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[20032003]

I have tracked PMS-symptoms, stomach symptoms, etc now for a few months. When I look back at my stomach symtoms they seem worse from ovulation and through my period. Then I have a short gap where my stomach behaves a little better. I've been very gassy during ovulation - this has been true for the last few months. Also, if I've had problems with mucus in the stool, it seems to have occured around ovulation too. Then I tend to have diarreah/loose stools more frequently between ovulation and my period, it seems.

Any thoughts? What effect does estrogen have on the stomach?

[honeybun]

I have had more stomach issues since meno than at any other time. I do think hormones or lack of do play a large part. Something to do with the effects of oestrogen on the walls of the bowel.
I do think you should have the mucus investigated though as that's not really normal.
Amy changes in bowel habits should be looked at. Even though there is a pattern emerging mucus should not be present.
Things can get missed as we often put everything down to the menopause.


Honeyb
x

[20032003]

I have been to the doctor and they (one gastro specialist) said that mucus infrequently was not an issue. It happens - at most - once a month.

[20032003]

I think I should add that - overall - I'm doing better. Have not, for instance, seen any mucus at all since mid-September. And I just had 8 days straight of absolutely no problems ! But, yet, there seems to be a pattern...

My stomach might also have been helped by EPO... Since I've started taking it my boobs have been better (not as swollen) and I've seen an improvement in my mood. But I might also have seem a positive effect on my stomach. When you read about EPO there is some evidence that it might help if you have IBS (however a possible side-effect is mild gastric upset). But I don't know.

I've had this "interesting" stomach now for over a year, with doctor's visits in the spring (rectoscopies, blood tests, stool samples = normal). I have a good appetite, have GAINED weight since the spring (when I was very worried and very stressed). I overall feel good, except for that my stomach "bounces" around more than it used too. I've experienced stomach upsets with my period all my life. Have almost fainted from pain sometimes, have had diarrhea, bloating, etc.

So I know take another type of probiotics (from drinking yoghurt - not sure it that's the correct English term) with added vitamin B6 and D, as well as one capsule of EPO (1000 mg) every morning.

[20032003]

I'll just keep talking to myself here...

When I have diarreah/loose stools it's always in the mornings. I get up between 4:30 and 6 am every morning. A lot of times I woke up multiple times between 2 am and the time I get up. Unfortunately my mind then starts churning with work problems. If I fall back asleep, I usually dream bizzare stressful deams which wake me in a confused startle. Could all this account for my morning poo...? Like I said, no issues the rest of the day.

[Taz2]

It sounds like it could be IBS 20032003. It's common to get the "early morning rush" http://www.jjs.me.uk/patientinfo/ibs.html  This is why I always have to be up at least two hours before leaving the house in the mornings. There are a few of us on here with the same condition.

Taz x 

[20032003]

That was the doctor's suggestion too. That it was IBS. Especially since blood tests came back normal, and that there is nothing wrong with my eating/appetite and weight. I have also understood that IBS can start/get worse in peri... I'm contiously trying different strategies, such as no coffee in the morning anymore, making sure to take some type of probiotic, etc. But my stressed mind I have a harder time controlling...

[Claireylou]

Hi 20032003,

I have similar problems to you. I love my coffee first thing. Only ever had a maximum of two cups per day. This was enough to give me an awful rolling, churning, burning tum.

I was fed up of going to the loo first thing and having a bm that was too soft(sorry tmi). It also caused things down there to be a bit more acidic which resulted in soreness around my bottom.

I've cut out caffeine completely now and I have a mug of boiled water with a slice of lemon to start my day. I'm just seeing results now. I still need to go within an hour of waking but my bm is perfect according to the Bristol stool chart.

I must add that at the start of peri I suffered with terrible constipation which I've resolved by taking a very close look at my diet. I've also been diagnosed with ibs. It seems that I'm super sensitive to everything these days. Wrong toothpaste = burning mouth. Bio washing powder = burning bits. Wrong food/drink = burning bottom.

I hope this helps xxx

[20032003]

Interesting with the burning bottom, because I get that too. I don't think I particulary used to react to spicy foods up until a couple of years ago, but now I can immediately tell if I ate something with for instance chili in it. I ate these really good - but superhot - chilipeanuts the other day. NOT good the next day...

How long after you cut out caffeine did you see your big improvement? I have cut out morning coffee (might have an afternoon cup 1-2 times/week), but I still drink tea. Probably 2-3 cups/day. I guess I could switch to roiboos tea instead, since that contains no caffeine. Or hot cocoa maybe. I don't think that plain hot water would work for me...

[Claireylou]

I noticed a real difference within a week. I get the burning bottom after too much chocolate too. I have also started to drink several cups of fennel tea per day too which has worked miracles with my acid reflux. My digestive symptoms have really improved since I've cut out loads of food/drink. It's all trial and error though. Like I said, I think that my whole system has become super sensitive since I started on this journey xx

[20032003]

I still have some burning and itching on and off, but also much better. I used to have more of a pressure, and urges to "go", but that seems to have (knock on wood!) almost disappeared. So, yes, I'm better but I want to improve even more!

[Claireylou]

Just be extra vigilant with the foods and drinks. It's trial and error but things can improve 

[20032003]

Just be extra vigilant with the foods and drinks. It's trial and error but things can improve 

Today my stomach was really bad. I ate a LOT of tomatobased stuff yesterday (pizza and goulash) plus that some of the food was quite spicy too. Additionally I ate a LOT , which I tend to do between ovulation and my period... It's like I never get full, and need to eat sweet-salty-sweet-salty-sweet-salty...

Today I started my day with a bowl of oatmeal with an added egg in it. Hopefully my stomach will like this a little better.

[Claireylou]

Hi 20032003, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling bad. I can't eat anything tomato based these days. Even ketchup sets me off big time. And i find the dough in pizza bases a big no no too. It's not much fun is it 

[20032003]

Hi 20032003, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling bad. I can't eat anything tomato based these days. Even ketchup sets me off big time. And i find the dough in pizza bases a big no no too. It's not much fun is it 

Interesting about the pizza dough... I don't know what it is (was) about Pizza Hut pizza. This was about 20 years ago, and every time I ate Pizza Hut pizza I would wake around 4 in the morning with horrible stomach cramps and diarreah. No other pizzas affected me like this... After it had happened a few times, and I actually made the connection, I stopped eating Pizza Hut pizza and have not tried it since. But I really wonder what it was....?

Today I also have some vague cramps, or at least I think it is cramps. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish uterine cramps from low stomach cramps. But I think it is PMS cramping, because I also have some things going on with my boobs today. I'm expecting my period in about 10 days, but as I feel now it could even be earlier. Possibly.

Sparkle and Claireylou (and others too of course) what other foods/drinks are "trigger foods" for you, if any?