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flu-like symptoms EVERY MONTH with period. anyone else? any help?

108 replies

monthlymalaise · 12/04/2011 11:00

So I have a splitting headache, stuffy nose, nausea, body aches . . . like a bad case of flu, only it's not. It's the first two-three days of EVERY period, EVERY bloody month (pun intended). I am 44 and this has been going on for two or three years now, though with increasing severity this year, to the point where it's every month instead of being every few months or every other month. Am completely fed up with missing out on life, having people imply that I'm "sickly" or just making excuses to get out of doing things, having GP make vague suggestion that if I work out the symptoms may ease . . . . This is not "just cramps" or PMT. I have had those and I got on with life. This, by contrast, has me bedridden and miserable.

Who else here suffers with this, and have you gotten any help from your doctor? Any alternative medicine-type treatment work for you? I have been trying acupuncture and have now started on some Chinese herbs. I can't go on like this -- it's interfering with my life too much and I'm really angry that apparently I'm supposed to just accept this diminished quality of life. I am unemployed right now and can't see how any employer would put up with me having to book off sick two-three days a month, either.

OP posts:
Delatron · 16/08/2017 22:02

I get this. 41, I feel completely wiped out exhausted, dizzy and ill for a good few days before period starts. Incapable of doing much at all. Watching with interest but I can't take anything hormone related so if it is to do with the peri-menopause not sure what can be done.

Sleilani1111 · 18/08/2017 18:54

Hi Ladies ,

I wanted to share with my journey of trying to find healing for this . Can I ask you this did any of you have a stomach flu or pain before all of this started? Back at the beginning of the year I had a stomach flu that turned into stomach pain for months . I think through changing my diet that my stomach is healing . It was during this time I starts getting the flu like symptoms during and before my period and the fatigue .
I contact a naturopathic dr . I did not tell him about my previuos stomach pain only my month symptoms I get close to my period this was his response below

"Your gut probably needs support since it controls hormones which affect overall health. For thousands of years, health professionals have said that the condition of the digestion will show the health of that person. What has really helped this type of issue is to eat raw fermented foods 3 X a day (and start with very small portions and gradually increase amounts) and many things can be made besides sauerkraut and Kombucha. Amazon and bookstores have a great book by Sador Katz, "Wild Fermentation". And healing the gut is very important. Another fermentation advantage is vitamin K2 (not to be confused with the vitamin K1 in leafy green vegetables), a natural byproduct. K2 brings you many of the same benefits as vitamin D. Vitamin K works with vitamin D to prevent losing the benefits of oral supplements, and even helps prevent arterial plaque buildup and heart disease. Also drinking organic chicken Bone Broth 2-3 X a day before eating organic whole foods will give good support. You can make this at home or buy Pacific brand in the grocery aisle at most health food stores. Also omit all gluten, most grains and all pasteurized dairy"

This gave me a little hope as I didn't even mention I had had stomach pain before all this monthly fatigue and flu like symptoms started but the fact he told me there are hormones in our stomach . I'm wondering if it started as a gut problem and if I am able to continue with my diet and some supplements , probiotics , bone broth and fermented foods that over time I will get better . I've changed my diet - no gluten , dairy , sweets for about 2 months and been taking bone broth regularly and there has been a slight improvement , I am now going to add in some supplements , pro biotIcs , and the fermented foods . I will keep you posted on my journey !!!!!!

Knope2020 · 18/08/2017 18:57

Yep
Nausea
Headache
General feeling wretched
I'm 44 and officially Peri menopausal
It's rubbish :(

pinkpolo · 18/08/2017 19:10

I'm so glad to have found this thread!!

Since 2013 I've been experiencing this every single month from the week before my period until my period ends - general virus like symptoms.

Lethargic
Headaches
Muscle pain
Fever/flushed
Generally feeling unwell

I've tried everything. Cut out dairy, gluten, meat, caffeine. Tried yoga, meditation, running. Nothing has made it any better Angry I find it really hard to motivate myself during these "ill" periods, so it effects my mood too. Almost want to hibernate.

Sleilani1111 · 18/08/2017 19:38

I'm sorry we are all going through this but thankful to find this thread because now I know I'm not the only one thay they can't find what's wrong !!

