Triggers during monthly cycle???

[ruostentatious]

I wanted to see if I was the only one!!! But I've noticed that my GM flares up more than normal right before and during my monthly cycle... I always have a chronic draining wound, but it heals over with a thin layer of tissue and recently I've noticed right before my cycle that it fills up (with a large amount of fluid) and bursts through leaving a deep hole/tract that takes over a week to heal. Inbetween cycles, it fills with fluid, but not as much and it will sparatically drain through a smaller hole (more pin sized compared to a small dime before my cycle) which obviously heals over faster.

I thought I read somewhere while doing internet research that some thought GM had something to do with hormonal changes?

I'd also like to note that I have a pretty regular cycle. No children. And as of last June not been on birth control (that's when I started noticing a regular monthly cycle and the changes in my GM). Prior to that I had always been on birth control, most recently an IUD (Mirena - which uses hormones) and was using that contraceptive when I got GM - my flare ups were MUCH more constant (2-3X weekly to the extent they are now when PMS or a cycle starts), and come to think of the past, I'm positive they started having more time inbetween when I stopped using an IUD.

Just wanted to see if anyone else had experienced this at all??? And if so, what birth control (if any) you're using or were on? I see my doctor on the 14th or somewhere around there and am DEFINITELY bringing this up with her!!!

[Red11483]

I know I tend to have more pain and flare ups during my cycle. I take ortho tricyclen lo for birth control but my rheumatologist is recommending me get an iud due to the meds I am taking to ensure I don't become pregnant but I am hesitant. Do they think the iud might have made you worse?

[ruostentatious]

don't know yet... Have a doctors appointment in a couple weeks to discuss it - they want me to retry methotrexate but want me on a birth control to do so...

[Red11483]

I have been on the pills for years in order to keep my cycle regulated but my rheumatologist wants me to get an iud while I am on the methotrexate. I am seriously thinking about it and discussing it with my doc. You said they are considering putting you on methotrexate again. How was you experience with it before?

[JoJo45]

being on birth control was one of the early considerations of a cause for GM amongst the medical community - I am not sure if it has been completely ruled out

I have not been on oral birth control for years

I did used to notice flares during my monthly cycle

I am now perimenopausal - pretty much menopausal and I find my breasts less active, which I think it due to the change in hormones (I am 46)

Jo

[Mum2006]

Hello everybody,
        I was thinking of asking this GM flare during periods since long but just missed it :) I'm glad someone did:) ... Yeah for me it has been a cyclic flare up atleast for the past 3 mths ..just had another abscess burst open 3 days ago. I've noticed that a small abscess forms somewhere close to my earlier incision or earlier abscess and forms a small head and then bursts open in the night or so. I just clean it up and do the dressing at home itself untill I see the Surgeon. This process starts just 8-10 before my periods. Right now I have another tender lump developing but does not look like an abscess to me.
       I've never been on any birth control and delivered in June 2006. Had a wide excision surgery for the lump done in Oct 2010. No steroids yet. Though my breast specialist has recommended to go on Prednisone 40-60 mgs for 2 weeks. I'm very scared of the steroids and just wanted to give it some time to see if it heals on its own. I think as off now I'm just gonna handle these monthly abscesses and draining if they don't burst open on thier own :). Meanwhile I've just made changes in my diet.
      i also have severe joint pain and will see a Rheumatologist this week.

[ruostentatious]

My experience with methotrexate before was "decent" haha I started taking it while weaning off Predisone, the side effects were there, but nowhere as bad as Prednisone... I have other issues though from the long term antibiotics so I'm honestly probably not the best opinion to go by!

This cycle I really paid attention; started getting real tender about a week ago and just started the cycle today (already burst on Saturday)... and it's still draining somewhat...