Topic: Ladies - how do you get through your period??
btmb03
Unregistered
posted
Honestly, before I became ill I never missed a day of work bc of my period - never even bothered me. Now I'm teary, cranky, SO fatigued I skip the shower, my fibro pain is thru the roof.
How do you guys cope? I've tried the pill thing - tried several of them to stop my period but I felt worse. I don't think I do well on synthetic hormones.
Any input greatly appreciated, I can't imagine suffering this way year after year!! Thanks!
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bettyg
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posted
bt, have you thought about a hysterectomy?
i too was as sick as you and would be off work 1-2 days/month due to vomiting and severe cramps.
was nice to be done w/my period and human again; my ovaries were left.
posted
I really like the Mirena IUD. Haven't had a period in 15 months. It has localized hormones so it doesn't mess with the rest of your body. It's really worth looking at.
And it's way cheaper over 5 years than taking the pills every month. AND if you're like me, I always forgot, or was worried about it being less effective on antibiotics. Don't have to worry about that anymore.
Posts: 236 | From Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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btmb03
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posted
I've never thought of an IUD helping with this problem so thx for your input. The monthly misery added to already waxing/waning hormones is just too much for me!!
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Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Hi,
So sorry. My big thing is that my anxiety increases during my period. I do get cramps and stuff, it's the mental stuff that kills me.
Before you jump into Mirena, please research it. There are MANY women on Curezone who have had a horrible time on it, it cause lots of anxiety/panic attacks.
I've never tried any pills or anything as I got sick before as I became sick before I was sexually active and then after getting sick I was too afraid to try anything that may make me worse!!
I don't know if this would help. I know that it helps with too much bleeding, but thermal ablation is what it is called. I really don't know much about it and if it would help you, but something to ask your doctor. You cannot have it performed though if you are not finished having children.
I was ready to do the thermal ablation last summer, but due to an irregularity in the bloodwork, I was referred to a hematologist before my GYN could proceed.
It was too hard scheduling appts, so I never got around to it. I saw my LLMD 1st.
I'm glad it was sidetracked, though. Now, my LLMD is managing it. I am taking an herbal homeopathic supplement, which seemed to help initially.
I had two "good periods" (for the first time in 10 years)and then the next month, the mack truck came and ran me over!
Now I have just been prescribed "natural progesterone", which he feels should help regulate me better.
Talk to your LLMD. My hormones have been all screwed up by years of lyme disease, plain and simple.
Feel free to PM me for details.
Carly
Posts: 797 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2008
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btmb03
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posted
Ocean, Carly, don't worry, I research *everything* before i even see the doc. I'd never heard about thermal ablation..
Unfortunately my LLMD doesn't deal with these issues (lucky duck Carly) but when this never-ending cycle ends (periods are getting wacky) I might try a naturopath..or at least start with hormonal testing.
This stuff drains me so much I barely have energy to have a shower let alone chase all these [important] treatments. Thx a lot for your input!!
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Starfall1969
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Member # 17353
posted
When I was first married, I got the Depo shot.
I never thought I had trouble with my periods or with being emotional or anything before that.
But when I went on Depo, my emotions just leveled out so wonderfully.
It didn't kill my emotions, but I found that I wasn't as nervous or easily upset over things anymore.
ANd it ended my period until I went off it.
So that's an option.
I would just caution you if you want to get pregnant again.
I miscarried my first pregnancy, and I still suspect it had to do with the Depo.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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I can empathize with you. I believe that my troubles will lessen dramatically with lyme treatment.
Good luck.
Posts: 797 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2008
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
Magnesium really helps with this. It helps with anxiety, irritability, sleep and energy.
I also use Rhodiola Rosea. It helps with cramps and energy. Initially I took it 2 weeks before. Made a huge difference for me.
Lastly, as someone mentioned before, progesterone. It helps with anxiety. And gives a sense of well being.
Best, Karen
Posts: 1686 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Join us on www.lymefriends.com. You can't have too much support; lots of us are there as well. It is a social networking site and you'll find lots of support there.
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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posted
Mirena IUD is fabulous. I can function again. Had it nearly 5 years, almost time to replace it.
Posts: 79 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2008
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btmb03
Unregistered
posted
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'm definitely going to talk with my PCP about several options - doctors vary so much in their approach about these issues..on top of Lyme, I don't know what he'll say but I want to give *something* a try or I'll go crazy every month!!
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posted
I sympathize with you. I hate that time of the month. Actually, for me it starts about a week to two weeks before. And lately my cycle is so unpredictable - 26-35 days!
In fact, waiting on it now and feel like I could kill someone I get awful mood swings and really fatigued. Sometimes awful cramps, sometimes not.
Not knowing what to expect each month is driving me crazy. You just can't plan anything.
Synthetic hormones made me a lot worse if you can believe that.
My current game plan is to try to increase calcium/magnesium and B complex vitamins during the second half of my cycle while taking fish oil daily.
I have heard I should give this protocol a few months to kick in.
Posts: 581 | From CT | Registered: May 2008
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btmb03
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posted
Opus, hope you find some relief with your supplements. I'm on each and everyone you mention and it has made NO difference to me but it does help some women.
Yes, synthetic hormones and I just don't mix. Will post again to let everyone what my doc suggested.
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typos or mis-spelling as i am in that hormal zone right now myself
-------------------- i am not a Dr. any info is only for education, suggestion or to think/research. please do not mis-intuprest as diagnostic or prescriptive, only trying to help. **
dx in 08:lyme, rmsf, bart, babs, and m.pneumonia. Posts: 422 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2008
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I don't know if this relates to your situation or not, but when I was on amoxicillin, each period was more horrible than the last.
Every month my cycle shortened, my bleeding was heavier, the pain worse. I can't speak to psych stuff, because I was so altered all the time anyway it's hard to sort out.
Plus, I was beside myself with pain and nausea. I do remember being on the floor in the bathroom and losing it at my partner for not coming home. I called her hysterically at the library.
I was vomiting from the pain, and I was on heavy-duty pain meds, too.
Anyway, when I went off amoxi, all that went away.
When I went on bicillin, my period got a little screwy, but nowhere near what it was like on amoxi. And it has mostly been normalizing over time now, even on bicillin.
So I wonder if changing your treatment might make a difference?
-Sharon
Posts: 223 | From Western Mass. | Registered: Nov 2008
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I get awful mood swings and really fatigued. Sometimes awful cramps, sometimes not. 
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