Any advice on bowel problems

[Highlandcow96]

Hi I have bowel issues when ever I have a flare up or are due on my period and it causes me to spend most of the night to and from the bathroom. Just wanting some advice on how you best help that. I already drink peppermint tea, probiotics, peppermint oil.

[1Poppy1234]

I too am like that I take fibregel after my meals when its due to start or I have an inkling just to try and help it a bit.

[MyStar86]

peppermint isn’t always good for loose bowels it’s more helpful for constipation sorry I can’t help you more. Have you tried changing your diet to a low fibre one during these times as that will slow the bowel transit. Have you spoken to your GP or Gyne? Are you on any medication?xx

[Highlandcow96 in reply to MyStar86]

I'm under gastro can't get in touch with my gyne as they will only see me 6 months post laparscopy!! Ridiculous

[MyStar86 in reply to Highlandcow96]

I know it is crazy what if you had a problem they should make exceptions but then I guess everybody would want to see them early. I would talk to your GP they might be able to help but going low fibre will calm things down I know it’s not fun but stick to white things like white rice, potatoes no skins etc as that does really help with a rapid transit. Do you take any medication? Your gp could prescribe codeine which will help with pain and slow things down for you as I find that much more helpful than Imodium that just causes other issues but the codeine has two benefits. Sorry I can’t help more

[Loriiim]

Hi, sorry you're going through this. You could ask your GP for a referral to gastro/dietitian who should be able to help with this. My GP referred me & they're trialling me on a low fodmap diet with staggered reintroduction to try to work out my triggers. It's not meant for long term, as it's so restrictive, but just to work out what's triggering you so you can avoid those food groups when needed. I used to have cyclical IBS, but now it's constant & gets worse during my period. Good luck 🤞

[Highlandcow96 in reply to Loriiim]

I am under gastro and was before I was diagnosed with endo so I'm trying get in touch with gastro to let them know my diagnosis and hopefully they will be able to help but trying to get the NHS to actually help or do anything seems impossible

[Loriiim in reply to Highlandcow96]

Ah I know this struggle very well! I'd contact PALS & get them to do the chasing for you. The repeated hours on hold to get through only to end up speaking to someone who can't help is absolutely exhausting. They're still slow, & still need chasing, but easier than trying to go through all the different numbers for one department. Hope you manage to speak with them & they can look at this for you

[TennisCourt]

Completely relate. My bowels are a mess. One day it’s not stop going to the toilet the next I’m constipated and it takes me an hour to go.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t really found any solutions😔

I’m hoping my surgery this week will help with these problems, if not I’m going to have to seriously look into things!

When my period starts on day 1 my bowels are an absolute mess but I have to say the pain meds I take for periods slow my bowels so that actually helps😂 xx

[Highlandcow96 in reply to TennisCourt]

Yeah I noticed it's only day one but pre my operation for endo it was a lot more frequent x

[Cocoacupid]

hun I get this really bad am waiting for bowel surgery myself . Some day maybe better than others have starting taking mebevrine and that has helped not going to toilet all the time xx

[Cailleach]

I see someone suggested mebeverine from the GP, that or Buscopan could help, calms the system down.

[nikogirl18]

I’m the same! It’s either going multiple times a day or not going for days at a time - I’ve tried altering diet, tried meberverine, peppermint oil, all the IBS meds you can try and nothing helps.

I didn’t have bowel endo so not sure what’s going on and I’ve been tested for every gastro conditions including chrons, colitis, celiac, etc and it’s none of those 🥺

I still bleed most times I go to the loo…although it has been slightly most settled since my surgery and I can go out now without having emergency bathroom situations

Hopefully you find something that helps you x

[Highlandcow96 in reply to nikogirl18]

I'm exactly the same thankfully it's not as terrible since having my operation which is good but still it's not fair x

[Katiahead]

Me too. I have deep bowel endometriosis. My bowels, ovaries and womb have basically stuck together. I'm waiting on surgery for hysterectomy and peeling of the bowel from my womb. The week of my period and two week after means I go to the toilet at least 6 times a day. Nothing calms it. I have tried it all and monitored my diet. I just have to wait for it all to calm down. I had a colonoscopy last month and nothing came back of concern apart from diverticula. I'm sorry you have the same. Just time and being kind to yourself.

[Highlandcow96 in reply to Katiahead]

Yeah I've had all the investigations from gastro and they have given up I think

[BoobleDooble]

Had endo all over bowel. The surgeons said they scraped off as much as they could when they took out my uterus, cervix, ovaries. I usually poop every 3 - 8 days. Pooping is no fun and usually leaves me feeling yukky for anywhere from 1 hour to several hours. My lower abdomen will often have that same feel that I used to have when I was having my period. Periodically I have bad cramping and diarrhea. No advice, just commiseration.