GIRLS.....Opinion | Arthritis Information

Girls,

Do you notice any correlation between your menstrual cycle and flares?

I really dug my head in the sand (It didn't go away!!!) and I didn't keep any records before now, so don't know if it matters or not.

Phatgirl2

I can't be sure, because I am usually on prednisone which
messes with my cycle big time. My joints usually feel slightly
better, but then I have cramps, so it's just trading one pain for
another!

Great, like I need something else to screw up my cycle

Phatgirl2

My cycle hasn't ever really been on a "normal" schedule. As far as we can tell, that's because of the RA. Mostly the fatigue part - even if I'm not in a full flare, but I'm fatigued, it seems to interfere with my cycle. Basically, my GY says that I'm just hyper sensative to any kind of stress or lack of sleep. Which happens often with the fatigue of RA. So I would say probably yes...but it will vary from person to person. For example - I'm kind of baby-flaring right now, but I'm mostly just EXHAUSTED and it's making me late. Pretty typical though. I should have started middle of last week, but I've been so out of it the past 3 weeks, I may not even get it this month. I just won't ovulate when I'm too stressed or tired. It used to really worry me, until my mom finally took me to someone. We talked about my history and stuff, and she was pretty confident that I was just sensative. My tests always came back completely normal, so there really was no other explination. My cousin is the same way with stress, as was my grandmother.
I get a flare when it comes. It hurts like crazy with the cramps, and the swelling. I never feel like going anywhere but in my bed with the electric blanket! My cycles are always messed up.I can never tell when they are comming, while all my friends know to the hour when they will be getting theirs!I always get really bad cramps which leads to less sleep.. This leads to
feeling cruddy all over. I don't know how much is RA or just life...

BeckyMy period and cycles have never been the same since starting on MTX. My RD told me they used to give it to people to abort ectopic pregnancies. I have been off it since June and I am now having a cycle every 3 months. We'll see............

Menstrual cycle? What's that?

Ahhhh. There are actually benefits to being old!

Sorry. couldn't resist.

Phatgirl2

I am on the pill so I dont really get PMS...no problems with that and this.You should see how I act when some silly young woman at work asks me if I have any Tampax in my purse. Too funny. I'm so evil.

Before I went on oral contraceptives, I had terrible flare-ups along with the usual PMS symptoms. A scheduled, monthly flare-up seemed like a horrible joke, so I was glad there was something to help. Indeed, "The Pill" has helped immensely. It was actually prescribed to help with an anemia issue that came along with the Still's. That, too, subsided.

Just a note...

Some women may only know oral contraceptives to be "The Pill" that made 50% of those prescribed experience nausea, mood swings or weight gain. However, birth control pills aren't the high dosages of hormones they used to be; the levels of hormones are much more controlled and refined now. They might be an option not previously considered because of those infamous predecessors.

Hi Sara G,

How are you doing?

I liked your answer. I still keep them in my purse. Course when asked asked if I have one, I smile to myself and say...'One day sweeties, you will know what it is to be free'. The good thing about not having a menstrual cycle is all the toilet tissue I don't have to use anymore. I am putting the extra cash I save, from not having to buy all that TP and the cost of the plumbers visit, in a cash box for the cruise of my life. I think that's a great trade off.

Why in the holy heck do you carry Tampax around? Do you make sure they're date stamped?

I flare evry time I get my period as well as when I ovulate. It stinks! I just ty to accommodate this by not planning too many activities during this time. I can't go on the pill because it causes too many side effects for me. I just take advil on top of the celebrex to help with the cramps as I also have polycystic ovaries.[QUOTE=Sara G]

I'm good, Toni. How are you?

Why in the holy heck do you carry Tampax around? Do you make sure they're date stamped?

[/QUOTE]

Not to bad. Had a little scare about my health but we (doctors and myself) are working on it. How is everything going with you?

There not for me. I keep them in my purse for my girls, when we are out together. After a month, I remove them and add fresh ones. I keep them wrapped and in a plastic sandwich bag, to make sure they stay usable. I wonder what else I can use them for? They absorb just about everything

Take care of yourself Sara. Stop by the board, when you have the time.

Hmmm I have never noticed this. I'll have to be more observant. I really don't get flares much anymore, just a tiny bit of stiffness, nothing that slows me down, and being tired. But even this is rare. I'll watch to see if there is a connection next time.

waddles you can use them for nose bleeds?