[Guest]

I am working with my gyno and go doc to figure out if I have ibs or what. One of my symtoms is cramps in my very lower abdomine that are EXACTLY like period craps. It happens any time during the month. They come and go even leave for days at a time.When I was off birth control theses don't seem to happen.I guess my main question is do any symtoms of ibs feel like milder period cramps?

 

[Kathleen M.]

IBS pain can feel like any other abdominal pain from any other organ you have (so appendix pain, gall bladder pain, pancreatitis, etc.)Each pain nerve covers a fair amount of area in the abdomen and they don't necessarily have one signal for organ one and a different one for organ two. It tends to mostly be intensity and is it a big area or a small one. Sometimes other sensations from other sensory nerves add in, but how the pain feels doesn't really tell you which organ is complaining, or what is wrong with the organ. Sometimes the location isn't all that helpful, either as sometimes pain in the torso is "referred" so may be felt someplace other than exactly where the problem is. Gall bladder pain often is felt in the shoulder blade, for example.

 

[Robin_W]

Mine do occasionally! I thought I was the only one, haha. I usually have severe abdominal pain prior to a BM, but sometimes when the pain is easing up, or just beginning, it feels a LOT like mild period cramps. I am on birth control, currently (and have been consistently, so I am not really sure if this relates to me at all). I found it really odd when I first noticed it. Though, my IBS seems to act up considerably whenever it is close to that monthly time. I mentioned the period crampy feeling to the Doc when I saw him, and was diagnosed, but he didn't seem to make much of it. I'm not sure if he misunderstood me, or if it's just not uncommon. Either way, I know what it feels like, and it DEFINITELY feels just like period cramps. Let me know what your docs make of it.

 

[jennyk22]

Same here. I definitely feel the period cramp pains with IBS, usually but not always followed by a BM.

 

[fluffyviolet]

Same here too! For the past several years, it has always felt like my period pains when I need to use the bathroom, but sometimes I just get them and can't have a BM. It's confusing, when I have my period now, I don't know if the pain is that or my bowels anymore. The pain can be pretty severe too, like not being able to move.

 

[Guest]

Jenny and Fluffy, are you both on Birth control also?Here is the weird thing with me. I went off of birth control for a whole year almost (most of 09) and the subtle period cramps I would feel throughout the month went away... I am not sure if It is related to my IBS or female stuff / birth control. When i do seem to have bowel problems (which isnt often) The cramping etc it totally different. I wonder though, its obviouse that female stuff and IBS effect each other in various ways.My MAIN symtom and reason for going to the doctor though is the persistance stitch / twinge and sometimes pain thing I have on my lower right abdomen. it comes and goes but acts up the most during ovulation time (even when Im on BC and Im not ovulating!)Just trying ti figure out what is wrong with me. Is it bowl or female. Is it primarily female related but causing my bowels to act up (that is what I THINK it is..) I may have endo really. We will see.... tired of trying to figre this out!

 

[fluffyviolet]

Jenny and Fluffy, are you both on Birth control also?My MAIN symtom and reason for going to the doctor though is the persistance stitch / twinge and sometimes pain thing I have on my lower right abdomen. it comes and goes but acts up the most during ovulation time (even when Im on BC and Im not ovulating!)Just trying ti figure out what is wrong with me. Is it bowl or female. Is it primarily female related but causing my bowels to act up (that is what I THINK it is..) I may have endo really. We will see.... tired of trying to figre this out!

I am on BC, but my sensations of period symptoms before a BM started after I had surgery. I've had chronic pancreatitis since I was 16, I had surgery when I was 25 and my pancreas now drains directly into my small intestine, so I think in my case, it was the surgery, not the BC. I also have that stitch too, and never got an answer for it. It flared up really bad once, but most of the time it's mild, but I can always feel it when I lay on my left side (it's on my right side too, just laying on my left seems to bother it). I never connected it to my ovulation, I'll have to see if it corresponds. I am on the pill that keeps me down to 4 periods a year tho, so it will be a while before I can see if it is worse during that time.It takes time trying to figure it all out, the last year and a half, I have spent so much time researching and have learned a lot to help, but would like to find answers for everything......which there doesn't seem to be! It's been frustrating, but keep thinking of things, and try things you think are worth a shot, even if the docs and other people say it's silly. My internists are idiots, but my primary care doctor is always willing to try things that I ask of him, even if I sound nutty, and thank goodness for him, because he has helped more than the specialists.

 

[fluffyviolet]

I did forget something........I know in my case at least the female stuff and the bowel stuff do seem to relate, as the day or two before each period I usually have to go to the bathroom a lot, not really diarrhea, but close. Other than that, I am always constipated, so I know for a fact it is my period that causes it. I keep thinking the cure to my constipation may lie somewhere in there, but I don't know who would know what causes me to go to the bathroom, hormones or other, which ones? Sometimes I wish there were real scientists or chemists I could talk to about theories!

 

[jennyk22]

Jenny and Fluffy, are you both on Birth control also?Here is the weird thing with me. I went off of birth control for a whole year almost (most of 09) and the subtle period cramps I would feel throughout the month went away... I am not sure if It is related to my IBS or female stuff / birth control. When i do seem to have bowel problems (which isnt often) The cramping etc it totally different. I wonder though, its obviouse that female stuff and IBS effect each other in various ways.My MAIN symtom and reason for going to the doctor though is the persistance stitch / twinge and sometimes pain thing I have on my lower right abdomen. it comes and goes but acts up the most during ovulation time (even when Im on BC and Im not ovulating!)Just trying ti figure out what is wrong with me. Is it bowl or female. Is it primarily female related but causing my bowels to act up (that is what I THINK it is..) I may have endo really. We will see.... tired of trying to figre this out!

I have Mirena, an IUD as birth control. At first I worried that my abdominal issues were being caused by the IUD, but really they started before I got it, right after I gave birth to my daughter. It is tiring to analyze all this, but it seems we have no choice. My IBS-D definitely seems to be triggered by my period, but I'm unsure as to why. Oddly enough, I was constipated for the first time in years this past weekend while I was on vacation. I wonder if it was my lack of caffeine intake... Anyways, good luck to you!

 

[jennyk22]

Oh my gosh, I'm having these crampy pains so bad today!!!! I'm interested to see if my period is coming. I get these horrible cramps then run to the bathroom to have D!!! :-(

 

[helenearnold]

Oh my gosh, I'm having these crampy pains so bad today!!!! I'm interested to see if my period is coming. I get these horrible cramps then run to the bathroom to have D!!! :-(

Had a real bad episode last night, after being free for a cple years, don't have periods anymore, but those cramps are debilitating, is there anything OTC that you can recommend to ease them?

 

[Housebound_1]

You said you get the pains around ovulation? You could have a cyst. This happened to me when I went off birth control. Cysts form when you ovulate (if you don't have PCOS). When you're on BC Pills, you're not ovulating. I would check to see if you can get an ultrasound to rule out cysts. Cysts can be painful - I feel mine when going to the bathroom, especially if I have to "push". Mosts functional and luteal cysts will go away on their own, but if you feel it every month, I would definitely ask your gyno about it.

 

[avm88]

I have the "period like" cramps as we speak! Already had my bowel movement and Im still continueing to feel the pain..More dull than usual but can definately feel them.