I have some of the same symptoms as you. Right when I wake up in the morning I have horrible stomache cramps and ussually have 2 or 3 bm's not d or c. My Dr. just started me on paxil and lotronex (which I'm alittle leary of. Do you ever notice this being worse before your cycle is to begin? Very interested to see how else you feel. My Dr's can't seem to figure out what is wrong with me. Thanks Michel
Does it Have to be D or C?
G
Is it IBS if you have frequent bowel movements (first thing in the morning) but they are neither D or C? They lean more towards loose than not, but they are definitely not D. But sometimes I have to go 3 or 4 times the first hour I'm up...makes me reluctant to leave the house. I've started to take a Xanax (tranq) after the first one or two and that slows down my stomach stuff and I'm usually ok after that, but I hate doing symptomatic treatment. I'd like to find out why this is happening and what I can do to stop it.
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G
Michel,YES...it's definitely worse before my period. In fact, when I first had the symptoms I also had other symptoms of perimenopause so I had an FSH test. The dr. put me on hormone replacement (as it turns out this was premature, and exacerbated my problem). I've stopped the hormones this week but did get a period so maybe once that's done my stomach will start behaving normally again. I don't get back stomach cramps in the morning, just a lot of NOISE (in my stomach, not my intestines) and some jitteriness when I first get up and then the bowel activity.My doctor was going to start me on the Prozac/Paxil routine but I'm choosing to find out what the problem really is before going down that road. Personally, I think a psychiatrist should be prescribing those drugs (in conjunction with therapy) instead of GPs writing Rx's for them so readily.It's helpful to know that I'm not the only one with this problem, though...
G
One more thing...another doctor prescribed Bentyl and that made me sicker than ever. Including depression AND anxiety, nausea, extreme drowsiness/dizziness. Amazing that they can put men on the moon but can't make you well without making you sick in some other way.I'm also going to an acupunturist now and she's putting together some herbal mixture for my stomach. I'm hoping the alternative route is more successful than the Western medicine route.
G
The symptoms you describe are quite similar to the ones I have been "surviving" with for over 17 years now. They became truly exaserbated after my first child was born. I too have more trouble with frequency of movement than the acctual consistancy of the stool, although I can run the gambit of C to D during one morning's cycle of evacuation. Yes, everything is worse the day before and the first day of my period. I also notice a lot more gas and irritation at ovulation usually. The Bentyl didn't bother me too much, but I didn't help much either. What really whalloped me was Elivil. Talk about cramps and D. I did the Prozac thing too. It sort of deintensified the symptoms some for a while, but then it seemed to level off and I choose to discontinue it rather that up the dosage. It didn't make me drowsy or anything, though. I'm not sure where all the hype about Prozac got stated really, but I don't like taking chemicals unless there is a really good reason. As you say, it is always sort of reassuring that someone else is experiencing thing similar to yourself, since its not something that comes up in normal conversation and you don't just ask around at the office... I think natural food type fiber and water my be our best friends in achieving normal evacution habits. but it never stays perfect :-{
G
I have had the problem for over 30 years (I am 50). BUT, for YEARS I didn't know what I had - I didn't associate the food I ate yesterday with the cramps and loose stools of the morning. Now I am constantly learning (this board helps). It is much better now than it used to be but as I get older, I have to adapt as more and more foods trigger the IBS.My daughter has trouble right before her period and (not to sound like a broken record) she is finding Dong Quai (Angelica sinesis) helps but she has only taken it for a month - no gas and symtoms reduced.My IBS is much better now and I usually find if I have a major attack, it is usually because of something I have done wrong - like eating something I shouldn't have - like ICE CREAM. Pay the price. Live and learn - it does get better....
G
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to start keeping a diary of exactly what I eat and how I feel the next day. One night this week I ate a TUMS right before bed, and did feel better the next morning. (only one bowel movement, and no "sick" feeling right after it).
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