FFFUUUU-- I posted a really long reply and then it got rid of it. Are we not allowed to post as guests anymore?? Anyway I will type it out again. I've been posting here a while (am the person a few posts up) and I said I would post back once I had my Laparoscopy. I just got the surgery done today and the results were... hmm. Well good and bad depending on how you look at them. The nurse said that I have no endometriosis, she found no endo tissue on my uterus and bowels.
Now...I would normally be glad to find out that I didn't have a certain medical problem. But for me, this was actually a bit of a letdown. I was fairly convinced that Endometriosis was my problem because I have so many of the symptoms. So to be told that's not it... and the doctors now have no idea what could cause the problem if not that...it's like I'm straight back to square one where I was two years ago when I first went to my doc about this problem. It's a bit daunting, because they simply don't know. The only problem the dictors did find was that I have polycystic ovaries, yet I don't have the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (weight gain, excessive hair, irregular periods etc) and I've not read anywhere of cysts even causing the bowel and uterus pains I'm having so I don't know if that's the problem even.
I would still say to people that if you can go for the Lap, do. If you can cope with the side effects (aching back and ribs, some vaginal bleeding, stings when you pee and you might be throwing up for the first day) it is worth it to get a confirmed diagnosis. This has just been a bit of an eye opener for me that even if you seem to have all the symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have the disorder. And at the moment it doesn't seem like there's any actual clear medical cause to my problems.
I am meeting with my Gyno again the start of September to discuss next options and I'mma post back then. In the meantime, hope you other ladies are having better luck with this!
-L.
Now...I would normally be glad to find out that I didn't have a certain medical problem. But for me, this was actually a bit of a letdown. I was fairly convinced that Endometriosis was my problem because I have so many of the symptoms. So to be told that's not it... and the doctors now have no idea what could cause the problem if not that...it's like I'm straight back to square one where I was two years ago when I first went to my doc about this problem. It's a bit daunting, because they simply don't know. The only problem the dictors did find was that I have polycystic ovaries, yet I don't have the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (weight gain, excessive hair, irregular periods etc) and I've not read anywhere of cysts even causing the bowel and uterus pains I'm having so I don't know if that's the problem even.
I would still say to people that if you can go for the Lap, do. If you can cope with the side effects (aching back and ribs, some vaginal bleeding, stings when you pee and you might be throwing up for the first day) it is worth it to get a confirmed diagnosis. This has just been a bit of an eye opener for me that even if you seem to have all the symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have the disorder. And at the moment it doesn't seem like there's any actual clear medical cause to my problems.
I am meeting with my Gyno again the start of September to discuss next options and I'mma post back then. In the meantime, hope you other ladies are having better luck with this!
-L.
I have been reading for an hour on this site and am amazed at how many woman are feeling the same thing I am. I have had this going on for almost a year now, and this morning was the worst episode to date. I went to a GI doc and am going in next week for colonoscopy. I have had a ct scan, ultra sound, blood work and I'm still at a loss. He said it could be endometriosis or spastic colon? Has anyone been diagnosed with a spastic colon? I don't know why it would relate to your cycle. All I know is I can't handle this anymore!! I am so greatful to all of you and your stories of this terrible pain! I'm not going crazy! Thanks.
Wow, like most of you, I too am relieved to find out that I am not alone in this. I am 31, no children and have had this problem for a few years now. I had a trans-vaginal ultrasound to check for cysts or endometriosis. Like some of you, they found no abnormalities. I am unsure what to do next. When they found nothing wrong, I was told to use mild pain killers such as Tylenol to relieve some of the pain during my cycle. As you know, this does not help. The pain is unbearable. I almost passed out in a bathroom stall at work!
I see the post above says that she is going in for a colonoscopy. A nurse friend of mine suggested I do the same. Does anyone know of correlations of spastic colons and menstrual pains?
I see the post above says that she is going in for a colonoscopy. A nurse friend of mine suggested I do the same. Does anyone know of correlations of spastic colons and menstrual pains?
Hiya (this is my first post!!!)....
I have been having very painful periods for the last 6 months or so which have got worse and as I was due for a smear (which I had last week) I told the nurse about it. The pain is awful...especially when trying to go to the loo...it makes you not want to even go...it feel like something is ripping my insides and I have often screamed out in pain....Painful periods are not something I have had since I started having periods (at 11) and I am now 26.
