posted
I notice that around my monthly cycle my symptoms start to flare and I get REALLY sick, it lasts till about midway through my period.....
Is this normal? Does this happent o anyone else?
Thanks!
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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For me, it starts maybe 5 days before my period until a few days into my period. I get more dizzy and all my symptoms flare pretty badly. Pretty much just a big flare of all of my symptoms that I have... which are alot.
I hope with more treatmnent this will become less!
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Do watch for yeast flares too during this time.
I definitely have a flare, where most of my lyme symptoms get much worse, around my period!
It's like very amplified PMS! Ugh!
Most of it surrounds an increase in anxiety, pain, and fatigue, including impaired concentration.
I have the worst stage of endometriosis though, which I now believe, since being diagnosed with lyme, has alot to do with it.
I never thought about that though, until I was diagnosed with it, but some research has shown a connection.
I've actually had several surgeries already to remove my endometreosis, where the last one they took my right tube and ovary.
Every since then, I have alternating months, where one month I bleed very little and my symptoms become alot worse and the next I bleed alot and my symptoms aren't as worse.
Either way, it's still bad, way beyond normal, and I've never been able to figure that out either.
Anti-inflammatory drugs, although I can't take ibuprofen, because it upsets my stomach really bad, as well as supplements, such as prostaglandin inhihibitors, evening primrose oil, fish oil, and vitamin E do seem to help me some.
I just have to remember to take them, in order for them to work, but I also have a hard time affording them sometimes.
I think if I didn't take them though, even if I only take them when I can afford to, then I'd definitely feel much worse.
I get so tired, I feel like I've taken a major dose of sleep medicine, so I usually end up in bed just sleeping it off.
I have to take strong medicine for my pain also, because I'd be way too uncomfortable, otherwise, but it doesn't seem to affect my fatigue level in a negative way.
You may want to search for more information on the internet under dysmenorrhea, which is the techincal medical term for having bad periods, to see what other helpful advice you can find.
I don't know if I have what is called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or not, but there is medicine for that, which I'm considering trying.
I just need to ask my gynecologist about it, which I plan to do soon.
You might want to research it, then think about asking your gynecologist if you have that or not.
I think taking birth control pills and other hormones, especially if you find out your's are low, can help too.
I can't take the pill though, because it makes me way too emotional, so to say, and after trying several different kinds, I finally just gave up.
I just started taking testosterone cream though, which I know I don't have enough of, and plan to start taking some estrogen and progesterone too, since I know I don't have enough of them either.
Right now, I'm only trying taking one at a time though, so I can gauge whatever reaction I'm having to it, good or bad.
There's a hormone panel you can have ran, which tells you what hormones you're low in, instead of doing blood tests, which my doctors don't believe are very accurate, compared to it.
You might want to think about doing that also.
I think the one I had ran is by Genova Diagnostics, although there may be other companies who have hormone panel test kits too.
At least, if you do that, then you'll know which of your hormones are low and if any, can try taking them to raise your levels, just to see if it helps.
Having lyme disease certainly messes up alot of your hormones, so I think that, and the fact lyme doesn't like change, has a lot to do with making you feel alot worse than normal around your period.
I could be wrong about that though, but that's the best explanation I've ever been able to come up with, anyway.
I hope what I've shared with you helps you, in some way.
Good luck!
Love, Light, & Health, Jennie
-------------------- My Lyme dx:11/05. My Mom's Lyme dx:5/16. ISO ASAP-Lyme Literate Dr & Neurologist-Prefer IL, IN, KY, MO, OH, TN. Can travel farther. Finances limited. Prefer Drs take Medicare or Payments. Need great list to find best fit. Tyvm. Posts: 701 | From Owensboro, KY | Registered: Sep 2005
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Jennie- Wow, I guess hormonal fluctuations would mess with things alot... I also have endometriosis and have always been to scared to get the surgery. I have had VERY painful periods since I was 11 years old to the point of not being able to walk due to severe pain,... I would end up in the ER. Nothing ever seemed to work for the pain.
I also have a history of ovarian cysts which also hurt very much.
Ever since I became ill I have had abnormal Pap smears. I have to get paps every 3 months. I actually went for my SECOND cervical biopsy today (ouch!).... If it is still abnormal I have to get a Leep Procedure which I am pretty nervous about...
I wonder if all of this is related to The Lyme disease, or if it is just a coincidece???
Be well everyone and THANK YOU for all of the suggestions!!!
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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posted
I think this is normal. Before I got diagnosed with lyme, my symptoms - bad headaches and trigeminal neuralgia type facial pain would only happen right before my period came. Then, it started happening around ovulation as well. At first I thought it was migraines. But, then it happened all the time and just got worse at those times, hence, the lyme diagnosis. Hormones affect everything!
Julie
Posts: 581 | From CT | Registered: May 2008
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tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
Guess what! My paps are also abnormal since Lyme and have had to have 2 procedures and am now going to be checked every 4 mos. Theory is that the cervical lesions are caused by HPV (human papiloma virus) and our immune systems are so out of whack that we're having a difficult time fighting it just like EBV which is also a virus and whatever else we can't keep at bay. Very scared about this!
