LymeNet Flash: lyme or menopause chicken or egg???

This is topic lyme or menopause chicken or egg??? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by chroniclymie on :

my belief is that the stress from the body from lyme tends to bring on early onset of menopause, my oppinion only.
the body has a decrease immune system and the hormones go totally out of kilter, even in men, i think this might be one of the reasons for lyme rage, not neurlogic but hormonal. my rage seems like i'm pms even though i am a male, so i think it screws everybodies hormones, testosterone is males, estrogen and progesterone in females.
lyme acts very much like a herpes virus and tends to peak its head when we are under alot of stress.this stress changes the balance of hormanes in the body and may force the onset of menopause.
it is too much of a coincidence that so many woman at age 40 with lyme are also perimenopausal, hence lyme must bring on the early onset.
also read article above about perimenopausal woman and estrogen very important for woman.

Posted by sweet pea (Member # 6495) on :

I am 39 and have had Lyme Disease + for 14 months.....I've been wondering too if I'm perimenopausal. I always feel worse when I'm stressed out - I feel hormonal and have stronger Lyme/Babesia/? symptoms. I rarely had PMS before getting sick (I'm not kidding.) My thyroid has been problematic also, and I'm jittery all the time.

Posted by duramater (Member # 6480) on :

http://www.medicalmoment.org/_content/signs/may03/144467.asp

Posted by I Have Lyme Etc (Member # 7439) on :

I too have been suspecting early meno pause. I've had TBD's for almost 15 yrs and I could swear I started premeno about 2 yrs ago.. I see my gyn soon so she will confirm it for me but I know thats exactly whats happening and I know it's because of the TBD's

------------------

"It is not genius, nor glory, nor love that reflects the greatness of the
human soul.....it is kindness..."

Posted by niki (Member # 7720) on :

I was thought to be perimenopausal at 22. Then tested for full menopause at 28. I didn't actually have enough hormones to be considered menopausal.

I was finaly thought to have ovarian falure but not the case. later correctly diagnosed in early thirties as having supressed hormonal function.

No one of course new what was causing the suppression- not auto imune as first thought due to the lack of total failure.

I know have been diagnosied with late stage lyme I belive these hormonal problem were some of my earliest red flags for lyme.

I know alot of people are opposed to hormone replacement therapy but it gave me back alot of my life, hopefully treating the lyme will give me back the rest.

I know right away if I have missed a day because the irratation return, fatigue increses especially with the lack of testostrone. ( I am a women)

I can't praise compounded testostrone cream highly enough. It has made me feel like a human being again, energy improvements, intrest and appreciation of my apperance and brought the sex drive back on line much to my husbands delight.

Yes it probably is dangerous to use for years on end. But my opinion is my quality of life is so much better. If the lyme is attacking this part of your life and body at least this is something you can do something about! Even if it is just until you can get the lyme under control.

Frankly it is a much happier home when I'm not yelling at my kids all day and looking at my husband like he is from another planet when he would like a little attention. Everything is more fun and hey other than the cost of the testostrone cream it is at least free and probably could be considered exercise! Expecially if the fatigue improves!

It is hard to be sick and all the ways illness can affect your relationships. It helps if you can at least hold onto or reclaim this part of your life. Sex is important even if it is the farthest thing from your mind right now. Having the proper hormones my body needs helps.

Posted by niki (Member # 7720) on :

forgot to mention bit at 14 or 15, know 34. Have been pregnant with three miracles during this time. My childrens conception is unexplainable to endo's but I know they are gifts from god as all children are even the ones we think we plan!

The improvement has been with hormones and healthy diet only not on abx yet.

The only reason the doctors are saying menopause is because you are in the age range for diagnosis. The only reason I recieved so many tests is because I was in my early 20's.

Figure out when the issue started and see if it coincides with the tick.

Also doctor c from Mo has a link I think on the newbie page explaining the connection. Has something to do with the lyme blocking the hormone cell receptors. Affects everything from Thyroid, Pancrease, Adrenals to Sex Hormones.

I think alot of people get back thyroid function after lyme treatment it could be true of the other as well. Hope so.

Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :

Niki-

Try this place for your T cream. I thought their prices were good . Well known and respected.
http://www.womensinternational.com/

Actually, I have read and spoken to experts in bio-identical HRT that feel the addition of testosterone to HRT is protective for breast cander.

Google Greenblatt and testosterone. He's from the UK I think. In Europe they have a much different viewpoint since they are not controlled by the FDA (drug companies).

I truly believe bio-identical transdermal HRT is good for me and never plan to stop.

Janet

Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :

Doc- This link is for you
http://www.androgel.com/

Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :

I haven't been keeping up with my HRT info-

Ladies- If you don't want an ugly patch there is now an estradiol gel approved (finally) in the US. Here's the link
http://www.solvaypharmaceuticals-us.com/products/productgroups/productdeta
ils/0,998,18287-2-0,00.htm

Or there's a lotion type bio-identical estradiol
http://www.estrasorb.com/

There's lots of new bio-identical HRT products coming for men and women-The barbaric days of Premarin may end.

There's a testosterone patch for men and the one for women may be approved here in the US soon. You can google for more info.

[This message has been edited by janet thomas (edited 28 August 2005).]

Posted by niki (Member # 7720) on :

I use the above gel and it is easy and great. It is considered non formulary so more expense but doctors have samples they will give you. The sample is a full bottle good for 2x day for month or if used ixd like me it lasted two months. Ask for it !it is called estodial and has a little dial on the bottom to turn after each use.

i have the testostrone prescription through a compounding pharmacy. It is applied twice daily but works great. As I walk around with cream on my inner thighs and arms I think of myself as the hormonal woman ( like the bionic man) Ok there I went and dated myself!

Posted by chroniclymie on :

thanks for the link Janet ,but the last thing i need right now is more hormones.
my wife is quite happy with the lack of libido that the zoloft causes, and she has no sexual desire what so ever since being on arimedex for 3 years for the breast cancer.she hides under the covers every time i look at her the wrong way.
so unless i go the happy hooker route i don't think i need or want anything else in my body.