oh have i not had the worst stomach ache... i have had it several times now in the last 6 months.... i eat... then within a few minutes the upper part of my stomach will start hurting.... feels awful right into my lower chest... then i will have a little gas and a bowl movement and i get hot with it..... and it takes about 10 minutes after for this to ease up to were its tolerable..... any one else have this... ? it scares me.... i always have to keep telling myself that its just peri... at least i think it is since no dr. can confirm.... i have had a bad day today with aches and sleepy drugged down feeling... i am hoping that today is the last day of my cycle... also last night i had the weirdest feeling in the back of my neck lower head... it felt hot and like it went to sleep... as soon as i realized what was happening it was over and i felt hot in my face... im not sure if that ws a hot flash... it also happened today at the movie theater..... any one else with this? and do you all notice hot flashes near the end of your period more? remember now i am only 32...... any help or advice will be appreciated.... denise

Hi Denise
I get the same as you after i have ate....bloated upper stomach and the need to do a bowel movement....this affects me sometimes when i want to go out. I could be out shopping and have the urgent need to do a bowel movement, and then i panic as i dont think i will get there quick enough. I dont get any pain though....the dr told me it was my anxiety and nerves that were doing this to me, and that i have this feeling coz i have it embedded in my head, and that i should focus on other things other than what my stomach is doing.......i wish you well, and peerhaps some of the other lovely ladies on this site might have some more input into this. Take care

Denise,

I am 33, and I have the same thing. It scares me sometimes because it is even tender to the touch. Like if you push in a little bit right below your sternum--I think that it is a form of acid reflux. You might try taking some Pepcid--I take them occassionally and it seems to really help.
Brandy

thanks brandy... i think you and i are more alike then we know... were you ever on long term birthcontrol and then stopped? also do you get palps? and one more... tingly numbness feeling in you arm? i get a goosebump effect in myhead too.. a weird sensation... denise

Just weighing in that I agree w/Brandy that is is probably a form of acid reflux....another common symptom in peri. TUMS and/or pepcid should help, but this can also be greatly relieved by taking a close look at what you are eating.

Junk food, transfats, sugar, caffiene, etc. can wreck havoc on us in peri much more than they did before, especially in that two week period before TOM. We can develop food sensitivities too, all of which can maximize your symptoms.

How is your diet and are you supplementing with anything?

Lori

HI

Needing to empty bowels after eatin is normal - and healthy

I think during peri - at least for me - the upper part of my GI tract has become hypersenstive - oestrogen is known to effect gastric acid secretion in women - more oetrogen less acid - ie it inhibits it - so I wonder if my acid secertion was inhibited all the time i was on BCP and now it isnt? No DR has discussed this with me - I do try to talk to them about it but I dont think they have seen the resaerch or they wonder why their patients are reading it!!!

later

mele

Denise,

Boy, you may have made the understatement of the year about us being more alike than we think!!!
Yep, I get palps, and all sorts of weird "heart" stuff. Mostly the usual--racing, pounding heart, "skipped" beats, you name it!! (Have had it checked, though, and they said it was fine)

I was on birth control pills from the time that I was 18 until I was 26. Kind of on and off. I think that I took about a year break from them during that time. When I went off of them, I had no prob. getting pregnant--took about 3 months. Had my beautiful daughter and went back on them about 1 month after she was born. No probs. to speak of. Went off of them again when I was 29--took me 6 mths to get preg. this time. Had my wonderful son, and all he%$ broke loose. Haven't been quite "right" since he was born. Started almost immediately after delivery and has continued for the last 3 years. Has gotten quite a bit better since it first started, but I still have months where I think that I am dying of something horrible. What a terrible way to feel!!! I don't know for sure that you could call what I am experiencing "peri", but I do know that it is hormone related, and it is amazing the similarity of symptomns that I find here!!

Hope you have a great day--I look forward to talking to you more.
Brandy

hi all.... and yes brandy i do believe we are related....i have been on vacation camping so i am back now and i feel a little better. i sometimes think that the anxiety is worse for me now then ever before.... things that never mattered now do and those that did matter dont.... odd but true... i think i have had panic attacks now that i look at things . i beleive that hormones can cause this.... the only thing thats been bothering me lately is i have this odd pressure in my head... at the top behind my eyes... kinda like when you are holding your breath under water for awhile.... its odd and as soon as i start focusing in on it ... bam it goes away. this is a new symptom.... i dont like it either. well i have got to go to bed..... its been a long day and i actually am tired..... write more soon..... lol denise oh yeah i was on the depo provera 9 years without a cycle at all..... i have been off the shot 2 years..... symptoms of whatever this is(peri) started 7 months ago!!!!!!!

you know, I am getting that weird 'below the sternum' sensitivity, it's tender to the touch unless I have a full stomach, then it goes away. It's most uncomfortable in the morning, and I'm not a big breakfast person anyways, and then better after lunch and dinner, and doesn't show up again until breakfast.