I have to await my smear results but I have been advised that once they are back to see my gyne as she may well want to carry out some scans on the areas.
My advice is to definitely see your GP asap as it is always better to get these things checked...after all we all kow our bodies and can tell when something is wrong. If you dont get the answers/response you feel is right or you just dont feel satisfied then please get a second opinion.
I have been having very painful periods for the last 6 months or so which have got worse and as I was due for a smear (which I had last week) I told the nurse about it. The pain is awful...especially when trying to go to the loo...it makes you not want to even go...it feel like something is ripping my insides and I have often screamed out in pain....Painful periods are not something I have had since I started having periods (at 11) and I am now 26.
I have to await my smear results but I have been advised that once they are back to see my gyne as she may well want to carry out some scans on the areas.
My advice is to definitely see your GP asap as it is always better to get these things checked...after all we all kow our bodies and can tell when something is wrong. If you dont get the answers/response you feel is right or you just dont feel satisfied then please get a second opinion.
i am glad to know that i am not alone. I am experiencing the same pain and that's what brought me to this site. I stared feeling the pain after I gave birth with my second child. I think It actually started when I was on labor with my 2nd son.Could it be the inner hemorroids? :-(
I would recommend going back to the GP and asking for stronger, prescription painkillers. They might help at least a little bit.
I am feeling the same way but sometimes it does not hurt and I figured out why, it is because my stool was very soft during my last period. I thought that if we used stool softeners that might help up get through until we can figure out what is going on with us. The Dr.s can't ignore us for long.
I had posted previously about having a colonoscopy done. The doctor thought it was spastic colon or endo. I had my colonoscopy done and they found a pre-cancerous polyp, but the doctor said that it still doesn't explain the pain I am having. That the polyp has nothing to do with that kind of pain. Glad I went because they found the polyp, but everything else looked good. So, back to the gyne AGAIN! I have had just about every test except the lap. I go next month and will post again if I get any additional info. Still wondering if anyone has been told they have a spastic colon?
Hello All,
Like many of you, I have had horrible pain during my first two days of menstration for years, accompanied by large blood clots. Could not wear tampons because of the clotting. Long story short...I just had a colon resection surgery done because I had a blockage of endometriosis that had grown into the inside lining of my colon and it was causing an obstruction. After a trip to the ER and a visit back to my Gastro dr. I had surgery.
I tried to tell my Gyno that I thought I had endo, because when I had my colonoscopy in May of this year, an abnormal build up on mucosa was observed in the sigmoid area of my colon. Initially, the gastro dr. did not think the abnormal growth of mucosa was causing me any problems....however, after the trip to the ER due to constipation so bad that I could not even urinate, I went back to the Gastro and he advised I have a colon surgeon look at things. Saw surgeon on Wed. and he had me in surgery on that Friday. Don't mess around with constipation.... listen to your body and go see a gastroentrologist.
When I had surgery, they found endometriosis had grown through my colon and was the blockage and another "stricture" of endo was getting ready to cause another.... lost about 8-12 inches of colon. My uterus was "fused" to my colon with the endo. they were able to detach it..... My gyno was not interested in even exploring with a laproscope to see endo..even though she knew I had it.... I even gave her Gastro Photos, articles about intestinal endo and still nothing... had D&C the day after colonoscopy was done.....thought this would help.... NOPE! Please be persistent with your care, it is our bodies not theirs... I am following up with the Gyno Surgeon that my Colon Surgeon called into my surgery on July 24.... tomorrow. Here is the scary thing... I took all my prior tests, including my pathology reports from the D&C that my regular gyno did three months ago...to the hospital with me so I would have them handy while in the hospital recovering.... while there, the gyno surgeon came to check on me and he confirmed he found Endo and it was removed... Long story short, I showed him the pathology reports from my D&C 3 months ago, and he said, based on the findings..he would have recommended a hysterectomy.... My regular gyno put me on progestrins.... SO frustrating... Needless to say, I will NOT be going back to my regular Gyno, she is TOO conservative.... Had I known I needed a hysterectomy, I could have had it performed at the same time, I had my colon surgery...what a concept... Now I have to go back in 6 months to a year, and have a hysterectomy done.... I am a 44 y/o and will not have any children, I'm okay with hysterectomy.
Good Luck!
