Rheumatologist and Menstrual Cycle

Your cycle is not regular if it varies by that much.

You can almost set a watch by my period. I have a 2 day variance - sometimes I get my period 27 days after the 1st day of my last period and sometimes it's as late as when I get up on the 29th day. But I could look at a calendar and tell you in 3 months about when I will have my period. I can also tell you about how many tampons I will use during my period because it always lasts 6-7 days. Sometimes the last 2 days drag out with some spotting but that's as much as it varies.... I would call that a regular menstrual cycle.

An irregular cycle isn't necessarily bad and it usually doesn't indicate anything is wrong, per say. However.... since it's on the questionnaire I would write down everything that you can remember about your period - even in the last 3 or 4 months. She will get a picture of your cycle.

Good Lcuk

I agree with the other ladies I go to rheumatologist also I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia and my docs paperwork asks the same thing and she said even things that you might not think important can and usually are important...my doc also has a paper that I do before every visit that you check off any new possible symptoms that may have popped up since the last visit..

I'm late answering but I agree w/ the other posters. I was diagnosed w/ RA two weeks ago and as it was "coming on" (over the last 5 months or so), I seemed to have one serious joint issue after another at the beginning of each month.

First week in July: acute tendonitis of the right rotator cuff (lifted heavy bag of books)
First week of August: less acute tendonitis in the left rotator cuff (babying right rotator cuff, so used left arm to lift heavy bag of groceries)
First week of September: woke up ad couldn't bend right knee
First week in October: extremely sore feet/couldn't bend toes to the point of crying when trying to put on tennis shoes (thought this was from wearing very cheap - but very cute - thong sandals all over Waikiki for 3 days).
First and second week of November - woke up twice with one hand, then the other, numb. Then a few days later, sprained first finger by flipping on a faucet, then the next day, the middle finger by hooking a lightweight canvas bag.

The podiatrist I started seeing after 3 weeks of limping on my not-getting-better feet said all of these injuries really didn't add up and that I should see my doc about a possible arthritis diagnosis. She didn't know of any cyclical links, and neither did my primary doc. And honestly, I forgot to ask the Rheumatologist when I saw him two weeks ago! But I go back next Tues and your post will help me to remember to ask him.

I hope you find relief soon. This sucks. I'm still struggling w/ pain, but I'm hopeful!

You need to tell the rheumatologist what you said here. And it is important to tell him. What you describe is not regular because it varies so much. It seems regular to you because it is what you have come to expect. Don't panic--as we get older our cycle changes and becomes irregular. We just adapt.

It is important that the new doctor knows that you are irregular. Which you are, so put that down. Yours are varried and you dont know when they come so they do need to know that. That can have an impact on your health, and in whatever they are trying to diagnose you for.

I see a Rheumatolgist too in Tacoma Group Health. I'm not sure where you are going, or seeing but detail is important, even if small ones, such as an irregular period.

Definitely tell this to your doctor. This sounds irregular to me. Regular means it happens about the same timing each month and for about the same duration. Yours seems to be all over the for timing and duration.

Anything you can tell your doc will help with treatment. Don't forget to mention if you are gassy certain times of the month, etc. It may not seem like it would help, but it is better to have the overall picture.