Honestly, before I became ill I never missed a day of work bc of my period - never even bothered me. Now I'm teary, cranky, SO fatigued I skip the shower, my fibro pain is thru the roof.
How do you guys cope? I've tried the pill thing - tried several of them to stop my period but I felt worse. I don't think I do well on synthetic hormones.
Any input greatly appreciated, I can't imagine suffering this way year after year!! Thanks!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
bt, have you thought about a hysterectomy?
i too was as sick as you and would be off work 1-2 days/month due to vomiting and severe cramps.
was nice to be done w/my period and human again; my ovaries were left.
best wishes! Posted by DeafFromLyme (Member # 18795) on :
For a long time I had a Mirena IUD, which contains hormones and that helped me for a long time!
Posted by soleil16 (Member # 16326) on :
I really like the Mirena IUD. Haven't had a period in 15 months. It has localized hormones so it doesn't mess with the rest of your body. It's really worth looking at.
And it's way cheaper over 5 years than taking the pills every month. AND if you're like me, I always forgot, or was worried about it being less effective on antibiotics. Don't have to worry about that anymore.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
I've never thought of an IUD helping with this problem so thx for your input. The monthly misery added to already waxing/waning hormones is just too much for me!!
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Hi,
So sorry. My big thing is that my anxiety increases during my period. I do get cramps and stuff, it's the mental stuff that kills me.
Before you jump into Mirena, please research it. There are MANY women on Curezone who have had a horrible time on it, it cause lots of anxiety/panic attacks.
I've never tried any pills or anything as I got sick before as I became sick before I was sexually active and then after getting sick I was too afraid to try anything that may make me worse!!
I don't know if this would help. I know that it helps with too much bleeding, but thermal ablation is what it is called. I really don't know much about it and if it would help you, but something to ask your doctor. You cannot have it performed though if you are not finished having children.
Take care,
Ocean
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
bt-
I have a real hard time too.
I was ready to do the thermal ablation last summer, but due to an irregularity in the bloodwork, I was referred to a hematologist before my GYN could proceed.
It was too hard scheduling appts, so I never got around to it. I saw my LLMD 1st.
I'm glad it was sidetracked, though. Now, my LLMD is managing it. I am taking an herbal homeopathic supplement, which seemed to help initially.
I had two "good periods" (for the first time in 10 years)and then the next month, the mack truck came and ran me over!
Now I have just been prescribed "natural progesterone", which he feels should help regulate me better.
Talk to your LLMD. My hormones have been all screwed up by years of lyme disease, plain and simple.
Feel free to PM me for details.
Carly
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Ocean, Carly, don't worry, I research *everything* before i even see the doc. I'd never heard about thermal ablation..
Unfortunately my LLMD doesn't deal with these issues (lucky duck Carly) but when this never-ending cycle ends (periods are getting wacky) I might try a naturopath..or at least start with hormonal testing.
This stuff drains me so much I barely have energy to have a shower let alone chase all these [important] treatments. Thx a lot for your input!!
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
When I was first married, I got the Depo shot.
I never thought I had trouble with my periods or with being emotional or anything before that.
But when I went on Depo, my emotions just leveled out so wonderfully.
It didn't kill my emotions, but I found that I wasn't as nervous or easily upset over things anymore.
ANd it ended my period until I went off it.
So that's an option.
I would just caution you if you want to get pregnant again.
I miscarried my first pregnancy, and I still suspect it had to do with the Depo.
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
It's also called endometrial ablation.
As long as you're finished having children.
I can empathize with you. I believe that my troubles will lessen dramatically with lyme treatment.
Good luck.
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
Magnesium really helps with this. It helps with anxiety, irritability, sleep and energy.
I also use Rhodiola Rosea. It helps with cramps and energy. Initially I took it 2 weeks before. Made a huge difference for me.
Lastly, as someone mentioned before, progesterone. It helps with anxiety. And gives a sense of well being.
