I think I'm recently over lyme but still observing and not sure. I thought that when I got over it, my daily postmenopausal light bleeding would stop but it has not.
I'm aware that lyme causes hormone imbalances. Anyone know of the mechanism that would cause this and, of course, how to stop it?
I'm seeing an acupuncturist/ naturopath and I'm aware of progesterone treatment but if there's a natural option without hormones, I'd like to consider it.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Your L.Ac. / N.D. should know about the natural options that would work best for you.
But, as you have to go outside of their office to ask, it sort of shakes my confidence that they are up to speed -- unless maybe you've not had a recent appointment / discussion with them.
If they are all they should be, it's best to have them select the plan for you as it needs to be tailored to your specific variables & they will have the science education behind the plan.
If they are not all they should be:
In the meantime, here's a ND who is well known around the country from her lectures, writings, etc. Her focus is on women's health.
She is not what we would call a LL ND and does not treat lyme, yet I know (from person experience) that she is very well informed about lyme.
As she's not too far from you (she is in Portland, OR, she may well know the best NDs - and even the LL NDs - in your area if you are not quite confident in your current one, just call her office and inquire).
But, if at all possible, it's best if the ND who treats you is LL, as there are just so many unique ways that lyme / tick borne disease interferes. Even if you are "over" lyme (Yippee!) there may be some factors here that a LL ND might best understand.
Good luck finding the solutions to your puzzles. While light bleeding is not all that uncommon for any woman (lyme or not) in early years of menopause, you might find more detail about it in her articles or blog posts / in her book.
[ 10-29-2017, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
lymenotlite,
So good to hear you are kicking Lyme to the curb.
Keebler, You must be reading my mind.
I had a hot flash last night that rocked my world. I WAS sleeping then WHAM. It took me 1/2 hour to calm down. Thought I was having a heart attack.
I took my gel cold pack out of freezer and brought it in bed with me.
Just checked out this lady's link you posted. Wow, she is one smart cookie. Already have ways to tackle this ! Gonna read everything she has posted.
Thank you so much for your dedication to lymenet and for helping others. Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Bonnie,
Thanks for your kind words & I do hope all this helps. This is my educational process, too.
While I have some different issues and puzzles to solve, I always learn why searching, too. And it helps my brain to recall & organize what I might have previously studied to share.
While you sort out the literature / product choices / experts near you:
Cold socks, too, Bonnie. Lightly dampen some socks and stick them in the freezer for a half hour before putting on as you lie down. Will help bring the heat down from your head / body.
Cold packs on the body can actually increase heat in that part of the body after the ice melts, so to speak - as it increases circulation & is a shock to the system.
But if you can "focus the attention" & support circulation in the soles of the feet, that seems to help more sometimes.
Maybe some lightly cooled clothes on your body to help the skin cool would be less intense than ice packs that increase circulation under the ice packs.
Do not get the cold to a shocking point as that will be like a boomerang to your body regulating hormones.
Be sure your nightwear / sheets are all cotton, no synthetics.
Avoid petrochemicals in any body care products as that can trap in heat, too. -
[ 10-29-2017, 02:44 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by lymenotlite (Member # 33166) on :
Thanks to you both. Coincidentally my lyme doctor recommended Tori Hudson for the issue so maybe this is the big message in the sky.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- My few personal experiences with her / her office have been absolutely excellent. Her lectures are a delight. If there is anyway you could see her, that would be grand. Still, it's a long drive for you.
But, she is a teacher in the best sense and may well have mentored an ND right in your own back yard.
An exam with a good gynecologist would be important to be sure of / rule out any structural issues or other related matters that they would be best to assess or further explore. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- If you do think of driving to Portland, keep in mind that since the fires destroyed so many thousands of acres in the Gorge right up next to I-84, as the rains start to come landslides onto the interstate would not be a surprise for many months to come. -
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
I made an appointment with my obgyn.
She knows I have Lyme, changes the subject when I tell her it disrupts every function in the human body.
She prescriped anti-depressive. Said recent studies show off -label use for hot flashes are very promising. She also mentioned meditation. Told her I have concentration issues.
Took 1 of the med she prescriped, had an out of body experience and then a nightmare that night.
Threw them in the garbage.
I also take black cohosh but I think I'm immune to them at this point. Hot flashes do go away but then come back with a vengeance.
My next life I'm coming back as a man or a cat. 😻
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Just want to share my experience for what it is worth.
I went through menopause but still had light (very light) monthly bleeding when I had lyme. My gyn kept wanting to do various tests on my uterus because of this bleeding. I wouldn't agree to it because it came regularly every month, just very light.
I got lousy lyme treatment the first 2 years. Then, I switched to a Burrascano type doctor. Right away, I came out of "menopause." My ovaries returned to normal size, and I started producing estrogen, etc. again and having normal periods again.
So, I was in a false menopause for 7 years and on hormone replacement for 7 years because my ovaries completely stopped making estrogen due to lyme disease. But, when I got good lyme treatment, it all went away and I was premenopausal again.
So, the message is that lyme can induce a false menopause with light bleeding, or a false menopause with no bleeding at all.
( I know a girl who stopped having periods completely at age 35, but good lyme treatment brought her periods back. When she stopped treating lyme so she could return to alcoholism, her periods again stopped.)
Good lyme treatment can get everything back to normal again. Lousy lyme treatment may not touch the problem.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)