MrsJamin · 28/08/2017 16:29

Currently laid up on a sunny bank holiday because of this! It really sucks and I have said to my husband "I think I'm coming down with something" a few days before my period for a good few years. Properly feeling viral today though and due tomorrow. Has no one found anything to make it any better?! Are doctors any help?!

millmoo · 28/08/2017 16:36

Omg me too !!
Sat in on a lovely bank holiday because I feel awful !
Mine is day 1 of my period tho -I always feel like this on the 1st day -if I could stay in bed all day then I would .
I'm booked in for blood test this week and then follow up doctors appt as I can NOT !!! Carry on like this

MrsJamin · 28/08/2017 18:53

yeah I've had enough, the symptoms are just getting worse and stopping me from doing stuff now. Sucks to be a woman sometimes! - Namely once a month for several days! :(

millmoo · 28/08/2017 20:18

I'm only 41 !! Thought I had a few more years before menopause symptoms started 😢

MrsJamin · 28/08/2017 21:14

I'm not 40, does this mean the menopause is on its way?! Am worried now.

millmoo · 28/08/2017 23:05

Same Jamin
That's why I've booked a blood test etc -I need to know what's going on !
My hair has been thinning for a few months too 😢😢

Raaaaaah · 28/08/2017 23:11

I have this. Completely felled, ache to the bone, shivery. Just so so tired. Every month about 5 days pre period. I never get poorly so it is really noticeable to me. Considering Mirena coil.

Julsim25 · 03/10/2017 12:10

Really pleasedive found this thread whilst googling symptoms-something I never do- but I'm 46 and for last year and half have been suffering severe headaches for two to three days before I am due in, these over last few months have got worse and last 5 days and I get an upset stomach and feel sick too. This all disappears as soon as I come on. I am also interested in the lady with the 13 year old with a daughter with flu symptoms- my daughter is nearly 17, she has a period only every 40-50 days and is laid up with high temps, aching bones and feels like she has flu, for two days either just before or just as she comes on. She is off school again today and we are heading to dr to enquire about these blood tests- all the ones from the immunologist came back normal. It is getting her down so much- so I hope we get to bottom of it!

Leddywillow · 15/10/2017 01:40

Has anyone had any breakthroughs? I'm experiencing this and feel like I'm coughing up a lung! So tired, my period is over but I'm still sick. It's been lile this for 12 months every cycle.

Damson99 · 29/10/2017 20:24

Hello everyone I can completely sympathise with these conditions. I have for the last four years had flu like symptoms either just before or during my periods. I am now 45 years old. In particular it always hit my sinuses and I struggled at times to go to work.

I have been to the doctor who gave me the brush off and said I needed to do more exercise/ diet etc... I have to say I am not knocking my doctor as she is very good, though has no knowledge of this condition and my diet and exercise is good.

However, I have to say since January 2017 my symptoms have now stopped and I have at times felt a little tired but not had the flu at all. I did not want to post before as I do not want to give false hope and I am NOT a doctor....

My answer was simple.. In Dec 2016 when yet again I was at home ill off work with the flu period we went away at Christmas; somewhere hot and very sunny. My husband was fed up with me being ill! After 24 hours my symptoms almost dissipated! And yes maybe the rest helped!

I think it is simple I was very deficient in vitamin D. Since January I have been taking double strength vitamin D and sometimes vit K (though not that often) and I have not had one episode... (except this week, guess what I had stopped taking vit D consistently, thought I would be ok!). I am sure I may be an pseudo doctor, however having been through many different trials e.g iron deficiency, vit C, blood tests it may be more simple that we think!

I hope this may help someone..

TheHodgeHeg · 31/10/2017 01:52

A bit different but when I was younger I used to get what I thought was stomach flu with my period - fever, pain, vomitting etc. Eventually it turned into full blown appendicitis and I was very ill.

I think our periods are a time of weakness for the body and it's probably not well studied enough or appreciate by drs.

The Dr in my case dismissed my illness as IBS. If I'd followed his advice and stayed at home in bed taking those stupid tablets I'd probably be dead.

TheHodgeHeg · 31/10/2017 02:01

Apologies if the above was not clear, I mean that the "stomach flu" I'd been experiencing at the time of my period was chronic appendicitis. After a year or so of chronic appendicitis which more or less coincided with my period it became acute and I had surgery to remove my appendix - no problems since then (except PMT and migraine).

Reading this thread it strikes me that shit women put up with during their periods and which drs tell us is normal is horrendous!

BeerBaby · 31/10/2017 02:48

Yep me to. Nearly 40. I've always had bad pmt, period cramps etc but it's getting much worse. Periods hurt, very heavy and spotting, irregularities beginning to show after being reliable to almost the hour.

Yes to raging headache almost migraine. Insomnia is unbearable! Horrendous pmt especially in final week before and during period. Upset stomach to the point of being sick. Feeling like I've been run over, dizzy spells and complete exhaustion. Whole body aches and is bone crushingly exhausted.

Every month and it's getting worse. A good vit B helps. Exercise does help but I've got the shakes and had to stop a few times recently. It's hard to live with but everyone says I'm too young for it to be menopause. Its definitely changing.

