uterine cramping and bleeding

[carla]

Help!!! I have been dealing with cramping and bleeding during exercise for years...I am 29 now, and have had this issue since my early 20's. I originally thought it was heat, since I live in a subtropical climate (90+ degrees with matching humidity) and I train year round. I recently started tracking heartrate with cramping, and realized that upper 160's-170's for more than a few minutes is what initializes the episodes. I have seen 9 doctors, yes-nine, four OBGYN's, two MD's, one Chiropractor/Nutritionist, a Homeopath, and a classically trained MD operating Naturopathically. I also had testing done for hormonal and neurotransmitter levels (blood, urine, and saliva). They found low levels of estrogen, progesterone, estradiol, and cortisol, seritonin, and DHEA levels elevated beyond even the highest male levels. The most general consensus was adrenal exhaustion from over training. However, this cramping during exercise, (which feels exactly like menstrual cramps, the worst ones) followed by bleeding has been with me long before I started running, cycling, and racing. I started a regime of supplements and estrogen/progesterone. They made me sleep about 16 hours a day for two months. The doc's said the tiredness was not a side effect, but rather my body's exhaustion. Also, a food allergy test revealed some of my favorite foods were my biggest allergens. The body craves things that send you into an immune response in an attempt to revive the adrenals.
Sorry about the length of this, I saw some other women were having similar symptoms, and I am so excited to get to the bottom of this. So often I return from a run/ride, feeling like I only warmed up because the cramping pain cuts it short, or causes me to go slower. I am trying to carefully listen to the pain, but know my potential lies beyond it. Every doctor I have seen says they have never heard of anything like this, and frankly I'm sick of testing, time, and money spent. Sooooo, girls...what do you think???

[VeloVT]

I have no advice. I just wanted to wish you well. This sounds really exhausting & frustrating for you. Good luck!!!

[LBTC]

Carla, I'm sorry you are having to go through something like this. It is frustrating in so many ways, not the least of which is the fact that you are "not sick enough" for doctors work hard to find the solution for you. My symptoms and problems are different, but similar in some ways.

For me the most helpful treatments have come from acupuncture, an integrated massage therapist, and electro-dermal testing by a naturopathic practitioner. The NP has me on a protocol that is helping in leaps and bounds! Basically, the testing uses electrical impulses (which are so mild you can't feel them), along your chinese meridiens, to determine which organs and functions are balanced or not. Her testing would determine if the only issue is adrenal or not, and she can test to see what the root cause is - in some cases this could be a parasite, bacteria, virus, environmental poison, etc.

Interestingly, last week she told me that the doctor who designed the system and mixes the remedies recently created a new protocol specifically for adrenal support. This may be something that can help you in your situation.

I will be seeing my NP tomorrow and can ask her if there is such a practitioner in your area - where are you? PM me if you are interested.

I have found that the testing also helps in that I can see my acupuncturists and my massage therapist, let them know what the testing found most recently, and that can help guide their treatment of me.

In the last six weeks, since I have been off the drugs the specialist had me on, and have been seeing only these practitioners and following these protocols, I have felt better than I did for the past year. My energy is up enough that I even have walked to work the last two days. I can now actually imagine getting back on my bike and doing a serious ride sometime in the future.

Yes, listen to your body, but also try to find a translator for it....mine never seems to speak the same language as me!

Hugs and butterflies full of healing and understanding,
~T~

[Zen]

Somebody (not me) is going to have the answer but you have to keep looking, I can only imagine how frustrating this must be.

For some reason I'm leaning more in the gyn direction for answers, somebody who really knows their hormone functions and triggers.

[velogirl]

Be vigilant in finding a solution. I would suggest adding an endocrinologist to your list of doctors.

[margo49]

This sounds like one of the situations where you really need a doctor.
Organic Parsley tea just ain't gonna fix this combination.
I second the idea of endocrinologist.
Frustrating but don't give up. Someone will eventually rise to the challenge. If I was a Dr I would sure like to meet someone like you; a complex case on the one hand , and on the other a healthy active lifestyle and a real strong wish to be WELL. Instead of a common ailment accompanied by a passive attitude to treatment and health/wellness in general.
Thinking of ya...

[short cut sally]

Carla..I had a similiar problem but not to your extent. 2 years ago, when I started biking seriously, no matter where I was during my cycle, if I exerted or heavy hill climbing, I would cramp horrible and start bleeding. Talked to my Gyn who said,,,age related (38) and sometimes that happens... and passed it all of type of thing. Over the winter, things were normal sceduled, no bleeding or cramping with indoor workouts. When biking rolled around in the spring, same thing started all over again. Saw a new Gyn who suggested an transvag ultrasound. Then had a D&C done, she said the inside of my uterus was like a rolling terrain, and described that blood had pooled in the valleys and would "break off" so to speak with exertion. WELL, what ever, it worked for me.. Have you tried birth control pills just for regulation, like a low dose? Hope you make out okay..

[mimitabby]

Shelly, interesting. I was thinking endometriosis and fixing it with a D&C
they used to do that a lot... maybe that's all she needs; but I'm pretty clueless. SOunds like 7 doctors are clueless too.

I vote for a new doctor.

[Dianyla]

My gut instinct points towards combination of endometriosis or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

They found low levels of estrogen, progesterone, estradiol, and cortisol, seritonin, and DHEA levels elevated beyond even the highest male levels.

Definitely look for a good endocrinologist who has experience with reproductive and thyroid/adrenal issues. The right doctor is out there... somewhere...

[short cut sally]

Mimi, after reading your post I forgot to mention that I was diagnosed with adenomyosis and was given a 10 day treatment of progesterone after my D&C..sorry about that...

[sundial]

I used to experience the cramping and bleeding after a good workout. What I later found was that I had endometriosis and PCOS through a transvaginal ultrasound. I had surgery and I no longer have to deal with this. Perhaps you might want to discuss this type of ultrasound with your OB/GYN.

[carla]

Thank you so much everyone for all your support!!! I'm touched by your kindness and thoughts. I'll keep posting as new things happen. I appreciate your encouragement to keep going...I haven't had children yet, and still want the option. (Although how do I cycle and run if I am always watching a child? Does anyone pull them behind for more than an hour?) Anyway, you all gave me new things to think about. Thank you!!!

[mimitabby]

well, Carla, the theory is if you have a baby you'll also have a husband who shares the responsibility for it.
Good luck, go to the dr!

[carla]

(Quote)
I will be seeing my NP tomorrow and can ask her if there is such a practitioner in your area - where are you? PM me if you are interested.


I'm in Southwest Florida, thanks for any info you can gather.

[carla]

well, Carla, the theory is if you have a baby you'll also have a husband who shares the responsibility for it.
Good luck, go to the dr!

Haha!!! I do have a wonderful loving husband, but he's on his bike, and we love riding together. It's healthy competition, and our "quiet" time together. The two of us can't imagine how we could still run around playing so much AND be parents...but I'd like to find a way!