Symptoms during menstrual cycle

[OllieO]

To all you ladies out there I have this question.  Do you have more symptoms during your menstrual cycle?  I seem to notice a bit more numbness and find myself dropping things during this time.  I wonder if it is because my body temperature seems higher at that time.  I was just wondering since I have been dropping things all day!  Have a great 4th everyone!

OllieO

[lalyhe]

Hi JennieO -

I'm 44 and can definitely relate to what you are saying.  It seems to be the only time during the month that I have to take a day off!!  I'm still working a full time job and travel about 45 minutes each way, which makes it difficult when symptoms are exascerbated (tingling in the feet/legs, legs like tree trunks, blurry vision, etc.)  I have also noticed that "cramping" seems to be unbearable at times, which makes it difficult to fall asleep at night.  Are you experiencing these same issues?  Please let me know.  Thanks!!

[Ahmy]

I was just wondering if anyone could help me. I'm so depressed and exhausted with research on what is wrong with me. Last month I was on my period for a month straight which caused a lot of fatigue and tiredness. Right about the same time as my period had just began, I went to gymnastics (I was on my college team), and the next morning I had fever, chills, and muscles spasms/ pain.... but not like a normal workout soreness, I promise. Six months prior, I did VERY light leg exercises, VERY VERY light. The next day, I couldn't walk. My legs were stuck in a tensed up bent position and I wasn't able to walk or straighten my legs for a week. Back to present times, I stopped my period about a week and a half ago, and have been taking iron for the large amount of blood loss. I started feeling much better, but on the 20th... 3 days ago, I started experiencing numbness down the entire left side of my face, neck, and sometimes chest, arms, and hands. It's all mainly on the left side, but I feel like this morning my right side of my face is becoming numb too. I've experienced a little nausea, and a lot of dizziness. My husband and I just moved and he thinks I might have pushed my self too much and pinched a nerve. I don't feel like I did. It doesn't make sense with my other symptoms. I went to a chiropractor yesterday, but I don't feel any different. I feel the exact same, if not worse today. I had two glasses of wine on the 19th, and I thought maybe that that effected me, because I never ever ever drink and maybe my body is not used to it, but after three days, it still persists. I've been on Lexapro for anxiety, and I've read that anxiety can cause numbing. I've also been on Orthotricyclin low. I have no idea what is going on. Someone please let me know if they have any clue or related symptoms.

[twist330]

Yep although I have no Dx yet I posted about 2 months ago a similar question as for about 3 Days a month I am virtually  useless with all my symptoms feeling so much worse. Her is my original post.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/I-want-to-stop-my-Menstrual-Cycle-is-it-possible/show/1367680?personal_page_id=1122871#post_6246247

I really haven't got very far with this as although I have meantion it, the Dr is trying to sort out one thing at a time. We obviously haven't got very far.

[JemmAus]

Absolutely my cycle contributes to my symptoms. AND my MS nurse said most women she knows have a flare when their period starts.

ROLL ON MENOPAUSE!!!!!!!!!!!

[jean_619]

For at least the 3 days before my period starts, I get a lot of pain in my upper legs.  I have no idea if this is just a basic PMS symptom, or if it is brought on by a combination of PMS and MS.  

I've had this problem for the last 5 years or so.  I was diagnosed with MS a year ago, but they estimate I've had it for at least the last 5 years.  But perhaps the timing of this upper leg pain is a coincidence.  

Anyone have that kind of symptom?

[jenl633]

I'm no longer on that birth control bc of the risk of osteoperosis (which runs in my family) so after 5 yrs, I stopped taking it and I'm now on Tysabri. But, I'm also on different bc where I don't get my period. Sooooo......I don't know if bc I did the birthcontrol in the begining of my dx to stop it, or if I was just lucky. Good luck!!
Jen :)

[jenl633]

I DEFINATLY noticed my flare ups ONLY happened a week before my period. NONE of the tradtional treatments worked for me@ I talked it over with my dr and and he agreed to me going on a birth control that made me not have my period. That was about 7 months after my diagnosis and 10 months after my 1st symptom 8 years ago. *knock on wood* I haven't had a flare up since. The 1st yr was AWEFUL for me and wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.

