I am completely miserable two weeks out of the month!! One week before my period I start feeling awful, and continue to feel bad until my period is over.
I experienced relief from this while on Birth control,( which I don't understand by the way. I thought it was bb cycling close to my cycle, but why would birth control help that?)but I have no libido and other side effects from birth control.
Are there any other options for relief? Would it work if I just took birth control right before I start feeling bad and pmsing? Anyone have any suggestions?
Posted by bellajo (Member # 28738) on :
You may want to do hormone testing to see what you're lacking or have too much of. Some doctors do a 24 hour urine test for this.
I have read that it's common for women with lyme to experience the symptoms during menstruation.
My symptoms have been better over time and with bioidentical hormones. I still get the migrating headaches, at times.
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
UGHHH! BLAH! YUCK! Those are the words to explain my period with some expletives added in!
The worst time of the month for me by far. My hormones are 'normal' but I noticed a change in my symptoms depending on which infection I was treating. Bartonella is the WORST. I believe its due to the hypercoagulation associated with Bartonella.
Anyways, I must take Naproxen or I can't function for a few days. It works with pain and some of the symptoms and I only take a few days versus everyday like birth control.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I completely understand. The week before and the week of were miserable for me. I found that if remembered to take a good multivitamin (one with iron too) the week before and the week of my period, it really seemed to help (it wasn't quite as bad as when I didn't).
Also, make sure to eat more carbs, as much as you can handle (quinoa?) during that period (you will feel better). Quinoa is the one carb I can eat a lot of.
Lyme messes with our hormones. Women need more carbs, especially before and during our periods (makes more estrogen), which gives us a bit more relief (no doc--just my opinion). Actually, I've just seen a lot of Dr. Oz (ha ha)!
Also, go to bed earlier (will help your cortisol levels). All of this helped me.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
gigimac,
Are you eating 100% gluten-free? Is anyone else living with you eating gluten?
I ask because I have horrible miserable periods when I am exposed to ingested or inhaled gluten. In my case, the gluten causes my body to stop making progesterone. Thus I get horrendous cramps and migraines during my cycle.
Just a thought...
Posted by Dawn2137 (Member # 27238) on :
I don't know if everyone is talking lyme symptoms or PMS symptoms, but maybe this would help for both?
For PMS... Raspberry Leaf Tea!
I used to not be able to function on the day I started my period. Severe lower back pain, cramping, and pain that radiated down my legs.
I would take TONS of naproxen sodium with little relief.
Going GF helped some, but raspberry leaf tea is a MUST for me! It helps if you start drinking it a day or two before you are supposed to start, but if you don't it REALLY helps with pain once you have it!
I don't take anything for pain now. Just 2-3 cups of raspberry tea daily during that time is all I need. I've got all the women I know drinking it!
Only downside is it doesn't taste that great, but its worth it. Also should mention that some doctors advise not to take it in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Wow, Razzle. I never realized how bad gluten was for us. I've been eating gluten free since starting abx, but I just never had a clue about this stuff. It all makes sense.