Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I think if you can get your IBS stable, it will help. There are two types of period pain - spasmodic (traditional cramping labour-like pains caused by the uterus contracting) and congestive - related to IBS, as far as I understand. The BEST thing you can do is ensure you are stable in the days leading up to your period and do anything you can to avoid constipation. Problem is, the hormone changes affect your gut, and ours of course react severely.

My cramps are so bad I have almost passed out, vomited, and rolled around on the floor in agony. I get the awful symptoms of IBS flare-up during my period - terrible gas, C&D, migraine type headaches AND the awful labour-pains that are so bad they extend all the way down my thighs and legs. It's been like this since I was 13. The pain can last for 2-3 days, almost continuously.

I have now stopped fighting this and accepted this is how it's gonna be and I PREPARE for it almost like preparing for childbirth!!! It is, of course, easier if you're at home rather than at work when the dreaded P hits you, but my best strategies are....

Nurofen (fast-acting liquid capsules) (IBUPROFEN). Not sure what this is called over there. Anyway, with pain-relief meds, the faster acting the better. ALWAYS take with food (soluble fibre base). You really need to catch the pain as you feel those first twinges - leave it too long until you're in serious pain and you've got no chance of stopping it for HOURS (This is advice from very sympathetic female doctor).

Next try heat: my favourite is a hot bath with lavender essential oil - FANTASTIC. I admit I'm particularly sensitive to the soothing effects of warm water, but I never found anyone for whom this doesn't work. If you can't take a bath - use a hot-water bottle, a microwave heat-up cushion (not sure what you call them), or THESE ARE GREAT: one of those - heat-up sticking plasters (band-aid??) that automatically heats up on contact with your skin and lasts for about 6 hours - very discreet under your clothing and I was AMAZED at how effective they are.

Also: drink LOADS of warm/hot drinks. Don't know why, but I always seem to need more water than usual at this time.

Yoga postures: you might not feel like it but some of these are wonderful for expelling gas or bringing comfort to cramps: I find the shoulder-stand type postures very helpful. Check out the yoga boards for this.

What else? PEPPERMINT TEA, how could I forget... once ran out of painkillers at work. This stuff is GOOD. Also try ginger and fennel teas - I was suprised how well they work.

Exercise - if you feel you can handle it.

Last but not least - get yourself into the most comfortable position you can find, put your hands on your abdomen, (shut your eyes if you can) and focus on your breathing - breathe to a count of ???, slowly, deeply and carefully (but don't make yourself dizzy - it's sort of the focus and rhythm that are important). I once stopped my pain dead by doing this - don't ask me how it works, but it does.

Finally, make no apologies for the way you feel - this is agony, you feel awful - accept that and remind yourself how good you'll feel when it's (soon) over. Remember that if anyone who hasn't experienced this sort of pain felt even a fraction of it, they'd have dialled 999 (or 911 to you lot!)

OK, I'll shut up now.

Shellsbells

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator