Perimenopause and IBS a terrible combination..help

Women's health
1

Hi ladies, Jenn here..I am 51 years old and in full Perimenopause.  I was diagnosed with IBS about 10 years ago.  I was wondering if anyone has had the experience with their IBS worsening around Peri? My biggest complaint is the gas and bloating, and after a BM (sorry to be gross) I get weird crampy cramps around my pelvic area and sometimes lower back.  I was told by my Gastro doc that it is colon spasms and a disconnect between my brain and gut.  Two Gastro docs gave me antispasmodics, they are terrible!..I have tried everything to stop or help this problem, but it's there everyday and it is affecting my quality of life.  Had to go to a pain management doctor and I am taking one Vicodin when the cramps are really bad.  I have had two endoscopies and three colonoscopies, pelvic sono, CT scan, blood work all normal..anyone every hear of this or experience it..need some help

2

Just curious Jennifer did you read the written report of your ct scan yourself ?  Sounds a lot like my daughter and when she went herself an read the actual written report, it showed she has diverticular disease spread throughout her colon BUT they never told her that! 

3

So were you put on Mebeverine and Buscopan?

Were you taking them every day or just when you got a cramp?

Yes peri can worsen IBS.

4

Hi Jennifer,

I do the same problem with IBS and possible SIBO. I am 49 and couple of years ago started to have a terrible low back pain. It was so bad... My MRI showed some mild disk degeneration but the doctor said it's almost 99% of adults having it. I found a functional med doctor who did a lot of tests and found IBS and SIBO(c). I also having the bloating, gas and terrible constipation :-( Was on herbal antibiotics for a while, some change in diet (not always so) and my back is better but not completely. I can take an ibuprofen 200mg once i an while but mostly I can tolerate the back pain. 

Just wanted to tell that any digestive disorder can give you the back pain and you need to treat the first problem. And all of it started be worth in my premenopause time... Still not sure when the back problem will end but tired of it :-(

5

I'm afraid nearly everyone gets diverticular disease as they get older.

6

Hiya Jenn

I have ulcerative colitas, and have had this for 27 years now, I’m 53 and been going through the menopause for the last 4 years..

Iv not found Iv got worse since menopause, my stomach as always been bloated since being diagnosed with colitas, I look 6 mth pregnet lol😩 and I do suffer from stomach cramps most days, and can’t say much helps me, but think after 27yrs Iv just got use to it now...

So no for ME there’s been no change since starting menopause.. but who knows u may be sensitive and with the peri we just all feel crap and I mean crap, u body is all over the place, and your not sure if your comin or going bless you..sorry I can’t be any more help, but ask if u want to know any thing and I’ll try to help you best I can..

Good luk and I do hope it all settles soon big hug🤗x 

7

Hi, Jennifer,

Sorry you're suffering with this!  Have you tried an OTC product, including charcoal, to help deal with this?  xx

8

Hi, I had a similar issue and I tried the probiotic alflorex. It is specifically for IBS and it helped my symptons by 60%.  Still there but not nearly as bad.  My impression is some people swear by it and some people with IBS, it doesn't help their symptoms.  But you could give it a try. 

You need to wait  a month before seeing an improvement.  It helped me.  I had terrible bloating..I used to look 6 months pregnant and now I only look about 2 months pregnant... 

9

I have diverticulisis, wonder why some of us that get that infection more than others, and wonder why those with divercular disease don't get any symptoms at all. Like I was first diagnosed Jan 2017 and then just 10 months later another bad infection and flare and back on antibiotics! It's a little confusing on what is causing the infection!'

 

10

I was given Dyciclomine and Levsin, both made me go to the bathroom more and did not help the cramps.  Made me feel anxious too. 

11

Hello, you say you have tried everything. IBS really is about diet and allergies, so many people have cured themselves through cutting out the triggers. Have you tried looking at that? 

Best wishes,

 

12

Hi Jennifer

I am 51 currently perimenopausal and could have written everything you listed and described! Terrible IBS and indigestion and anxiety is through the roof.

I am an admin for a group on Facebook called Perimenopause Hell and it is great for offering advice and finding that you are not alone with your symptoms.

I had an endoscope last year and previous endoscopes and colonoscopy pointed to IBS. It has all really amped up now though 😕

13

Jennifer,

I feel your pain. I wish someone had warned me. The worst is vaso vagal syncope before a bowel movement and anxiety. I have it under control with caltrate, effexor rx and the combipatch. Each day is still a battle. I can actually tell when my hormones are fluctuating. I get electrical impulses in my head, face and chest. Thanks for the Facebook page. I just sent a request.

 

14

I have been having terrible IBS for about the past year. It used to only happen when I had a period, now it is all th time.  I am also 51, soon to be 52. Stress seems to exacerbate it.

I also have FMS/CFS/ME and depression - and I have wondered if that had to do with it, now I think it is hormones and central nervous system disruptions. Do you have other issues like fatigue,chronic pain, or depression?

 

15

P.S.I am also recently on a Paleo diet- anti-inflammatory diet -  and no dairy and I am waiting to see if i starts helping.Just had a period and terrible IBS. It was really painful. I can take Bentyl if I need to.

16

Hi Debbie
how are you getting on now? I have the vasovagal symptoms with bowel movements.
Any suggestions?
thank you!