hi all,

yeah, these two months have been absolutley wonderful! (being sarcastic there!:) this has been non-stop one after the other health related problems for me....so, here's the newest, and if anyone can shed some light on this, I sure could use it....

A little background.....back in May, I had a UTI, but that dealt with itself, no problem. However, right after that, I developed this sort of ache/pain on my left side, the waist area and also around into the left abdomen (and down by the ovary)....also, this nagging ache was wrapped around the left ribcage and around to my lower to middle back muscle...what fun! Well, that was May, and it eventually was gone....

NOW, about 5 days ago, or so, here we go again! I woke up one morning, and there it was, back. I felt "sickly", queasy, not myself, and that pain/ache was there once again, same place....left waist, and going around into towards the belly button, and down towards the left ovary...oh and yes, how could i forget, around my back muslcles too.....

This was bad for about 2 days, and then it left again. But, lo and behold, yesterday, I woke up, and back again! This is really to darn much. It makes me feel "sick", queasy, I do have an appetite, but don't feel like eating. So, I called my GYN yest. but she coudln't take the call, so I left this info. with the nurse, and she told me the dr. would call me back......yeah, right.

so, now it's the weekend, and you just know she's not in her office...ok,fine....now, she had told me back in May, that those symptoms could easily be hormonal!!!!! She said to me that if they weren't gone in about a week, to call her again. Well, they were gone in a few days, maybe a week. And, this hasn't returned since then. UNTIL now.! She also mentioned to me that this can be connected to peri, because of muscular changes in the abdomen and uterus.......but now, it almost feels as though theres this "thing" (lke a lump,...but IT'S NOT, I pressed there),
about an inch over to the left, and about 1/2 inch down (going towards the left ovary area) just sitting there....it kind of "aches", or hurts, but then, suddenly, it's gone! GEEZ!!!!!

Ladies, if anyone here has any info on this, or maybe has experienced anything like this....please let me know..I really could use the info. right now!!!!! (especially since a "well meaning" friend suggested to me that that could be ovarian cancer!...which I dont think it is, but you know when someone says that toyou, it gets in yhour brain!)......thanks ladies!

Well first of all my Mom and sister had Ovarian cancer and there are usually no symptoms til its to late and this wasnt one of them so I think its to bad your freind is offering this information to you it really just scares the daylites out of you.
I also have had this I will say its painful and annoying this is what I do I apply heat a heating pad while watching Tv or sleeping.
I also put on those heat wraps you can buy at rite aid called thermal-care for that area too. Have you noticed if its before or after your period? Sometimes we get this durring ovulation.
I also have been brave and have put a hot cream there, now it gets really hot its called Capzasium they have other brands that arent as hot. You can go to the drug store and check them out.
You can also try Icy-hot but the burn doesnt last very long.
I really hope this helps you, I know I have a very small cyst there and dont know if thats the cause sometimes.
Anyways I dont have it right now, have other issues that morph into different symptoms.
So its a never changing thing just gotta ride the wave as we say.
Tinkybug


What I meant was my Mom and Her Sister had it my mom was diagnosed at the age of 61 and it was in the late stages. Now she also didnt get checked like we do didnt have the means so I think she had a tumor years before like when she was in her thirtys and left it there to.

mydarling,
I had to look to be sure it wasn't ME that wrote your post - i am NOT kidding! I have had a very similiar thing/pattern repeat itself in the past 6-8 months of peri. Each time, I worried (!) and then, it would pass ... sometimes it was worse than others. I had "it all" in terms of tests - uti check, pelvic check, Cat scan, ultrasounds and guess what .. all was "normal"! Isn't that the good news and isn't that just the amazingly confusing thing as well? If it comforts you at all (in case this comes up) I also now from time to time will get a feeling like I have a very full bladder and feel the need to urinate a LOT ... and yet it is not a UTI! I have finally come to know and accept that it's got to be hormonal!

