Digestive system has gone to pot since hitting Perimenopause.

[Septemberintherain]

Has anyone else experienced this?
I am 49 now and although I have had IBS since the age of 25 it wasn’t until I hit my mid 40’s that everything went haywire.
My symptoms are daily.
I have awful upper issues like acid, indigestion, burping and a really gurgling tummy. I get awful nausea, especially mid cycle (I still have a cycle and periods).
My lower gut also gurgles excessively, I have loads of gas, urgency in the mornings, sometimes diarrhoea and sometimes harder to go.
The tummy gurgling even wakes me up at night (along with the hot sweats!)
Its as though I hit this age and everything stopped working/functioning as it should.
I have been under the gastroenterology department for a few years and have had loads of tests. A gastroscope, colonoscopy and ct scan 3 years ago. Lots of ultra sound scans, a pill camera endoscopy this year too. I’ve been tested for coeliac disease and h pylori. I’ve had pelvic scans and a ca-125 blood test too.
The gastroenterologist says it’s just my IBS but it’s been so much worse since my mid 40’s. I asked him last week if peri could cause this? He said he had absolutely no idea and to ask a gynaecologist! Very helpful, especially as he is fully aware that a referral to a gynaecologist could mean a year long wait!
As luck would have it, I do have a gynaecologist appointment next month as I had a uterine ablation a few months ago, so I will ask him.
I am low fodmap, diary and gluten free. Only drink water. I’ve tried probiotics, kefir and all stuff recommended for IBS and indigestion etc.
But still the symptoms persist.
My only other conclusion is that my out of whack hormones must be causing this?
Has anyone else had issues since hitting Perimenopause or menopause?

@Septemberintherain

BooseysMom Oh god wine! I am usually alcohol free but was given a lovely bottle of wine not long ago. I had two big gulps and I may as well have swallowed car battery acid. The pain!

I know it's awful! But I'm ever the rebel and drink it anyway, just in smaller quantities! My DM made her own wine and she did the same. I'm sure it was her only medicine!

Absolutely the same.

I no longer drink wine and this is someone who used to drink it every day! White wine actually makes me sick now.

I saw a tip on RHONY, they are all peri/menopausal, drink "clear spirits". Also less sugar.

I drink vodka now!! with lime and soda water.

Cannot eat tomatoes, oranges, raw onion and just hate processed food. No way, I feel sick now if I eat it. My diet is probably healthier than ever without making an effort. I also eat too quickly, need to slow down.

To OP, yes, I think it is totally normal and a symptom of peri. Mine started on the dot of 41, menopausal 2 years later.

I take omazeropole occaisionally, if the acid gets too strong and causes stomach pain. Also had all the checks you had.

My appetite has disappeared due to meno. I don’t have IBS symptoms just not the feeling of hunger or desire to eat much. I think as my anxiety has ramped up it’s affecting my gut too.

I am on Day 430 of Low FODMAP. Some foods are out (white bread, onion family) and some are in and really helpful (kefir, raisins). I eat 'hard core' low FODMAP whenever I have a flare-up but touch wood these are rare now.

Also HRT, thyroid medication and good old Milk of Magnesia have been essential.

Yes, my appetite also disappears if I am not on HRT. (Not a good thing as I am too thin and need all the nutrients I can get at 50, having been post meno since 44) @Fififizz I struggle to eat in the evenings, usually have good breakfast and big lunch and that is it.

there are loads of studies out there that show that perimenopause and menopause cause GERD to worsen if you have it already or start if you haven't had it before. If you google it, the studies will come up.

Mine has got substantially worse too (I am 49). I am waking up with reflux laryngitis often now, so much so I told dp the bed angle must have changed because it feels like I'm waking up having slept with my head lower than my feet (it's not the case!).

Hi, i am the same and the general doctors have been no help so i am eagerly awaiting my appointment with mr andrew clarke to get more explanation to what could be causing it. a few of my friends have gone to him and said hes great! maybe he could help you? :)

This is all reassuring everyone. I honestly live in constant fear something is very wrong with my digestive system, despite having gone through a barrage of tests.
I really do think that that my hormones and possible peri must have something to do with the increase in symptoms?
BananaChunk I have had to put some wooden blocks under the head of my bed, even then my symptoms wake me through the night. I’m thinking of getting one of those wedge pillows.

I could have written your post word for word OP. My IBS was mild during my 20s/30s but returned with a vengeance when I started the menopause. It is horrendous and has made me so anxious. I yo-yo between lower stomach pain, terrible wind, then upper abdo pain, acid reflux and burping (not a pretty combo) I also can't tolerate milk anymore.

I have started taking Probiotics everyday and find that if I go for a long walk, my systems do ease somewhat. I am on HRT but it has made no real difference. The GP is sick of seeing me with all these issues and has no real solution. I am saving up to see a private menopause specialist hoping that they can help me.

