yeah, this is definatley not a good season for me right now, it's one thing after another, but I'm thankful I have this place and all you ladies to "whine" to ...


would you all please tell me about your stomach (or digestive) woes .... I've been having such a bad time of it latley, from stomach pains, to sour stomach (and sour mouth) to nausea, to stomach burning on and off, (not having to do with any particular food), to bloated stomach, hard stomach, feels like it's actually not digesting food (for instance, i had some sardines in tomato sauce last night, this is a food I grew up on, and love..well, since latley, I've had very little appetite, I decided to tempt myself a little, and open a can of the sardines, hoping perhaps the smell would entice me, and it did,,i ate the whole can, which i needed, since i hadn't eaten anyting all day, well, it just sat in there, like a ROCK, all night, it was the weirdest, most uncomfortable thing i've ever felt, it felt like it wasn't being digested!)....to a gassy "cold" feeling in the stomach, to burping, and this full feeling all the time (which makes me feel like not eating), ... i can't think of anything else right now, but i'm sure i will .... i've been dealing with these particular symptoms now for a little over a week now. Yes, i do have my period right now too...which makes all of this just wonderful. I've been constipated on and off now for about a week as well....and, when I'm finally able to have a BM, it's very little, with this sort of "ruddy" color mucus attached to some of it, with a "dot" of blood in that mucus....no pain when I'm going though. This is becoming very aggravating!

I hope i wasn't to descriptive there, but I just need to know that I'm not alone with all this, .. this all just started up, OUT OF NOWHERE! Well, in a way it didn't,....most of this started up, after the dinner we had a week ago Sat. at Boston Market .... but, I've had a number of these symptoms now for a while anyway.

P.S. - can gas make you feel like there's a ROCK in your stomach? I"m not talking here about that hard bloated stomch feeling, i mean, it literally feels as though the food is sitting in one place in your stomach, like a Rock!
Also.....this woman, who lives down the road from us, who is a nurse, said to me that a lot of this stuff, is hormonally induced....I have to ask her if the burning stomach is hormonally induced to...she said that could be due to stress, which I have a lot of right now.

thanks ladies!

YEs, yes, yes and yes. it is miserable. you have written my story. my stomach is always a wreck and after loads of tests, it's ibs. some days are good, but most are not. pain, rock hard stomach, stomach spams, pain between shoulder blades, palps and burping. i try peppermint tea, chamomile tea, everything in the book, avoiding foods, but it comes and goes anyway. stress makes it 10 times worse. You are not alone. Good luck. Hang in there and keep on posting.

Hi

I'm curious have you been to doc about this. Do you have pain in a specific place? Like the upper right side, kinda up under the rib cage. I ask this because when I had this a few years back my doc tested me for gallbladder problems. He said there are different things that cause digestive problems. My biggest thing then was colon cancer, he said if your BM's are s slight orange red color and bloody, black blood looking then yes it could be colon cancer. He also mentioned the signs of ovarian problems. But mine was neither, it was a spastic colon. He also talked to me about worry to much about things, as I used to obsess to the point of panic. He said sometimes when we become more aware of our bodies we may look at every tiny little thing and analyze it to much, hence stress and more problems. I know for me getting things checked helps relieve my anxiety about them.

I hope you feel better soon and if its bothering you please think about going to the doc.

Thanks Patty,
Yes, I've been to numerous docs, scans, colonoscopies, etc, and all are fine. IBS is the verdict. Checking does give us some peace of mind though. Just knowing all checked out should do the trick, but my mind always goes crazy when it's at its worst. HOpe you are well too.

my darling & enough,

sorry that you're enduring the digestive woes. i've had ibs since puberty & it had gotten really bad a few years ago, then calmed, & is pretty bad again. plus i recently started to get acid reflux as well. so much of this is hormonal(& then neuronal as well) - my guts have always sped up & slowed down with my periods.