And, just the past 3 days, "this" has come back again .. out of the blue, but essentially as you describe. My only difference really is that I have an area on my back - that's on the right side (above the kidneys) that "twangs" from time to time - but it always is accompanied by either nausea (like now) and/or muscle pain/strain in my hamstrings .. go figure!

I too have had the scary thoughts of "what if" ... ovarian cancer, kidney disease, etc etc. How could we not "go there" with everything we read, hear, etc. - esp when perim is such a big "mystery" - no real good information that is "out there" from my perspective.

So, hang in there. Take in a urine specimen on Monday to be sure it's not UTI - important to always rule that out. And in the meantime, drink a ton of water and try and relax. If you want to email me directly, please do. I completely identifiy with what you described -soooo well! Kathleent

Hey Girl...take a deep breath and don't panic because what you're feeling is spasms and that knot/lump? It's the sigmond cord. (a part of your intestines). When the spasms occur you can actually feel it, which is where the ache is probably coming from...more than likely your intestines & gut muscles are spasming. Do you feel like you're bloated? Do you belch, or have gas? Do you get the trots or constipation because in all likelihood you have what is called "Gastro Intestinal Distress, and your GYN is right, it's a part of perimenopause. It hurts like hell, but is harmless. Also, if you've had this before and have some of the things I mentioned above, it might also be IBS, which is what I have. I can pretty much tell you, I ache in the exact same area, except mine doesn't go away, and feeling sick to the stomach is one of the symptoms. People are most often dx'd with IBS in the 20's and 30's...and women out number men like 70 to 30 ratio. It's worse prior to a period, and can last for a few hours, few weeks...or in my case, months. Many doctors think hormones are involved, which explains why far more women have it, and we normally have worse symptoms as well.

So before you panic, head for a search engine and type in IBS symptoms.... And let us know what you find out...ok?

Hey Tay thanks for that information at least it now has a name,
Thanks
Tinks

Hey Tinks - glad I could help! I'm an old hand at IBS, and through the years, have researched it to the 'inth' degree. Here's a few facts about gastro distress and IBS. First, the second name is much more accurate, because contrary to the name IBS=irritable bowel syndrome - it is, in fact, a stomach problem and not as the name indicates. Secondly, the reason why women have such problems with the gas, belching, constipation etc., is because the only thing in our bodies that has more nerve ending than our tummies, is our brains. Now, mix that up with fluxing hormones...see what I mean? Unfortunately tho, because my IBS flare is hormonally 'induced' shall we say, it isn't responding to meds normally used to treat it. In otherwords, it didn't come roaring back because of something I ate. It was caused by the hormones that transmit to the stomach...and everything went haywire.

Another fact - IBS (and it's counterparts) is one of the leading reasons why people see their doctors and something like...25-30 million americans have it - yeah, it really is a common thing. However, I will also say, in my entire life, nothing has ever made me feel more miserable than IBS and peri has only made it worse. The good news tho? From everything I've read, because it's hormonal, once thru menopause, the symptoms become much less severe - more like what men have.

I will admit (albeit reluctantly) IBS does have it's good points. There are many things I can't eat - things I had to give up years ago because they cause flares. For instance - I don't remember the last time I ate potato chips or beef... so I'm actually very healthy simply because of the strict diet I must follow. However - that has it's down side too.

Unfortunately, the one thing an IBS person cannot eat is things high in fat. Yeah, the very things everyone complains about, when they get the middle age spread. But, in actuality, for women that middle age spread is a good thing, because it's a storehouse for estrogen etc. Then when we go through menopause...if we need a hormonal 'boost', it simply heads there and gets a fix. For IBS people, since we don't have a lot of body fat, when our hormones deplete...that's it...they deplete. No storeroom of 'goodies', we just crash - which is why I'm having such a tough time with peri...my body is in need of a hormonal 'fix' and I have none to give it. So...I end up like a pinball game since my hormones keep bouncing from one place looking for it...(sigh)

