I believe this has been asked before, but since I am currently in a lot of pain, curled up with a blanket and about to take a Percoset, I thought I would see if any other women experience this.
I have small and large fiber PN, probable CMT type 2. I have a fair amount of daily pain, worse at night, steps feel like Mount Everest. I take 1800 mg gabapentin, and a low dose of oxycodone if I have a lot to do, a long car ride (which is very painful as I am 6'2" and my legs are really long) or serious breakthrough pain. The muscle fasciculations are becoming more constant, and I have Valium for those, but it doesn't help much so I don't usually take it.
When I have my period and for a day or two before the pain in my legs goes through the roof. Like I have tears in my eyes. It is definitely nerve pain, but it goes from the hips down, and my legs feel like they weigh a ton.
I have had this problem for as long as I can remember, but as the PN pain has worsened so has this connection. I can barely function for several days each month.
Does anyone else experience this and does it possibly improve after menopause? I am 49, so would like to have something to look forward to.

I attended a pain conference 2 springs ago...that had papers on estrogen changes and pain...mostly headache pain.

This paper puts into understandable language...What Dr. Zubieta did in his studies and shared with us that day.

http://www.sfn.org/index.aspx?pagename=news_102404d

I recall that one suggestion for migraine sufferers was for females who had migraines just before their periods, would use an estrogen patch for 7-10 days, to block the sudden fall of estrogen. This seemed to work, and it is still in an experimental area/phase.

So yes, your pain may have an endocrine component. It seems the change in estrogen levels is the trigger. (rapid fall in levels).

This is complicated stuff, and give yourself time to read that article. You may need to read it more than once.

I'd recommend magnesium supplements or lotion for your fasics. It can help tremendously. Don't use magnesium oxide, and check out my magnesium thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

Thank you for responding. I noticed from the thread that you posted the link for that the magnesium sulfate cream is also recommended for autistic children. Both myself and my eldest son have Asperger's syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. I am going to order the Kirkman's cream.

I believe the Kirkman cream is recommended for patients with autism because the sulfate portion, is also useful.
I've seen that mentioned on autism forums, but I don't know any patients personally with that point of view.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to try... before bedtime the cream is very soothing and relaxing. The advantage of Kirkman's cream is that you can measure out exactly what you need because of the way it is compounded. For small children this is important.
Patients with heavier body weights can handle more magnesium more easily than small children.

Some of the other topicals with magnesium do not give the precise dose/gram of the product and for small children would be difficult to know what exactly they are getting.