timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
Now, I know some men are probably going to read this, but only the women are going to be able to answer this...so PLEASE, men, don't write back with a response, or I'll know the lyme has REALLY messed up your hormones!
I have had a very regular menstrual cycle for many years. In 2004 I had a uterine ablation due to very heavy menses. Now, my menses are quite light...and very regular.
After I ovulate, my breasts get full and tender. They stay that way until a couple of days into my period, at which point they are no longer tender.
This last period, my breasts did NOT get untender. They have stayed quite tender. And while my period was it's normal length, a few days later, it came back, and has been with me for many days!
I'm on 2 shots of bicillin a week. I am taking Dr. Z's herbs for lyme (actually just on the artemesia protocol right now); and recently upped my milk thistle to 2 tablets a day. (I think 250 mg each).
After reading a post on here not too long ago about milk thistle affecting estrogen, I'm wondering if that isn't my issue. At any rate, I'm cutting back on the milk thistle gradually, and will cut it totally out in a week or two.
Anyone ever had this happen, and know what caused it?
Thanks in advance for your help. I do NOT need my female hormones to get messed up now too!
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Well, I do not take milk thistle but I do know that certain medications in the past have caused this same problem for me. Most of them being pain medications. I am currently on Nortriptiline and its causing the breast pain too and I have no idea why?????
I would firmly believe that supplements can do this too so you may be on to something.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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sometimesdilly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9982
posted
Hi Timaca-
In retrospect, I think irregular menses of every kind were my first clue that my body was going genuinely haywire due to undertreated lyme (3 weeks of abx 3 years prior).
I had amazingly heavy flow with or without lots of pain, menses that went on for days and days, and menses 2 or more times a month, menses that began extremely light for days then all the sudden turned up the spigot for days more, then menses that were very light the whole time.
Lots of GYN testing and sonograms and all the rest later, the DR's could not find a reason for any of it. Now I thinking all that was lyme-related.
I understand that you had stabalized after an op and so suspect it might be milkthistle, not just good ole Bb beasties wreaking havoc. I guess you'll find out if going off milkthistle solves the problem.
Hope it does for you!
Dilly
Posts: 2507 | From lost in the maze | Registered: Aug 2006
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
Dilly~ Thanks for your response. Yes, I think lyme does play a role in female hormones. My hugely heavy periods were due to "we don't know" according to the doctors. The uterine ablation showed no reason why they were so heavy.
Later (before I knew lyme was the cause of my issues) I got very bad (very bad) PMS symptoms. A hormone pill balanced everything out. I was able to wean off that after significant amounts of antibiotics.
I've had to cut back on antibiotics lately...so maybe the lyme is rearing it's ugly head in the female hormone department again.
Or maybe it's a supplement of some kind. I will be cutting everything out except the bicillin...so time will tell.
Nal~ I was on Nortriptilene briefly (very briefly) back when I didn't know lyme was what was causing my burning nerves....I hope your symptoms get better.
Looks like I have another day of breast tenderness and spotting...oh, I didn't mention breakouts of pimples on my face....that too. Lovely....
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
someone posted about 6 months ago that milk thistle can cause certain meds to be even more powerful [too powerful]..
You're supposed to take it an hour or two away from other meds, I think.
Also seems that you're taking a very high dosage of it.
hope this helps!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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mlkeen
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1260
posted
You could have estrogen domonance and not enough progestorone, the heavy flow and breat tenderness can be symptoms. All kinds of things can cause it.
Estrogen can be controlled thru diet, exercise and avoiding environmental estrogens, also progestorone cream, used from ovulation to menses is helpful to balance the body.
For more info try reading "What your doctor may not be telling you about premenoause" by John R Lee MD. It's is insightful.
savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
My hormones have never been the same since getting lyme. For some reason it really hit the pituitary gland, giving me problems with my thryoid. Dr. B told me he sees this a lot with lyme patients, and it will get better with treatment. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Check for adrenal fatigue with hormone testing. When you have a chronic infection in your body or are stressed, your adrenals do not make the correct about of hormones for your body. I'm guessing that his may be why a lot of lymies have issues related to hormones. I now use a creme twice daily in an effort to balance my hormones. One big clue for production of too much cortisol is a strong craving for salt. I kept telling my LLMD about it and he guessed correctly. We did saliva hormone testing. The body is so complicated......... A great book to read is, Adrenal Fatigue, The 21st Century Stress Syndrome by James L. Wilson.
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
Thanks for everyone's input. You have given me much to think about.
I spoke with a friend who knows a great deal about hormones (of the female variety). She thinks the soy milk that I'm drinking (3 glasses a day) is the likely culprit. So, I am going to cut that out.
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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I've been having the rather similar problem. Mine has lasted for weeks. Arrrgghhhh I couldn't say what it is though. I was positive for Babs and treated. This is the first time this issue has occurred though.
-------------------- Toodles, Sal Posts: 195 | From Tampa, FL | Registered: Sep 2001
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Just find a good progesterone cream. You may need 40mg a day to balance things out at first, then you can adjust it to 20mg daily.
My daughter has had great results with it...much easier PMS symptoms.
timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
My friend who knows lots about hormones (she sees one of the top docs in the country) thinks I have progesterone dominance. She's going to check on it more, but that was her gut reaction. So, no progesterone creme for me.
The soy milk can cause your body to not absorb it's own estrogen, leading to progesterone dominance....
At least if I'm repeating what she told me correctly...
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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