Would someone be kind enough to put me in "vilt"....pllleeeezzzzz

Another "old hand" at IBS here I have been dealing with IBS for years but since hitting peri the flare ups has been unbearable. I tend to suffer with the IBS/D. The bloating,gas and PAIN can be unbearable at times. Flare ups happening more often and lasting longer since peri. And as Tay has stated the meds that normally help just aren't working. Both my Gp and Gyno have said that the bowel responses to the same hormones that the uterus does explaining why women in meno have such a problem with IBS issues at this time. Lets pray they are right and this too will settle down adventually. In the meantime Immodium, Gas-x and my heating pad have been the only way I can get through the day at times.

Take Care Everyone

Ladies, I have the exact same symptoms but on my right side and they follow the same pattern of being there for a few days, then they are gone..then..HELLO! they are back. I think it is IBS also. I had IBS when I was in my 20's and it has flared up periodically in times of stress during the last 30 years. In the last 3 months, I have it non stop with the "side pain..belly pain..down to the ovaries pain...around to my back..down to the thigh pain" as well as a feeling that there is a steel rod where my intestines should be. Taking antispasmodic smooth muscle relaxers, such as Bentyl (dicyclomine) are the only thing that relaxes everything enough so it can all "move" like it should and help with the gas entrapment and the pain. I also have stomachache's when this is going on and a heating pad works great too. I used to get these symptoms but at a lesser intensity a day or two before my period was due. I am still on birth control pills but seeing my gyno in 3 weeks for my annual and blood work. My peri sysmptoms began 3 months ago and it took me 2 months to figure out what was going on, culminating by a hot flash that you could have cooked eggs on! If I find out more after my gyno visit, I will be sure to post!

Ladies, I'm sitting here shaking my head, confirming everything you wrote after me. Yep, most of the time the heating pad is the only thing that makes me more comfortable. I usually take a hot soak in the tub, smear on some muscle rub and plop on the heating pad. And Bich - my symptoms are just like yours except mine are on the left side. From my waist line, over to my bellybutton, then down and back over (almost a triangle). Then it goes around to the back muscles as well as down into the leg...

The term used for this pain/ache is called 'viseral hyper-sensitivity' (not sure if that's spelled right). Anyway it means that our brains "think" it feels pain there, but in truth there is nothing wrong. All the organs are fine, which explains why all the tests come back normal.

Here's another 'hint' for those who have a constipation problem. If you wonder if you're intestinal tract is having spasms....ahh...(gonna be totally impolite here) look at your stool. (sorry to be so blunt) But, it will tell you alot. If it's 'lumpy looking' thats an indication it's been distorted by spasms as it's moved along. And if you're really REALLY constipated, it can have muscus in it as well too. (I know, gross...but these things need to be known for those who are worried it could be something serious!)

Aside from the normal things you take to relieve the gas etc., I've found citrucel fiber shake powder works great too. You can find it at wal-mart back in the fiber section. It comes in 2 flavors - chocolate and orange. You either mix it with milk or water (I use milk) and it tastes great. Each scoop contains over 10 grams of fiber, and anyone who's constipated needs at least 20 to 25 grams a day. I use it once in the morning, then again before bed. Believe me...try it, if you like chocolate, you'll love it cuz it tastes just like chocolate milk.

I'm also starting on magnesium - just got some last night. Supposedly magnesium not only helps reduce anxiety, but it's also a natural laxative. From what I've read, you need about 300mg a day - my tablets are 250, but I'm going to work up to around 500.

Anyway, I hope I've helped someone out there because I know these attacks can be down right frightening....

