Menstrual Cycle and Symptoms

Hi everyone,

This question will be directed toward my lady friends. I have noticed an upswing in symptoms a couple of weeks before and about 3 days into my period. The most noticeable of these symptoms are: extreme fatigue, dizziness, balance issues, nerve tingling and pain, insomnia, and a feeling of weakness (especially in my legs). I had to lay down for a few minutes this morning after making my bed and gathering 3 pieces of clothing to put in the laundry basket. I felt like I had run a marathon and kept stumbling. Most of the morning I have been holding onto things if standing and have felt much more secure and comfortable sitting over anything else. Are these normal period symptoms or can menstrual cycle phases cause little autoimmune flare-ups?

My next question is general balance issues and muscle fatigue in the mornings. It is worse on my period, however, it happens almost every morning. I stumble, have to grab onto things, and generally feel unwell each morning. It does go away after awhile, but sometimes only to be replaced my muscle and joint pain, just without the balance problems. Is this something I should mention to my primary care doctor?

Last I have been noticing that while sitting trying to study (I am a 25 year old college student), I have been experiencing episodes of fatigue and dizziness that are occurring together. Each time I have checked my heart rate (I have some issues with arrhythmias), but each time it has been fine. What else could be possibly causing this?

Thanks!

[JenniferW]

Hi Brooklyne

I certainly notice that variations in my cycle affect my autoimmune condition and yes PMT causes a flare up.

However I am not at all sure that the balance problems are something to dismiss as just part of a flare up, I definitely think you should talk to your primary care doctor about them. They could be related to something different.

Best Wishes

Jennifer

[Hidden in reply to JenniferW]

Hi Jennifer, thanks for your reply! Truthfully, I am not sure if they are true “balance” problems or if I my muscles are just so stiff and fatigued I’m stumbling and grabbing things. Still, it feels very odd and very uncomfortable.

[Simbob]

Hi Brooklyne,

Sorry to hear that- I have lupus and I flare everytime my period comes around. I've spoken to my rheumatology consultants who have advised flaring can be related to hormones.

They only thing they can suggest is hormone free contraceptives. I've tried one out of three so far which didn't suit very well and has made me a tad reluctant to try the others.

I would definitely raise all of the above with your healthcare teams and hopefully they can help.

All the best 💜

[Riselikeaphoenix_123]

Hiya, I used to suffer from the same symptoms and I used to feel dizzy etc with prolonged periods of a week and then having them every 14 days gradually getting worse from 25 years old. I was put on 3 iron tablets a day , which then causes other problems as you can imagine. I eventually had no choice but to have a full abdominal hysterectomy at age 35 years old ,(as they had tried everything else),to have a better way of life. Luckily I had children. It did improve my life in that respect but I didn't know that I had Lupus, so it triggered other symptoms of Lupus which made me have more pain in my body and all the symptoms of Menopause and magnified as my body was boosted into clinical menopause. I hope that you get the right help and can enjoy your life now. I hope that helps.

[tiredmum]

hi there, I can fully sympathise with you.

I always used to flare at ovulation time and a couple of days before my period. I was so bad that I would end up flat out on the settee every time. It was my partner who noticed the pattern. I told my rheumatologist about it . I couldn’t take the pill as I have anti phospholipid syndrome too. However I was put on mycophenolate mofetil and boy did that do the trick.

As for the dizziness I was put on betahistine tablets, they helped a bit but not enough. I was l then prescribed procholperazine as well. They were fantastic. I still get the odd dizzy spell but I am no longer falling over or grabbing onto things to brace myself.

Speak to your gp or rheumy nurse. You can have a better life. Good luck x