Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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wisconsinteacher 02/18/2012

There is one thing in life that really aggravates my MS each month.................PMS. I think I may have mentioned here before that I take medication to manage PMS. Aside from that, I have had to take time off work this week because my MS has been so irritated by the PMS. My family took one look at me when I got home yesterday, and started running around in unison trying to be helpful. If I wasn't feeling so bad, I might have giggled at their attentiveness, but I was in bad shape.

When my MS is irritated, I feel as though a spike has been driven through my skull among other things. Sorry to be so graphic, but this is the type of pain I experience with MS. I will be turning 47 soon. My husband posed a question that made me wonder. Will it be easier after menopause? Will not having the PMS each month help? Just wondering. I don't know what to expect, but I hope not having this each month might help some. It has been a ball and chain all my life and now makes the MS almost unbearable each month. Thanks.

deleted_user 02/18/2012

I have this prob too- & my weekly shot of Avonex can even make it 100X worse too. I definitely get the "spike in the head" (2 Advils & a sinus/allergy pill does help somewhat, by the way), plus an overall body ache with nausea like I instantly came down with the worst flu ever & then the fatigue sets in. Any of these symptoms or all of them can last anywhere from several hours to days. Sometimes I can sleep thru these symptoms, but most of the time, I'm laying in bed miserable & wishing for death just for some relief. I've often wondered myself if menopause will help, but, basically, just hoping that it doesn't make anything worse, ya know!?!

wisconsinteacher 02/18/2012

Thanks.......I get the body aches, fatigue, and have noticed the nausea, too, it's the several day version this time. I took my temperature the other day just to be sure, but this is a repeated pattern at the same time each month. I also get insomnia a few days before. I'm literally climbing the walls and wishing to die by the time my little friend arrives. What a curse. I noticed there isn't much that helps the "spike". I will check into something a bit stronger....I usually take IBPro. Just resting did not help at all this time, which is very frustrating. My husband had a good thought, so maybe getting older will help.

marilyn4342 02/18/2012

My MS symptoms were always bad when my friend arrived. Now that I have gone through menopause, my symptoms are fairly mild. I believe they will get better. Hang in there!

wisconsinteacher 02/18/2012

Thanks Marilyn. I was hoping to hear some hope.

deb727 02/18/2012

I have read that women with any autoimmune disease are more likely to have early menopause. I am 45, and haven't had a period in well over a year, so I was (in my opinion) lucky enough to get it early. I do believe my MS symptoms are better than when I had periods, but that could be due to the Tysabri as well. All I know is I'm grateful that I no longer have periods. Best wishes to you!!

wisconsinteacher 02/19/2012

Thanks Deb. I did not know that about autoimmune disorders, but in certainly makes sense. My doctors keep asking if I am having hot flashes or anything. There doesn't seem a consistent pattern with this yet. It sounds like it would be best if that happened sooner rather than later for me. I noticed early in my MS diagnosis that any flare-ups I was having were being triggered at that time of month. It really has been a cycle of one problem feeding the other and each making the other worse. Thanks you for the input, It is unfamiliar territory for me and it is reassuring to here some positives.

wisconsinteacher 02/19/2012

If I'm not having menopause or senior moments, it must be an MS moment. That's a lot of moments. I meant "hear" for here.

deleted_user 02/19/2012

I have the same problem. I get scary chest pains as well just before my period (on top of increased MS symptoms). I keep thinking to check into bio identical hormones, but there are some other health stuff that I need to do first. I posted a similar question maybe a year ago, and it seemed that some ladies with MS improved after menopause while other got worse.
All the best to you

deleted_user 02/19/2012

I guess I should be really thankful I had a hysterectomy at 25

wisconsinteacher 02/19/2012

Thanks for your responses! This has been very helpful, and has given me a better idea of where this is all headed. Bio identical hormones sounds interesting. My mom and older sister seem fine, both seemed to just go the natural route, but they aren't dealing with the MS on top of it all. I certainly hope for the best, it's hard to imagine it being worse than it is now. Thanks again.

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