And Bich - if your doctors come up with anything that helps you, will you let me know? Mine's been raging for 5 months and MAN am I tired of it. (If I had a nickel for everytime I belched, I'd be a rich woman today! ...sigh)

You spelled it right!! Visceral hyper-sensitivity is the hallmark of all these pains, even IBS. Same with the stomachaches. They are called "non-functional stomach pain". If you lay down and press all over, you will realize that nothing hurts. But get up, close your eyes and feel around your brain and you are truly feeling the pain. So when you go to the Dr. and you say.."I've got this pain" and he presses and pokes and and nothing hurts, he usually says.."So, you want Xanax?" (umm..noo..I just want my life back, thanks..what is the co-pay on getting my life back?) I also have rib pain in the area where it hurts. My stomach muscles are so tight that the ligaments between the ribs appears to be spasming along with my intestines.

I know about the stool appearance. It's actually the first indicator of IBS. I am saving mine to build another "stonehendge" after I finish with the perimenopause and I have alot of time to do other things rather than obsess about all this.

Prior to the perimenopause symptoms, everything moved just fine. For the past 3 months, my intestines feel like they are made out of lead. Eating fruits and veggies like I used to now causes enough gas to power the world. I don't eat meat and am mostly vegetarian and now nothing agrees with me

If I find anything out, I will definitely post. This is the first time in my life I am actually LOOKING FORWARD to going to my gyno because I never had any problems and I never needed this much reassurance before!

Oh Bich - I now wished we lived next door to each other, that way we could lean & prop each other up as needed. And yes, I know exactly what you're talking about with that 'imaginary' aching. I lost count of the number of times I'd say to doc...it hurts right here, yet, like you said...poke it, rub it...nothing, it hurts but it doesn't hurt. (frustrating, isn't it) He finally just said to me...yes, I know it hurts there, that's what they all say. I'd reply...well what's there??? He'd reply...nothing. (sigh)

And like you, I'm also familiar with the spasming muscles and such. BTW - are you like me - when you're up walking around you feel 'closer to normal', but sit down or lay down and BAM...the gas starts to build, the growling starts and then you feel it start to spasm. Mine's doing that right now...sounds like popcorn popping...

If it helps any Bich, there are several on the board who have been down this path we are walking and both are on medication for it. TeeJay is on Lexapro (an anti-depressant) and another is on the Ativan you talked about. I do know, that both you and I are having these problems because of our anxiety - that's what's feeding it. The more anxious we feel, the worse the symptoms get. (sigh)

On top of all of that, my anxiety is now finding a new 'outlet' as well. I'm starting to grind my teeth at night, so this morning I woke up with a toothache. (I think I actually dug out part of a filling last night.) (sigh)

Anyway, I sure wish I could understand what my brain is doing, or why it's responding the way it does. It's almost like it's refusing to acknowledge the anxiety, so it comes out in other forms...hench the IBS and the teeth grinding. Should I be on something? Probably, but I'm a lot like you - I'm trying to deal with it in natural ways, which is why I'm trying anything and everything before I accept 'medical intervention', shall I say?

I'll tell ya one thing Bich...menopause sure ain't for weinies...

Tay, Look out your window..do you see a blonde waving to you?? THAT'S ME!! I REALLY DO LIVE NEXT DOOR!! if you live in New York! :-))

You are totally on target about moving around and feeling much better. Since I was on here I changed the cat litter, cleaned the rabbit hutch, walked the dog, cleaned the bathroom, did two loads of laundry, spoke to my husband at work twice and forgot about my stomach and ribs. I'm sitting now at the computer and guess what's starting to hurt?? I wasn't thinking about it before so my brain, otherwise engaged, left the phantom pains to themselves and they disappeared. I don't take the Ativan that you mentioned, I take Bentyl (dicyclomine) which is an antispasmodic used to treat the spasms of ibs. You take it 30-60 minutes before you eat and it makes the gas less, the bowl movements easier and reduces any pain. It's a prescription drug and I have kept it on hand since I was in high school. It's a very benign medication and it works really well. I'm perfectly ready to go through menopause and I really don;t think there is anything truly wrong with me, I just don't like "not feeling well" and this REALLY came out of the blue for me!!! I'm still on birth control pills till my next FHS test which will be in about 3 weeks when I see my gyno. I just want her to say.."There, there..go eat ice cream and ignore everything, you are fine" so I can ignore all the things that my body keeps trying to fool me with!!

