um, I'm wondering if anyone knows if there are any connections between Lyme & frequent menses.
I've had three so far, that are literally two weeks apart complete with sx flare ups. besides being frequent and annoying, they're pretty normal. I did have some discomfort while having that whole GB thing checked out. While I will definitely be following up w/ my gyno, I'd really appreciate some insight or any thoughts you could share.
I have been reading about cerical & uterine cancers possibly causing this.
-------------------- -Kimmi Just keep swimming! Posts: 251 | From East Greenville pa, usa | Registered: Jun 2005
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livinlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3773
posted
I'm not going into my horribly long history of menstral problems..
but to answer your questions "frequent" was part of the problem. Being put on hormone therapy did not help ,,it made mine more frequent and I bled for 7 weeks straight once..( they said so long as my iron level wasn't depleted I would be fine) endometriosis was the later result of this problem and a uterine ablation was done as a last resort to avoid a hysterectomy 3 years ago and has bought me some time from the dibilatating, extremely heavy, painful periods, although they are beginning to increase again...
I am hopeful that I will enter into menapause before I have to face a hysterectomy... I am 44 but my mother went thru the change at age 41 so I am still hoping ... hope this helps Linda
-------------------- "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it." Posts: 1389 | From who knows, who cares, but somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
I never had that problem but I have read that it can be a sign of hypothyroid problems. Maybe get thyroid testing, don't forget to get the Hashimoto's ANA test, normally they just run the TSH and thyroid panel but Hashimoto's will not show up on those test. And we know how the lyme affects the hormone function
Also if you are anemic, thin blood, you will bleed more.
Posts: 315 | From USA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
livinlyme , It sounds like you've gone through quite a bit with this kind of stuff alone! well, they are only lasting five days so far. so that's good. and I'm 29 so I don't think menopause would be a factor...but who knows? If your mom went through it at fourty one, hopefully some relief will be coming your way soon.
littlesprout ,
I had my thyroid checked when I was seen at the er for palpitaions... I think, two months ago. it checked out then, but it WAS two months ago.. Could I ask to have these tests run since my nurse comes once a week to draw blood anyway?
Lyme Ed , Well, hopefully I can get to the bottom of it with my gyno.
Thank you all for your replies!
-------------------- -Kimmi Just keep swimming! Posts: 251 | From East Greenville pa, usa | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
My periods are insane also. All over the place, irregular, heavy bleeding, annovulatory, endometriosis, pain as well as very low progesterone. I am on natural progesterone and that has helped a little.
My rudimentary understanding is that the severe inflammation that accompanies LD interfers with the hypothalamus/pituitary function which in turn affects hormone levels which = crazy periods. I am trying to control my inflammation and is seems to be helping my periods.
posted
Interesting topic... I've been wondering the same thing myself.
I've had lyme almost all of my life - I believe I was infected at age 3 - am now 42.
Anyway, I had endometriosis that required surgery at the age of 25. I've always had very heavy periods and painful cramp
Almost all my life, I would only get my period every 38 days (yes 38) - but it would last for about 9 days. (except for one time as a teen I had it for over a month!)
Lately though, like in the last year - I've been getting it every 20-21 days, and it lasts about 5-7 days...
and I don't like it Posts: 416 | From Southeastern PA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Kimmi - I have monthly draws from my home care nurse (aren't we special) The home care comp helps me out, I can call the nurse Supervisor (used to be my home care nurse with another comp) and say I want "this test" done and she helps me out, maybe you could talk to someone to see if they would help you out (kinda of go around the doc, but use his name and send the result to him, and you a copy)
Also, I would get a copy of the thyroid test that was ran 2 months to see if they ran the ANA Hashimoto's test. If they didn't, you also could call the lab get the test code for that test and write it on the lab in the box form at the time of the next draw. Just a way to work the system alittle. Posts: 315 | From USA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Artnsoul, thanks for your post! I've always been pretty regular, every 28 days, five days long etc. evry so often really bad cramps though. the only time it was weird during that time was when I came off of the dep shot- three weeks long, had a break then a few more weeks straight of it. I'm guessing it's a strong possibilty it's the Lyme. I'll feel better once I get it checked out, I hope.
