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[Awen77]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum but I am in perimenopause and having issues with slow digestion. It started end of nov last year. I am to the point that I am having to eat very small meals and my digestion is slowing down considerably.

I get pain in my upper abdomen from it also and can't sleep. Very worried I will just fade away as this gets worse. I am also going on HRT this week to see if it helps.

I tried motillium (Domperidone) but I don't think its working. Anyone with experience of this and any advice?

[Dierdre]

I would go back to your doctor, (Domperidone) is a short term medication anyway and obviously not done anything to relief the problem. Peri menopause can cause the digestion to slow down, constipation etc but the fact you are in pain and it's disturbing your sleep needs further investigation anyway.
Are you eating lots of fibre and drinking plenty of water?

[Awen77]

I am actually only able to take protein smoothies and one small meal a day and then my stomach locks up at around 4pm and I can't digest anymore. I think I need to try something else. I'm not actually constipated and go every morning, its the stomach that shuts down and my window for eating is getting smaller. I think I need to see if theres any other meds they can give me (although none of them safe) before I end up on a feeding tube.  I do drink water but finding that increasingly hard to fit in.

[Nas]

I agree, you need to go back to your GP; none of that is normal and probably needs further investigation , what do you think?

[bombsh3ll]

This sounds like gastroparesis and you really do need an urgent referral to a GI specialist.

This is not typical of perimenopause or menopause, and whilst you may benefit from hormone therapy for other issues it is neither here nor there if you can't eat, and should absolutely not delay appropriate investigation.

In the meantime metoclopramide 10mg three times daily could be tried. Your GP needs to understand the seriousness of the situation i.e. that you are struggling to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration.

[Nas]

Awen77, just to echo everything bomb has advised.

Please do seek urgent medical assistance. I would be inclined to present at A&E. Whilst not ideal, if you are struggling to stay hydrated, that is a red flag I think.

[Taz2]

I agree with what's been said. Gastroparesis was my first thought too.

Taz x

[Awen77]

Thank you all. I suspect it is too. My GP has been less than helpful and thinks its in my head. I am seeing a private gastro so will contact him tomorrow even though he thinks I have IBS. I am going for a gastric emptying study because he referred me through the NHS but its taking forever for them to arrange the date for it. I'll phone my GP and see if they will prescribe metoclopramide.

[lillith112]

This is exactly what happens to me.
Have you got a hiatus hernia ? This can cause pain and inability to eat normal meals. I was surviving for 4 months on half a sandwich a day. I lost a stone and a half in weight.
Also get your T4 thyroid hormone checked as that will cause slow digestion.
My eating small meals has resolved for the time being as I lifted something heavy and I felt the hernia go back into place, pain disappeared and I was slowly able to eat again. I'm dreading it happening again. 🤦

[joziel]

I'd disagree with people who say this is not due to hormones or peri. I had exactly the same thing and it went away almost immediately I started taking estrogen.

Estrogen speeds up your gut motility and it also ensures you have a healthier gut microbiome (which does the same). Hopefully you will notice an improvement within a couple of weeks of starting HRT.

[Awen77]

Thank you Joziel. I start estrogen today. Did you use patches? I'm about to start Evorel sequi.

[Awen77]

lillith112 Good point I will get that checked. I actually lifted something heavy before my gastroscopy and after the actual gastroscopy I felt it getting worse so I don't know if I caused a sliding hernia maybe? I know they can go undetected even with a gastroscopy.