Pain with bowel movements : Okay so this... - Endometriosis UK

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Pain with bowel movements

staceymacg profile image
23 Replies

Okay so this might be a little gross but it's getting unbearable now.

I've struggled with constipation for several months but that might be due to the morphine.

But, just before I need to go (run) to the toilet I get the most agonising pain low down in my abdomen / pelvis and a sort of pressure back there?

Does anyone else have this?

These pains are awful and often leave me in tears all because I'm just trying to go to the loo.

The pain can last up to an hour after I've been to the loo as well.

Is this worth mentioning when I see the endometriosis specialist?

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staceymacg
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23 Replies

Sorry to hear that bowel issues are miserable. Sometimes strong painkillers can cause terrible constipation. When I was taking prescribed co-codmol ( which never stopped the pain!) I had an awful time going to the toliet. I ended up being prescribed molative 13.8g to take twice daily ( although you can buy that over the counter). Perhaps it would be worth asking either a pharmacist or GP if that would be to take and wouldn't react badly with any other meds you might be on. Hope that helps a little. xoxo

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to

I actually have a bottle laxative and it does help with the constipation but the pain is still there. It's like a shooting, crippling, cramping pain! Xx

in reply to staceymacg

Oh my god I don't know what else to suggest! Have you noticed your pain is worse after eating particular types of food? Reason I say this is I kept a pain diary and from that I noticed I suffered pain when consuming dairy products- I stopped eating dairy and noticed a big improvement-it reduced the number of pain attacks I was getting ( still got some when sat down over doing things) I wonder if your endo is where mine was- my endo was on my pouch of Douglas causing gynae, bowel issues and severe pain that no painkiller could stop-the medics were baffled! Intially my fertility consultant believed my pain to be bowel in origin but wanted to rule endometriosis out he was quite surprised it was endo. The problem with endo is it can produce symptoms of other conditions which is why it be difficult to get a diagnosis. I was lucky that my Fertility consultant is very efficient god knows how I'd been diagnosed if it was left to my GP... xoxo

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to

I've just made the decision to cut out both dairy & gluten as some people say this can help so I'm just easing into that!

Yeah I'm the same!! I'm on 40mg of MST (slow release morphine) every day and I'm still in pain!!

I'm actually going back to my GP tomorrow to ask for quick release morphine for my pain attacks.

I've just been referred to an endometriosis specialist after the general gynaecologist who done my lap last week said everything appeared normal but he only checked my pelvis.

Yeah I really think that's where it must be hiding because I get both symptoms! Xx

in reply to staceymacg

I feel your frustration! You just want answers!!!

Do you have it more on the lower left abdominal side? That is where my pain came from. The doctors at my practice were saying it's either gynae or bowels because it couldn't be anything else. I had both problems with my cycles and bowels.

As you know I'm under a fertility consultant who done my laparoscopy- he must have looked near my bowels as well as pelvic organs ( he was conducting fertility investigations as well seeing if something was causing my pain). If he hasn't looked between my uterus and rectum area ( called the pouch of Douglas) he wouldn't have found the endometriosis. Mine was right between bowel area and uterus. Having endo on the pouch of Douglas is very common place. When it's there it even small amounts cause significant amount of pain, infertility, abnormalities in the cycle, agony with pelvic examinations ( my last smear took half an hour and I wanted to cry,) bowel issues particularly after certain types of food and times of the month. I guess my fertility consultant must've been very good- he knew exactly where to look- maybe he's come across endometriosis many times as he works in the fertility field- he's not just a general gynae.( He's also the head of the infertility clinic,- we are lucky to have the top guy-😀)

I hope your appointment with your GP goes well and you get this sorted out once and for all. xoxo

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to

Absolutely! It's so frustrating.

My pain is predominantly right sided, that's where it started but in the last few months I've started to feel pain a lot in the left side also.

Yeah I highly suspect that's where my endo is hiding because it's causing both symptoms.

The endo centre I'm going to in Edinburgh has some excellent specialists who have great reviews so I'm really hoping I get some answers! Xx

in reply to staceymacg

I know it's awful isn't it. My gp made feel like I was making it up- I'm someone who rarely goes to the doctors and only go when it's serious. GPS need more education over endometriosis and being able to recognise the signs-its not a rare condition- 1 in 10 women have it.

