I was looking into this because my symptoms seem to flare around ovulation (a lot... head pressure, back pain, twitching, fevered feeling), and found an old post from another member explaining what might be happening (in quotes below):
"My LLMD sez that estrogen surges at ovulation and again around menses. Estrogen depresses the immune system so the bugs divide, abx kill the bugs while they're in a vulnerable state and you get a herx. She sez it happens three days before and after ovulation and the first day of the cycle."
Has anyone else heard of or experienced this? Anyone's LLMD validated this or expanded upon it?
I suppose I should be trying to hit the lyme bugs hard during this time, though I feel like doing the opposite.
Thank you! V
Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :
oh... one more thing. My symptoms definitely flare around my menses as well, so it's not just ovulation.
Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :
up, thanks Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :
nobody?
Posted by jecati (Member # 26700) on :
My severe flares happen right before I start (like right now!
But I have noticed almost a 2 week cycle with symptoms, around ovulation yes, but flares for me are Not that severe, not like the ones I have within a week of menses...
Posted by lyme987 (Member # 22148) on :
I can definitely agree with you VB. My flares are much worse around ovulation time then around menses, although I do flare at that time also.
And since my cycle is about 23 days, I always flaring! I'm going to get an ablation done, I know some folks with lyme who had it and they said it changed their lives. Of course, this is only an option if you are done having children or do not wish to have them
My doctor confirmed your statement to me
Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :
Thanks for the responses and for checking with your doctor!
Lyme987, what is an ablation? Is that like an IUD? I have friends who have recommended that, but I'm scared to do any type of birth control due to the hormones, even if they are low dose.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Don't remember/know if this applies to ovulation but there is an intensification of immune response before and after menses. Increased symptoms may be a result of die-off.
Dealing with increased die off should be helpful. With the permission of your LLMD perhaps cut meds and treatments that are adding to the die off load or increase detox and anti-inflammatory support.
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