OK I started a new thread. Does anyone else find more cardiac stuff during/around their period?
What is the connection if there is any? Thanks! Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
There is an association with menses and lyme. Read this congressional testimony for more info. It is very interesting. http://www.lymeinfo.net/part7.html
Terry
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Very interesting, Terry - brainfog also worse during my cycle so am not able to take it all in.
I get the basic part about cytokine IL1, etc. eliciting an immune response...perhaps I haven't read far enough, is there a specific part about lyme, menses and the heart?
Posted by 1Bitten2XShy (Member # 12280) on :
My LLMD feels there is, and hence has me pulse my abx the week before and the week during.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Has pulsing helped?? Why would the abx make it worse? Herx?
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
terry, i tried to read that, and those nos. on left hand side ... wow, i could not handle that at all; lost my concentration on every line...uffda
Posted by foggyfroggy (Member # 14707) on :
btmb03,
A few years back I had a bunch of testing done at a cardiac center and the doctor ask me specifically if I did have more PVC's at that time and commented that it was very common. Having to do somehow with hormones he thought.
It definitely is true for me, starts about a week before my period and lasts through the first day. Pretty annoying!
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
thx froggyfroggy, I guess with our messed-up hormones anything's possible!
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
Yes, this is true. So much so, that I am going to wait to start my next round of meds until I get my visitor. Last month, I started them during the PMS phase and it was really awful.
Posted by 1Bitten2XShy (Member # 12280) on :
The reason mine has me pulse the week before and the week of, is he feels in woman (obviously) the Lyme comes out to play more during that time.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Interesting..pulsing the abx during the time of the month..probably easier on the body. Good luck opus during your next cycle..
Let's see..I've started a "heart club", now a "monthly-visitor club"?? Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :
Magnesium deficiency causes heart irregularities.
Lyme depletes Mg.
Loss of Blood would lower serum Mg.
Maybe more Mg is what is needed.
Can't hurt to up it a little.
Dan
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
YES.
I usually always do worse near my period, more symptoms, feeling badly, etc., and sometimes more palps and heart symptoms. But I've always had heart issues due to this disease.
And unfortunately, supplementing magnesium has NOT helped my heart issues. I know that for some it can be helpful, but it hasn't been for me. Not when even beta blockers sometimes have trouble keeping my heart from racing too fast and having palpitations...
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Count me in! Brain fog, hearty palps and muscle twitches always worse on my cycle.
Lauren
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Dan, disturbedme - thx for your input. Upping the Mg *might* help but to date it really hasn't done much for me either.
I'm sorry for all your heart probs disturbedme, believe me sometimes I feel they're at the *root* of this illness.
Any suggestions how to get my hemoglobin up (it's low)? Iron pills don't seem to help??
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
I meant heart palps, lol!
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
lymielauren, welcome to the club. I have read your posts with great interest and know you've come a long way (though I know you want to get better and better)..I can't function at all during my cycle, has it gotten better with tx?
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I always make sure to take iron supps during my period... I also take them while not on my period, but am ALWAYS sure to take them while on my period since we're actually losing blood at that time.
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
I used to have HORRIBLE cramps during my period and heart palps...that was before I discovered that my magnesium was low....I had to do IV mag, IM mag, and took 6 MagTAbSrs a day....I learned from a very prominent physician who studies mag depletions that the Fluconazole I took really stripped my body of the mag (which was already low)....Anyway, since supplementing, my heart no longer flutters and my cramps are much less severe....
Also, if you're in the "sicker" part of your disease state, I think your hormones are off....perhaps attributing to the heart palps and severe cramps.....
ThermaCare heatpouches have saved me as well!!!
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Thx for your input Bugg and disturbedme - wow, that's a lot of Mag but I suppose it's bypassing the gut, allowing more if it where it's needed.
Glad it helped..will keep that in mind once I'm up to seeing a naturopath.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
ha ha 'hearty palps'...lauren is that like having a 'hearty appetite'?? Not laughing AT you, WITH you...I do that too..all the time!! Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
Magnesium hasn't helped me much with the heart palps but a few things have.
