Bad abdominal pain once a month (not menstrual related) - Bowel Disorders Message Board

ryanandmaran · 10-04-2003, 06:39 AM

I've been having these "episodes" of pretty bad abdominal pain, and when I recently went to the doctor about it, he could only guess that it might be irritable bowel, which I don't think it is. I'll describe my symptoms, and I would appreciate it if anyone could give me a clue as to what this could be.

The pain started in May. It happened once in May, twice in June, once in July, August, and September. It starts just after I wake up. I feel fine until I go to have a bowel movement, and then I am suddenly in this enormous amount of pain. It feels like a searing, burning pain in my pelvic area. And every time I think I'm done going to the bathroom, I have to go again. My stools are normal, though, it's not diarhea. During this time, I also get really sweaty, clammy, and nauseus. A few of the times I've thrown up once.
The severe burning pain usually goes away after about an hour, and for the next two or three days I am left with a tight, painful cramping feeling in the area surrounding my bellybutton. I also tend to feel kind of sick all over, like achy muscles, mild headaches... When this hits, I am usually unable to do anything except lay around, but once it's gone, I'm totally fine again.
The reasons I'm pretty sure it's not related to my period are because 1) Four out of the six times this has happened, I had just gotten OFF my period, and 2) The pain I feel doesn't feel anything like menstrual cramps.
My doctor gave me some medicine that will only work if this is irritable bowel syndrome, so I guess I'll find out next month if that's what it is.
If anyone can help me out on this, I'd really appreciate it.

cattys · 10-04-2003, 07:20 PM

When I ovulate each month it is very painfull in my pelvic area and I feel sharp pains up my butt and walk bent over. Bowel movements are also painfull this time of the month for me. I feel like my whole uterus is falling out.

Maybe you are ovulating.

ryanandmaran · 10-05-2003, 07:43 AM

Thanks for your response.

I had considered that, too, I just thought it strange that I would start having this pain just five months ago, when I've probably been ovulating for years. Another thing, too, though, is that I said that four out of the six times this happened right after my period ended, but the last time it happened, September 27, was the same day I started my period. The pain just seems to happen so randomly.

But I, too, feel like because this comes once a month, it must somehow be related to my cycle, but there just doesn't seem to be a pattern to it.

purplepansy31 · 10-05-2003, 10:57 AM

If I were you, I would go back to my GP and insist on being refered to a Consultant at your local Hospital. Some of the symptoms that you describe are the same that I experienced when I had Ulcerative Colitis. Of course, I'm not suggesting that you also have it, but I have also had Irritable Bowel and the symptoms are different for IB. Lets face it, it doesn't matter if you have to see a Gastroentorologist, or a Gynacologist, the fact of the matter is that you are unwell and need treatment, not fobbing off. Best of luck.

ryanandmaran · 10-08-2003, 06:08 AM

After reading over some of the other postings, I've begun to suspect that I could possible have diverticulitis.

According to Webmd, the symptoms are:

Severe, cramping abdominal pain that is usually worse on the left side.
Nausea.
Chills or fever.
Constipation, thin stools, or diarrhea.
Pain in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen that increases when the area is touched.
Rectal bleeding (rare).

Plus, attacks of diverticulitis, from what I've read, seem to occur at any time, and are brought on by not eating enough fiber and eating certain foods that may irritate your system.

I'm going to make another appointment with my doctor to see what he thinks about that idea, and in the mean time, I'm taking Metamucil supplements.

So thank you both for your advice, and if anyone else has any thoughts on what I've written, I'd appreciate hearing them!