Menopause and MS

[Bookfairy]

Hi,

Has anyone with MS gone through menopause? I have been having more problems than usual this year and it occured to me that this is the first year I haven't had a period. I know hormones can cause problems and wondered if any one experienced this and then got better when their hormones leveled out? I can't get into my neuro until January. Should I talk to my gynocologist about this. I am still on birth control pills and last week was my off week and I felt worse than usual.

Thank you,
Bookfairy

[newlyb12def]

Whether or not the MS is making things worse, you should make an appointment with your gynecologist and get your hormone levels checked.
Sorry you're feeling lousy.
Good luck.
-Kay

[Bookfairy]

Actually I am wondering if menopause is what is causing my extra problems with my MS. :)

[Pegakafarmgirl]

ya know,, my husband and I were discussing this last night,, yes, I am having more relapses, since I am in menopause, I was always able to handle them, but they are, stronger, and more zealous,,

trips to neuro are more frequent,, and I "never" go,, always took care of things myself,,

so I vote yes,, menopause is a culprit, for MS relapses..

hang in there,,

[venice*]

I am certain hormones play a large role with my symptoms.
I personally have found some relief with progesterone cream.

[Bookfairy]

Hi all,
I went to my gynocologist today about Estriol or my birth control pill? He said my bcp (Ortho Novum) is a stronger estrogen than anything else he can put me on so I am just going to take it continuously for now. He is checking into a pharmacy to see if the Estriol would be stronger and will write me a script if I would choose to go that route. I took an article from fda with me on Estriol http://www.fda.gov/cder/pharmcomp/estriol.htm. It says they okay it with a IND from him. I also took an article from http://www.families.first.com on Rhonda Voskuhl's study on Estriol.
Good luck to everyone.

[dgbranst]

What is the difference between estrodial and estriol?

[baabr]

I have not reached menopause but have noticed that during the perimenopause phase I have had increased problems; a regular progression downward; and additional problem added; peripheral neurapathy

now my problems with trigemianal neuralgia have increased; old meds. not working

i had hoped that when i reached menopause things when slow down so i could catch my breath;

i know everyones body is different; good luck to you

Kris

[gonnamakeit]

All of these posts pretty much quell the malarkey so many doctors tell patients that MS burns out when we get older. Baloney.

gmi

[paj]

I was 44 when diagnosed to didn't have a lot of experience before becoming perimenopausal but I have been menopausal for about a year and don't think I am seeing much of a difference.

But that's just me......:)

paj

[Bookfairy]

dg branst,
This article explains estriol. http://www.families-first.com/whc/voskuhl.htm
Hope it helps.

[Moonwolf]

I went through hell with the MS in perimenopause, but since menopause I've only had mini-relapses. Mostly I'm dealing with residual damage from earlier mega flareups.

[lady_express_44]

It seems the biggest factor for progression might be "age", whether that be for men or women.

From some research I've done, even people who are not dx till much later in life often "catch up" to those of us who've had it for years. So someone who is dx at 55yrs might jump quickly into SPMS, whereas we might stay in RRMS from 35 - 55yr, then move to SPMS at the same time. :cool:

Many women report more symptoms during PMS too, or immediately following pregnancy . . . but I never really experienced that. I have always bad PMS, and went through some big hormonal swings after delivering the babies . . . but if that affected the MS, I think (for me) it was more the "stress" and "exhaustion" (and perhaps even fluid retention) that I go through at those particular times, ie. psuedo effects vs. true disease activity. For instance, I just went through surgery, and although the procedure was easy, I put on 14lbs of water retention. That REALLY stirred up symptoms, which mostly leveled off when the fluid retention did.

Makes me wonder if our problem with "heat" also has something to do with water retention and/or dehydration...??

Just my experience . . .

Cherie

[baabr]

yeah i think the perimenopause put me in spms; slow down the slippery slope

and i never had children which my baby doctor; oh obgyn said it takes longer for menopause to occur; but again thats a statistic

i just turned 48; my sister said her periods stopped at 50; they say family hx makes a difference; my mom isn't a good historian

anyway; damn; i don't wish to be male; i know they have their problems; but all this female stuff; with the beginning of menses; the emphasis on males being more important; keep your body looking like you are age 20; ha!

i am working on body acceptance; my dh is supportive but it is a struggle

Kris