Question For Ladies (or curious dudes)

[Nytviolet]

Do any of you feel that your twitching, cramping or just general aching and fatigue are exacerbated when your cycle begins? For me, it's twice as intense the week before (and during) that time of the month.

[jebmd]

I have also noticed that and posted it a few months ago-very annoying. My neurologist had never heard that before either!
Joanne

[Nytviolet]

Well that makes two of us. I feel spastic, twitchy and just plain icky. I have to keep a close watch on anxiety when this happens. Not surprised your neuro is unaware of this...if it's not in the Merck Manual, they refuse to believe it.

[Bibi]

I am 55 and had my last period in feb, and in The end of april i started to Twitch . I also have The thought that hormones plays A role here . My GP Said that Many woman suffer from anxiety in this period of Their life .

[Yuliasir]

yep sure

[mwagner]

Most definitely. I was really noticing this, this month especially. Right before and during. Worst right before.

[Nytviolet]

I will turn 50 in September, and am already skipping cycles, but when I had one begin a few days ago, all symptoms were exacerbated. Despite an ortho finding nerve impingement at C4-5, I'm seeing my main doctor today and asking for lumbar films and bloodwork to rule out RA, lupus, hormone levels and inflammatory markers. I'm on short term disability because of the pain and weakness in arms and legs, and feel that she must take autoummunity into consideration as well. I am so tired of having to tell her what to do. Hope everyone is feeling positive today.

[emmie.s]

Yes! I've had bfs for years, (right now symptoms are not so bad, knock on wood) but one thing that remains constant through the years is that right before my period, I get random little twitches all over.

[Antologia]

Never noticed that the twitches are related to my cycle, will focus on that. I do have twitches in my vagina now and then, but not during my menstruation.

[Nytviolet]

How delightful for you!! I don't know whether to feel badly for you or be jealous. I'm just joking...I imagine they were distressing at first. My buttocks twitch, so I'm not without my own talents you see. It's the 7-10 days leading up to the cycle that are the worst for me. Be Well

[NP2012]

Yes! It took me almost a year to figure out a way to cure myself of this. I started having twitching all over in Sept 2013. Then, it developed into severe spasms, primarily in my arms ( brachialis to be specific). I started taking note of the days when I would experience this. It seemed to always be present, but was worse the week before and the week during my menstrual cycle. So, after seeing 2 neurologists, 2 cardiologists, and 2 neuromuscular specialists, I decided to put myself on birth control. It has been a huge difference since then! The cramp has stopped about 80%. I still feel it the week before and of my cycle at times, but no where near as severe. Before the birth control, I would be crying in pain from the spasms I would get in my arms. I still have twitches here and there daily, but those don't bother me. As long as the cramps and spasms are controlled, I can live with taking birth control. Also, I was never given the official diagnosis of BFS, but pretty much after all the tests were complete no doctor could give me an answer. So, my assumption is that in some way BFS is related to a hormonal imbalance. I was so grateful to hear that other people were experiencing the same symptoms. I notice now on the week of my cycle I don't take any birth control pills, and that is when the twitching and spasms are worst, so I am assuming it is due to the lack of taking a hormone supplement ( birth control) on those days.

[emmie.s]

Yes! It took me almost a year to figure out a way to cure myself of this. I started having twitching all over in Sept 2013. Then, it developed into severe spasms, primarily in my arms ( brachialis to be specific). I started taking note of the days when I would experience this. It seemed to always be present, but was worse the week before and the week during my menstrual cycle. So, after seeing 2 neurologists, 2 cardiologists, and 2 neuromuscular specialists, I decided to put myself on birth control. It has been a huge difference since then! The cramp has stopped about 80%. I still feel it the week before and of my cycle at times, but no where near as severe. Before the birth control, I would be crying in pain from the spasms I would get in my arms. I still have twitches here and there daily, but those don't bother me. As long as the cramps and spasms are controlled, I can live with taking birth control. Also, I was never given the official diagnosis of BFS, but pretty much after all the tests were complete no doctor could give me an answer. So, my assumption is that in some way BFS is related to a hormonal imbalance. I was so grateful to hear that other people were experiencing the same symptoms. I notice now on the week of my cycle I don't take any birth control pills, and that is when the twitching and spasms are worst, so I am assuming it is due to the lack of taking a hormone supplement ( birth control) on those days.

Wow, this is a fascinating insight!!!! I just might have to call my ob-gyn and get a rx for some bc soon!

[Rothhaar]

So, my assumption is that in some way BFS is related to a hormonal imbalance.

I think that's actually a very important insight. I always thought that BF(C)S must be in some way related to hormonal imbalances.
There are so many reports here on the board on seemingly different etiologies of BFS (like lack of sleep, thyroid issues, stress, anxiety, inflammation, autoimmune reactions, pregnancy, gluten intolerance etc.), that one might suppose that the real etiology is a mystery or that "BFS" is just a generic term for rather different disorders that are only similar on the phenotypical level.

But at a closer look, many if not all of the above mentioned factors are known to cause hormonal imbalances or known to be caused by them, especially regarding the cortisol levels. So, hormonal imbalance somehow seems to be the common denominator of all those seemingly different etiologies. And then again, hormonal imbalances are known to negativly influence the production and regulation of neurotransmitters. Hence the real etiology of BF(C)S might be that something causes a hormonal imbalance, which then causes your neurotransmitters to derail, which then makes your muscles twitch and cramp.

This theory would also explain, why there are so many similarities and/or connections between BFS, CFS, depression, burn-out, Restless Legs, Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto, PTBS etc.

[Nytviolet]

Excellent point; makes me wonder if our male counterparts have been tested for low-T or other hormonal imbalances.

[Rothhaar]

Excellent point; makes me wonder if our male counterparts have been tested for low-T or other hormonal imbalances.

I haven't been tested, but I'm thinking about it.

I also couldn't stop thinking about the whole idea of BFS being caused by hormonal imbalances (just because I'm still looking for answers about what is going on with me). So I googled a bit around today and found this very interesting entry in another forum about PTSD. Apparently the person who posted it didn't even think about **S:

"I've had the Muscle Twitches like you describe. The 1st time I had it, I went to the ER...and a few days later got my Diagnosis of PTSD.

The twitches seem to come when I am triggered. Is there something triggering you right now in your life? Try to relax and get away, deal with the trigger.
I recently had a buzzing sensation in my foot/ankle, lasted briefly, IDK what that was?
I am working on getting worked up for Fibro, CFS and low cortisol.
[...]
In a way, if you have PTSD, you kinda already have Fibro/CFS, according to my PDoc. I take baby aspirin to prevent inflammation. I haven't had the touch points test, but I know I have two tender areas on the lateral sides of my thighs."

I just underlined the parts that seemed interesting for us.