A question for the ladies

I've noticed that when I get my period, my symptoms start getting really bad! My stomach hurts more than usual, and my joints kill too. This might be TMI but I've also noticed that I am have a heavier flow now that I have crohns.. I have no idea if that's cause before I was very muscular and in shape and now I've lost all my muscle so I have more body fat?

I also have developed a cold and coughing really hurts my stomach and I can't seem to shake colds once I get them. I hate taking cold medication cause I find it hard on my tummy. Any ideas?

Thank you all so much!

Chronieswimgurl - I think you're taking Humira?

Some of the meds we take (NOT Humira) can cause your platelets to get low, which would mean more bleeding.  Other than that, I don't know what might be going on.  If you're bleeding a lot (soaking a super tampon in an hour, for example) you should call your OB/Gyn.  We don't want you to get anemic!

The hormonal changes around your menstrual cycle can definitely make your Crohn's symptoms worse.  I don't have any suggestions for that either except to maybe eat lighter and safer foods on those days.

And if you are having trouble clearing a cough from a cold, please see your regular doc.

Here are the potential side effects of Imuran (azathioprine) that I found with a simple web search (emphasis mine):

Are there any side effects?

Azathioprine can be very effective in providing remission from the symptoms caused by inflammatory bowel disease, and in allowing smaller doses of steroids to be used effectively whilst reducing the risk of relapse and steroid induced side effects. However it is possible that some side effects may occur during treatment. Symptoms, such as diarrhoea, nausea, mild aches and pains may occur initially but should settle within 2 weeks. Others, which are potentially more serious, may occur. These may include some of the following:
• Feeling generally unwell
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Rigors
• Muscle pains
• Joint pains
• Abnormal liver function
• Jaundice
• Disturbances in heart rhythm
• Low blood pressure
• Kidney problems
• Skin rash (didn't you ask about this yesterday?)

These may be due to a hypersensitivity reaction and you may need to stop the treatment. You must contact your doctor or IBD nurse immediately for further advice.

Other reactions may occur such as:
• Reduced bone marrow activity i.e. low white cells [neutrophils are particularly important in fighting infection], low platelets [important in helping the blood to clot], low haemoglobin [iron in the blood].
• Hair loss

You should call your GI and ask to have a lab order sent for a full blood count. My platelets have been dropping as well (I take sulfazine) and I wouldn't have known except for the fact that I get a regular physical at work and that DR showed me how the count has changed since I started taking sulfazine. My platelet count was just at the lowest edge of normal at my last birthday. I had been noticing that I bruise more easily and my periods had gotten wierder, but I'm 50 and I thought it was all part of the Change, LOL.

Anyway, both the regular doc and the GI said that they wouldn't worry about the platelet number unless it got super low, like below 50,000 (mine was 150,000 or so, normal is about 200,000 I think?). My mom's is 70,000 and she's walking around happy as a lark. But she has had some scary episodes of bleeding (trying to remove an IV when she had a scope was frightening). I am going to continue taking sulfazine because it helps me a lot. You might make the same choice, but I think you need to get more info about where your platelet count is. And you should probably take iron if you are menstruating and having low platelets.

Glad to help,Chronieswimgurl. It's important to keep up with the bloodwork! Some of the meds we take are no joke, and your DR wants to check your bloodwork for a good reason.

In addition to what everyone else has said, you are right to mention the change in a womans body (muscle wise and amount of body fat) as a possible contributor to increased flow. When a woman has increased body fat it is common for menstruation to increase as well.

What's too severe? What are you worried about?

I know plenty of women without Crohn's who take the day off of work or school to stay in bed and take ibuprofen. Of course, we lucky IBDers cannot take ibuprofen without risking bowel issues (although I have taken it here and there for specific short-term issues).

yeah, I think that if you are already having pain in your pelvis the additional prostaglandins produced during your period are just adding fuel to the fire. Heating pads work wonders on days like that. You might also want to think about going caffeine free for a month to see if that changes your menstrual issues. I tried it once and it was a big improvement, just not enough for me to give up chocolate, LOL.