Pneumoniae, Q Fever, Strep Syndrome and probably a few others I am forgetting. Posts: 451 | From Virginia | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
I'm sorry to hear that you had such an intense experience with acupuncture. Obviously it will effect every person differently, but I also wanted to let you know that just as there are many different types of doctors and approaches, there are many styles of acupuncture, as well as different levels of competency among acupuncturists.
Personally, I have a hard time with electrodes too and stopped going because of them years ago. But, not everyone uses them -- I know my husband never uses those in his practice -- it's just not his style of acupuncture. A more gentle acupuncturist may be able to help you more.
Obviously, whatever is best for you personally though. I just hope that whatever you try you can get help.
Posts: 232 | From Oregon | Registered: May 2010
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Have you looked into systemic enzyme therapy for the fibroids?
Carol
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I'm sorry to hear that...I too, had heavy periods and A LOT of pain.
It was only when a had a hysterectomy and the removal of one ovary (to lessen the chance of ovarian cancer) did I feel better.
Also make sure they put you on BHRT right away. I was uneducated and 30 when that happened and went 10 years before I had to find out through the Dr Phil show!!!
Progesterone will be very beneficial for you in the long run. Good luck.
Posts: 166 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2010
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posted
I use natural bioidentical progesterone cream - brand is LifeFlo. Also take Dr. Wilson's Adrenal Rebuilder and most recently starting seeing a massage therapist who specializes in abdominal drain of lymphathic system. I hadn't had a cycle in three months and boom after the very first session, I started and have been regular ever since. The progesterone should help with heavy flow. Also, I really suggest getting an abdominal lymphathic drain, you will feel so much better.
Posts: 15 | From Dallas, TX | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
I failed to add that when I discovered that I had a fibroid tumor in my left ovary about 8 years ago, I started using the natural bioidentical progesterone cream and my fibroid has NEVER increased in size. Had a friend that did the opposite. She had terrible heavy bleeding and bad cramps, doc put her on birth control, tried getting her to try progesterone, it was a no gone. So then she ended up having to have major surgery to remove 21, yes 21 fibroid tumors. That was about five years ago. She continued to use birth control pills and got the stupid tumors again and had to have another surgery. Just goes to show that estrogen dominance has everything to do with fibroid growth.
Posts: 15 | From Dallas, TX | Registered: Aug 2010
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
Pam, I don't think I'm iodine deficient, since my thyroid levels are quite normal..
Carol, I did look into systemic enzymes and do have them back home in BC.. but am living in Alberta right now.. might start them again when I go back..
Mystery and Organic, I never thought that progesterone could be involved in my problem, would have been nice for the doctor or gyno to tell me.. next time I'll know to ask. I never thought you would have to go on BHRT if you still have one ovary, good to know.
Thanks everyone for all your input, at least now I know there's options out there.. I'll definitely be looking at corydalis and sheperd's purse as options in the interm.
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