it can manifest in many ways & can be scary. i try to manage flares as best as possible & to remind myself that this will calm down. there's alot of good advice around on the board discussions regarding tips for managing. it can be crazy because triggers will vary or will simply be from the hormonal swings. if i'm really bad, i make adjustments (right now it's severe cramping & running to the bathroom - so i've had to go to a bland diet, small portions, & use peppermint-as long as the acid reflux is ok- & even a strong prescription med to calm it down & get back on track). i always use a probiotic & that has helped in all aspects.

pm if you want more suggestions. you are right that it comes & goes, sometimes way longer than we would like. so hard, just like the rest of this mess.
good luck,
ellen

Hello, I have had digestive, stomach woes for a long time but they have magnified after peri started and when I am under stress they get worse! I hate the nausea the most because I always wonder if I am going to get sick, which I never do.
I had a colonoscopy a few months ago and the only thing they found was an ulcer, no polyps thank goodness. So I have IBD and have to live with it, I hate it but what else can I do? Depending on what I eat, I also feel like a rock is in my stomach, so I can't eat certain foods. Good luck and welcome to the stomach woe club!

well, here we go again..I woke up this morning, with these sort of "spasms" or "convulsions" in my stomach, and some stomach pains....this was scary! I mean, i was laying there, breaking out in a cold sweat, thikning stomach cancer..geez! I do feel hungry, but I don't feel like eating, and my stomach (not intestines) still feels FULL! I haven't eaten much these past few days either, very little...so it's not from REALLY being full. The stomach pains aren't severe, but definatly there. I am still constipated, and i still have that burning in my stomach once and a while too....anyone know what that is?????

I finally got out of bed, shaking, and took a xanax, to stop the convulsions, and two rolaids, hoping it would help any acid build up, maybe thats what was casing all this. OK, well, the xanax, as usual, helped the spasms in my stomach to stop...the rolaids has SORT OF helped, it's better than before at least. But, i wish i knew what this is. My dr.'s appt. isn't till march..so here i sit, and wait....and imagine all the worst! (which is why i keep posting!).

The only thing that keeps me somewhat sane, is to realize that my 23yr. old son, who lives upstairs from us, has a lot of the same symptoms right now. He also has that FULL feeling in his stomach, and his stomach feels hard and bloated as well....also, he feels nauseas, and he swings between constipation and loose stools too. He feels awful, i can see it, and he has to keep laying down. (it's a good thing he has his own business from home!). We had a long talk last night about all this, and we both realized, that yes, we DID have some of these symtpoms BEFORE we ate at Boston Market, but after that....WOE!!!!! that really put us over the edge...i mean, BEFORE we ate there, I didn't have a burning stomach, EVER! (now, he told me he's had that from time to time which i never knew).....but we both never really felt like this..this is strange. The fact that we both have this, means it can't be stomach cancer, and that's what i have to keep reminding myself of.

Righ now, in my life, there is SO MUCH STRESS AND ANXIETY! lots of family problems, and I think it's really getting to me!!!!! I suppose this could be an ulcer as well, does any of this sound like that? I can remember years ago, when my sister was about 13yrs. old, and she was having so much trouble with her schoolwork, and her friends, and my mother and she were always arguing (she was a very rebellious kid!..lol), etc.......well, i can remember her, getting bad stomach pains, loss of appetite,(like me right now), lots of indigestion....wow...IT WAS BAD! I can remember her bending over and taking her fist, and pressing it into her stomach to stop the pain.....now, they found out back then, it was an ulcer, from stress. The reason i just remembered that (taht was about 30 yrs. ago now), was bec. that's what I was doing this moring on the bed, on my left side......i had to press my thumb into my stomach to stop the convulsions and "pains".....so, maybe this is all stress.......PLUS PERI and hormones........

can hormones actaully cause all this? can they cause a burning stomach, and stomach pains? I bet so......

please, keep posting ladies...i need more info....i'm doing a lot of my own research as well, so i need all the help i can get here.........thanks!

