Two days later, my period arrives a week early and was very heavy and full of clots. I also had very bad cramps.
I am on birth control so I was quite surprised!
Has this ever happened to anyone?
Could this be part of a herx?
Thanks! Ariel
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Have you talked with your gynecologist?
It's not uncommon for cycles to be out of synch - or even changes in blood flow. I would not attribute that to the doxy nor to a herx, necessarily.
The clots can indicate several things. One of the simplest is "blood stagnation" - from a Chinese medicine point of view, as my ND explained to me when I had this problem years ago.
Prickly Ash Bark may help take some of the stickiness out of the blood and increase circulation without being stimulating. Blood stickiness is common with lyme patients. Prickly Ask Bark tincture is used by some LLMD and LL NDs. (naturopathic physicians).
Dong Quai is (if I recall correctly) one herb that can help. Angelica is another.
Magnesium should help relieve cramps but so can Dong Quai.
All this is what I used years ago as instructed by my ND - however - it is best for you to see a LL ND. There is one near you in Baltimore. I'll send you a PM of her web site. -
Also search Tori Hudson, ND at Amazon. She has a good book about women's health.
-
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I don't know about doxycycline, but you do know that some antibiotics can make birth control no longer effective? You would want to look that up to be sure.
Is your LLMD aware that you are taking birth control hormones? Be sure you tell them the brand and dosage. -
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
I was going to say something similar to what Keebler said, that abx can make birth control less effective, and I'd be worried about a possible miscarriage if there were a lot of clots and more cramping than usual.
I would certainly meniton this to your LLMD and to your gynocologist.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I totally missed Starfall important thought. I forget to think of the most obvious things sometimes. Glad She piped in. It is also important to talk to your gyn. before you might take any herbal supplements, too.
Good luck. -
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
Keebler-Can you pm the name of the ND as well?
Ariel1-When I first got sick, my period was all whacked out-came like every 19 days and really heavy. I think my hormones and adrenal were shot!
All better now-just in time for perimenopause!
Posted by Ariel1 (Member # 22227) on :
Keebler, thanks for the info, I'll check my PM for yours.
Starfall1969, definitely not pregnant, been too tired to do anything lately, LOL
Beths, thanks, looks like my situation is not uncommon.
I called my LLMD today to ask him what may be going on and am waiting for him to call me back.
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
Ariel,
I too was on bc during my treatment and everything did go askew especially being regular.
My gyno put me on them for theraputic reasons (big ovarian cyst flare ups) not for a preventative. However, all during my treatment, the bc was really almost rendered infective by the harsh drugs.
Still on bc for the cyst problems however, off abx now thank goodness.
The downside is that my body NOW cannot really handle the additional hormones, and I am constantly fighting yeast because of the estrogen increase and the previous long term abx treatment.
Soon looking to be off the bc, and even considering having my ovary removed as it is very painful.
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
I had a lot of clots and a very heavy period after taking a month of biaxin/amoxicillin. It was so bad, it was scary!
And I know 100% that I was not pregnant.
It was definitely those meds.
I have not taken them since and it hasn't happened again.
I do not think it is part of a herx - more likely a hormonal disruption.
Some antibiotics do make birth control less effective probably through the same disruption of hormones.
Posted by Ariel1 (Member # 22227) on :
gemofnj and opus2828,
Thanks for your experiences. I feel much better now.
I feel like my bc doesn't even work after taking the doxy. I mean,my period came a whole week early!
I'm wondering now if I should get off my bc while I am undergoing Lyme treatment!
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
if you really dont need it, i would recommend it. the extra estrogen can escalate yeast as well. and that can be very nasty.
if you discontinue b/c, and you are still having problems, check with your gyno. antibiotics can also mess with your regular menstrual rhythms.
good luck and hope you feel better soon. Posted by Ariel1 (Member # 22227) on :
gemofnj,
I didn't even think about yeast escalation!
I am going to call my gyno tomorrow.
Thanks again!
Posted by Siciliano (Member # 15920) on :
Ariel1,
Can't speak on the bc issue because was not on any but the cramping and clots, I sure do relate.
After I became very very sick with lyme and did not know it...undiagnosed for a few years....
when I would get my periods they were so painful, I've had 4 children and never had pain during my periods, but having lyme just made
my periods so terrible. I have very heavy blood flow, cramping and the lumbar pain is horrible.
I mentioned this to my llmd and he said many women have the same terrible experience with
their periods while having lyme. I so understand
what you are describing and hope things get better.
I still am having the clots and everything else when I have my periods too.
I am 51 now and hoping that any day I will go through menapause so I do not have to suffer
during my periods anymore. This lyme really makes periods much worse than they already are.
If it were me, I would not take an oral bc while on antibiotics, didn't your llmd ask you what type of bc you were taking before prescribing
your abx? Drs. usually advise the patient of the oral bc not being too effective when going on an abx.
Good luck dear Ariel, we can get through this!!
Posted by Siciliano (Member # 15920) on :
Oh, yes, I was just told this week that magnesium will help alot for my painful periods and plan on ordering some this week! I have to see if it helps me, hope it does!! I will let you know.
Posted by Ariel1 (Member # 22227) on :
Siciliano,
Thank you for the info. What you describe is exactly what I am going through.
My LLMD knows which from of bc I am on and when I called him, he said that the abx can pretty much alter the bc effects.
Please let me know if the magnesium works!
Posted by LymedOut (Member # 22351) on :
Ariel,
I've noticed for myself, that everytime I am on antibiotics, I bleed a little too. I've also had some pretty huge clots as well. I also take bc to stop painful cysts. Amoxycillian seemed the worst at starting my periods back up.
Posted by MY3BOYS (Member # 17830) on :
not on bc for last 4 yrs. have had significant change in cycles with lyme tx.
same thing most of yall are decribing, clotting, heavy bleeding and even odd schedules. even spotting wk before. and on bio-identical hormones for progesterone supp.
i know for me the herx cycle goes with period. and have had worse PMS too. i do have to up my mag. supplements during those 1-2 wks...use my chocolate cravings a my guide..lol
Posted by Hides1 (Member # 6348) on :
Keelber- can you also pm me the name of the LLMD in Baltimore- thanks. [email protected] Heidi
Posted by Ariel1 (Member # 22227) on :
lymedout and my3boys,
Thanks for your input. Sounds like us ladies are going through the same thing with abx. Heavy, irregular, and clotty periods.
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