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Mini flare up right before period

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/6/2013 8:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, everyone. I'm new to the boards, but I've been reading for a little while and this seems like a good place to come to get advice from people that are actually going through what I am going through.

I have noticed over the last maybe 6 months that I have been having what I call a mini flare up about 3-4 days before I start my period. I will have lack of appetite, stomach pain (worse than normal period cramps), diarreah, and I will even drop 3-5 lbs. I talked to my dr and he said that he had not heard anything about their being a link between crohn's flare ups and periods. I've noticed a few other women on here saying that they also experienced flare ups before their periods as well. I was just wondering if that was "common" so to speak and is there anything I can do to stop this or make it not as bad.

I have come to dread my period each month because in addition to dealing with the usual period discomfort, I also have to deal with the pain and discomfort of a crohn's flare up.

Posted 1/6/2013 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW. Sorry that you are suffering. Well, yes, it's normal to have a mini flare up before your period. Peroid causes all the abdomen in inflammation and intestines and colon are part of it. Usually, GIs, at least mine, can't find a relationship between menstruation and crohn's. Every month during ovulation, I rush to my GI coz of severe abd pain and he never realized this.
Where is your crohn's?What meds are you on? I wish I had a piece of advice to give you. I take ketrolac injection every month w fear that I might flare up. All I can do is send you a hug.
Take care:)
Posted 1/6/2013 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
I wound up suppressing my period for about 5 years. I would just take birth control pills continuously, skipping the sugar pill week. I would have a couple of periods a year. This was the solution from my GYN, and it did help lessen or eliminate my GI symptoms during my period.

I found my GYN oddly more informed and willing to figure out something than my GI. So if you haven't already you might want to discuss it with yours.

Sorry it's been so tough for you during your period. I hope you find some relief soon.
Posted 1/6/2013 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
I have started having flares before my period ever since my period returned after having a baby. I never had this happen before the baby. My flare will last 1-2 weeks and then go away on it's own. This last one was bad enough I almost started prednisone for it, but I toughed it out for a few extra days and it gradually got better. For me it also coincided with starting 6MP- not sure if that's a coincidence or what.
Anyways, I have no advice because I haven't figured it out myself, but just wanted to let you know you're not the only one.
Posted 1/7/2013 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Its hard to believe that there are STILL GASTROENTEROLOGISTS who aren't aware of or don't recognize the correlation between onset of menstrual period and increased Crohn's activity!!!! That boggles my mind. A search at PubMed will quickly bring up plenty of abstacts supporting the correlation.

Fer cryin' out loud way back in late 1977 an ER doctor at our local osteopathic hospital said he noticed the regularity of my ER visits and suggested that my family doctor and I consider birth control pills to reduce or prevent them. My problems began two days before the start of each period.

We never got a chance to check out his "theory" as I ended up at Mayo Clinic w/a bowel obstruction and resection in early 1978 and was blessed w/a 20 year remission. By the time disease activity returned in 1998 I was post-menopause, thank goodness.
Posted 1/8/2013 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I definately flare during ovulation although it has taken me a while to make the connection! I get really bad pain, to the point where i can barely walk up the stairs to the toilet and when i do get there i'm willing myself not to pass out or throw up it hurts so much. I have never spoken to my consultant about this but i plan to on my next visit.
Posted 1/13/2013 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
I had flares every month, and my MALE GI told me there was no correlation. If you search the Web you will find doctors who believe us. We are not nuts. We know what our bodies are experiencing. I think the GI just didn't want to admit he didn't know what to do about it!!
Posted 1/13/2013 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
There is definitely a correlation. At one point I even started taking birth control to stop my periods so I wouldn't have to deal with the pain!
Since I started taking azathioprine I haven't been having that much of a mini flare up before or during period. But my GI acknowledged the correlation between periods and Crohn's.
Posted 1/13/2013 7:41 AM (GMT 0)
I have UC and I too have problem around my period. For one week before and one week after i flare. I have discussed with my GI and my Gyn. My decision is to take a bc pill that allows you a period only every three months. However some people worry about this though because some studies have found increase risk of blood clots.
Posted 1/3/2016 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Just wondering if indeed the birth control helped anyone w/crohn attacks? I've been suffering w/basically severe lower left abdominal pain, (feel like spasms- as if an organ was twisting causing sporadic sharp pain). No constipation or diarrhea. I do get very cold/chills , followed by fever with the pain. Only correlation is attack happens every 24-28 days. I have no uterus, but it must be when I ovulate? I started taking BC 2 weeks ago to test out theory, (if I stop ovulating, then perhaps painful attack will too?). I end up missing 1-2 days of work, due to it. I can barely stand up, never mind use stomach muscles, (I waitress). PLEASE ADVISE WITH YOUR UPDATES! Thank you.
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