I've found Vitamin E to help that fluttery feeling - you know, when it's not really racing but it's so uncomfortable.(The ducks just love it when I try to explain that feeling)
I also try to eat dinner no later than 5pm. i find that if i eat later at night, especially during PMS time, my heart really doesn't like it.
I don't know what the connection is, but there is one for me.
And, drink extra water. I think our bodies require more water during this time and not enough water can lead to more heart palps.
Thanks for the good luck wishes. I am just waiting patiently so I can start my new round of meds!
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Opus - never tried Vit E, never knew it might help with heart fluttering (I can relate to what you say about the strange looks we get from the docs). Will definitely try that.
There are so many people on this board to remember each and every one's protocol, opus will you keep us informed of how you're doing once you start your new meds? Good luck to you too..!! Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Btm,
I have to say that I'll take a hearty appetite over hearty palps any day!
I have made quite a bit of progress over the last several months, and I've also had my fair share of setbacks.
During the setbacks I think it's so important to stay focused and remember that it's likely only temporary...but believe me, I know it's much easier said than done.
I do still have the typical flairs around my period but every month they seem to be shorter and easier in duration.
I take omega 3's and also 400 mg turmeric caps a day - both fight inflammation and I think those two simple things have helped me tremendously, especially around my cycle.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Yeah Disturbed is right on...watch out for iron depletion. Keep an eye on the ferritin level.
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Good points - I just had some labs done and let's see where my ferritin is - I tend to skip the iron pills many times.
Lauren, never thought of turmeric - doesn't it make your stomach burn and where is the best place to order it from? Newbies like me are easily discouraged so appreciate your input/support and here's to heartier meals and fewer palps!!
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I also take Vitex (AKA Chasteberry) from when I ovulate up to my period and during my period. It helps with a bunch of female issues. It has really helped with my menstrual cramps. Sometimes I have HORRIBLE cramps, that I'd have to take Ibuprofen at all times of the day and night to help and even then didn't and I would sometimes have to take more than I should of Ibuprofen... This has helped alleviate the cramps big time.
Here's some of the things it can help with:
Female infertility
PMS, especially breast tenderness, cramping, and headaches
Acne, especially if it is related to the menstrual cycle
Fibrocystic breast disease
Heavy menstruation
Menopausal symptoms
But if you take with BC - it can interfere with that... just like abx interferes with BC...
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Ash, after reading that list I'm definately going to have to try the Chasteberry. I have the same problem - unbearable cramps and I also tend to overload on the ibuprofen.
Btm, I'm not sure about the stomach thing, I'll have to look into that. So far so good for me. I bought mine at my local herb shop, so I don't know where to get it online.
Lauren
Posted by Jenny in MI (Member # 17225) on :
I am feeling great now after 5 months of minocycline, BUT... when my period comes, I get muscle and joint pain and pain in my eardrums. Maybe the duplication (every 28 days) cycle of the spirochetes synchs to your body's monthly cycle?? Maybe that is the time the spiros are getting hit with the ABX in your system? What do you think?
Posted by Jenny in MI (Member # 17225) on :
PS - I am STILL getting iron infusions even though I have considered myself cured since last November. Have you had your iron checked? Also, make sure you eat lots of yogurt. I take atelonol for the fast heart rate. Hope you feel better!!! It takes time anbd sticking with a good LLMD. =)
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Cured since last Nov?? CONGRATS!! I didn't realize you *could* do iron infusions. My ferritin was on the low side of normal but I don't know what this month's is. Thx for your feedback..and enjoy feeling better!!
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
So to recap:
-pulse abx -Mg -lots of it! -iron -Thermacare heat pouches -Vit E -Omega 3 -turmeric -Vitex -chasteberry
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[lol]](graemlins/lol.gif)
![[lick]](graemlins/facelick.gif)
and fewer palps!!