What Causes Exhaustion, Sweating And Abdominal Cramps During Periods?

Posted on Sun, 10 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 10 Apr 2016 Answered on

Mon, 6 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 53yom, I am having usually 2-3 times a week periods of complete exhaustion, EXCESSIVE sweating, confusion, sever abdominal cramps w/diarrhea, +N,+V followed by "controlled syncope" (i can sit or lay down) and what i & others describe as going to sleep for anywhere between 30min and 4hours. I am a FF/Paramedic/RN. I have normal BP during these episodes, HR 60, NSR with occ PAC, Borderline .18 PR,R-24, T-99.0. My initial thoughts w. vasovagal, but the activity at onset varies from sitting, to just being outside doing non-intensive labor. ie. Taking VS, unfortunately driving when i was able to move the vehicle off the roadway and just sit in high AC for 30 min........ I think i added way to much or? any suggestions when i talk to my MD
PS: HX of Adrenal insuff. 6+years ago, corrected with prednisone for 2years.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hormone tests

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your symptoms. There can be a few endocrine conditions that need to be ruled out. One is a thyroid condition. A simple non fasting blood test called TSH is helpful. The other one is Pheochromocytoma. Again a non fasting blood sample for Plasma Free Metanephrines will be useful. You will be best served by seeing an endocrinologist in-person. When I see someone like you in my practice I order the following tests in addition to a thorough physical examination : CBC, SGOT, SGPT, creatinine , electrolytes, HbA1c, TSH , Free T4, 8 am cortisol, Plasma Free Metanephrines. Based on the findings on physical examination it may be relevant to check Serum Testosterone levels. This test needs to be done in the morning too

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar