[Guest]

I am feeling perfectly awful today. It is that time of the month and it doesn't seem like anything is working. Although I have only made one trip to the bathroom today, I feel crampy all the time and wonder if I need to go. I am also extremely tired. I also feel very down in the dumps in general. I thought I would be excited after reading about the approval of Lotronex, but I just feel blah and can't seem to shake it. I love coming to the board and reading the posts from everyone as that usually gives me the feeling of being with others who understand and relate to this and that usually makes me feel better. Maybe all of this is just because of it being this time of the month. I don't usually have bad cramping at this time but today is different and lots of flooding. Can't do much walking today. Sorry to be venting such negative thoughts today, I try to stay upbeat. I guess this is just one of those days when I am sick and tired of waking up with this disorder. Thanks for listening.

 

[Guest]

I know what those days are like. I find I feel much worse around that time of the month. My IBS definitely acts up and yes, I get a bt more bummed about it. Hope your better fast.Carol

 

[Guest]

Hi soccermom, I wish I didn't but I know exactly how you feel. I've had some really tough monthlys since my IBS went out of control. I get really bad PMS so my IBS acts up a little more then too. As my IBS has improved it also isn't as bad during my period, I find hope in that!!!I get very severe cramping and Naproxen Sodium has been a miracle. If your cramps continue in coming months check with your doctor and see if you can get a prescription. It's basically Alleve but the prescription strength is a little different and suppresses the prostaglandins that cause the cramps. The down side is you have to take it as soon as you get your period before the cramps take hold or it won't help very much.If you can, give yourself a break today and just rest and relax, hope you feel better quickly. Jackie

 

[Guest]

I know how you feel too. I have my period right now too, and I think your emotions during this time just get you more depressed with the IBS. I basically broke done last night telling my husband that he just doesn't understand and no one does. I have to deal with this everyday and I don't feel like anyone is helping me or listening to me. Of course this website has been the best thing because you all can relate. I have heard that you can get really tired during your period and the hormones I think effect us too. Let's stick together.

 

[Guest]

Yes, that is actually the worst time. I get my IBS severe the couple of days before my period, and then the weekend after. One time even sent myself to the hospital because i thought i was dying, my IBS was so bad. My spasms are much worse and alternating C&D and just plain nauseated and irritated and depressed. I went off birthcontrol for 3 months to see if that might help, but made it much worse, so i am back on the pill. Anyway, I have not found much remedy for this time, except to just know its coming and be prepared to be sick. I am going to try Bentyl this next time around and see if it helps. I dont know - any recommendations are gladly appreciated.Hang in there!------------------Rox"Life is just something that happens while you are making plans"

 

[jane93]

I agree..mine is usually worse just before my period. I get cramps and some C and then it changes to D and gas. I've found that changes in my diet have helped this substantially. Changes in your diet of course vary accordng to your own digestive system...so this may not work for you. I personally find that if I eliminate sugar, corn syrup, honey and other simple sugars including most fruit the week before and be sure to get plenty of exercise at least an hour every other day I feel much better and my periods are much easier to deal with. Of course its really hard to be that disciplined, especially during the many special occasions (..valentines, birthdays, christmas, halloween..) that market candy to the weak willed among us!

..ah hormones.. Don't you just hate to be ruled by your hormones and your IBS?

 

[Guest]

These symptoms and worse, i feel them everyday.Sometimes when i have my period i feel better because i know that it will pass in a few days.(I wished!)Strange how the mind works sometimes.

 

[LNAPE]

soccer mom,I know how you feel. You will find that after about 3 months of the calcium your periods will also get better. Not as much cramping or diarrhea.Also for the mood and the excess water you may take B6 vitamin 100 mg just the few days before your period starts and you will feel better. Just one a day. When your body has all tha it needs you just pee out the excess. It will be pretty yellow.Linda

 

[Guest]

I am so backward from this. I have right side lower pain - and sway btw C & D, but not really either. The pain completely goes away the week of my period. It slowly got worse, then I noticed from about 5 months ago that I did not have pain when I was in my period week. Now that it was mentioned here, I'm going to try to see if it is worse right before my period. The pain is so bad - every night, several times a day... I'm going to try some things mentioned on the BB like flax oil. I'm taking Vit. B complex 3 times a day and Vit. B 12 2x a day. I think it helps. I tend to have that "cleansing" poop before my period. Maybe I just get cleaned out. Hope you feel better.

 

[mazzy]

hi soccer mom... ibs has always been the worse time for flare ups with me. Tho, if it's any consolation, I have talked to MANY women friends (NON-IBS) who say that they seem to develop rather loose bowels, or bowel related symptoms just prior to or during their periods. I think with IBS, it is just more pronounced. The Caltrate Plus has helped me tremendously, but I still notice the difference just prior or during my periods (tho it's waning, as I'm nearing 51 years old now, & I believe I'm nearing the end of this menopausal stage *hoping anyway*

)IBS tends to aggravate everything else in our lives (as if life itself doesn't carry it's own trial & tribulations, eh??) But, it did tend to help me.. when I realized that even NON-IBS affected women have a dilemma to deal with (re bowel function.)Just keep trying to stay "upbeat" & know we are all hear to listen & vent to

Hang in there, & remember, you are loved & understood here.

------------------Loving, caring, healing thoughts...mazzy"We help others, not by interfering with their lives nor by imposing our ideas on them, but always by acting in a spirit of sympathy & self-identification with them in their troubles & joys."

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for your kind words and understanding. I feel better already just reading your posts. Maybe I just started feeling a bit sorry for myself today. I try not to do that because I know many people who have worse things than IBS. I have a good friend who just a year ago found out that she has MS. And she is always encouraging me! She understands me because her husband has had IBS for 15 years. I didn't know that until I started talking about my condition. Once again, thank you all. I appreciate being able to read your responses more than I can tell you. Hope all of you will give me the opportunity to cheer you up one day. Linda,Thanks for the advice about the calcium and the other vitamins. I will try that. I need a better mood. Thanks again

 

[Guest]

I have read in the past that hormonal changes can be linked to consitpation. Searches on the internet have led me to no information as to why this happens. But it seems to me, that I have the worst symptoms when I ovulate (this REALLY hurts coupled with ovary pain!) and sometimes during my period. Usually I wake up in the middle of the night in so much pain I want to scream and nothing seems to ease the pain. So, you see, you are not alone. And now I know, that I am not alone. Finding this site has made me feel a lot less alone in this battle. Thanks to everyone for your input!

 

[Anxious]

soccer mom - I can totally relate to your mood of earlier. Bad enough to have the darn monthlies to begin with, but to have them upset our IBS too, well thats just a bummer! I'm glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better now.[This message has been edited by Anxious (edited 02-11-2000).]

 

[Guest]

That time of the mth is a very bad time for me also. I'm completely disabled, unable to leave the house. Does anyone have that problem? My bowels did a shut down process 10 mths ago. After mths of pebble size hard stools, I finally got it going with Senocot, but during that time my abdomen kept expanding & I became nauseated, that was 10 mths ago. My abdomen is still distented, I look about 5 mths pregnant, & very bloated even though my bowels are working now with eating fiber & using metamucil. I can't seem to get rid of the nausea, it's there 24 hrs/day & the bloating never goes away. My appetite also dissappeared. My doctor told it's IBS, but I've had IBS for 10 yrs & I've never had these symptoms. Why start now, & what is it? HELP!

 

[Katherine]

I hear you soccermom!I got my period wednesdaynight, at skating practise... I always get it at practise! Bloody nerves me!My IBS gets worse also during this time.. I agree with Anxious, bad enough we have to deal with this IBS, but along with our periods... ahhh!A few months ago i went on birth control, and eventhough it does make my periods shorter and lighter, it upsets my stomach quite a bit. Hope you feel better!Take care hon!PS.. no worries about venting, that is what we're here for

[This message has been edited by Katherine (edited 02-12-2000).]

 

[Guest]

I came on for first time today with a query but think this section has already helped. I have ibs but not really very bothersome. However, on Thursday night I experienced something wich I have had maybe 6 times in past 8 years - waking in the middle of the night with period cramps, take 2 paracetamol, 10 mins later need to go to toilet, diarrhoea and then- WOW- I honestly thought I might die SWEATING, TREMBLING, PASSING INTO SEMI CONSCIOUSNESS, TEMPERATURE HIGH I just wanted to lie on floor and was burning up. Eventually D stopped but cramp unbearable. I have had this before and never understood why. Is this part of IBS? Next day fine - apart from exhausted from being up from 3am!Thanks for any reassuring advice and good luck to all x