It's so nice to meet such nice people on this board!!

Hi ladies,,,WOW! thank you all so much for all this info! this is great! well, now at least I don't feel so darn alone! Yeah, this is actually trying to start up again, I can feel it "haunting" me somewhere in the background. I had that for about a week, and that was hell. That deep ache in my left side was awful, it felt "raw", like someone had "sliced" me, but on the inside...UGH!
Then that backache, and all the way towards the belly button and my left ovary!!! I couldn't believe it! I had something similar to that in May, which I had stated, and then not again, UNTIL last week. I thought I was dying! I mean it, I started thinking there was something SERIOUSLY wrong with me, I thought my GYN wasn't taking this seriously. She never did mention IBS, I myself had looked up these symptoms on the net, and it seemed very similar to my symptoms, but I still didn't really know, UNTIL you guys posted all this! She just mentioned someting about all the stress I'm under latley, and that my stomach is probably upset,,,gee.

I'm so thankful for this place! Thank you all once again for
calming my hysterial heart!!! LOL

Sincerely, mydarling

Ladies,

IBS was one of the first major problems I had when peri started. I hurt so bad I could barely stand it, and it's hard for people (who see you looking just fine) who've never been there to understand. I was so bloated it hurt to breathe and I had pain almost always under both sides of my rib cage and many times along the entire outer edge of the rib cage. I had more pain on the right and had many instances where I could feel lumps as my food tried to pass through. I was miserable. I tried for about six months or so to handle things without help and ultimately I was given Ativan and Xanax but I really was concerned about both since they can be addictive. I also was on Zelnorm. I ended up being put on Lexapro which is for both anxiety and depression (yes I became very depressed as I began to feel worse and worse). I am much better now two years later. I still am having peri symptoms and have IBS flares now and then but not nearly as severe or as often. IBS symptoms are painful and scary. I had ultrasounds, bloodwork and a CTScan of my abdomen before they confirmed it was IBS. Peri has been a difficult road for me and I'm frustrated at how many docs have diagnosed all of my symptoms as anxiety or stress induced. I never had anxiety until peri and I've lived with stress my entire life. I firmly believe that anxiety is caused by hormones and IBS as well. I found that I clenched my teeth and felt generally more tense and tight now during peri than I ever have. I just keep praying and I know God will carry me through...but man some days it has been a real challenge just to function.

Take care,
TeeJay

Hmmm am I the only IBS-D? Just as painful and very frustrating at times---must be near a bathroom at all times Flare ups are worse just before and right after a period. Something no one else has mention is that I can hear the rumblings and growling very loudly at times. Anyone else?

Girl, I think all the noisy intestinal 'activity' is something we all have, whether it's IBS 'C' or 'D' .... mine is especially loud right after I've eaten or after I lay down. Get up and moving around seems to be the only thing that helps. Truthfully, most of the day I'm either 'blowing my pants off'...or wishing I could! (sigh)

Anyway, over the weekend I came across this article and thought I'd post it. It may give us IBS'rs some hope for the future.

How does menopause affect Irritable Bowel Syndrome? ~

The research on IBS and menopause is fortunately both more clear and more clearly optimistic. Studies have shown that the drop in hormones after menopause results in reduced severity of IBS symptoms; after menopause, the severity of IBS symptoms in women and men is identical. Women in postmenopausal age groups have significantly less severity overall for IBS abdominal pain, bloating, and have higher quality of life scores compared to younger women with IBS. The theory that the drop in hormones from menopause directly correlates with improved IBS symptoms is further supported by studies finding that hormone replacement therapy in menopause is associated with an increased risk of IBS flares.

