Symptoms and Menstrual Cycle

I was wondering if any of the women on this site have noticed their symptoms get worse right before they start their period?  I had this happen the last two months and am going to see neuro tomorrow but would like to hear any relateable stories.

About a 4-5 days before I am supposed to start my cycle my temp. goes up to 99.4F and it makes all the symptoms I have like shaking, tremors, weakness, fatigue, mental fogginess get worse.  Last month I felt like I was gonna jump out of my skin, I can feel my pants on my legs and it bothers me, also any touching feels almost painful, like my nerves are all excited and uncomfortable.  I tried a Medrol dose pack last month and it did help by day 4 or so but don't want to ask for that again.  I have also tried ibuprofen with no relief.

Any comments or similarities please speak up!

Thanks for your help!
Kristin

[karzme]

I have never had bad periods. The one I had recently was like not there. Didn't last long and had no warning of it. I usually get cramps few days to a week before I start. So was surprised. I find that my periods come when they want to. I use to be able to know about when they'd come, but as I've gotten older they've changed.  Karina

[Quixotic1]

Hi, we haven't talked for a while either.  I'm glad your neuro visit is ?? tomorrow.  In the context of MS (you know I always say that)  MS is very sensitive to hormones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  See?  I have that button, too!

Many women complain that their MS symptoms, fatigue, weakness, pain, whatever are much worse jsut before and at their menses.  It turns out the MS is very responsive to ESTROGEN.  MS symptoms sometimes subside completely during pregnancy when the estrogen levels are highest and then return when the BIG E subsides after birth. The immune system also plays a role here.  In your menstrual cycle the estrogen hits rock bottom 4 to 5 days before your period.  

In fact, the link seemed so promising that a few years back there were come clinical trials to see of adding in estrogen might actually help treat MS.  I think they found it didn't really.  But, the hormonal connection is very definitely there.

You're right about the rise in body temp also triggering the symptoms.  It's basic heat intolerance.  I do not know the answer to this, but I can look it up.  Cycling your periods with BCP's used for the medical indication might regulate both the temp and the hormones.  

You don't have a diagnosis yet do you?  Did you ever get the MRI of the Brain with Contrast? (not to mention of the spine)  You are a walking, talking encyclopedia of MSish symptoms.  I wish I could remember all this - uh....Energizer Bunny Syndrome?

I would recommend (you're not trying to get pregnant are you?)  for now, cool the house, make some cooling garments.(at, vest, neck wrap)  Cool off a couple times a day in a cool/cold shower.  Talk to the neuro about this

Quix

[oncetri]

I too have the symptoms I experience become so much worse about a week before I get my period.  Funny, cause now that they took me off NuvaRing, I don't know when I get my period, except by the exacerbations in my symptoms (my period is no longer regular).

I spoke to both, a gynocologist and my neurologist about this.  I got very similar answers, except when it came to the hormones.  My nuerologist said that the doestrogen (something like that, the ingredient in NuvaRing) was actually exacerbating my symptoms, and took me off birth control entirely.  My gynocologist had said that a hormone is released during your period that causes inflammation throughout your system, and that could potentially be an issue with me (he was not specific to MS).  The gyn also said that I should ask about recommended treatment from an MS specialist about extreme abdominal cramping worsening with my periods, since this was not his expertise (the MS), and he wants to work with a specialist to find out how he should properly address this problem, but my appointment isn't until August 21st, so no answers yet.  I haven't been diagnosed with MS, or anything for that matter, but hope what I did find out gives you some relief in knowing you're not alone.

[Nanners123]

Sorry I mispelled your name!

[Nanners123]

It is so strange that you should bring this up. I was thinking about posting the exact same question. I have noticed that the Sx I experience get worse about a week before my period. I also am wondering if MS can mess with the cycle? I used to be exactly every 28 days like clock work, year after year after year (from the time I started at age 14)!!! About two years ago I began to have two periods every month about every 24 days. I asked the GYN about this, and he had no real answers and said it was not concerning to him. I asked him if it could be early menapause signs I am 41 and this began when I was 39 he did not think so, he said I could go to some specialist if it really bothered me but that it did not concern him. Needless to say I did not go to the specialist and told myself I was making too much of it, even though it does bother me. It seems to me that when someone is sooooo regular for all their life and then this, there should be some reason, however, when the docs don't seem to think it is anything to worry about, I retreat and deal as best I can. The last several cycles have been anwhere from every 24 to more recently every 31 days. This last cycle was 31 days and my fatigue, weakness, balance, muscle burning and cognitive difficulties were worse prior to.

Thanks for posting the question and I look forward to any comments on thoughts about my irregularity. Time to go to bed now, my head is literally spinning and I have to keep retyping everthing due to wrong letters. Goodnight all.

