Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: westie on May 21, 2013, 11:51:19 AM
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Hello ladies
I know this subject is forever being talked about on here but I am so fed up I just need to let off steam.
My Mum has always said that as she got older certain foods no longer agree with her. I've always ignored her and put it down to her being too fussy.... until now.
Just lately my digestive system has gone mad- stomach cramps, diarrhoea, wind ( especially in the morning) and I am starting to put it down to an overdose of fibre rich foods. I've always loved my veg but last week I had a plate full with my Sunday roast and the next day had a veg stir fry and my insides have not been the same since! Does anyone else have this ? I am trying to reduce the amount if fibre I am eating temporarily to give my bowel a chance to calm down ( sorry if TMI) but am starting to get paranoid about everything I eat and I know that anxiety doesn't help the situation either.
I have had mild IBS over the years, usually when in stressful situations and life is a bit stressful at the moment ( My father in law is very ill).I like to think I can cope with most of what life throws at me but this is really getting me down. I am 50 and two years since I had a period. Thought I was managing ok without the need for HRT but wondering now if this would help .
Any words of wisdom would be mush appreciated. Thanks for listening.
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Ah, you could be my twin. Is it age related? Certainly the wind has got a lot worse over the past couple of years. Yes I get cramps, pain, wind. Not often diarrheoa though. Horrible isnt it?
I am giving acidopholus capsules a go atm, as recommended by others on here.
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This was my problem and it was awful. I had the early morning rush again and again. I got that I was nervous of going anywhere in case I was caught short and eating out was a nightmare.
You can buy a herbal remedy that helps a lot.
If you Google Jan de Vries Bowel Essence then you can get the details. It's available online. It's not cheap but it lasts for ages.
Hope you feel better soon.
Honeyb
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Thank you for your replies ladies- what would I do without this site!
I have already ordered both products you have recommended and can't wait for them to arrive, I just want to feel normal again ( whatever normal s these days!)
Westie x
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Hear, hear to all of the above! Westie, it was the first of many symptoms, wondered what the hell was going on! Pain everywhere, clinicians were scratching their heads, thinking it was kidney infection, of course it wasn't, all results and scans were clear! I looked 9 months pregnant, stomach growling like an old dog, and "bunged" up like you wouldn't know!! I can't eat much fruit anymore, went to a boutique b&b in Dorset that served a platter of fruit to us for breakfast, and by lunchtime I was on my knees! I also find anything with a tomato sauce is bad, along with lamb, curries and stews. I was 18 months post period, and panicked like mad because it came on so suddenly, now I understand the "event", I am calmer and it has helped a lot. Mine is worse in the morning too, often when I am hungry, I get a strange squeezing sensation, and bizarrely after a BM, think it sets the nerve endings off!
I believe it is all do with hormone depletion, oestrogen assists digestion, and without it the digestive system has to work a lot harder. Some ladies say that tablet HRT doesn't help, but that patches do, I have stopped HRT at the moment, so am not sure. My consultant has started me on Amitryptaline, which a lot of ladies don't like but it does relax the muscles, and helps sleep too! I also have a very tight pelvic floor, which I am sure doesn't help.
MINNIE.
XXXX
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Thanks Minnie, I'm not keen on going down the HRT route especially as there seems to be a lot of trial an error finding one to suit- don't need anymore weird symptoms!
I'll see how I go with the probiotics- here's hoping ;)
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I too have been in exactly the same state. It's awful being ruled by one's bowels isn't it. At the weekend I suffered cramp and back-ache after 4 trips to the toilet. Each trip was different, ranging from constipation to the raging trots - it ruined my weekend as it made me feel so tired. This seems to be happening every few weeks and is an absolute nuisance. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 12 years ago but it hasn't been a big problem .... until NOW.
I have sympathy with everyone here who is suffering in this way and I too will look on the internet for the herbal remedy.
Meggie
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Just to add Westie, if you try both suggestions at once you wont know which one is working (if, hopefully, they do work.0 I am a bit better since starting acidopholus a few weeks back, as is my 24 yr old daughter who isnt menopausal but does have IBS!