Like many of you, I have had horrible pain during my first two days of menstration for years, accompanied by large blood clots. Could not wear tampons because of the clotting. Long story short...I just had a colon resection surgery done because I had a blockage of endometriosis that had grown into the inside lining of my colon and it was causing an obstruction. After a trip to the ER and a visit back to my Gastro dr. I had surgery.
I tried to tell my Gyno that I thought I had endo, because when I had my colonoscopy in May of this year, an abnormal build up on mucosa was observed in the sigmoid area of my colon. Initially, the gastro dr. did not think the abnormal growth of mucosa was causing me any problems....however, after the trip to the ER due to constipation so bad that I could not even urinate, I went back to the Gastro and he advised I have a colon surgeon look at things. Saw surgeon on Wed. and he had me in surgery on that Friday. Don't mess around with constipation.... listen to your body and go see a gastroentrologist.
When I had surgery, they found endometriosis had grown through my colon and was the blockage and another "stricture" of endo was getting ready to cause another.... lost about 8-12 inches of colon. My uterus was "fused" to my colon with the endo. they were able to detach it..... My gyno was not interested in even exploring with a laproscope to see endo..even though she knew I had it.... I even gave her Gastro Photos, articles about intestinal endo and still nothing... had D&C the day after colonoscopy was done.....thought this would help.... NOPE! Please be persistent with your care, it is our bodies not theirs... I am following up with the Gyno Surgeon that my Colon Surgeon called into my surgery on July 24.... tomorrow. Here is the scary thing... I took all my prior tests, including my pathology reports from the D&C that my regular gyno did three months ago...to the hospital with me so I would have them handy while in the hospital recovering.... while there, the gyno surgeon came to check on me and he confirmed he found Endo and it was removed... Long story short, I showed him the pathology reports from my D&C 3 months ago, and he said, based on the findings..he would have recommended a hysterectomy.... My regular gyno put me on progestrins.... SO frustrating... Needless to say, I will NOT be going back to my regular Gyno, she is TOO conservative.... Had I known I needed a hysterectomy, I could have had it performed at the same time, I had my colon surgery...what a concept... Now I have to go back in 6 months to a year, and have a hysterectomy done.... I am a 44 y/o and will not have any children, I'm okay with hysterectomy.
Good Luck!
Oh my goodness so happy to see that I am not the only one with this awful crippling problem. My gyny has suggested Endo too. This is the worst pain i have ever had in my life and sometimes now I am getting it when I am not on my period. It started when I was 16 and I am now 29. After years of dreading my period I finally sought medical advice but to be honest no one seems to have any answer. Unless you have had this pain I think you dont know how bad it is. I would be glad if someone put me out of my misery when I am having this pain, its so intense it has made me physically sick and pass out on numerous occasions. You all have my sympathy.
I feel for all of you who are suffering from this because it is so unfortunate to have a problem that most people don't have. Do you take painkillers or anything like that when you're on your period?
Ladies
I sympathise with you all and I feel your pain.
I am 34yrs old, mum to a baby girl of 7mths (born by emergency c-section) and hoping to have more kids in the not too distant future.
I got my periods at 15, went on the pill (microgynon) at 16 and came off it at 29. I have to admit that being on the pill really suited me and my body - I never had any side effects and it meant my periods were regular and light. As soon as I came off of the pill, I started getting excrutiating pain during my periods - would pee for England and it was sooooooooo painful. The pain would last the whole cycle (a week) and for nearly a week after too. Went to the doctor who was unbelieveably rubbish so I continued grinning and bearing the pain. My sex life with my boyfriend went down the drain coz I used to bleed during sex, which was unpleasant and I would generally be in pain for at least 2wks of every month. My periods also went very heavy too.