So, while hormones and gender do play a significant role in IBS (possibly the development of the disorder as well as the severity and frequency of symptoms), it's not all bad news because menopause is clearly linked to significant improvements in IBS across the board, and all hormonal fluctuations that affect IBS for the worse are typically temporary, with no serious or permanent health consequences to be concerned about.

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All I can say is - let us hope these doctors are right. I'd love nothing more than for my IBS to go away and NEVER come back again!!
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Oh...one more thing. I also ran across another article about IBS and menopause which was posted from...the UK, possibly? I was surprised to see IBS listed as one of the 'signs' of menopause -

First time I'd ever seen it acknowledged as a "symptom"........

Oh Girls! you are making me cry in releif!!! Nobody in three months has explained my pain like you have!!! I am still scared ...soooo scared it is something serious ,but you just expained it exactly! Last year this pain would only come for a day or two after my period. Then in Sept. it has been with me almost everyday. ( sorry if my writing is ragged..I am so emotional!) I wake up feeling puky in my back! No other way of explaining it. I have been to so many doctors in the last year ,and no one can tell me why I hurt . I have every other peri symtom...hot flashes, rage, confusion, feeling not me... but this one scared me bad! It is so good to know i am not alone. I am 45 ,by the way and have been going thru hell for near five years. Why will not doctors take this seriously? thanks girls...........nice to know you are there. Linda

[font=Comic Sans Ms]

Oh my gosh, I have experienced this too ! On my right side. This happened in November, just a week before what has so far been my last period. It came on suddenly and mysteriously one night, bothered me an entire day, and just as suddenly and mysteriously it resolved itself in approx 24 hours. I have had a couple of brief twinges since then.

Wow. Wow! Every time I find myself suffering through some awful unexplained symptom I come to this forum and find a thread about it that calms my fears. The funny thing is that the thread is usually a fairly recent one, too. It's like we experience the same symptom at the same time.

I've been experiencing this same left-sided pain off and on since November of 2005. I went several months without it last year, but at that time I was struggling with upper GI symptoms. In fact I had this same pain on the right side three years ago and was so convinced I had appendicitis that I went to the ER. That big hospital bill taught me not to be so quick to panic, but even knowing you don't have a serious disease doesn't calm you when you're hurting. I've had it with constipation, and I've had it with diarrhea. I also used to get the pain just around the belly button. Actually, now thinking way back I remember in middle school a doctor prescribed Bentyl for me when I came to him with right-sided pain.

Last night the left-sided pain had returned, and while I knew instinctively that it was intestinal there was still that little voice of health anxiety saying "What if it's your kidney?" or "What if it doesn't go away?" I also instinctively took a magnesium tablet which I hadn't done before. I haven't been very successful at working fiber into my diet, so I know I can do more where that's concerned.

Visceral hypersensitivity? I'd never heard that before. I do remember that when the ER doctor poked and prodded checking for a sick appendix I suddenly had trouble finding the pain. It didn't return until after I left the hospital, so he just treated me like I was a basket case and sent me home with a prescription for some barbituate to ease the pain (which I was afraid to take).

You women are so great for sharing all your knowledge with those of us who are scaring ourselves with what ifs, and also for providing a few laughs along the way. I know there's one version of Stonehenge I wouldn't want to visit.

When my pain occurred I was at my parents' house. My mother was a medical transcriptionist for years and when very young had studied to be a nurse but never finished and became one, so she's got all sorts of medical books in the house and she's very smart about illnesses and physiology. We ruled out appendix and kidneys. We started thinking it might be intestinal, perhaps a twist ? I was slouching over to one side on a recliner chair just before the pain started. Or maybe it was something I ate that didn't pass through well ? Very mysterious !

It couldn't be the ovaries, could it ? I've ready many times that some women can feel when the follicle busts and releases an egg. Now that I'm heading toward menopause I'm wondering if perhaps it was a follicle pain ? Itwas only a week before my last period, definitely off timing-wise, but then my periods have been screwed up for the past 8 months.