Nancy

[oncetri]

I am only 26 years old and just had a child in November.  I have been having problems with ob/gyns taking me seriously, because I had a horrible labor and delivery.  This ob/gyn is the first compassionate guy I've seen in this field.  He did all he could to help with my abdominal pain when I go to the bathroom, and about the menstruel cycle questions I have, and now said it's up to the neurological specialists, but he wants to be in the loop and work with them on treatment. (A response I liked, it was honest.)

I just started to notice irregular periods too, but noticed after my last visit with him.  He said to talk to an MS specialist and address this issue with my neurologist, since he believes it to be more a neurological problem than an obstetric or gynocological problem.  He told me to go the neurologist with specific time frames and a symptom scale for at least a month and a half (be sure it covered two periods and at least one ovulation).  I'm waiting for the second period before I might be able to get some answers.

[skarey]

This is weird.  I too was thinking the same thing last night.  I have noticed that the for my lst two mestrual cycles my symptoms get worst before.  Then after my cycle is over my symptoms greatly diminish.  During my last cycle is when I felt the weakness and severe muscle twitching.  I was so so so tired and couldn't function.  I haven't been dx'd with anything yet, but I find it very interesting that so many women are having this problem.    

[6-paq]

I have read on another ms forum about the increase of Sx around the menstral cycle.  It appears to be very common.

I have a deep hip pain that gets worse around that time.  I can usually tell the day I'll start since my hip is extremely sore in the morning when I wake up.  It is worse for about the first 3 nights and then lessens.  I've always figured it's arthritis since my sibling and mother have hip pain as well, but I'm not so sure.

As for irregular periods, mine are still pretty much regular.

Quix's explanation is great ~ I can now see why it's an issue for women.

I though I had read somewhere about a current trial of Copaxone and Estradiol going on, or they may be recruiting for it.

[floridamom2]

Thank you all so much for your posts and ideas!  I really appreciate being able to talk to people who are going through the same thing and try to problem solve.  

Quix, Thanks so much for the info!  Since my neuro visit was so bad this morning I have decided to call my GYN (per your idea) to get in and see if going back on BCP may help regulate some of these symptoms.  You are such a gift to this forum!

Have a nice night all!
Kristin

  

[Nanners123]

Thanks for your input and the tip to chart through two cycles. I have been pretty faithfully charting sx for the last several months. I am going to go back over my notes to see if a pattern seems to be appearing.

Back to the Tiger game let's hope that they can pull off a much needed win!!!

Nancy

[MedicGirl]

[MedicGirl]

I've had the two cycle a month issue since my MS symptoms started. I thought it was gyn related, so my gyno put me on Depo to stop the problem. ( she also said to take a kid's Flinstone vitamin every day to help increase my iron levels. they were low. she said the Flinstone's were easier on the stomach than regular iron tabs) The Depo still has not stopped my double/sometimes triple cycle's. My MS symptoms increase before my cycle's. I have to make my house colder, and even use ice packs to decrease my body temp. My temp will go up to 100-101. The gyno said my neuro will have to address the cycle issue. She said if the Depo hasen't stopped them, she can't without surgery.

[Mountain78]

I don't have MS (that I know of), but I had the same symptoms and it turned out to be a wheat/gluten allergy.  I would start shaking and trembling when my core body temperature went up...and the symptoms were worse 1 week before my period. I also had heart palpitations, muscle twitches, brain fog, and low exercise tolerance. Apparently if you're sensitive to wheat, it can really tear up your digestive tract ("Leaky Gut Syndrome") allowing undigested food particles to enter your blood stream and then you develop even more food sensitivities. I've been on a gluten/dairy free diet now for 6 months and my symptoms have almost all gone away. Besides doing an elimination diet, the best things that have helped me heal were eating home made bone broth every morning to heal and seal the lining of my digestive tract and then also taking 3/4 teaspoon of Green Pastures Fermented Cod Liver Oil for the vitamin D. A Probiotic supplement also helps.

You might want to look into the GAPS diet or books like "Wheat Belly," "Breaking the Vicious Cycle," and "The UltraWellness Solution."

Just wanted to post this in case anyone else googles their symptoms looking for answers and found this message board like I did. Hope this helps!

[Boysrulehere]

This is an interesting conversation between you all. For about 5 months now I am been have serve numbness tingling shooting pains in my body. I am now finding it is worse just before I start my period. I am had many many test. Two MRI and a spinal tsp. They say MS is not showing up on the test. Although I am following the symptoms. My neurologist is sending me to an endocrinologist. Which is taking a long time to even get an appointment. In the mean time I lay here I pain not able to take care of my kids. I am very frustrated and have list all hope not have a diagnoses or knowing what my future holds.

[KVirtue]

Yes, back, hip, and leg pain increase and my balance worsens. All of this goes on for anywhere from a week before to midway through my cycle. But I no longer have uterine cramps like most women since changing my diet to vegan, semi-raw food, dairy and gluten-free though.