Women - menstrual impact of fibro?
m.e. - Aug 29th, 2009 5:49 PM
[ Original Post ]

Hi Ladies, Many thanks as always for your help. You know more about this than 99% of all doctors and have given me hope with this new lifeline. I am 44, soon to be 45. I was diagnosed with fibro almost 2 years ago. Was tested for menopause last year and was told that was not an issue based on hormone test results. In another thread on this site I shared comments on a non-stop headache for over 8 days. It was brutal--there at bedtime and still there in the morning. I have had 2 periods this month (period just went away with this last one--I TRULY thanked God). Does fibro impact period frequency, and how is it linked to hormones and/or menopause? Any thoughts or comments? Grateful for your helpful information, m.e.

Comment


 

pfiinch - Aug 30th, 2009 12:46 PM

Hello I am new to the forum and Thankful to HAve found this.
Now to your question.
It would make total since.When your body is going though the menstral your body is working with your brain and confusing it into the state that it just doesn't know what is going on
The thing about this desease or illness is that wiht our nervous system the communication gets all off kill.So I would advise you to keep a record of All your cycles and see if you ate,drank or smoked anything.You know your body better than any Dr. will ever.
I will tell you after two years of MY battleing this illness we are always going to come across new symptons or some you didn't notice until they became worse.Hang in there and here are some things I do.
REST, NOT TO MUCH IF YOU REST TOO MUCH YOU WILL LET FIBRO TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE.
EXCERSISE WHEN YOU FEEL GOOD (NOT TO MUCH)
FRUITS AND VEGATABLES OF BETTER QUATNITIES THAN NORMAL.
A.M I TAKE 30 MG. CYMBALTA ,1 20MG OR 30 Mg PAIN MED
75MGS LYRICA.
EAT LIGHT IN A.M HAVE A DECENT LUNCH TRY REPLACING LUNCH FOOD TO YOUR NORMAL DINNER.FRUIT AND VEGGIE AT LUNCH AND DINNER TAKE A WALK.
THIS WILL HELP FROM ANY WEIGHT GAIN (HOPEFULLY)
MAININLY DO NOT GIVE INTO THIS ILLNES.DO AS MUCH AS NORMAL ACTIVITY AS YOU CAN NEVER OVER OR UNDER DUE YOUR ACTIVITIES.IF YOU DO YOU WILL BECOME A PRISONER IN YOUR OWN BODY.
THIS IS LONG SO I WILL GO OUT AND COME BACK IN
MAIN THING NEVER GIVE IN AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THERE IS SO MUCH SUPPORT AT THIS BOARD AND DO IT FOR YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES IT HAS TAKEN ME 2 YRS OF HELLLLLL OF SUBDUING MY FIBRO.LOTS OF LOVE AND #1 PRAY AND HAVE FAITH IN GOD AND LAUGH AS MUCH AS POSSIABLE PATTI F.


m.e. - Aug 30th, 2009 6:50 PM

Thank you SO much pfinch. Your comments were so helpful, and I know they took some time for you--thank you....all very helpful information. I tried Lyrica and did not like it. I have Cymbalta, but put off taking it due to fear of side effects and/or possible liver damage. Any comments there? I may have to give in & take it. Do you take both Cymbalta & Lyrica? and how does that work for you? You sound like you have a good handle on this icky situation and worked hard to get there. I hope you stay in such a positive place. Thank you again and best of luck to you! Mary Ellen (m.e.)




bbass - Aug 31st, 2009 12:05 AM

Hello M.E.
I am almost 35, so am not yet going through menopause. I know for myself and also this site says that not only do we have messed up central nervous system, also are hormones malfunction too. I have had very bad pms for years, I have taken many supplements to help. Almost all fibros have adrenal fatigue, adrenals are tied into female hormones, and thyroid etc. Recently I have started the cymbalta...I was afraid of the side effects too. I have been on it for 2 months and feel so much better, this cycle, even though it was early came with only one very bad day. A few half bad days, but wow what an improvement. Usually two bad weeks and painful cycle, this time seemed like a breeze in comparison. Last week I was camping, sleeping in a tent and hiked three days. I felt sore, but not the miserable I can't ever walk on these feet or use these hips ever again. It was wonderful, and I was so much more relaxed. So far, I am liking cymbalta. I take 30 mg a day. Hope that helps


m.e. - Aug 31st, 2009 6:07 AM

Thank you BBass. I am glad Cymbalta has helped you so much, and you are feeling so much better. I am getting closer to trying it. Thanks for the assistance. m.e.


toots2889 - Aug 31st, 2009 1:24 PM

M.E- I was on Lyrica for over a year before I had the doc switch me to cymbalta. I had talked to many on here about how I felt on the Lyrica and many suggested switching to cymbalta. Im so glad I did. It made a world of difference for me. Ive been on it now for about a year and theres no way im coming off. Ive had hardly any side effects and with the Lyrica -I had many. I take 30mg in morning and 30mg at bedtime. I hope i was of some help to you and i hope you decide to get on something. If you delay getting on something to help with the fibro your symptoms will only get worse and harder to get under control later. Good luck to you and keep us updated.


m.e. - Aug 31st, 2009 7:29 PM

Bbass, Toots2889, pfinch -I broke down and took the first Cymbalta (had the filled prescription in my medicine cabinet since December of last year). I trust what you all say and hope it brings me even halfway back to who I used to be. I already take 200mg. neurontin, but my neck started to hurt less half-way through the day (I am very sensitive to meds). So here's hoping. I could only explain this condition to non-fibros as feeling as if you got hit by an 18 wheeler. I sure hope the side effects and weird obsessive/a little angry feeling I have after taking it this first time go away. Hopefully no sexual side effects--that's the worst! This was my last resort as I switched primary care doc and rheumatologist at the same time and can't get in to either 'til end of September. Thanks again for being such a blessing! You take much isolation with this condition away. m.e.