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Does anyone else notice that they have flare ups before/during their periods? Is this normal? What can be done about it or what helps?
Oh man, so glad I am not the only one. I flare a week before mine every month but not sure how to stop it. Will love to hear if anyone has a solution.
You both may be interested to read this article from our main site on hormones and chronic disease by David Brownstein, M.D. Lynnie
https://www.roadback.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=education.display&display_id=121Be well! Lynnie
Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)I think you won’t be surprised to learn that a lot of women experience what you’re experiencing. I feel a very strong connection between hormone imbalances and chronic diseases. By no way am I implying they are the only source but, I certainly think they contribute to the problem. It is like clockwork for me–1 week prior to my period, I have a flare with my SD symptoms–even notice my skin tightening in the areas still affected by SD. I always had more water retention/swelling issues, as well as bad mood swings, even prior to being sick for years. I can tell you that what’s taken the edge off of the severity of my flares is balancing my hormones out with bio-identical hormones. In addition to the progesterone and testosterone creams, I also supplement with DHEA, which I was found to be deficient in from the very beginning.
So, you are not alone. My LLMD is considered a hormone specialist, and believes strongly in the connection between chronic disease and hormone deficiencies (among other deficiencies). One of the first things he did was have my saliva and urine tested, and we found I was in the negatives with my progesterone and testosterone, which by the way, were low but still considered in the “normal” range with blood tests.
Maria
T,
Welcome to RBF! Just go to the right of my message, by my avatar, and there’s a PM that you can click on to send me a private message. I’m available most of today to talk as well, if that’s easier, and I’ll include my contact info in my response.
Best Regards,
Maria
Hi Maria:
That’s the problem, I don’t see the icon to send you a private message. Perhaps you can send me a PM and I’ll be able to respond. Don’t know why it’s not there…
Thanks,
TThanks Lynnie, somehow I missed this article before…
Hmmm, I must be an exception to David Brownstein’s theory – although I did have some hormonal inbalances they were more on the higher than lower side and related to PCOS (so they thought). My DHEAs was in high ranges (above normal). my testosterone and all other hormones were always normal. Since I started my treatment protocol, which included AP and vitamins, changes in diet, probiotics, systemic enzymes etc. my hormones levelled and are in perfect ranges, DHEA is now in very normal ranges. My thyroid hormones were always normal. My human growth hormone is VERY high but one hormone which went down and it’s strange especially that thye were considering I had PCOS is testesterone – it’s very low… My periods have totally regularised (were OK even before but now are even better) and most importantly I never have any pains/cramps assossiated with them any longer – I barely notice when they come. NO flare ups either but I never had any… It’s true my Raynaud’s still persists but periods have surely regularised. So it seems to be thrue that therapeutic regimen actually does work and it’s even possible that improvement of hormonal levels (in my case from high to lower though) may be the first sign of my improvement. I fidg evening primrose oil very helpful as well as the krill oil! Possibly, also antioxidants.
Hi Maria:
Yes, I got your PM, but I can’t respond to it. Apparently, I have to use the board for a while for me to be authorized to use the PM feature.
Would you be willing to give me your personal contact info in another PM so I can contact you? I have questions about my condition and doctors in the area.
Thanks,
TT – just make sure you have checked the boxes re PM’s in your User Control settings (click above left to access). Should not be a problem. BTW, PM’s stay in your outbox until recipients picks up. Lynnie
Be well! Lynnie
Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)I experience the same thing and asked my hormone nurse practitioner. She said it’s a result of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins induce inflammation and cramping and (I believe) are used to induce labor. I believe their levels rise before and during our cycles. NAISDs work by suppressing prostaglandins. Read more about it here:
Funny that someone posted this because a couple of weeks ago I plotted my flares against my cycle. They didn’t align perfectly, but there appeared a high degree of correlation.
Pattyrod – thanks for the post on prostaglandins. That explained quite a bit for me since my flares did not track well with the estrogen/progesterone cycle but were almost always within a day or so before of the onset of menstration. Did the nurse practitioner give any advise on how to combat this effect? I have a hard time with NSAIDs causing ulcers and GI bleeding.
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