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Sorry to disagree Millie.
They do different things. The actobacillus on its own won't stop the runs. The bowel essence drops will.
I actually prefer drops called tormentil but they are harder to get. They stop the runs dead. It's like taking a preparation from the chemist but quicker.
The actobacillus is good for diverticular problems and eventually will help your bowels.
Honeyb
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I have this to, didnt quite make it from car to house earlier in the week!!! Not nice, think I need a nappy!!
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Does the bowel essence bung you up???
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I'm lactose intolerant, but I can sympathise. If I inadvertently take something with dairy, even Ibuprofen tablets, off I trot. Have to use capsule version nowadays.
Ann123 I can sympathise with that. Had near misses a couple of times. I get no warning, then bam! Truly horrible.
I take probiotic capsules as it's supposed to help restore things as far as my lactose intolerance is concerned.
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Ah, ok. I see. How long do you think it will take the acidopholus to stop the wind problem HB? I am having to take a Windeeze every night at bedtime to get rid of the pain at the moment :(
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You generally see a difference in a few weeks.
Try the bowel essence. It doesn't bung you up at all. It does help with the noisy churning tum and the wind.
My stomach used to be so noisy it was embarrassing.
Hope it all starts to settle soon.
It's rotten having your life ruled by your bowels.
Honeyb
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I've had a noisy tummy for as long as I can remember so I dont know that hormones are the cause now. I dont have constipation or diarrhoea HB, would you still recommend the essence? My biggest problem, literally, is a swollen/bloated tummy, pain from said swollen tummy, and wind
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Have a read of his site or call the help line and ask. You don't have to buy anything but they will advise you on symptoms. The only info they ask for is your name and postcode.
I had the runs all the time and was so worn down.
I do wish you stayed nearer me and then you could visit Jan de Vries. He is so nice and has always helped me.
The help line is the next best thing.
Honeyb
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Anyone thought about mild gluten intolerance which I understand can be exacerbated or brought on during menopausal transition, and which produces lots of these horrible symptoms of IBS - bloating, diahorrhea etc?
Various women I know ( not only of menopausal age) have gone on gluten free diet and have seen remarkable improvements. Sorryto repeat if this has all been aired before - I haven't read any IBS threads, and various remedies were discussed below!
Hurdity x
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Bought it on amazon, hope it helps
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Been on acidopholus a few weeks now and I am still bloated and full of wind. Just found the bowel essence online so will order it in the morning. Really fed up with it all.
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Hi Milliemoo - sorry you are not feeling any better. I take it that you have been investigated for any possible medical reason for your symptoms? It's important to report anything like this to the GP I reckon. It's easy to blame everything on either increasing age or hormones.
Taz x :hug:
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I had a lot of investigations when I was about 34 or so, laparoscopy etc. Nothing since, no. Since my periods stopped at least I dont get the awful mid cycle pain anymore. But I am fed up with the wind and bloating. The wind has increased, presumably due to lack of blimmin hormones.
Thanks for asking. Been so down these past 2 weeks, just sunk lower and lower into depression. Am going to try to pick myself up starting NOW!
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I think you should go along and discuss these symptoms with your doc Milliemoo. It is probably just something you are eating but bloating, increased wind and pain can all be early symptoms of ovarian cancer. Many women dismiss them as just being caused by hormones or getting older. I hated even typing the words - sorry - but it's not worth taking the chance.
Taz x
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Hello ladies. Just thought I'd add that my 'troublesome guts' have been playing up a lot lately, wind, discomfort and occasional diarrhoea and I'm sure it is caused by my ongoing anxiety. An added complication is that I become dehydrated and then find it uncomfortable to eat, my throat feels so sensitive that I even begin to retch, find it hard to swallow food and avoid eating. All this means that without food inside me my guts rumble all the more! My point is that anxiety can have this effect on us and of course this leads to feeling depressed!
I recently had a blood test for bowel disease which came back normal so I know there's nothing nasty going on. Also I've just started taking Symprove which is a probiotic and I'm hoping this will address any problems with bacteria. I will report back on any findings.
