Stomach issues ruining my life

[Pippyplum]

I don't know where to start with this, I have had intermittent stomach pains and bloating throughout each month for the last 7 or 8 years (I'm 45). It leaves me totally immobile when it happens, I can't stand up straight and I have to just lie down. Once it's there, it's there for the day, painkillers do not work at all. It's really getting me down, it ruins holidays, weekends away, I can't walk my dog, go on nights out, etc. I can't get to the bottom of it but I'm pretty sure it's related to my cycle rather than a food or IBS issue. I have had an ultrasound but that didn't show anything, I feel so pathetic going to the Dr's and feel like I don't explain myself properly when I'm there. I just wondered if anyone else has any similar experiences and potential reasons for this debilitating pain and horrendous bloating. Thank you for reading my rant, any advice is welcome.

Can you write it down for the gp so your thoughts are clear. If you have a food diary and have tracked your cycle bring along the data. And if you need to, bring an advocate with you.

My special talent is responding to the doctor’s “how are you?” with “fine, thank you very much” and promptly forgetting why I’m even there.

Did you have your hall bladder checked op?

Have you kept a detailed food diary and tried eliminating (one at a time) the usual suspects?

lol, gallbladder!

Poor you OP. It does sound gynaecological. I’d be asking for a pelvic MRI. This would show up much more than the ultrasound did.

Sometimes it can help to have a symptom diary to take with you to the GP, especially if you don't feel you're explaining well.

You shouldn't really be eliminating food groups from your diet without supervision from a dietician. Otherwise you can store up new problems for yourself such as osteoporosis.

I do write things down before I go in but some GPs are so dismissive. They don't actually seem interested in the massive amount of notes I have in my phone of when this is happening and if there's a pattern.

Could this be due to ovulation?
I have had this most cycles, especially after second c-section.
I think it might be a combination of ovaries being more restricted due to scar tissue. Around ovulation the ovaries swell and once the egg is released sometimes some fluid leaks in the abdominal cavity which can irritate and cause (referred) pain. It can be accompanied by bloating quite impressively for about a week or so and pain.

If the gp can't find anything maybe worth to try a progestin only birth control to suppress ovulation and see how you go?

Yes I have, thank you, doesn't seem to be food related.

Definitely sounds like you need checking out OP.

I am a similar again and had similar symptoms but after an ultrasound of ovaries etc, I've basically determined I have developed a lot of intolerances. Food I could eat with no issue 10 years ago have me doubled over now and looking 6 months pregnant.

I had to go low-fodmap and feel 100x better.

It sounds counterproductive but have you tried having bran/linseed every day to make sure you are staying regular.

Gallstones hurt like this

No, never had anyone check my gallbladder

Thank you, this is good to know. I'm running out of ideas of what to ask for. The GP doesn't seem to want to offer anything, they want to know what I want, but I don't know, I'm not the expert!!

I did try going on the pill about a year ago but I just bled constantly for a month and was so emotional and tearful, I had to stop. I have thought it could be ovulation but it isn't just during that part of my cycle. I'd say the week before and the week after my period are the worst (as well as my actual period but I expect the pain then).

Yes I have, thank you, doesn't seem to be food issues.