Yes, this is me too currently. I don’t want to lose weight either and like you I need the nutrients! I’m on HRT and have been for a while but due a review shortly. I think for me it’s probably linked to anxiety. I think I’m operating at a higher baseline level of anxiety if that makes sense and my tummy has always been linked to my nerves. I’m hoping it might calm down eventually 🤞

I gave up after advice. So gluten free, lactose free, caffeine free now. Avoid onions, garlic, spicy, cheese apart from brie, tomatoes, take an omeprazole in the morning, have Maalox for indigestion if I've been daft.

Menopause took them away for good. It is what it is

I had the flu jab yesterday and it's set everything off again today <sigh>

TellySavalashairbrush That’s exactly what I am going through. I haven’t touched dairy for 17 years but if I do accidentally eat something with dairy/lactose (not sure which is the culprit?). I’m certain my GP has me down as a heart sink patient these days but I’m just desperate to feel better. I too am saving up to see a menopause specialist. My GP says I can’t yet be in peri as I have regular periods. Yet I’m 49 with a myriad of peri symptoms!
justasking111 I have to avoid so many foods these days too but it’s the symptoms and lack of appetite which is really controlling me.
AutumnsCrow My symptoms have been so bad since my Covid jabs. I think a combo of that, actually getting Covid (it really messed with my digestive system) and peri has thrown my system completely out of place.

My GP says I can’t yet be in peri as I have regular periods. Yet I’m 49 with a myriad of peri symptoms!

I'm the same. I'm 50 and have regular periods every 4 weeks to the day and a whole tonne of peri symptoms! Not sure about what the GP says as I thought you could still be classed as peri even with regular periods.

BooseysMom The more I read about peri the more I see that it is entirely possible, even common, to have regular periods and lots of peri symptoms too. Yet every GP I’ve spoken to since the age of 45 has said I’m not quite there yet because of the regular periods (albeit so heavy I’ve needed iron infusions and an ablation this year).
As anxiety is a huge problem for me (which I believe has been greatly exacerbated since being in peri), they constantly focus on that and keep pushing antidepressants and totally over look the digestive issues, night sweats, broken nights sleep, thinning hair, depression, uncontrollable moods, low (zero!) libido, tinnitus, itchy/dry skin…….,

I am 49 now and although I have had IBS since the age of 25 it wasn’t until I hit my mid 40’s that everything went haywire.

You have IBS. You have been diagnosed with IBS. All of your symptoms are for IBS. You are being treated for IBS.

I don't understand why you're now trying to attribute this to something else?

And if you're still having regular periods, then no, you're not peri-menopausal.

PS: I'm 48 and in menopause.

It is nonsense that you can’t be peri menopausal if you still have periods . It must be so frustrating for you OP. An understanding and knowledgeable menopause specialist seems to be the next step. As I mentioned before IBS can be debilitating but it is very likely it is being exacerbated by peri menopause. You shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy I have had IBS since I was 25 but it was manageable and would only flare here and there. As I have mentioned in my post, it has not been until I got to the age of 45 (and alongside many peri symptoms) that my digestive system has gone out of control. My digestive symptoms are daily and completely control my life right now. It never used to be this way and I have no idea why. That is why I am asking the question to see if others in peri may have been suffering the same and to find out why this exacerbation is happening. And you are wrong in saying periods stop or change during periods, that is not what the experts are saying. And regardless, my periods are regular but NOT normal. I have been under gynae for a number of years due to excessively heavy periods which are caused by recurring uterine polyps and hormonal imbalances (probably due to peri) and I have needed iron infusions.
Thanks TellySavalashairbrush I have a gynaecologist follow up today as I had an ablation a few months ago, I will ask if he could possibly refer me to the menopause specialist at our hospital as I’m getting nowhere with my GP 🤞

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy that is simply not true, any of it.

@Septemberintherain many have actually posted over the past few years about digestive problems suddenly happening or IBS/GERD getting out of control or whatever.
Have a search on the menopause board when you can.

I had regular periods for periods read deluges. If your GP says you aren't in peri I would either lie to the GP and say they're now irregular or get referred. At the very least a blood test in the meantime. If you're in a big practice look for a female GP of a certain age

AND YES gut problems can go over a cliff at this stage of your life. You need to analyse this, keep a food diary. With me it's onions, garli, tomatoes, broccoli, spicy, caffeine, lactose and gluten. It's very boring

Histamine could be an issue.

Yea that too. Late onset asthma, contact dermatitis, but antihistamines and inhalers control that.

I am 49 and experiencing the same gut issues. Gurgling, nausea, IBS general gross feeling. I’m certain it’s hormones and the only thing I take is travel sickness tablets which help a bit.

You're probably right but do get checked out by your GP.

We're all guilty of laying everything at Meno's door