I am in full menopause though, thanks to surgery, and I know my HRT isn't what it should be.

Is it still acid reflux then?

Margali [size=4]

I hope that I can help you guys with this : remembering back to the time when I guess my Mom must have been going through meno ( in those days it was not discussed ) , she suddenly started taking charcoal tablets...I have been experiencing so many digestive problems that I finally relented - I bought "Charcotabs/nee"Charcocaps" - PROBLEMS GONE!!!!!!!!! They are packaged two per dose; I only take one - problem is GONE!!!! AND it's natural.

Denise,

I had this stomach problem too back when I first developed anxiety 18 months ago. It's called gastritis and means your stomach lining is badly inflamed due to excess acid which is made worse by anxiety. (It is the precursor to a stomach ulcer). I also had my first ever week of palps at the same time - it is all related as I have now found out, reading about that vasal nerve on this site.

There is loads you can do for gastritis. In the UK we have an over the counter medicine called Gaviscon Liquid which you need to take after every meal and before bed for a couple of weeks. It is recommended for so many people, even those pregnant or breast-feeding. There must be something similar in the states. It ususally works but if that fails to work a GP can give you Ranitidine and failing that working either, you can be given Lanzoprozole.

I had a really bad case that took a year to get better, mainly because I was worried about it so much and kept generating more acid as a result. The GP had given me Lanzoprozole (the strongest form of treatment) and I came out in an allergic rash. This is when I developed health anxiety as I then believed I couldn't be healed... it would turn to an ulcer... that would burst... and I would die!! See how my stupid mind works when it gets into its health anxiety mode. Well I found I couldn't eat anything except rice, eggs, bananas, tinned chicken & carrots as everything else hurt my stomach by generating acid. Even bread increased the acid. I was in a terrible state. We'd booked to take the kids to Disney, Florida and I was on the point of cancelling - I felt I couldn't travel as I wouldn't find food I could eat easily, and I had the awful main anxiety to deal with at the time which meant I had to struggle through that fear feeling.

Well, I had acupuncture and although he didn't heal me completely, he reduced the anxiety to the point where I managed somehow to get on that plane. I had decided I would live on bananas for a fortnight if I had to. I thought maybe a kind restaurant might boil up some rice for me occasionally. I took bananas to eat on the plane.

Well, when we arrived I had such a great time. Disney took my mind off everything because we were so occupied. I found I was able to eat hot-dogs and bagels and a good breakfast in the hotel. My acid and sore stomach greatly reduced because I wasn't worrying - I was too busy and shattered (tired) . I was back on Ranitidine because of my reaction to the Lanzoprozole and was actually getting a bit better. My anxiety dropped right down as the result of this holiday. (As you know, I still have the health anxiety though).

When we got home I had to drop down to just Gaviscon as I had to take a breath test at the hospital - my Gp had referred me to see if I had a bacteria that can cause ulcers. If so they can give you antibiotics. I took the test but my stomach still carried on improving so after the test I just stayed on the Gaviscon. By Christmas my stomach was completely better. Now I just take Gaviscon at the first sign of acid so my stomach doesn't get sore again. I can eat anything these days.

Hope this helps!




Emma-Jane, do you still have caffeine? I used to get the urgent bowel feeling too and found out it was usually anything up to an hour after I'd had a coffee or chocolate. It was worst when I was pregnant. I have been in the supermarket and had to desert my trolley urgently to run to the bathroom.


Emma-Jane, do you still have caffeine? I used to get the urgent bowel feeling too and found out it was usually anything up to an hour after I'd had a coffee or chocolate. It was worst when I was pregnant. I have been in the supermarket and had to desert my trolley urgently to run to the loo (bathroom for you US gals).

OK, I'm still worried. I was checking my symptoms at Web MD, and it sounds like a duodenal ulcer. I have epigastric pain (pain between navel and sternum) that goes away after I eat but returns when my stomach is empty, and antacids make the pain go away for a little while. Oddly enough soda helps too, the carbonation makes me burp and that feels better too.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I don't like this !!! The last time I said "ouch, I hurt a lot I must go to the doctor" I ended up in the hospital having an emergency hysterectomy. So um, yeah, I'm really nervous about going to the doctor about this. Not to mention I start a new job on Monday !!! Oh yeah, thanks for the job, glad I've got insurance now, lets go to the doctor . . .

