period like pains

[mhafin]

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all as well as can be. Hopefully someone on here can offer me some advice. I recently (3 weeks ago) started feeling period like pains. Cramps/ heavy feeling.

Haven’t had a period in 6 years. No bleeding.

Just that start of your period discomfort/pain and bloating. Saw my Dr on Monday, sent of a F.I.T test yesterday and today I had an ultrasound on my abdomen and X-ray. Ultrasound was good, X-ray results sent to GP.

My question is can I.B.S cause this type of discomfort and does anyone have any advice or suggestions. Forgot to mention I’ve suffered with I.B.S for several years.

Thanks in advance

[Luisa22]

It sounds like you're past the menopause? So am I (I am 71 and had my last period when I was about 50.)

But sometimes during an IBS D flare up I've had lower abdominal pains which reminded me of period pains.

[mhafin in reply to Luisa22]

Hi Luisa22

Thanks for your reply. Yes my last period was 6/7 years ago. I have most definitely been through the menopause.

When I mentioned to the Dr about the pain feeling like I was about to start a period ( I used that as an example of what it felt like) he asked if I was losing blood. Which I wasn’t.

I’ve had I.B.S for several years and never had these symptoms before, coupled with the bloating. So it’s good to hear others have experienced similar issues. Did you find anything that helped?

Thanks for replying again🙂

[Lilagrace87]

Did they do a pelvic ultrasound or only abdomen?

[mhafin in reply to Lilagrace87]

Hi Lilagrace87.

Thank you for your reply. I had an abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray.

[Crawdad]

I have similar issues and it is diverticulitis with me. I’ve had ibs for years and I have lots of adhesions and no gall bladder so it’s complicated, but when it feels like period pains it is diverticulitis with me. Have they checked you for this ? Normally you’d need a CT scan. It’s worth talking to your Dr. Antibiotics can help. Most people over the age of 60 have some diverticular issues. Hope this helps.

[mhafin in reply to Crawdad]

Hi Crawdad, thanks for your reply.

I haven’t been checked for diverticulitis, I’ll read up on it and mention it to my Dr ( if or when) I can get an appointment with him. Thanks again

[PinkPenguin96]

I get that sometimes, just a heavy feeling in my lower abdomen, sometimes with cramps and sometimes not. I do believe it is connected to my IBS. I lean toward IBS-C and it usually coincides with an episode of constipation.

[mhafin in reply to PinkPenguin96]

Hi Pinkpenguin96

Thank you for your reply. I’ve had IBS for several years, mainly constipation too. However I’ve never experienced these period type pains before. Have you found anything that helps or relieves the discomfort. Thanks again for getting back to me 🙂

[buggins55]

Hi I'm 69 and i get a wide range of symptoms including exactly what you describe (have had ibs for years) IBS has a knack of sending more things our way to worry about, the colon cramps up similar to a uterus and can cause some very period like sensations.

[mhafin in reply to buggins55]

Hi buggins55

😱☹️It’s horrible and so unfair. If having IBS was not bad enough I’m now having these pains too. Have you found anything that helps you. Thanks so much for your reply. It’s good to know I’m not the only one.

Thanks again 🙂

[buggins55 in reply to mhafin]

do you know I've tried everything over the years I have to say nothing works although I have found that tummy massage laying down DOES help with pain (you can look up on line how to do it ) and a good old heat pad i try to eat a very healthy diet and plenty of fibre (though not too much as this can cause problems too! ) and practise yoga and meditation and when i have a flare up (which is often) try not to panic (easier said than done!) don't know if this helps but it's good to share how we feel

[mhafin in reply to buggins55]

I’m honestly willing to try anything. I worry which I know makes it worse but if anything you’ve recommended helps it’s worth a try. I absolutely agree, sharing really helps and can often put things back into perspective.

Thanks again 🙂

[MOLLYMILO007]

Yep sounds similar to what I had ..few years ago terrible pains lower left side so thought must be gynie as so low down...paid for ultrasound all good did a fit test came bk positive so obviously my kind was doing overtime ..had a ct scan with dye...nothing in my colon ..then it just went strange as had it for months...I suffer constipation so my doctor thought ibs but never had it again ...my GP said sometimes we get pain no reason then it goes.. I've got health anxiety I'm 66 always been healthy so I think cos I'm getting older I keep thinking too good to be true that's why I'm anxious.. if they can't find anything it's prob just that..just keep your bowels healthy etc and I'm.sure it will just go x

[mhafin in reply to MOLLYMILO007]

Hi MOLLYMILO007

Thank you for replying.

I’m 60 next month and really starting to feel my age🤨, ultrasound yesterday was fine. The FIT test I returned Tuesday so fingers crossed that’s ok. Just not sure what’s going on as I’ve never had this sort of pain with IBS before. Which is why I reached out to this community. It’s reassuring to know that others have similar experiences. Hopefully you’re right and it will settle down and disappear as quickly as it came🤞.

Thanks again and hope your good health continues.

[Bracondale]

Yes, discomfort/irritation of the colon/large bowel can be felt in the lower abdomen and also the lower back. Has there been a change of diet? Foreign travel? Antibiotics? Have the stools changed ie worse constipation or diarrhoea? (It's good that your GP has listened and is investigating.)

[mhafin in reply to Bracondale]

Hi Bracondale and thank you for your reply.

No foreign travel or recent antibiotics. I can’t really say my diets changed. Perhaps a little more wet meals- stews, sausages/ mashed potatoes and gravy etc. Nothing that is new or I haven’t eaten before.

Perhaps a little more constipated than normal. My Dr is relatively new to our practice. More of an old school Dr. Comes out to greet you, shakes your hand. Takes notes while you’re talking and explains, even draws diagrams of what he thinks is going on. Luckily for me, I got to see him on Monday and a cancellation appointment on Wednesday for the ultrasound and X-ray.

Hopefully the FIT test will come back ok and things will settle down 🤞

[Hilomom]

I never had that feeling until about 2 months ago. My husband passed away in May and I thought I was doing ok until September, when I had a bad episode of bloating etc. It was during that time that I felt like I was period cramping too.

[mhafin in reply to Hilomom]

Hi Hilomom, I’m so sorry for your loss and hope you’re feeling better after your bad episode of bloating.

Has the feeling of period cramping subsided, if so did you find anything that helped? Thank you for reply and hope you’re well🙂

[Hilomom in reply to mhafin]

Hey. I wish I could pinpoint something that helped but, honestly, I can't. Sometimes I think that my worrying about it just amplifies it. I've spent the last 10 days with our daughter and grandsons and I never even thought about it or noticed it.