I also have flares for a week before my period until a few days in and then again when I ovulate. My cycle is every 25 days so it seems I'm often in a flare between my period and ovulating. Good times! My poor husband. My symptoms are increased PMS plus an increase of all Lyme symptoms.
Jennie,
About you having a bad period every other month, I believe you alternate which side you ovulate on every month so if you only have one ovary that would make sense. This is something I heard from a friend so I don't have the details or anything to support it. This info could be wrong but it would make sense in your case.
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I know these suggestions are super-lame in comparision to how painful it is......but don't let ANY caffeine (any chocolate, green tea, coke, etc) get in your system the days you are menstruating. It really helps. Caffeine causes muscle spasms.
I know it's hard because of how tired we get! Keep in mind, Midol has caffeine. When I stopped taking Midol, it helped. I take ibuprofen, but I take a lot (i heard from a doc it's okay, but please check with yours....I don't want to poison anyone.) Sometimes I'll take 4 pills at once, and I am small.
Yes, Lyme symptoms all get worse around your cycle, esp. during PMS time! I guess you can try birth control, but I prefer to ride it out because of the pill's side effects.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
anyone get worse during ovulation. Im really bad this month. Ovulation started at day 10.
Last month didnt seem so bad, but i was on the levaquin so maybe that was supressing an infection?
Pelvic pain, bladder pain, and the discharge feels like acid(i also have vulvodynia) It feels like that whole area is congested.
this month just seems really bad and im wondering if the levaquin was helping with this symptom.
What is it about ovulation that would make this happen?
The week before my period is usually good, but even that will vary some months.
my llmd said im different than most as the week before is usually the worst for many. She thinks my LH is rising during ovulation.
Gynos think pain with ovulation is normal...this sux.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
I often call it a "period herx." It happens to me quite frequently. Varying degrees, but always something.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
anyone get slight bleeding with ovulation?
this has just started again for me, might be why this month is more painful
Wish someone could figure this part of me out :-(
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I have had very painful periods my whole life. With Lyme everything can be worse.
I think the Lyme affects our hormonal balance. I took Seasonale for a while - you only get your period 4 times a year. I gained alot of weight on it.
I stopped using it & tried bio-identical hormones. I decided to stop for a while to see if they were really helping. They helped at first but it doesn't seem to be doing much now.
I heard the tests are pretty inaccurate for hormone levels. I posted a thread awhile back on natural remedies for hormone balance. I just don't think popping a pill is always the best thing to do.
I have extreme cramps so I have to take at least 1 Vicodin a day throughout.
I don't notice that my Lyme symptoms go through cycles. My Lyme symptoms are pretty consistent throughout the month.
There are several very good herbal remedies for hormone balance. I'm going to start taking them instead of the bio-identical creams. The creams are expensive & I'm not sure how well they are working.
It may be a good idea to look into Xenoestrogens. They are in plastics & people may have high levels of them. This may be a cause for menstrual issues, bad cramps, etc.
I think the Lyme definitely wacks out your hormone balance.
You really do have to be careful of long term effects of birth control pills. The newer kinds aren't always studied for very long & may cause health problems later.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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Rianna
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11038
posted
My herx now seems to cycle with my period, I get really bad for a week to 10 days afterwards.
disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
quote:Originally posted by cantgiveupyet: anyone get slight bleeding with ovulation?
slight bleeding is normal with ovulation for any woman.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
I also have flares around my period. It seems to have gotten better - so that not EVERY cycle I have a flare, but I still do once in a while and it does get really bad.
The flares I have around my period are terrible and quite scary. My cramps are 100 times worse, I have so much more lightheadedness and wooziness, I feel more out of it, having derealization, etc. I also get the constant feeling like I'm going to lose consciousness most of the day, which is definitely the worst part. I also get hot flashes and chills almost at the same exact time. I have increased urination, etc.
The days I have been to the ER or have wanted to go because my symptoms are so bad have been the days I am on my period, usually the FIRST day.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
Here are some things that have helped me with this issue.
Magnesium supplementation, as tolerated (helps relax muscles and chocolate cravings. Chocolate has magnesium in it)
Chromium Picolinate 200mcg (helps with chocolate and carbohydrate cravings)
Evening primrose oil 500mg weeks 1&2, 1000mg weeks 3&4. (per Dr. Cristiane Northrup's book. Day 1 is the start of your menses)
Progesterone starting at day 12 of cycle through to start of menses (helps cover ovulation symptoms: weepiness, pain and insomnia)
Rhodiola Rosea weeks 3&4 (I use Enzymatic Therapy's brand. Helps tremendously with energy and cramps.)
Hope this helps someone, Karen
Posts: 1687 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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My poor husband. My symptoms are increased PMS plus an increase of all Lyme symptoms.
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