RSD, for me, always gets worse during PMS and during periods. After the research I've done I believe it to have something to do with the shift in hormones. That the hormones are actually causing the RSD to flare.

Does anyone else have increased RSD symptoms around "that time of the month"? It would be GREAT to get some feedback from all you gals on this.

Who would have thought that I may actually look forward to menopause if it means less monthly pain.

It's pretty rare for me to have a cycle anymore, due to opiates...So, don't forget that your meds also mess with your hormone levels. My trying to take hormone replacement to try and correct the issue resulted in having one that went on for several weeks...

I was always hypersensitive to birth control pills as well (pre RSD). The very lowest dosage always shut down my cycle and it would take 6-12 months for it to return after going off it.

Dr. Hooshmand link about RSD and estrogen.
http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_103.htm


Good explanation of the effect estrogen has on blood sugar, and while this refers to women that have had hysterectomies it relates to RSDers because we have reduced estrogen from the syndrome and the meds many of us take. Nasty vicious cycle...
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/article_97223.htm

Sorry, I forgot to add this, your estrogen cycle is lowest during your cycle. So going through menopause will only make things worse--not better.

You should speak with your doc to see if you need to try an estrogen supplement. I'm going to see if their is a lower dosage available. Thanks for the reminder!

A link all about estrogen levels:
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/men...standmenst.htm

Bump for the new Jen. (easier than linking...)

Dear Vrae and Litlove,
It is interesting to see how you both have had different cycles than myself. I've had rsd for 6 1/2 years now and had been on large quantities of opiates for about 5 1/2 years. My period came every single month (faithfully). I never had a problem with my periods and rsd. I have noticed the last year or so they got heavier than I ever had it since my early teens when I first began. The last year I have had it more sporadically with a month here and there it was absent (yeah). I am now 48 years old and spoke to the gyn doc and she said the average age for menopause is 51 years old. The stranger thing about me is when she asked me if I had hot flashes I said no I get cold flashes. The last 3 or so years I have noticed from ovulation until I get it I get the chills soooo bad they are horrible and I cannot get warmed up. I have tried everything and the worse they are the sooner my period will come??? Strange huh? I am having fun going thru menopause and rsd...wow, we gals get all the fun;.)

I have been off all opiodes since Feb 2011 and still continue to get my period each month as normal?? My body is so messed up but I am trying to get off all meds and just persevere with it all since the meds have never taken half of the pain away. Some days I can't get out of bed from joint pain, stiffness, and burning but other days it is better. Thanks for your comparisions on it all. It is nice to know we are not kookoo yet!!!
Best of luck to you both,
kathy d

One thing I forgot (sorry) is the doctor told me the chills I get is from my estrogen dropping. And she said she could give me something to try and help them and I just told her no that if I got bonkers with it I would let her know. I just bundle up under the covers and try not to let any draft in or else the chills start up again. Between the burning pain we get, the cold chills, and if my cat sits next to me and starts purring everything becomes a big mess. lol. Funny what we go through in one day...most people would never believe us if we told them haha.
Thanks,
kathy d

I actually experience both chills and fever. This started prior to beginning opiates. The better managed my pain is, the less this seems to be an issue.

I just got a new script for estrogen that I haven't started yet.

I made the choice, because it's not that I can't live with the annoyance of a swinging body temp, or temporarily elevated pain, but rather that if I can help reestablish the normal hormonal levels of my body, it's yet another nudge towards whole body function.

With those of us that have had RSD a long time, it can feel like our bodies are an old car. There's so much that needs attention, we start ignoring things. The AC stopped running? Well, so long as we can manage with the windows down...

By drastically changing my diet, I'm no longer sleeping my life away. My doc used to jokingly refer to me as Sleeping Beauty, it was not uncommon for me to sleep 18 or more hours per day. My stomach pain is gone. Headaches too. All issues that were caused in part by opiates... I've also noticed a small reduction of swelling and pain.

I'm currently focusing on breath work, normalizing my hormone levels and adding in new vitamins and supplements. I'm treating my body like it's a classic car that deserves a full restoration, by introducing one new project at a time.

wow am I slow on responses or what? Thank you so much for the feedback! I can identify with you both and found your responses interesting. Estrogen would be a no no for me as breast cancer is STRONG in my immediate family. I’m not on a lot of opiates, but enough to handle break through pain. And my cycles have always been tough but it’s like to the 10th power now with CRPS II. I can hardly wait for full on menopause… joy! <sigh>

Mine was not bad, a few hot flashs at night until April I could handle it. Then I started having hot flashs during the day. 40 plus. I gave in and started estrogen. You are right with a family history you need to go all natural. Black cohosh they say is good. ICOOL doesn't work. Tried it.

My issue with my period and rsd is that because of the meds (opiates and antiinflammatory), I don't feel cramping so I can never tell when it's coming !