Wishing everyone well.
K.
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Hi Kathleen - can you tell me what "bowel disease" is?
Taz x
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Hello Taz 2. In April 2010 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis which is an inflammatory bowel disease (similar to Crohns, but not as extensive). I've been in remission since apart from a brief episode last year. I was feeling a bit ill lately and my GP organised stool sample and blood tests to see if I was having a flair up. So far the bloods have come back normal. I still feel under the weather but I believe that has more to do with being dehydrated, time will tell I suppose.
Take care.
K.
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Hi Kathleen - a friend's son has this and has been really ill at times. He has managed to complete his training to be a doctor though.
Good news on your blood results then. Fingers crossed that you will feel better soon.
Taz x
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I'm very anxious too Kathleen. I can actually feel my stomach tightening, I try to stop it but it seems to be impossible. I probably need to do more relaxing/meditation stuff.
The whole ovarian cancer thing had crossed my mind Taz so dont feel bad for mentioning it. I dont have any obvious bloatedness when I am lying down though - stomach is flat as a pancake. Last night was the first night for about a week that I havent had to take a Windeeze capsule at bedtime, which was good. But during the evening I had actually had to stop gardening for a bit as the discomfort was too much. However I woke up with the blessed pain this morning so how can it be digestive?! I say pain but it isnt sharp or anything, it's dull and annoying. In fact sitting down at the breakfast table this morning I said to partner it's actually like period pain >:( >:(
I last had an abdominal scan at the end of 2011 but that was for bladder I think....hard to remember now :-\
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I'm glad I didn't upset you - it's difficult to type the words somehow. I still think you should get this checked out. Sorry, I know it's a nuisance but better than trying to self-diagnose and worrying all the time. I get the period pain feeling but that's because of my prolapse. Make that appointment!!
Taz x :hug:
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I do actually have an appt booked for next week but it was to discuss anti depressant. I am with a new practice and before they can issue me more drugs they want to see me. Just checked to see if there are any appts this week and there arent. Neither can I make the one I have a double appt.. Guess I'll have to commit the sin of having more than one problem for the appt.
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All medications/methods of taking anything to help IBS needs to be taken at the 'right' time in order to aid the digestive process. I take anything within an hour of my main meals (:-\ that made little sense), so that the gut is lined, food is moved through the stomach to make room for the next meal and some medications prescribed ease the food through quicker, making the feelings of bloatedness less.
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Well today is the first time for over a week that I've had no pain, apart from early morning when I woke up. Shame I still feel depressed but you cant have everything.
Wonder at which point I should be taking the acidopholus.
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I take mine every morning. The last time I stopped my diverticulosis returned with a vengeance.
They also help my IBS.
I also take an actimel and a high fibre cereal.
If I don't it all starts to go downhill.
I think it's a case of getting things on an even keel and then maintaining them.
When I am having an off time I have porridge every morning. I don't especially like it despite being Scottish. It lines your stomach and also soothes things.
Honeyb
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in the hour before I eat my main meals (I'm never up early enough to get it down me before breakfast ::) )
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I have to take my thyroxine on an empty stomach and I cant take anything else at that time in case it inteferes with that
So, within an hour of food means I could take it before dinner?
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Good idea, worth a try. It's to line the gut. I used prescribed medication for 3 years then began to drink Actimel several times a day. Mum uses Yakult (sp). If I don't drink the Actimel my bowel slows down. I also use LIVE yoghurt when my tummy feels upset.
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No tummy pain last night, no tummy pain all day today. It's looking more and more as if it was a "period/hormone" related thing. Lasted a week, lots of bloating, lots of wind, lots of pain...hmmm not had periods for over a year but this was the sort of thing that used to accompany them :-\
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HORMONES! >:( worth you keeping a diary then?
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Yes, I think so :-\
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That way you will see for the next 3 months if there are any triggers around your hormonal cycle.
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Ah, but will I? Being as I havent had a period for over a year and when I did they were irregular?
Spoke too soon anyway, it was back last night >:(
Have got double appt with GP next week. New practice, GP I've never met before....:(