Please help me work out what this is (maybe tmi)

[MakeHayNotStraw]

Ok, I am obviously not relying on you all for a definite diagnosis, but I really want to know what's going on ( I have been to the dr, no joy) and hope someone can help.

Basically, I have been getting horrible tummy trouble recently - trapped wind, constipation, bloating and the odd bout of diarrhoea, but mostly the former three. These seem to be connected to my periods - I restarted about 3 months ago when ds was 15 months old, and I first had the symptoms above about a week or so beforehand, and stopping when my period started. Symptoms again about a week before period number 2, and then again 2 weeks later when I had a tiny bleed and then 2 weeks later when I had a mahoosive 2 week bleed. Niiiiice. Just spent the last few days ranging from agony to really uncomfortable, although I have barely finished the last period so I don't know if it is hormonal after all.

I'm basically fed up with it. Don't know what's going on - the dr said keep an eye on my erratic periods and that it's normal, and take laxatives (I've been taking windeze and lactulose, but don't really like doing it - but I already eat loads of fruit and drink water kefir regularly).

Any ideas? I could really use a bit of help.... I am going back to the dr on wed morning anyway, but being bloated and tender is driving me crazy. I want to start running again, have sex, rough and tumble with my DCs but they are all the last things I want to do ATM. I have no energy, either and often feel lightheaded after eating. and fed up.

Some kind of food intolerance?

Hiya,

well these things could be caused by various issues but my main concern is that you ask the doctor to refer you for some form of investigation.

I don't want to worry you but they can be caused by more serious illnesses, such as ovarian cancer at the extreme end of the spectrum, and though this is really very unlikely to be the cause, your GP ought to be being proactive about finding out what exactly is going on.

There are a host more things that are not serious and can easily be resolved - so don't be palmed off with IBS, as that is a collection of symptoms, not an illness in itself and it always has some cause or other.

I hope you will feel better soon x

I had terrible IBS when my period was due, but dont know why

Oh, xpost

Thanks all! I really appreciate your replies. IBS has certainly come up in my googling (I know, I know, step away from google...) but five, you have hit the nail on the head about my concerns with it. It always seems like something that gets diagnosed when the real reason can't be found, and the symptoms are always vague. So what should I expect to be tested for? It's all started very suddenly, I've neve had it before even after DD's pregnancy.

Food intolerances, possibly - I do often get cramps starting while I am eating or just after,but there's no pattern to what I am eating really so I can't think what it would be.

I'm stumped and red up (yes, I know I said that earlier too....!)

I know now that I gave endometriosis, I wondered if that was part of the problem.

Have not gave.

Was going to say endo too. I get bowel issues with my period due to adhesions on my bowel. You need to be referred to a gynae OP, not fobbed off with meds.

Ok, that's something to ask about then, thank you. The symptoms are similar, I presume? Would 2 CSs be a risk factor, as they introduce scar tissue to the gut?

I also think its something that my mother had problems with (something similar, anyway). Is that relevant, i.e. should I be telling the dr that?

It might be significant about your mum, I'm not very well versed on endo. I only found out I had through having an mri brfore a hysterectomy. I was told I had old endo scarring. Thinking about it I'm sure it was what caused my bowel problems, especially at period time.

I would ask for a gynae referral

Ask for a thyroid test and blood test for amnemia too.

Did u have a c section or natural birth?

I've had 2 emcs, I wondered if they were somehow involved although I had no problems with healing from them.

cocolepew that's fab advice, thank you. They will go on my list to discuss!

The only reason I ask is I have similar ish symptoms around totm (though not as frequent as you) since having an Emcs and my doctor thought it might be bruising/damage on the womb.. I like you recovered pretty quickly.

Should really go back and get it checked out really!

That does make sense - I know if I press on my tummy I can feel scar tissue so I guess it's probably a bit of a mess inside.

Well, I saw the dr - she tried to fob me off again with laxatives so I cried . She asked me what I was worried about so I listed everything that I had read about - the upshot is that I had a blood test yesterday and she has referred me for an ultrasound. So hopefully we will be able to rule out anything sinister (which I don't think it is anyway, but still worry about).

I had another by painful attack this morning, before eating anything, and I didn't have wheat last night so I am not convinced that food has much to do with it. However, I do often feel dizzy and lightheaded after a meal, and was exhausted when I finally managed to eat breakfast today, so there is something weird there.

I am just at a complete loss, and very fed up. I feel like I can't do anything normal - thankfully DH is at home at the moment so he was able to take the children this morning and I felt a bit better after a bath. I just want to know what it is and what to do about it. my poor DCs and poor DH - it's no fun for them.