Peppercaz · 15/03/2018 13:23

Check out this Dr's podcast for info helping to deal with premenstrual flu systems. 😊

WaitRun · 05/06/2018 01:46

Has anyone found the root problem to this?

I've also had the same for the past 5 months or so. Every time i have me period i get a bad cold too. I thought it was related to the cocodamol I've been taking for the pain but may be it's not?

Jendan75 · 09/06/2018 00:40

Hi all, I just turned 43 and for the past 7 months have been struck with the same debilitating symptoms.

It first came on very suddenly and violently, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, throbbing frontal face pain, limb pain and diarrhea. I passed out and fainted several times over 10 days.

A doctor's visit assured me I was suffering from anxiety/panic attacks as all blood tests and chest scans came back all clear.

The following month it happened again. My partner called an ambulance. ECG, blood pressure, temperature and sugar levels all fabulous 😟. Told to drink plenty of water and see my GP again.

Saw my GP and felt like he was fed up with me even though I had only visited him twice. He said it's health anxiety. He reluctantly looked in my throat on my request as I thought the dizziness may be an ear/nose/throat problem and the face pain and sinuses were so bad. He agreed I had a slight sore throat.

Believing I had health anxiety I tried every hypnosis and meditation I could to keep me calm. Then it happened again 3rd time passing out in 3 months.

Really started getting fed up with being fobbed off with health anxiety so started a process of elimination to find the real cause. I knew my digestive system needed some TLC after all the vomiting and diarrhea so after fasting for a few days I filled my body with greens and fish, didn't touch red meat as it takes days to digest. I did so well but low and behold I got sick again! This time I didn't pass out or faint but I think keeping calm and trying to take control of the situation helped a lot. I still felt unbearably unwell though and was completely floating in a sea of nausea, vomit and diarrhea, just calmly accepting my monthly fate.

This brings me to this week. I had made the connection to my periods 2 months ago. I feel very confident this is a hormonal change. Upon my research I can positively say I am not experiencing the debilitation of menstraul cramps caused by the drop in estrogen before my period. I'm almost definitely suffering the drop in progesterone during. I came to this realisation a few days before I knew I would be suffering acute sickness. It would be too late for me to try out my findings with birth control or any other progesterone giving drug I could get my hands on. Was feeling rather desperate as you can probably understand. This is no life! So I look online and discover that my beloved partner has my cure. Please hear me out, I'm compelled to share my experience. Unprotected sex during your period. Semen can help balance a woman's hormones and contains the progesterone that we are dropping causing the sickness to occur.

Well, I had to try it. Felt so so sick, just unbearable and believe me it was the last thing on my mind. Purely medicinal. Twice over 2 days. It shortened my period to 3 days as opposed to the 7 days I normally have. Consequently, the sickness lifted after 20 hours and has only been mild for the last 3 days. I have felt so sick for 7 days straight every month for 7 months and I'm amazed that this actually helped.

Im seeingy doctor next week and I'm going to ask for progesterone pills. I will let you know how it goes. And I hope people are not offended by my post. I am quite a prude and would never say such things online but I know how horrendous this sickness is and like everyone else I need answers. Obviously I wouldn't advise unprotected sex unless you wanted to fall pregnant but I was pretty desperate and slightly mentally impaired in my desicion making due to sobbing and sickness and heavy bleeding. If you can understand.

LittleBird74 · 09/06/2018 08:18

I’ve been on the pill for the last 18 months to stop these symptoms. I started getting them every few months when I was about 28, but since I turned 30/31 it became a monthly occurance.

Sore throat
Stuffy nose
Headache
Pain in every muscle known to man
Lethargic

Felt exactly the same as the run up to the flu or tonsillitis.

It was also coupled with extreme anxiety and self loathing.

The pill has helped loads but I get the odd rogue month where the symptoms creep in again. I would like to know why it’s happening though rather than covering it up with medication.

penguinsnpandas · 09/06/2018 12:56

I'm mid 40s and feel ill every period - very dizzy, fluish and pretty much confined to bed. Initially thought to be anaemia but continued after tested anemic and took supplements so gynae said will be hormonal and recommended exercise but said meds are available. I find it hard to do exercise (I am thin and used to exercise a lot) can only do ones you can do lying due to dizziness but this does seem to help a bit. Really wish could just get hormone meds. CT scan also showed one enlarged adrenal gland which is linked to hormones but can't get doctors to do much. Work have just forced me to be signed off as also get infections all time and it's just depressing. I do find Feroglobin takes aches away but as it contains iron check with doctor before taking it.

WaitRun · 09/06/2018 14:58

I don't understand why so many are suffering and we still don't know why ... I am really fed up of it.

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