Brief history: tried to donate blood about 2 years ago. Was iron deficient so dr. put me on iron. Didn't help the fatigue. Further testing showed possible uterine polyp. Surgery to remove polyp showed there wasn't one - just the growth of the lining. The antibiotics used in the surgery triggered what I now know was a monster herx which led my gyn to my Lyme diagnosis.

Went to a llmd and was on abx for 18 mos. Last test shows "no diagnosis" of Lyme so I'm off abx to see what happens.

My PMS is dealt with reasonably well. However, once the bleeding starts, Lyme is affected in a VERY significant way - life comes to a halt - no energy, severe brain fog, etc. Cycle varies - may only be 3 weeks between, may be 8. At age 47, dr. suspects menopause. Has done blood work to check that, thyroid, etc.

LLMD and GYN say there are pros and cons to surgery (hysterectomy).

It will mess you up even more and your hormones will be more of a mess because you will be in menopause for sure. There are many natural hormone replacement therapies available when you reach that point.

Remember I'm not a doc just a fellow lymie.

It's always possible your lyme isn't completely gone even though you have a negative test. Many on this board never tested positive for lyme and still have it.

I'd document lyme symptoms when they appear and if possible see another LLMD if your current one thinks your lyme free and refuses to treat because of a negative test. Have you been tested for co infections?

My theory is lyme messes up your hormones. I know from experience with all the endo problems I've had.

Currently, I'm in my eigth month of treatment and my endo very rarely is an issue.

Best of luck!

Was very anemic this past year due to heavy periods (it took awhile to figure out what was going on). In spite of lots of iron (195 mg elemental iron daily) my labs still went down.

Had a uterine ablation in Sept, in an effort to slow the blood loss. It was thought that I had a small fibroid (7 mm) but the doctor couldn't find it. She said I was just "very good" at making a uterine lining. (I'm wondering if lyme wasn't involved in all of this)

At any rate, since the ablation, my periods are negligible, and my iron levels are almost normal.

I still have fatigue (that is because I haven't started on antibiotics yet for the lyme--that should happen soon---)

Currently, I'm on a very low dose "hormone pill" that a pharmacist compounds for me, to help with PMS symptoms. It seems to be working (just been on it for one month).

Once my lyme is taken care of, I hope to go off that and see how I do.

How soon after your surgery did you herx?

1st, do NOT donate blood, tissue, or organs!
That's how I'm sure I was reinfected once or twice since the blood guidelines weren't geared to LYME/fibro.

I had a hysterectomy 10+ years ago leaving the ovaries. I had large polyps galore and endometriosis. PELVIC PAIN had been excruciating then and still IS today.

Wonderful not having periods any more since I was so sick each month; off work at least 1-2 days month for cramps/vomiting, huge blood clots, heavy bleeding, etc.

Just dx last yr. w/late stage LD; misdiagnosed 34 years.

This past 2 years I've been going thru menopause. Gone well except for the HOT flashed. NO HORMONES!

LLMD doesn't say I'm cured - just that the bands have disappeared enough that it doesn't meet the criteria for a diagnosis. I am NOT symptom free and she does not say that I'm cured - just that bands are fewer. Wants to see what happens with 3 months without abx.

As for surgery - ablation (spelling) is an option as would be full or partial hysterectomy.

HRT of any sort is probably not a good option for me - my body never has liked hormones (the pill, etc.) - does nasty things.

I'm trying progesterone cream on my wrist in the second half of my cycle. This is only the second month. It worked like a charm the first month. No PMS and a one day period. The cycle was 23 days. I'm not sure about long term effects but it is something I can use or not as my body seems to need it.

There is lots of stuff on the net about estrogen dominence at this time in our lives. It causes a lot of the symptoms you spoke of. I assume your gyn has ruled out other causes.