Hormones?

[joyful mommy]

When I think carefully about my ms relapses, I can tie each one to a recent "hormonal event", such as an abnormal menstrual cycle (unusually heavy, really early). Anyone else experience this? Dr says it's a coincidence.

[SNOOPY]

Hello joyful mommy,

Your doctor is wrong, it's not a coincident. It's also not a true relapse (exacerbation, attack, flare-up). It can be considered a pseudo-exacerbation. Hormonal fluctuations (ovulation, menses) can cause a temporary increase of symptoms.

This is seen not only in MS but other conditions as well. Those who have migraines will usually see an increase in migraines and seizure activity due to hormonal fluctuations.

10-10-2011 11:49 AMjoyful mommy
10-10-2011 11:49 AMjoyful mommy

[joyful mommy]

So I'm not crazy for thinking this?!? Hooray. It gives me a little peace of mind to know this!

[MS Diva]

My neuro said that it's normal to have symptoms flare up during ovulation/menses. And boy do they! It's like having an alarm when hormones fluctuate. I get left-sided facial numbness.

[joyful mommy]

I am considering going back on the pill...after 10+ years off. Way back when it gave me migraines, but I have been told it's come a long way in 10 years. My hormones are wreaking havoc with me and my ms symptoms lately...terrible unpredictable periods= increased buzzing and vibrations= increased anxiety= increased buzzing and vibrations...you get the idea.

[MS Diva]

Oh, I get the idea EXACTLY like you seem to! (Sorry!) The phrase "I guess it could be worse" is used alot during that time....

[futurmil2b]

SO GLAD TO SEE THIS POST

Oh man...I AM SOOOOO GLAD TO SEE THIS POST.

I am 51 years young and going through peri-meno... no hot flashes but everything else... muscle aches, muscle tension 24/7, foggy thinking at times, muscle tightness especially neck/shoulders/abdomen/chest area at times.

It gets worst around cycle time - two weeks prior and the closer it gets, the worst... WHAT A VICIOUS CYCLE. I take a low dose Ativan.. I HATE depending on it.. but I tell ya, this is more than a notion... The Ativan helps just a wee bit but I refuse to increase my dose.

At this point, not sure what to do. My Neuro put me on Baclofen - I tried it once.. I took it at night 1/2 10mg pill woke up VERY drowsy. I will stick with Flexeril if I need a muscle relaxant. I don't think a muscle relaxant is the answer.

I need something to calm down these nerves and hormones.. I really don't think I will have a problem with ms if it wasn't for these hormone fluctuation...ITS AWFUL.

Reading the post from other ladies, lets me know I am not alone... makes me feel a wee bit better.

Some days I feel, I am not going to make it.. but when I read what others are going through, I feel I am going to be A-OK

Ms. Jay

[lemstar]

My first episode of MS was when I was 24. Then, after reaching menopause, at age 53, I had my second flare, which led to my definitive diagnosis.
We know that during the third trimester of pregnancy, that MS symptoms improve.
We know hormones play a role, at least for some of us. UCLA is doing studies on Estriol (an estrogen derivative) for MS.
I once said to my MS specialist that I think MS is caused by different things for different people (venous insufficency, hormones, vitamin D levels, stress, autoimmune attacks), with a similar end result. He agreed with me.

[MSW1963]

lemstar, your history sounds very similar to my own.

In my 20s I started w/hives of all things effecting my face/eyes and body (not a good look), chronic UTIs and Optic Neuritis w/blindness in rt eye, always within a week to 10 days before my cycle, for a 5yr period of active cognitive sx's to top things off.

The 5yrs of active sx's ended with a dx of catamenial epilepsy=hormone elipesy. I carried that dx around with doc rolling their eyes at me. The epelipsy foundation had tons of info on catamenial epilepsy, they mailed out tons of info to me. Then the dx fell out of fashion? and the Epilepsy Foundation site no longer has any mention of it.

In my early 40s I started with a 3yr exacerbation that eventually led to my dx. I can no longer work, I can still work a pair of high heal pumps, I just can't always remember or want to for that matter, that I really need to give them up. My wobbly feet make it harder to walk bare foot, but heals seem to work ok, go figure. Incontinence of both varieies have set in full time along with fatigue from .. well enough complaining.

My current neuro kind of mumbles something affermative about the connection with my early MS and my cycle, but not very forthcoming with info in that regard. But I know this body pretty well and despite other docs claiming coincidence, I know better.

[MSW1963]

Thought I'd mention my female gyn has some pretty interesting insight into what is taught in medical school that if not exactly factually accurate or what women would agree with anecdotally /sp? (sorry but spell check is not working for me today!)