In 2006, I left the UK and moved overseas. About 6wks into our new life here, I spent one entire night, during my period, on the toilet every 2-5mins. I would wee, cry and double up with pain, go back to bed, try to sleep, get up again a few mins later and go through the same thing again. I would break out in a cold sweat. I tolerated this once and went to the doctor here who did a scan and told me I had 2 cysts on my left ovary. She gave me a voltarin injection to numb the area around my bum and stomach, which worked wonders but is not treatment for the problem. A couple of weeks later, I went on holiday to the UK and while there, I ended up going to A&E because the pain was so unbelievable. They referred me to OB/GYN and I ended up having laparascopic surgery to be treated for endometriosis. I also found out I had a fibroid on my cervix. I had the surgery and convinced myself that everything would be fine now. The surgeon put me on the mini-pill for 3mths, so I didn't actually have a period from then until 3mths later. But when I did, OH MY GOD. The pain was unbelievable again - just as bad as before and it was as if nothing had changed. The surgeon also didn't bother getting rid of the two chocolate cysts (he just left them as they were) and he didn't do anything with the fibroid - he left that too, which I was really annoyed about. I'd spent £2,500 on private surgery and it hadn't worked. By now, I was back at our new home in the middle east. So, when I had that period, I went to see another doctor who referred me to a laparascopic surgeon here. He did the surgery, corterized the cysts, lasered away most of the fibroid and the endometrium. He also said I had adhesions. The surgeon told me that the only way to cure the problem was to a) have children (this works for a limited because you don't typically have a period for over a year) or b) have a full hysterectomy (this wasn't an option because my boyfriend and I wanted kids). Anyway, even after the second round of laparascopic surgery, my periods were still painful and the only way I could stop the pain was to take Neurofen.
I eventually fell pregnant (very quickly I might add, which I was surprised about because I thought the endometriosis would cause problems with my fertility) and was pleased not only because we were starting a family but because it meant that I wouldn't have any periods for a while! So, I got my first period after having our daughter and guess what - the periods are exactly the same. I'm now on my third period after having our daughter (am mid-cycle now) and have spent most of today on the toilet, whincing and holding my breath while I pee coz it's so painful. I have booked an appointment with an OB/GYN tomorrow so I am going to go through the whole process again for a third time.
Maybe I will never be cured - maybe my body will always be in pain every month and Neurofen is the only treatment for me. But I will make a suggestion though - to all those who have been advised to go on the pill, from my personal perspective, I wouldn't recommend this. I feel the pill has a lot to answer for and rather than cure the problem, it actually shields the body from doing what it naturally wants to do, which is to be in pain. I know that most of you won't want to hear that and that you don't want to be in pain, but for me personally, it's better for me to take Neurofen once or twice a day to help the pain - I will NEVER go back on the pill.
I wish you all the very best and I hope that your pain eases soon.
I sympathise with you all and I feel your pain.
I am 34yrs old, mum to a baby girl of 7mths (born by emergency c-section) and hoping to have more kids in the not too distant future.
I got my periods at 15, went on the pill (microgynon) at 16 and came off it at 29. I have to admit that being on the pill really suited me and my body - I never had any side effects and it meant my periods were regular and light. As soon as I came off of the pill, I started getting excrutiating pain during my periods - would pee for England and it was sooooooooo painful. The pain would last the whole cycle (a week) and for nearly a week after too. Went to the doctor who was unbelieveably rubbish so I continued grinning and bearing the pain. My sex life with my boyfriend went down the drain coz I used to bleed during sex, which was unpleasant and I would generally be in pain for at least 2wks of every month. My periods also went very heavy too.
In 2006, I left the UK and moved overseas. About 6wks into our new life here, I spent one entire night, during my period, on the toilet every 2-5mins. I would wee, cry and double up with pain, go back to bed, try to sleep, get up again a few mins later and go through the same thing again. I would break out in a cold sweat. I tolerated this once and went to the doctor here who did a scan and told me I had 2 cysts on my left ovary. She gave me a voltarin injection to numb the area around my bum and stomach, which worked wonders but is not treatment for the problem. A couple of weeks later, I went on holiday to the UK and while there, I ended up going to A&E because the pain was so unbelievable. They referred me to OB/GYN and I ended up having laparascopic surgery to be treated for endometriosis. I also found out I had a fibroid on my cervix. I had the surgery and convinced myself that everything would be fine now. The surgeon put me on the mini-pill for 3mths, so I didn't actually have a period from then until 3mths later. But when I did, OH MY GOD. The pain was unbelievable again - just as bad as before and it was as if nothing had changed. The surgeon also didn't bother getting rid of the two chocolate cysts (he just left them as they were) and he didn't do anything with the fibroid - he left that too, which I was really annoyed about. I'd spent £2,500 on private surgery and it hadn't worked. By now, I was back at our new home in the middle east. So, when I had that period, I went to see another doctor who referred me to a laparascopic surgeon here. He did the surgery, corterized the cysts, lasered away most of the fibroid and the endometrium. He also said I had adhesions. The surgeon told me that the only way to cure the problem was to a) have children (this works for a limited because you don't typically have a period for over a year) or b) have a full hysterectomy (this wasn't an option because my boyfriend and I wanted kids). Anyway, even after the second round of laparascopic surgery, my periods were still painful and the only way I could stop the pain was to take Neurofen.