[JENNIEO]

I was just searching for PMS and MS and found this string.... because I am definitely seeing that I feel worse the week prior to my period.  I have much more nerve pain, including sciatica like pain.  I used to think that it was because I tend to get a very strong nesting desire which results in me overdoing it physically.  But the last 3 or 4 months I can say that I haven't really had the energy to nest - but the hip/back pain is still like clockwork!  Something is definitely getting fired up for this week-prior....AND periods which used to only last 3 days tops have been much longer (the whole 7 days) and consist of lots of what I would consider extreme bleeding.  I'm 46 and was hoping that I'd go from 3 day periods to NONE - but doesn't look that way!

Anyone else get the sciatica-like pain (periforma, if I spelled it correctly) pain pre-menstrually?

Jen
dxd 8/4,copaxone

[jensequitur]

Hey, Ollie!  I'm a weird one.  Sometimes the week right before my period is a good time for me - lots of energy, I'm thinking more clearly, have less symptoms.  Sometimes it's worse!  I'm on birth control pills, so my hormone level is regulated.

[OllieO]

Thanks Quix.  Your information is very helpful.  It helps to connect some of the dots and possibly explain some strange things!

[Quixotic1]

Hi, I am also welcoming you to the forum.  I hope you enjoy being here, we have a lot of great people!

From what I have read there is no doubt that the sex hormones play a role in the symptomatic ups and downs of MS.  There is also a question whether any can also be used in the actual treatment of the disease itself.

That said I will answer your question directly.  A person with MS may have a baseline of symptoms which vary some depending on the circumstances.  One of those circumstances in the menstrual cycle with its ups and downs of estrogen.  Certainly, just before the period and during it, many, if not most, women with MS state that their level of symptoms increases.  This also includes wide swings in moods whcih can be seen both in MS of both sexes and in women with their cycles.

Quix

[OllieO]

Thanks for your comment.  Sorry you are undiagnosed.  What type of symptoms are you having?  Have you only had symptoms for 3.5 months?  I have noticed problems for a few years, but have never been able to connect the dots.  It all makes a little more sense now although I am afraid that they won't find anything and it will just get worse.  I had an MRI done a couple of years ago for headaches and I am sure my primary would have told me if he had seen lesions!  Hope you feel better soon!

OllieO

[OllieO]

Thanks for your comment.  I have started feeling really bad during my period in the last couple of years and have been spacey and clumsy.  I always blamed it on my period, but now I have noticed that I have problems when I am overheated in general.  It is nice to know there is a reason, but I guess I can't do anything about it!  You mention that you are undiagnosed.  Have you had testing done?  I am going to the neuro on Wednesday unless I wimp out and cancel.  I hate that MS can be a difficult disease to diagnose.  There seem to be so many people with awful symptoms who are undiagnosed.

Hope you had a nice 4th!

[wonko]

I am also undiagnosed, but whatever is wrong with me, it does act up.  I've been symptomatic for about 3.5 months straight, and during each cycle I notice a worsening.  In particular, the feelings of heaviness get much stronger.  I almost feel pinned to the furniture, like gravity is stronger around me.  I'll level out again afterwards.  I've always had notable PMS, and if I have any illness around then, it always makes it worse!

What lucky ladies we are, eh?

Take care

[floridamom2]

Here is one small article but there are lots of studies that question whether there is a relationship of sex hormones and MS exacerbations.  I think that the doctors are linking them but do not have enough data yet to make a true correlation.  One article I read said 42% of women's exacerbations started during the premenstrual or luteal phase of their cycle.  Very interesting stuff.  I at one time last year tried birth control pills thinking that it would prevent the symptom increase but after 4 months I noticed very little if any difference.
Here is the link:
http://www.devic.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=845&sid=23fed194e9c8d4848fb60ed383e05e26

[floridamom2]

Hi there!

I don't think we have met - nice to meet you!  I am undiagnosed but my symptoms are definitely worse just prior to and during my cycle.  I noticed that when my temp rose to 99.4 F my vibration in my body got stronger and made the tremor, weakness and vision worse.  There are articles on this that I found when it first started happening to me last year.  I will see what I can find and send you a link or two.

Have a nice night!
Kristin  

[wingnut19]

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