***tears hair out*** and runs away screaming

Margali

Margali you musn't worry. I too look at websites and always imagine the worst. Believe me, I was convinced for months I had stomach cancer, even though my GP kept telling me I was too young! The pain you have sounds identical to the gastritis I had, high up in the sternum and sometimes radiating in sharp lines downwards. Sometimes the whole stomach was affected. Stomach acid increases and also produces gas after a meal which hurts the inflamed lining a lot.

Gastritis is just an inflamed stomach lining. Your stomach starts just under your ribcage. It can be extremely painful. Some people have chronic gastritis, others just for a couple of days, but it is treatable.

Please go & see your Dr and he should give you some of the medicine I mentioned in my previous post. Ulcers are just more advanced gastritis but the inflamation has broken through the lining of the stomach in an ulcer. My gastritis was extrememly painful and it was just gastritis. Both ulcers and gastritis are treated with the same medicines, plus you may need antibiotics if it is an ulcer. They can do a simple breath test to find out if you have h-pylori bacteria (the main cause of ulcers) & if so give you the antibiotics.

Stay off ibruprofen and aspirin, caffeine & alcohol as these can aggrevate the stomach. So can smoking.
Try and eat bland food that is easily digested such as rice, carrots, chicken & fish. Stay off fried & fatty foods. Try not to worry as anxiety can make stomach acid worse as I found out to my cost.



Carbonated drinks temporarily relieve the pain because they help you burp up the gas, but they are basically acidic so are not really doing your stomach any favours when its trying to heal.

HI

My tum and palps and butterfly feeling in my head go on very day

I am careful what I eat - couldnt tolerate meds - made me worse - just try and live with it now

I never had a problem before peri hit periods stopped and tum started - just like that...

Mele

Hi Squiggle,

It just took me too long to figure out what was wrong, it's been very uncomfortable for a long time. I can't go to the doctor because I can't afford it. Since I just got a job I will have insurance but I have to do a good job to keep it, I can't afford to mess it up, and that includes sick time. I have been out of work literally all year, two months because of my surgery, another month or so to straighten out family issues, and finally I got lucky. I need the job and the paycheck !!!

My discomfort is in the epigastric area but it radiates down and to the left. I know it is connected to my stomach problem because antacids aleviate that discomfort as well although it takes longer for the effect after I take the medicine.

I am just relieved that antacids take care of the discomfort. I did go and get some Gaviscon tablets today. I went to the store and read the packaging it has aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate as active ingredients. They do seem to help more than the generic antacids I was taking.

So I'm going to go with your excellent advice, just so happy to have a solution, I was so worried !

Thank you so much !!!

Margali

I also had stomach problems, and i went to see my gastrointerologist, and he said i have a very small hyatus hernia, maybe you should get checked to see if you have one, and thats what was causing my pain because my stomanch was pushing into eusophagus pipe(spelling).

Margali, it's great you can get Gaviscon over there! I find the liquid version works best of all, though it is not as easy to carry around. I also believe Ranitidine (generic name for next stage of medication up) is now available non-prescription in the UK, so that may also be the case over there. Actually this may also be the case for Lanzoprazole - I'm sure I've seen it on the shelf!

It must be really awful having to pay doctors fees over there. In the UK we are lucky to have the NHS and seeing a GP is free. I hope you get some relief from the Gaviscon, and please don't worry.

Just for info the medications all work differently like this:

Gaviscon: works by sitting on top of the acid and protecting stomach.
Ranitidine - takes sigificant amount of acid out of your stomach
Lanzoprazole: Stops acid being produced in the first place

Hi squiggle

No, i do not drink caffeine, all my teas and coffees when i have them are de-caff. I am absolutely fine when i am staying in, if i venture out whether walking or in the car, then my stomach churns and i have the feeling i need to dash to the bathroom. I have started taking anti diarrhoea tabs when i go out, but that still doesnt stop the feeling i get, so i just guess the dr may be right and its just my nerves. I have read alot of books on anxiety and panic, and they all sem to say that some people with higher anxiety levels seem to dash to the bathroom. I have noticed lately tho, that with this feeling i do get some nausea, especially first thing in the morning when i wake up. Its the pits lately. I have been good for so long and now this, hopefully this one will disappear soon, but i know not far behind it will come another symptom. Thanks for replying to me and take care

Hi Emma-Jane,

Maybe something is irritating your bowel and it's possible you have IBS? This can be made worse by anxiety. I find even decaff coffee sends me running to the bathroom. Might be worth leaving it out for a few days to see.