I eventually fell pregnant (very quickly I might add, which I was surprised about because I thought the endometriosis would cause problems with my fertility) and was pleased not only because we were starting a family but because it meant that I wouldn't have any periods for a while! So, I got my first period after having our daughter and guess what - the periods are exactly the same. I'm now on my third period after having our daughter (am mid-cycle now) and have spent most of today on the toilet, whincing and holding my breath while I pee coz it's so painful. I have booked an appointment with an OB/GYN tomorrow so I am going to go through the whole process again for a third time.
Maybe I will never be cured - maybe my body will always be in pain every month and Neurofen is the only treatment for me. But I will make a suggestion though - to all those who have been advised to go on the pill, from my personal perspective, I wouldn't recommend this. I feel the pill has a lot to answer for and rather than cure the problem, it actually shields the body from doing what it naturally wants to do, which is to be in pain. I know that most of you won't want to hear that and that you don't want to be in pain, but for me personally, it's better for me to take Neurofen once or twice a day to help the pain - I will NEVER go back on the pill.
I wish you all the very best and I hope that your pain eases soon.
FWIW, I have had the same problems as many of you here for the last 5 1/2 months. I haven't read all the posts in this long thread but I thought I would post this anyway even if it might have been brought up.
In my case, upon examination by my naturopath/midwife, I have a rectocele. A prolapse of the rectum, putting pressure on the vagina wall. The wall in between is very thin and once a month, when the uterus gets lower and everything swells and opens to let the menses out, there is added pressure on the whole area. She mentioned that it is quite possible for this to cause this much pain (I fainted this past month).
I should add that I have had 4 children, all vaginally without assistance, and that I have none of the other issues mentioned in the link like constipation but I have found that most people do not have all the symptoms mentioned.
There is physical therapy that one can do to strength the inner muscles, just kegels is not enough as most women do not know how to do them properly, ie involving the inner muscles not just the outside ring. A PT can help with that or there is probably information online.
Also, homeopathic Ignatia helps. The dose is low for me, and it may not be the remedy for everyone. Another way to go or do simultaneously, is acupuncture.
Also, for those ladies who have endometriosis, I would recommend they look into Chinese medicine for this. It has a very high healing rate for this condition.
I will get back here in two weeks with a report on how mu first day of menstruation will go.
maria.
In my case, upon examination by my naturopath/midwife, I have a rectocele. A prolapse of the rectum, putting pressure on the vagina wall. The wall in between is very thin and once a month, when the uterus gets lower and everything swells and opens to let the menses out, there is added pressure on the whole area. She mentioned that it is quite possible for this to cause this much pain (I fainted this past month).
I should add that I have had 4 children, all vaginally without assistance, and that I have none of the other issues mentioned in the link like constipation but I have found that most people do not have all the symptoms mentioned.
There is physical therapy that one can do to strength the inner muscles, just kegels is not enough as most women do not know how to do them properly, ie involving the inner muscles not just the outside ring. A PT can help with that or there is probably information online.
Also, homeopathic Ignatia helps. The dose is low for me, and it may not be the remedy for everyone. Another way to go or do simultaneously, is acupuncture.
Also, for those ladies who have endometriosis, I would recommend they look into Chinese medicine for this. It has a very high healing rate for this condition.
I will get back here in two weeks with a report on how mu first day of menstruation will go.
maria.
Can you tell me more about homeopathic ignatia is? I have no idea what it is but would like to learn more since it sounds like it works for you. Let me know!
Like most of you, I'm so glad to find out that I'm not alone with this problem! I've been having severe bowel pain during my period almost since I began menstruating and never thought much of it, and I'm not sure why I didn't research it earlier! I've never spoken to a doctor about this, but rely on the miracle of ibuprofen throughout my period, it's the only way I can function. It probably isn't great for my stomach to take it so regularly, but it works oh so well! I don't have this during just the first two days, but through my whole period, so I need the pain relief!