Women's Health Question: What is this?

April 13, 2007 10:43 AM

Women'sHealthFilter: Have any of you experienced these symptoms, and if so, what have you been told about it or given for it?

Since I gave birth to my second child about six months ago, I've been experiencing 'flu-like, whole body aches a few days or up to a week before getting my period. So far it only lasts a day (getting worse in the evening), but it's really fairly tiring. I have a somewhat heavier than normal period, but I had this for my first child and it eventually returned to normal. I intend to ask my doctor about this but can't get in to see her for some time yet, and I also like to go in with some clue as to what I might be dealing with so I know what to ask. Any thoughts?

posted by anonymous to health (5 comments total)

My wife had severe flu-like symptoms, but they were associated with milk duct blockages while she nursed. Any chance there's a correlation there?
posted by unclejeffy at 10:49 AM on April 13, 2007

Are you on birth control now? I've found that I get weird PMS things on the Pill that I didn't get before I started it. If so, it might be a reaction to BCP in general but it might be that specific pill, and you could ask your doctor to prescribe something else.
posted by srah at 11:25 AM on April 13, 2007

It's not the textbook presentation of anemia, but lots of women are anemic post-pregnancy. I'd ask for a blood test to see if I should start iron supplements.
posted by selfmedicating at 2:00 PM on April 13, 2007

DON'T wait until you can see your doctor. Please call your doctor's office and describe your symptoms to the nurse. He/she will pass them on to the doctor, and if there is a concern, the doctor will as you to come in early. I had extreme fatigue (felt all around crappy) after my second pregnancy, and after I described my symptoms, they had me come in that day. They were worried I had some retained placenta. In the end, it was just retained blood, and they gave me a mediation to get rid of it. But any kind of retained tissue could be dangerous. I am not a doctor, but what's the harm in calling your physician's office and running your symptoms by the nurse? If it is something serious, you won't regret making the call.

Best of health to you.
posted by laskagirl at 6:21 PM on April 13, 2007

Please also consider diabetes, strange as that may sound. Here's an article from the mayo clinic which lists flu-like symptoms as one of the lesser-known diabetes symptoms. The week before your period is a time when some women with diabetes have worse blood sugar control. Info on diabetes and menstruation here.

Poor control of blood sugar means insulin is not doing its job to get the sugar into your cells - your cells feel draggy and tired, and you feel draggy and tired. You probably had a test for gestational diabetes while pregnant - since you posted anonomously, feel free to email me if you want any other info.

Unclejeffy is talking about mastitis, which is an infection (hence the flulike symptoms) of the milk duct. It woudn't happen in sync with your period. Same thing with the retained tissue mentioned by laskagirl. This would be a worry right after having had the baby, not 6 mos later, and not in sync with menstruation.
posted by selfmedicating at 7:01 PM on April 13, 2007