Period Symptoms

[lightsabove.livejournal.com]

I hate to ask things that have been ask multiple times, but I'm getting annoyed with my body.

I switched to NuvaRing last month, and obviously I don't have my 'normal' period because I went from one birth control (the Pill) to the ring. My symptoms are horrible. My ovaries are punching me in the sides, I was freezing easily, and I got a fever. I felt dizzy, lightheaded, and even though I hate a good lunch, drinked a lot of water, it didn't help.

I could be sick, although I felt fine yesterday.

Does your period make it easier to get sick? Are the things above period symptoms? I seem to only get them when I'm on my period.

I had an examination (no pap smear, didn't need that) last month. She said everything looked fine down there, and they were really nice. (Love the clinic!) She checked my iron levels, and they were a few points below what she wanted. I've been taking vitamins and trying to eat 'iron-rich' foods since then (hard to on a very small budget, but I think I'm doing well).

Should I see if I somehow have an issue with iron when I'm just on my period?

Comments

[archangelbeth]

Fever and freezing and dizzy sounds like you're sick, yes. And if it were just that, I'd say "you likely have the flu; take care of yourself." Paired with internal pain, it becomes possible (not 100% sure, but more possible than I like) that you have an internal infection which could require immediate doctor's attention -- appendicitis, kidney infection, uterine infection, etc.

I would call the doctor as soon as they open and ask if the side pain + other symptoms is enough to go in.

If your pain is at your back -- press gently and release, and note if either action causes pain -- then that is quite possibly a kidney infection, and you should go to the hospital or an urgent care clinic immediately, because kidney infections can quickly become life-threatening. You need your kidneys a lot!

If your belly is tender to be poked at, in the appendix area (the lower-right of your tummy, near the hip bone), then that could be appendicitis, and is very probably also worthy of a trip to urgent care or the ER. It is bad if the appendix goes splody.

A uterine infection (or ovarian cysts) is unlikely to be immediately life-threatening; but do call when your doctor's office opens, or consider urgent care/ER if the pain gets really bad. (Cysts can cause a lot of pain when they burst that isn't a sign of a life-threatening issue, but till you know if that's what you have... Fever + internal pain = potential for something very wrong, instead of just flu, and the "very wrong" possibilities should be ruled out.)

(There is also the potential that you are constipated from the iron! (I actually went the other way, which is also possible, but many people get all "bound up" when they take extra iron.) So it could be flu+constipation, in the ovarian area, being a confusing crampy mess. So, y'know, don't panic. Call the doctor, but don't stress out if you don't have back pain. (Don't stress out even then, but do get to urgent care as soon as physically possible.))

Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!

[lightsabove.livejournal.com]

Awesome. I'm supposed to do this with no money or insurance? Yay! /sarcasm

Belly isn't tender, but the left side of my lower back hurts when I release it after pressed. My whole body kind of hurts, and my head is killing me. My sinuses are also acting up.

Bad luck all around.

[somniumdraconae.livejournal.com]

Your kidneys are actually just below where your ribs end, so if your pain is really low in your back it is probably your ovary on that side.

I would call first and thoroughly describe the situation, if you haven't already gone. But its always better to be safe than sorry with this stuff even though it sounds terrible to spend all that money on "nothing".

[lightsabove.livejournal.com]

Looking at some pictures and stuff, it's my ovaries. I think I just have a really bad period thing going on. My whole body aches, so not just that area.

[somniumdraconae.livejournal.com]

Since you said last month you switched to Nuvaring, I am wondering if maybe this is something to do with that. Not every hormone treats every body nicely. Perhaps switching to something else would be wise.

[archangelbeth]

When the back hurts-after-release, that's kind of a classic kidney infection symptom. It may also be a classic ovarian cyst symptom, but I would definitely call someone doctorly and thoroughly explain the situation, since, well, a kidney infection can kill you. And funerals cost a lot of money too.

Is there a Planned Parenthood around anywhere? If they're well-funded, they may be able to do the required tests for cheap or free. You might also want to google free health clinic and your city or state. Free STD clinic is another one to try, since I bet they could handle checking a urine sample.

*beth kicks the US insurance mess in the knees a few times*

[lightsabove.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I also have been really constipated, but I've always been that way.

[archangelbeth]

When/if you can manage some tests, do the thyroid ones -- constipation is one of the potential symptoms for hypothyroid, and untreated hypothyroid sucks. (Beth sez from experience.)

[cutesanslee.livejournal.com]

I tend to get flu/cold symptoms a few days before I'm due to start my period. I take vitamin supplements daily and it still happens every month...I take it as an excuse to stay at home from uni for a day or two^^

[eavanmoore.livejournal.com]

Ditto.

[somniumdraconae.livejournal.com]

For the second question, loads of women get mildly anemic (low iron) during their period and then recover when their period stops. It is very common. This is because you're pretty much hemorrhaging blood for several days. If you bled like that out of a vein, you'd die! LOL

Iron supplements and iron rich foods leading up to and during your period are a great idea. You don't necessarily have to eat them all month if they are too pricey and/or give you bowel upset. Just have your doctor test you once during your period and once about 2 weeks after to make sure that your iron levels recover naturally, so you know whether they need to be supplemented continuously or not.

[may-third.livejournal.com]

I usually get violently ill/really bad cold when I'm about to get my period/have it...compromises your immune system a wee bit, I *think*, not too sure and don't have any sources. Happens to me almost every time though :( I started taking a multi vitamin last month though so hopefully when I get my period in a few days I won't also come down with the latest plague.