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Question about Crohns and female problems

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/14/2008 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hello All! I have had CD since I was diagnosed in 1991.Also have IBS, spastic colon, kidney failure, and right overy removed. Ive had 3 small bowel resections. I am currently not on meds except percocet and steroids until I can get insurance to kick in thru Social Security. My problem is this today: Aside from being in a flair, I have found that when I have the monthly menstral cycles, it just feels like a huge flair even worse and Im in so much pain that the percocet doesnt even touch me. Is the normal for the other women here? I feel like my body is on fire. Mainly in my back and the cramps are severe. I hurt so much, I dont know what hurts anymore. I cant destinguish the pain right now. My menstal cycle seems to throw me into a worse flair, and my kidneys even hurt. I hate this disease.
Posted 10/14/2008 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
This is completely normal, I too have IBS along with crohn's and both conditions can wreak havoc with our menstrual cycles, it has to do with hormonal changes that occur during that time of month and I hear ya, it sucks, but I found that I no longer get much for cramps because I exercise regularly which helps with both CD and IBS also, chamomile tea is excellent with aiding menstral cramps infact it is a natural anti-inflammatory which is why I drink it every single day first thing when I get up...so there are a couple of things you can do to help alleviate those menstural cramps and it it may even help with CD stomach pains too...I don't know cuz the only CD pains I ever got was in the lower back area, never really got CD stomach pains on a regular basis or anything, just the odd time during severe flares (which I've had plenty of but thankfully still low on the CD tummy pains).

:)
Posted 10/14/2008 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
I've had my right ovary removed, too... (and the right phillopian tube). Don't know what it is, but it seems being female brings on some of the worst problems with CD...
Posted 10/14/2008 6:50 PM (GMT 0)

I was so excited to read this post today.  I have recently starting looking in to have a hysterectomy for this very reason.  I have been discouraged in doing so, but while I was talking with my GI, and I mentioned that I know other women have this same problem because I read it here, (thank you all for helping me to think I am not crazy,) he said there is no medical research to link flares, or additional symptom complications with CD.  Which I thought was so interesting because clearly there are more women out there that deal with this than not! I realize you can't get away from the hormone issue, you will always have that if you keep your ovaries, but if you bleed, have constant bowel movements, throw in a hemy or an anal fistula, and that is more than any one person should have to deal with on any given day.  So if you can eliminate one of those issues, why not? 

I would be interested in hearing others insights in to this, if being on remicade made a difference in dealing with your cycle and your disease at the same time, I am in the process of starting that medication.  Just whatever you want to help me think of.

I so appreciate this forum, thank you all!

BMG

Posted 10/14/2008 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Ya, at this point I don't know if I'm better off hoping for early menopause or what, if it means once a month for a few days before, all the days during and a few days after my periods things will be better when I'm no longer mensturating then I'm hoping for early menopause...and that is sad!

:)
Posted 10/14/2008 7:50 PM (GMT 0)

I HAD a hystorectomy at age 34 and no one could ever convice me that the two are NOT related (in some WICKED way), or one doesn't make the other worse.  However, I could never get my GI or Gyn to agree. 

Posted 10/14/2008 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I too had a complete hysterectomy when I was in my late 30's. I was so miserable 3 weeks out of every month and I just couldn't stand it anymore. In my eyes at least, its the best thing I ever did. Between the horrendous PMS symptoms and the pain, I am so much better off now. I just take my little hormone pill everynight and no more problems. I definetly agree the two are connected.
Posted 10/14/2008 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I've had GP's, GI's and a colon and rectom surgeon tell me that they are related due to hormonal changes.

:)
Posted 10/14/2008 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have to agree with everyone. Periods suck, but they suck worse with crohns.
Posted 10/14/2008 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am past the menapause stage and not meant to throw a monkey wrench in here but my big problems started when I was going threw menapause take the old monthly any day compared to the CD. But since my resection now things are better. lol gail
Posted 10/15/2008 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
bmgcd06...is your gi a male?! lol Is there no medical research because none has been done, or no medical research linking the two?

Mine is definitely worse during my oh so lovely period.
Posted 10/15/2008 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
chroniemomx2,

Some docs just aren't on the ball, as I mentioned I've had GP's, Gi's and a colon and rectom surgeon confirm to me that they are in fact linked due to hormonal changes/fluctuations.