I don't know if it will work for you but I find eggs & pastry have the opposite effect on me - maybe try eggs for breakfast? Just a suggestion! I hope you find some relief soon.

I've just realised you're in the UK too! Sticky isn't it?

love squiggle

Hi Squiggle

Thanks for the tip, i will try it and see how i go.
Yes its toooo hot and sticky here at the moment, will be glad when we get some rain and hopefully cool it down a bit.
Take care
Love EmmaJane

I've suffered from GERD for about 15 years. I've been able to manage it pretty well with Prilosec but occasionally over the last few years I would notice a flare up around the time of ovulation and sometimes just before my period. The past few months though I've started getting severe heartburn and indigestion at ovulation and it will last until I start my period. The indigestion mostly in my upper chest and throat area. I still take my Prilosec but nothing touches these symptoms. I've also been taking a lot of antacids too. I feel as though I have gone off my medication when I haven't and am having a rebound effect. Once I start my period the symptoms disappear. I am almost 47 and am in the throws of Peri. I think that my hormones are playing a big role in the stomach problems. My periods are off and I'm getting severe cramping during my period the past few months. I had a D&C and Laparoscopy in May because of mid cycle bleeding and everything was fine except for some adhesions. I'm convinced that my horomones are causing my stomach problems.

How long have you been on the Prilosec??? I have been on several diff stomach pills for around 13 years for GERD. I worry about taking them so long. What have you heard about long term use of Prilosec or Nexium, etc.???

Yes, this is what I am having also. This "gastritis" feels like it is
hormone related to me also. Thanks for sharing your stomach issues.
Ucedancer

I have been on Prilosec for about 10 years. Took Zantac before that. I too worry about the long term effects of taking the Prilosec. I've about had it with the stomach problems and have decided it is time to rule some things out and not just assume that it is horomonal (though I think it is) and have an appt. with a gastro tomorrow. I'm sure he will want to scope me again (probably why I have put if off for so long) but I think that getting checked out will help alleviate some of the anxiety of wondering all the time if this caused by something else.

I took pepcid ac for about 10 years. Over the counter. After that long they didn't work as well as before so my Dr. put me on nexium. They work so good for me. I've been on them for almost 3 months. This week, we get a letter from our insurance company that starting in January they will no longer have nexium on our plan. Don't that just figure. I will have to talk to my Dr. and see what else similar I can use.

Susie

Denise>

OMG! You are having what I had for MONTHS about 3 years ago (was diagnose with IBS with a dairy protein allergy), and still have once in a while. I have been trying to figure out what causes it (I always watch for hives, since that's also how I react to dairy, just with hives), but can never find the trigger if I don't have hives. I thought it was spicy food, I've thought it was just overeating, but I never figured it out.

I have the same upper gastric pain, sweating, vomiting, bowel movement (loose), and then I get back spasms and near syncope. I hate it, and whlie I haven't had a bad one in over a year, I have small ones, and they are no fun at all.

I just practice deep breathing when it hits, I distract my thoughts (I like to write, so I tell myself stories), and have my bf rub my back (until the spasms start).

Are bowel problems a common sign? Mine are awful, especially after I eat breakfast at home. I thought I was working with another food allergy, but it only happens after I have cereal or other larger breakfasts than just the toast I have at work. Anybody else have bad IBS?

Squiggle,
My major symptom at the moment is nausea and stomach pain. I feel as though there is a lump of bread stuch there CONSTANTLY!
I am on acid inhibitor drugs and awaiting tests. I have tried Gaviscon but it makes me feel really bloated ( I'm in the UK)
I've seen a gastro doc and await tests...probably quite a long wait here.
I have been getting worse for about five months and am convinced that it is cancer, so reading your post has given me something to cling to, because I've had a lot of stress and am a nervous wreck by nature!
I bled constantly for over a year and the doctor said hormones, but it turned out to be hyperplasia and polyps. You can guess what it does to people with health anxiety to have something REAL...
It means that my symptoms now are fatal
Thankyou for sharing
Kim

Hi Kim
I was wondering if you got your test results back yet? I have awful stomach symptoms and am scared. The symptoms are usually the week of ovulation and around my period, so think it's peri, but I also have health anxiety and always think there's something really awful wrong with me. Because I never feel good.
Anyway, curious about your test results.

Thanks,
Faith

Hi everyone, at last I've found exactly the same symptoms as I have, being described by heaps of people. It is very reassuring. I am convinced my GERD (of 18 months) is hormonally related and wondered it anyone has had any success with phyto-estrogens in treating this. Also does anyone know of women who suffered in this way during peri (I'm 49) and then had it go away completely after menopause? I can put up with this if I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks everyone & all the best with your stomachs.