Posted 3/22/2013 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
(Well, people with ovaries.) Maybe TMI regarding lady-business issues.
I had Mirena inserted at the end of October last year, and after 1.5 periods, I stopped getting them (which is pretty cool). This is definitely a problem right now, because if I had regular periods, I probably would be less confused about what might be going on.
During my first Remicade infusion at the beginning of the month, I had very sharp cramps that felt like they were coming from my right ovary. The cramps came and went a few times, and I had some spotting the next day or two. Then it went away.
During my second infusion on Monday, I had similar, but much less painful cramping, again around my right ovary, and over the next couple of days had some more spotting. I'm still feeling some very dull cramping around my right ovary; it feels sort of like ovulation, but it's not.
I'm very concerned about this, since I was told I had PCOS when I was younger and treated for it with birth control pills for 8 years. I've had a few ovarian cysts that have ruptured, although none since going on/off the pill. What's really worrying me is that this pain has been triggered both times I've had infusions.
Has anyone had a similar experience? More generally, has Remicade (or any other TNFa antagonist) messed with your menstrual cycle in some fashion? I'm not sure who to go to about this--my GI who has no background in GYN, or my GYN who has no background in GI (and, because she works at student health services, has no access to ultrasound).