:)
Posted 10/15/2008 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I am experiencing a flare up right now, not sure if its the fibromyalgia, the thing with my stomach or what, but my pelvic area, has radiating pain all through it, its excruciating, and every once in a while I have a stab, the radiating pain, feels like someone is sticking a knife in and out of me, and its hard to describe where it is, i think that it may be my ovaries, I have not yet been diagnosed with crohns, however the doctors are pretty sure that it is,. However, this pain that im feeling, is really really hard, and I am not menstruating at all, i finished about a week and a half ago, maybe more
Im also peeing a lot, have a lot of pressure, am very distended, in upper and lower abdomen, as well as the pelvis, some upper vaginal pain as well as rectal pain, I also have an ongoing hemmorhoid, and constant drainage from my vagina, sorry to be so explicit, im in brain mode I guess,
Thanks again, any insights would be great, or even just a hello!!
I hope all of you's take care,
kelly
Posted 10/15/2008 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
I take birth control pills, and only have 2 periods a year (getting ready to have my second one for the year, yeah fun! LOL). Skipping them helps a lot because they always seem to mess with my Crohn's.

I also have PCOS, and the pills help keep the cysts at bay too.
Posted 10/15/2008 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
I posted a thread a week or so ago about having endometriosis along with my Crohn's. I switched GYN doctors in order to be at Mayo so I could have better access to surgical treatment options - it had nothing to do with not liking my first doctor. My mom actually still goes to the first doc, and when my mom recently told her that I was diagnosed with Crohn's she said she wasn't surprised. She actually said it explained a lot of the reasons behind getting worse D during my period. My suggestion would be if this pain is relatively new, or even if it's not, bring it up with your GYN. It couldn't hurt to have it looked into. It took me around 5 years until I convinced myself a laparoscopy was a good idea before I got the official endometriosis diagnosis. While it doesn't help really in finding a "solution," sometimes it is just nicer to know what the heck is going on and that you're not crazy.
Posted 10/15/2008 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot, what does endometeriosis feel like? my little cousin was just diagnosed with it, and she is only 18 I think.
Posted 10/16/2008 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not really sure how to describe what it feels like. I'm sure it would be different for anyone. You can look it up online to try and read a better explanation of it. But I would definitely suggest making an appointment with your GYN.
Posted 10/16/2008 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
One of my sisters has it, she says for her she just gets super heavy blood flow and doubles over in pain with period cramps...of course I'm sure each persons experience likely differs.

:)
Posted 10/16/2008 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
I worked as a medical assistant in a gyn office for a short time, and thoes are the exact symptoms that all the ladies with endo would tell us pretty much.

Ever since I was diagnosed w/ UC I have had the worse cramps imaginable (Well obviously some of you can imagine) and get a pretty heavy blood flow every time as well. However I myself have never been seen by a gyno. I just turned 22 and always thought I was too young I guess. Plus I've never really had any reason to besides this, and the exam for the diagnosis of endo really scares me!
But when I was hospitalized in August, I was (of course) on my period on top of a BAD flare-up and was sobbing in pain througout the entire first night cause even morphine shots every 3 hours was doing nothing! My docs told me that it was just one big ugly cycle..my cramps cause so much stress to my body that it sometimes causes flares, and so on. But a few thought they had absoloutely nothing to do with each other and so that there must be something else wrong with me as regards the extremety of my cramps. So to me its really important to try to find something - ANYTHING to control the cramps! 800mg Ibuprofin would work well with me but it was also the cause of my flares. I am still on the search like you, but am also glad to hear I'm not alone. Hope we could help each other out! :)
Jessi
Posted 10/17/2008 8:03 AM (GMT 0)
I take Tramadol for the pain, but I can only take it when I'm not going to be driving anywhere. My GYN thought I had it when I went in to see her when I was 16, and the only reason I went in really was because my periods were so painful. Usually the only way they can give you a definite diagnosis is through a laparoscopy, which is definitely a surgical procedure. It depends on how much they find and how much they remove, but it can be a bit of a recovery process. This past time I had the laparoscopy, I was told I have stage 4 endometriosis. So that's no fun, but it is what it is. The way I can describe it would be such extreme pain that you roll yourself into a ball because you feel like you can't even move it's so painful. Over the last year or so, I've had pain like I was being stabbed added on. I used to have heavier periods, but being on birth control has shortened them. So if you are on birth control, but you have the other symptoms, it is definitely still possible. I'm sure there are all sorts of other things it could be besides endo, or maybe it is just a super awful period, but I have no idea. I am definitely not a doctor - just a law student. :) So definitely see someone that could help you figure it out. Hope you all feel better!
Posted 10/21/2008 6:05 PM (GMT 0)

Before anyone gets a hysterectomy, please talk to your GYN about Novasure http://novasure.com/

My GYN recommended this for me.  My periods became worse every year.  I didn't know if it was the period or CD causing the pain.  Novasure is an outpatient proceedure and made a big difference in my quality of life.  I haven't had a period in two years, but I still have my ovaries.  The big difference is NO PAIN! 

I hope this helps.

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