I feel your pain, literally. For about six months now I've experienced pretty much all the symptoms you all have listed and have had to change my diet radically just to find out what I can and cannot tolerate. From everything I have read, I truly believe that stress and hormones can make your stomach physically sick. You have heard the expression 'butterflies in your stomach', right? Well normally that is a momentary reaction that passes when the stressful situation is is removed, but if one is under constant stress, your stomach is reacting constantly. Does that make sense? I hope you try really hard not to worry, and soon find out what you can tolerate.

Hi everyone,
Sadly I know a bit too much about this subject due to reasons I will not bore you with here. There is no doubt that the combination of stress and endocrine struggles affects the gut very badly. Do remember that your endocrine system controls gut motility. Many people think that food moves through the GI tract by itself like water through a hose pipe. I can assure you that it does not and you wouldn't believe the complex neurological control that goes into moving food along the gut. The motility can speed up, (diarrhoea) or slow down (constipation.) We menos usually suffer the latter. Alterations in motility will cause burning and indigestion, burping and other unspeakable releases of gas!! It goes without saying that we should not ignore profound symptoms but I think that it helps to be a little more tolerant of annoying glitches in gut function. Significant bleeding is a real warning sign and should NEVER be ignored! Don't get caught out by bleeding from those nasty little things called haemorrhoids. (Piles.) Complete constipation or uncontrolled loose stools for a prolonged period need investigating. Beyond that I would sit and wait. Investigations of gut function are invariably yukky and best left to those who really need them!
I think it helps to give a struggling GI tract some gentle loving care at this time. If my gut starts to play up I make a homemade vegetable soup and liquidise it thoroughly. Try giving your gut a little holiday like this, it may help. In my experience if you do have a serious problem the gut will leave you in no doubt! Until then be gentle with it and try(lol) to control those anxiety levels.

Best regards,


XIII

Hello all! I have been having all kinds of stomach woes as well. Especially for the past 8 months or so. I have a history of IBS/D but lately have been alternating to constipation. I have been having some tenderness on my left side just inside my hip bone. It is off and on and is always, always worse with my period. I have been officially in peri since I was 44 and and I am now 47. I also have a history of adhesions on that same side from 2 c-sections which were lasered off back in '99 but I am thinking that they may have returned. Does anyone else out there have that annoying left side tenderness? It is driving me mad and causing some health anxiety. I appreciate any responses!! Thank you so much! Terri C

Laura>>Donnatal>> it's a miracle drug for IBS. Also a mild sedated!
See if your doctor will give you a prescription>> Oh girlfriend you will Thank me!

Laura are you seeing a doctor for this problem? You can come here and find comfort but a doctor must rule out a serious problem! Have you had a pelvic ultrasound? Any tests?
Let me scare you a little bit to get you to a doctor >did you know Ovarian cancer can cause your symptoms?

Early ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:

Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs
A swollen or bloated abdomen
Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
Feeling very tired all the time
Less common symptoms include:
Shortness of breath
Feeling the need to urinate often
Unusual vaginal bleeding (heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause)

Hi all .....


Snow..yes, I have a dr.'s appt. in march, it's my yearly GYN appt., but i'm going to tell him all this, don't worry! thank you for being so concerned about me! Believe me, being that my mom died of ovarian cancer, i am MORE than hyper about that! But, again, in march, when i see him, i am going to have a nice long talk!

thank you everyone for replying.....i'll tell ya, this stinks! i mean, this morning i was having stomach spasms for pete sake..now, i've done lots of my own research, and i also belong to a few alternative health sites, and between all of this, and my own health food store here (the owner is SO SO educated on the body and natural remedies, I'm always in there.), everyone feels this is microbiological....in other words, we probably picked up something from Boston Market, in fact, he said, I was the second person to come into his store this week, and feel sick after eating there. From what I researched on my own, the alternative health sites, and the health food store owner, we all came to the conclusion that i definatley needed to put some GOOD flora back into my intestines, since obviously, the good flora had been overwhelmed or wiped out by something, either viral, or from Boston Market.....also, i had taken a round of Cipro anti biotics back in Dec. for a small case of bronchitis, and any antibiotic leaves you open for some other viral nasty, or microbial bacteria to have its way with you.....since, as you guys prob. know, the antibiotics KNOCK OUT your own GOOD flora...leaving you open to attack. So, see, that was mid Dec....then, within a few weeks, i started with this lousy intestinal feeling, and then, Boston Market, put me over the edge. WEll, my son and husb. too, since they ate there also. I have just returend from the health food store, with some good Ginger Tea for the neasea, some good probiotics, to put back the good flora and some oxygen spray (that's to kill all other bad guys in there). Yeah, the oxygen spray is good stuff, you can get it in capsules, but I prefer the spray....a few sprays under your tongue a few times a day, and it brings oxygen to your whole system, including the brain, and kills off bad bacteria! So, here goes....lol

