Hi Molly and Jenna,
I have Becker's myotonia and am now 56 years old. Definitely in my case there is a hormonal effect. At puberty I noticed my symptoms were worse in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Since menopause my symptoms have worsened again, and I now have to take mexiletine hydrochloride. Previously I didn't really let my myotonia stop me doing anything as it was fairly mild. By taking the mexiletine I can get back to that state. I only take a very low dose, 50mg twice a day, mixed up by a compounding chemist.
I know what you mean about husbands, but I guess unless they can feel it they're not going to understand. I found giving my husband an article written by a doctor with myotonia changed his perspective a lot. My labours were long and slow, but contractions were 2 mins apart right from the start. Not sure if this was relevant.

Type of Myotonia: Beckers

Country: Australia

Relieving the tension helps return joints to normal mobility.

Yup, subluxation here, too--my shoulders subluxate sometimes, and my hips get pulled out of joint when I'm pregnant by muscle cramps.

A GOOD deep-tissue massage therapist can make all those muscles relax, and a good exercise program can keep them that way so that you only need the therapist once a month or so. This protects joints form injury. MC isn't progressive, but joint damage can be!

And apparently, pregnancy make MC worse in pretty much everyone. Wheee. But it gets better after.

Type of Myotonia: Thomsen's

Country: USA