By Eppie on Monday, June 05, 2000 - 05:01 pm:

Posted by Eppie on April 19, 2000 at 14:28:35:

Has anyone else gone through this (I sure hope it's not a long-term cycle)...

You're cruising along in a "healing joint mode", when all of a sudden...WHAM, you hurt in all the old places AND some new ones? Ladies, I'm definitely thinking it relates to the monthly hormone cycle, with some months worse than others. What do you think?

Trying to hang in there, Eppie

By Eric on Monday, June 05, 2000 - 05:02 pm:

what part of your cycle do you think this is?
Im trying to determine to role of progesterone in this matter.

By Eppie on Monday, June 05, 2000 - 05:03 pm:

I feel the worst during the second half of my cycle, when my corpus luteum is pumping out copious quantities of relaxin and progesterone; however, the relaxin expert that I contacted said that progesterone actually stimulates collagen growth. So, do you go with how you feel or what the "experts" say? Me, I'm going with how I feel, and I'm definitely hurting when progesterone is peaking.

Email or post if you need more info.

By Eric on Monday, June 05, 2000 - 05:04 pm:

well, ive read that progesterone has anti inflamatory ability, but then again so does cortisone, so this isnt nessacarily good.
Ive also heard that progesterone increases joint laxity.
However its hard to tell if your experiencing pain during progesterone peaks from the progesterone or from the relaxin.
Also I need to find out whether progesterone administration causes an increase in relaxin, which i havent been able to yet.
The guy that you consulted is correct as far as i know in that progesterone promotes collegen synthesis.

By Eppie on Monday, June 05, 2000 - 05:05 pm:

Relaxin is released in response to estrogen levels within the body, which is why adding estrogen via oral contraceptives is not such a good idea. Hypermobie women should also watch their external sources of estrogen i.e., phytoestrogens, which occur naturally.

By the way, men also have circulating levels of Relaxin. The source is thought to be the testicles. It's be interesting to see if any of the "hypermobile" men have enhanced relaxin blood concentrations.

By Sjottie on Monday, June 05, 2000 - 05:06 pm:

Hello Eppie,

I'm a 34 year old woman from Holland.
I'm sure the hormone cycle has a lot to do with it.
I always feel worse in the second half of my cycle.
Having problems with my hormones because of cystes since I was 21, and having removed some parts (sorry, don't know the English term)5 years ago.
I'm very sensitive for hormone changes ever since, and the symptoms being stiff and having pain started soon after my operation.
Hope doctors will take this seriously at last!!
Wish you all the best, Sjottie

By Eppie on Monday, June 05, 2000 - 05:07 pm:

Me too...second half of the cycle is worst and I had a honker ovarian cyst postpartum, which I'm pretty sure got the old joints going.

Good luck sister!

By jaine riley on Wednesday, June 28, 2000 - 06:19 am:

Oh boy,
this sounds familiar, a week prior to P day my joints (mainly lower limbs) feel exactly the way they did with both my pregnancies. Nice to know I'm not mad but not so nice to know others hurt like that.

fight on everyone!

Jainey

By Michelle on Wednesday, June 28, 2000 - 10:26 am:

I know that a woman runner's chance of knee injury is far greater around mid-cycle, due to hormone activity. I believe it affects out joint problems.

By Lucy on Monday, July 31, 2000 - 07:03 am:

I too suffer more in the last two weeks of my cycle. I take the pill to regulate my cycle and to reduce cramping, but I've found lately that while my cycle is regulated, the cramps are becoming more and more painful. My last period kept my in bed for 2 weeks - the pain was so bad. My doctor has given me something called Vicoprofen - not great, but helps a tiny bit. This is very interesting - how does this apply if one were to get pregnant? (I lost a pregnancy about four years ago - very early stage - but noticed an immediate increase in pain and hypermobility - I couldn't walk!). Keep the conversation flowing - All the best to you - Lucy

By michellet on Tuesday, August 01, 2000 - 03:51 pm:

I don't know what will happen to me when I get pregnant, Lucy. I'm planning on trying for a baby in 2 years(I'll be 34). I am a bit worried about that. If my pelvis is unstable and painful now......oh boy.