Best, Karen
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Join us on www.lymefriends.com. You can't have too much support; lots of us are there as well. It is a social networking site and you'll find lots of support there.
Posted by Tick Tock (Member # 15948) on :
Mirena IUD is fabulous. I can function again. Had it nearly 5 years, almost time to replace it.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'm definitely going to talk with my PCP about several options - doctors vary so much in their approach about these issues..on top of Lyme, I don't know what he'll say but I want to give *something* a try or I'll go crazy every month!!
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
I sympathize with you. I hate that time of the month. Actually, for me it starts about a week to two weeks before. And lately my cycle is so unpredictable - 26-35 days!
In fact, waiting on it now and feel like I could kill someone I get awful mood swings and really fatigued. Sometimes awful cramps, sometimes not.
Not knowing what to expect each month is driving me crazy. You just can't plan anything.
Synthetic hormones made me a lot worse if you can believe that.
My current game plan is to try to increase calcium/magnesium and B complex vitamins during the second half of my cycle while taking fish oil daily.
I have heard I should give this protocol a few months to kick in.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Opus, hope you find some relief with your supplements. I'm on each and everyone you mention and it has made NO difference to me but it does help some women.
Yes, synthetic hormones and I just don't mix. Will post again to let everyone what my doc suggested.
Posted by MY3BOYS (Member # 17830) on :
lyme does mess iwth hormones. crosses the
pitiuitary gland causing hormone h*ll. maybe try
ob/gyn who co-specialized in infecious
diseae? for me the bio-identical hormones have
been a GREAT relief. i started these last dec/jan
before i knew i had lyme, knew i had something
going on but thought was auto-immune for last
9 yrs, anyway the bio-identicals are made to
work with your body and abrorbed to use.
Progesterone in the one i'm on at pretty high
does, also increase the mag. too, my "twitching"
always gets worse with my period. luckily my doc
for the hormones does take my ins. lots of new
wellness" clinics opening up with this that
charge you way tooo much and want to do crazy,
expensive testing too. my doc goes on symptoms.
her thought is your body tells you what is
working not blood work, everyone is different.
have reffered some folks to her who have all
said made big difference. some were in
menopause, post-hysterectomy, etc. she has
labeled me as "pre" menopuase (at 32)and big
assaults to the body can cause this (oh..like
lyme u mean??) but, it helps..l;ol..even hubby
will say, "honey, did u remember to take your
litte pink pill? u sure??" please excuse and
typos or mis-spelling as i am in that hormal zone right now myself
Posted by orrn (Member # 6672) on :
I have horrible mood swings and my LD symptoms are really bad a week or so before my period and lately mid-cycle when I ovulate.
I get some relief from Pamprin, believe it or not, but you have to get the kind that says it helps with "irritability".
The other kinds don't help at all for me. Everyone's different though so what helps for one might not help for another.
Just thought I would mention what helps me. I also thought about a hysterectomy for awhile,
but I am scared to death of surgery, so this is how I cope right now.
Good luck and take care! If you find something different that helps fill the rest of us in!
orrn
Posted by swachsler (Member # 18155) on :
BTMB-
I don't know if this relates to your situation or not, but when I was on amoxicillin, each period was more horrible than the last.
Every month my cycle shortened, my bleeding was heavier, the pain worse. I can't speak to psych stuff, because I was so altered all the time anyway it's hard to sort out.
Plus, I was beside myself with pain and nausea. I do remember being on the floor in the bathroom and losing it at my partner for not coming home. I called her hysterically at the library.
I was vomiting from the pain, and I was on heavy-duty pain meds, too.
Anyway, when I went off amoxi, all that went away.
When I went on bicillin, my period got a little screwy, but nowhere near what it was like on amoxi. And it has mostly been normalizing over time now, even on bicillin.
So I wonder if changing your treatment might make a difference?
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I get awful mood swings and really fatigued. Sometimes awful cramps, sometimes not.