Little sprout, thanks again for your post! I'm going to talk to my nurse and see what she says. I'm sure if there's any test I'd like to do she'll okay it for me. We'll see. not to sound ignorant, but what would I be looking for in the Hashimoto? take care,
-------------------- -Kimmi Just keep swimming! Posts: 251 | From East Greenville pa, usa | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Kimmi_K_75: hello ladies,
um, I'm wondering if anyone knows if there are any connections between Lyme & frequent menses.
Absolutely! I've had terrible female problems, including fibroid tumors, endometriosis, and periods every two weeks, which lasted for two weeks. Oh joy!
had a hysterectomy at age 39.... I blame it all on Lyme.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Traditional Chinese medicine states that the menses is a way for the body (especially the liver) to detoxify/dump toxins. I've had numerous jaw debridements and have more frequent cycles (and sx flares) immediately following my surgeries as those dental/Lyme/heavy metal toxins are released. I'd still have it checked out with your ob/gyn, but it could be as benign as your body just trying to clean itself out.
Also, I think some posters here have also noticed symptom flares during a full moon. Again, TCM states that the liver can't detoxify as well during the full moon (due to the magnetic pull from the moon on our bodies), therefore we see an increase in symptoms. I know I have. Interesting stuff.
Posts: 50 | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by paige1: Also, I think some posters here have also noticed symptom flares during a full moon. Again, TCM states that the liver can't detoxify as well during the full moon (due to the magnetic pull from the moon on our bodies), therefore we see an increase in symptoms. I know I have. Interesting stuff.
I always get worse during the week of a full moon - I thought it was really strange then I heard others say the same thing...
My LLMD says that there really is something to this - I jokingly tell my family it's the werewolf coming out in me! (or is it the "lymewolf"!?!)
Whatever it is, it's an ugly beast! Just nasty the way I feel...
and if I happen to have my period at the same time - whoa... it is HORRIBLE.
Posts: 416 | From Southeastern PA | Registered: Sep 2003
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Linda LD
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6663
posted
Dr. hj in NYC told me my heavy stuff was due to babs.
He is treating my family--he says we can get it in six months.
I hope it isn't early menopause.
L
Posts: 1171 | From Knoxville, TN US | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
WOW!! Thank you all so much for your replies! I wasn't feeling too well, but am trying to get a move on today. I have alot of catching up to do!
Heather , Thanks for the reply! Has your period alway been that way, or just since you've been infected?
Henson , Thank you for your reply! Your exactly right about just assuming it's the Lyme. Not that I don't believe it doesn't have any thing to do with it, it would just be better to have it checked out as a seperate issue. when I was pregnant with my son, my obg/gyn discoved mild dysplasia (sp?) during a colnoscopy (sp?) and cells which were pre-cancerous. I was supposed to keep an eye on it, Unfortunately I was also going through a lot at that time and you know how that goes... But, like you had mentioned it could be something simple like polyps.
Paige , Provided that this issue is connected to Lyme/tx, I believe that. Now if I were doing lots of other things to detox, then everything would be moving smoothly, so to speak. But, in the past month, I have been doing less and less in order for my body to detox. I was taking epson salt baths at least once a week, and even they have been less frequent. in other words.. the bad stuff has to get out some way. It is a strange coincidence that when I started to slack off on the detoxing, my problems started. While it may or may not be a main factor for this, It could definitely be contributing.. interesting stuff. Full moon... I'll have to take note when the next one comes.. pretty cool.
Artnsoul , Thanks again for your reply! Lymewolf...lol...THAT is AWESOME! halloween costume maybe??
Linda , Thanks for your reply! Well, luckily it's been pretty normal. I think I would have seen my obg if it had gotten real heavy, or heavy at all. Good luck with your doc!
Lymetoo , Thanks again for your reply! Whoa, two weeks off huh? I guess that was party time! How long were you going through all of that? was it at least spread out over the course of a few years? Now I remember you saying that you've had Lyme your whole life ( am I right?), so I'm assuming that Lyme was the route cause of your problems?
Thank you all once again for your replies, I will be sure to keep you posted on the outcome of my dr's visit. I think for now, I'm going to keep the Lyme thing to myself when I go. Like I had said previously, Untill she rules everything else out I am going to treat this as a seperate issue for now. It will be very interesting to see what the outcome is.
Take care,
-------------------- -Kimmi Just keep swimming! Posts: 251 | From East Greenville pa, usa | Registered: Jun 2005
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