oh man, this has been bad! anyway, i am so glad i have this place, and all of you.....thank you so much!!!!!!

Because I have had to deal with stomach problems since I was born, I think, I have a few suggestions.

If xanax helps your stomach spasms you are probably dealing with anxiety related stomach acid and spasming. Xanax does seem to work like a muscle relaxer in some ways.

Digestive enzymes, cheap and easy to get, ABSORB AID is a good one. When you get over 40 you can start losing your ability to produce proper enzymes to digest your food. ROCK IN STOMACH. Classic example of food not digesting properly. Don't drink with meals. Never drink milk with meals and esp. not with MEAT. Drink your water and lots of it in the AM and between meals. Drink a little warm tea with meals but sip don't gulp. The liquids tend to wash away the enzymes when you drink with meals. My best advice in this; always eat ONE LIVE FOOD with every meal. That means a raw fruit or raw veggie. A fresh salad will do it but don't slop dressing all over it. Antiproductive. Don't eat after 6 PM. Another biggie. Make your AM and NOON meals your larger meals and dinner smaller. The older you get the slower your metabolism can be and the closer it is to bedtime the more it slows down. You will sit up all night digesting a heavy meal after 6PM if you are at that age. Eat all your meals, don't skip any but if you must skip, skip dinner.

Acidopholus + FOS, get a good one that requires refrigeration so you know its fresh and check the date on it. Take it daily, with or without meals. Try to take one a day if you can. Yogurt with live cultures works for some but others have trouble with milk products. Cottage cheese won't do it for you. You can take this product when your gut is sore from acid and it will often help. Take with a glass of water. I dump mine out as its powder and s*ck it down. It should always taste SWEET otherwise its no good.

DGL, tablets. Keep an indate bottle on hand at all times. Its the stomach sufferers standby. You have to s*ck ON THEM, don't chew! Take preferably between meals when acid is high or stomach is raw from high acid. It will help to relieve stomach pain and does help acid but won't tackle acid for you. You may need more water between meals to tackle your acid problem. If you hate licorice or the taste of licorice it also comes in chocolate flavor.

Zantac, the old standby. Its a proton pump inhibitor which means when acid is killing you, take one with a full glass of water and wait twenty minutes. You may have to take two if the first one just isn't cutting the acid. I have a professional strength prescription from the Dr. but you can get this over the counter now. Its a lifesaver for people with anxiety acid problems. Do not take before or after a heavy meal. Take the DGL instead and wait a half hour or hour if you can manage and the take the zantac. It slows the digestion down ALOT and your meal will digest slower. Its best between meals when acid is high.

Okay, thats it. I have other remedies for those with serious stomach issues and can hardly eat. If you need them, let me know.