You'll soon be in the hands of the experts. And I'm sure if you have endo they'll find and treat it and from my experience it's given me my life back! its not nice having to deal with pain on a daily basis and accept that is the norm 😨. Good luck I wish you well xoxo

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to

Thankyou! I'm going to the doctor today and I'm nervous to ask for more pain meds! Xx

in reply to staceymacg

I think lady drs are more sympathetic than male ones are- tho the gynaes I have dealt with have been very good - they've all been men but they have been understanding and take me seriously. My GP was supportive till this episode now I don't trust which is a Shame but how it is at least I found other doctors at my practice that are supportive. Is there another doctor that you can see if this gp makes you feel nervous? Its no good if seeing him makes you feel anxious. I hope it goes well xoxo I best get ready to go to work xoxo

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to

No there isn't :( thankyou! Xxx

Also my Fertility consultant indicated there is a link between lactose intolerance and endometriosis. He also suggested I went lactose and gluten free to reduce endo symptoms occuring. xoxo

Suzied2b profile image
Suzied2b

Hi there, you could be suffering with IBS too. Saying that endo can mimic IBS pain. I have movicol and lactolose solution at home for when I need to use it. I also have bisocodyl tablet for when I really need relief. I find that I get some cramping before my bowel movements some are quite agonising. Bit I must say when there that bad I get pains all up my left side and into my chest is have bad sweats and increased heart rate, sometimeso I feel like I'm trying to push a pineapple out of my bum, which yes obviously hurts like hell. Also I forgot to mention I have buscopan tablet to help with the cramping which helps and also stops the colon from spasming and helps a movement along.

Xxx

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to Suzied2b

My doctors said they ruled out IBS though which is what I'm struggling with x

Suzied2b profile image
Suzied2b

Ok well I say endo can mimic symptoms of ibs and the rubbish thing there is no specific tests to diagnose ibs. I was diagnosed at 16. I'm now 33. I'm still jubious as to whether it is ibs or not. But some of he medicines do help. Peppermint tea is always worth a try I personally can't drink much of it I have a very sweet tooth and like my auger too much xxx

Fabbird profile image
Fabbird

Hi Stacey

I have something very similar. Not all the time, but certainly during a flare up. As you say, it's very painful.

I had an MRI which showed a bit patch of endo on my rectum. I think it's responsible. So I'd ask your specialist whether the location of your endo could be the cause.

I try to minimise my use of opiates because the constipation makes it so much worse. If I do take them, I always do so with a laxative (movicol). I don't wait until I'm constipated. That helps a bit.

I hope you get some answers.

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to Fabbird

Thankyou! I'll definitely mention it!

Yeah I am on daily morphine for pain and I take laxatives every other day! Xx

Fabbird profile image
Fabbird in reply to staceymacg

I've not found any pain killers that work for this particular pain. It's so sharp, it feels like being stabbed.

I did read recently that it is possible to take another medication with opiates which is an opiate agonist. Because it is not absorbed, it stops the opiate effect on the gut (i.e. Constipation) but still give pain relief elsewhere in the body. Sounds very clever to me, but I've no idea whether we have this option...

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to Fabbird

I'm on slow release morphine every day and that allows me to work although I'm still in pain and I have fast release morphine for bad breakthrough pain! I also take naproxen when needed. I'd hate to think what all this crap has done to my stomach over the last 7 years!! Xx

Katzak profile image
Katzak

Hi my bowel pain became unmanageable last March. No constipation though, but ripping pain in my stomach when trying to go on my period,then pain outside my period. I have a mass of adhesions tethering my bowel to my uterus hence the feeling something was going to rip. It was horrendous. I know all symptoms are awful but I do think bowel symptoms should be treated more urgently and taken more seriously. So I'd definitely mention it

RLJarman profile image
RLJarman

Hi, I was in a lot of pain with bowel movement and period pain a year and half ago. My GP said it sounds like Endometriosis. I have since had a laparoscopic surgery. I have rectovaginal endo amongst other endo. I changed my diet as the others have said. It has made a bit difference. I'm not saying it won't ever be sore but no where near as bad. Medication can dehydrated and drinking lots helps. I was given Lactose as a softer to start with.

A great resource is Nancy Nook on Facebook. Also group for endo diet.

Good luck going forward 💛

Ghady profile image
Ghady

I am also suffering from constipation and I am taking laxative

Lucys_Mum profile image
Lucys_Mum

My daughter (14 yrs old) has been referred to the colorectal team following a gynae consultation(second opinion confirming suspected endo) where she described pain exactly as you have described. It is worth mentioning! She eats lots of fruit/veg and drinks plenty of water, but drugs she is taking do not help the bowel movements or the immense pain she experiences. She says you have described her pain!

Sorry to hear you also experience such pain, I know what a state she gets into going to the toilet.

staceymacg profile image
staceymacg in reply to Lucys_Mum

Im sorry your daughter is suffering! I'm going to see an endo specialist who will have a colorectal surgeon helping during my next op hopefully so I'm hoping for some answers xx

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