Double Whammy, need advice...

I'm having a really bad time here. My IBS and whatever the other problem is (scopes are next week) have given me the worst bloating, constipation and pain that I have experienced in a while. I broke down and took 4 senna caps the other night and had a small bm yesterday; nothing tremendous. On top of this, I have my period and the cramping from that is horrible. I don't know what to do. Normally, I have no problem going to the bathroom when I get my period, but I'm bloated from just under my ribs to my hips. I normally have menstrual cramps on my right and generally will have spasms from the IBS on the lower right - occasionally on the left. I'm having cramps all over the place and can't really discern one from the other. I look about 6 months pregnant right now...this is not normal for me; yes, I get bloated but not like this.

I've taken 800 mgs ibuprofen only since I'm at work and pain pills aren't practical. I'm downing water like no ones business, but don't know what to do.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm really hurting.

Thanks, sherree

I don't know what to take for the bloating. It's a combination type of thing this time - I normally do not flare up like this right before or at my period! A heating pad will work great for the period cramps, but I don't have one with me at work - good idea to get one and just leave it here. No antispasmodic's either. My gastro didn't want to prescribe anything until after my 2 scopes next week. He wants to make sure that I'm truly suffering (sarcastic here) so we know where were going once the tests come back. I shouldn't be so flip, but I guess I just can't help it today. I want to go to the bathroom so bad but nothing is happening (the pressure is just horrible).

Could I be anymore whiny today? Sorry.

Thanks for the 'pep' talk! The cramps from my period have finally eased (whew) and the heating pad felt wonderful when I got home but I'm still horribly bloated and spasming (is that a word?) from the IBS. It's strange this bloating - I'm like rock hard, not squishy, so to speak. Normally, I can massage the gas where it finally breaks up and does something. This time...it's not working. If nothing happens (going to the bathroom is a good start) and I'm still hurting as bad as I am in the morning, I'm going to the ER. Something just isn't right.

I will call my doctor on Monday regarding the gas-x stuff - just to make sure it's ok.

Thank you again...I needed a good whine today.:)

Sherree

Hi ladies...what a time I've had these past 24 hours...I'm exhausted. No trip to the ER - I just couldn't bring myself to go and then have to explain I couldn't go to the bathroom... The rock hard bloating finally started to subside around 3 or 4 this morning. Nothing else happened, but at least I could finally relax. I was quite tempted to drink some magnesium citrate to get things moving, but honestly there was no room. I could barely breathe...

I did finally go to the bathroom - quite a few times today, but something still isn't right. Without the gory details, my bm's are strange looking, I'm still in really bad pain and I never go to the bathroom as much as I have today- it's not D. I literally feel like I've been kicked in my side.

I'm calling my doctor Monday, but I'm not sure what to tell him.

I do have a stupid question - can your intestines literally burst? At one point last night, I thought it was going to - the pain was incredible and I felt absolutely ill.

Ah the joys....

Thank you both for your help and concern, I so appreciate it.

Sherree