Hugs and SHALOM

Okay, I have to tell you all about what I went through last year. I was experiencing nausea, loss of appetite, swinging from hard stools to loose stools,mucous in the stools, gas, pain, you name it. This went on for 2 months undiagnosed until finally one doctor said, let's check her for C Diff and low and behold, that is what I had. I was miserable but was glad I was finally diagnosed until I googled C Diff and found out what a nasty bug I had. It took me over 9 months to get rid of the pesky bug and the bad thing is I was and still am going through peri menopause so combined I felt like I was ready to dig a hole and throw my self in to it. So, I would advise any one who has any of these kind of symptoms to get a stool culture, make sure there isn't any kind of bad bacteria floating around in the intestines and bowels. This is one bug that you do not want to fool with. Another bad thing, you actually never get rid of the spores, they hide in your system and wait for the ripe moment to come back so you have to be very careful after having this bug. Don't want to scare any one but just be careful. There is so much C Diff going around, especially in hospitals. Please wash wash wash your hands especially before eating. Take it from some one who knows. And here I have to go to the hospital this Thursday for an ablation......so I take my hand sanitizer with me and don't touch any thing I don't have to, always looking for some where to wash my hands. Believe me, I was always an extreme hand washer but it didn't help me in the long run. Don't know where I picked up the spore. Loading up on probiotics is a must. I'll never stop taking them now since suffering through this ordeal. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!

I think that stomach probs were my worst symptoms through menopause because it made me worry about going anywhere (in case) and petrified to eat anything. At risk of boring on, as I've written this before, favourite foods like shellfish, cheese or onions would bring on a hot pain and I'd have to dash for the toilet (within minutes...it went through that fast!). Cold milk would bring on cramps then gassy wind (the un-ladylike end )

Things have got much better. I holidayed abroad last year and was OK with most foods causing no probs. I stayed away from pizza because of the cheese and avoided prawns.

Lately I have had really hot flushes again (I'm post meno). On Saturday night we had a cantonese meal. I commented that some of the items were salty. I ate a piece of prawn and sesame toast and within minutes had terrible stomach pains and diarrhoea. I have had the same meal a few times recently with no effect.

I wondered if it was msg, or the fact that my hormones are having a surge and hormones and these foods don't mix for me?

You're not a scientist are you XIII? I just ask because I am and the precision of your reply was just great for me.
After nearly 50 years of a cast-iron stomach, I started getting nausea/stomach discomfort after just a glass of lukewarm water first thing on a morning. Breakfast made no difference, even grapefruit, for either better or worse but symptoms would fade away usually over the day so by evening, including after dinner I was fine. After this went on for a few months rather intermittently, I went to the doctor, who prescribed proton inhibitor-type anti-acid. What a disaster - I felt like I was poisoning myself as it made the symptoms about 10X worse. Went back to doctor to get result of blood test - no camphylobacter and otherwise all great. So the resulting advice was to take normal over-the-counter antacids despite, to my mind, the symptoms not being anything like excess acid/reflux etc. (I mean, problems after a glass of water seems to me it's more like an acid dilution problem).
Anyway, being not only a scientist but a total anorak, I still keep a training diary of exercise (hang-over from years of competitive sport) and note general health stuff too. Looking over the diary, I realised the stomach problem reoccurred on a near monthly cycle, close to 'ovulation' (probably not all that appropriate now). So I reckon, like you suggest, it's a hormonal upset.
I can live with this, now I now it's neither ulcer or cancer

But thank you, ladies, for making me realise I'm not the only ones experiencing lots of odd occurrences...

Hi Bev,
Yes, I have to admit to being a scientist at heart. I originally trained as a nurse and progressed from ward sister into nutritional research. My interest in pharmacology led me to becoming a Clinical Research Associate for a major drug company in the UK. I have studied the gut quite extensively and have come to realise that the world of medicine knows very little about the true workings of the gut. It just makes me very angry when doctors pretend that they have all the answers. I can assure you that the vagaries of gut motility are a complete mystery to them, as apparently are the problems of menopause. I sometimes wish I had trained as a doctor so that I could investigate menopause properly. This site is excellent because it represents some very valuable research material. The true worth of the site is that women can visit and discuss their symptoms without being made to feel that they are whining or wasting anyone's time. There is nothing worse than being made to feel like a brainless, hysterical woman by a doctor who isn't even listening. The collective knowledge of the ladies here is very impressive!

Kind regards,



XIII

I had these problems..they have improved greatly since I introduced a good grade probiotic (fridge kind) and a digestive enzyme after every meal plus cut out cows milk.

Caz