Fibromyalgia Support Group

I'm not sure if I have it but I have a question. I have a problem with bowel movements. I used to go every day or sometimes twice a day but since getting Fibro and all the medicines I am taking I can hardly go. I do take benefiber chewable tablets and 3 laxatives with fiber every singles night. My question is, after you go, does it make you have cramps in your lower belly? You know, like menstrual cramps? Cause that's how I feel. Now with me, I have had a total hysterectomy so I don't have any menstrual cramps anymore. Thanks for any info.

I have IBS. I was actually dx'd with IBS years before Fibro. I also have the type with constipation. It isn't unusual for me to only go once a week or two weeks. I take stool softeners and citracel fiber supplement. I can't take laxatives because they make my attacks worse. An attack is when I get INCREDIBLY bad intestinal cramps,vomiting, and hot flashes and bouts of diaharia (sp?). I think it is probably my body's way of cleaning itself of toxins, but it's no fun. Taking imodium right when an attack hits can make it go away faster. Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to message me. I'll help where I can.

-Kristen

Yes i have ibs too.. there is a IBS group here on mdjunction.

and the cramping i get alot too. good luck with the pain etc. i'm in the same boat.I got fibro then got the ibs. where the dr told me its normal alot of people get ibs when they have fibro. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi, yes I get the menstral like cramps and have had a hysterectomy too! It is really weird to feel them whe I don't have a uterus or ovaraies. For the constipation because of meds my dr said to take colace not a rx. I don't know if that will help. Good Luck. DeeDee

IBS is very common with fibro sufferers. I have had IBS for several years I have it with more Constipation and was on a fantastic med called Amitiza, it made me perfectly regular then I went through an insurance change and was going to get a new rx but I was on sooo many meds that when I wanted to try to cut down I thought oh I don't really need that one I've been doing so well. Um yeah because I was taking it lol. I can go a couple weeks without going. My tummy will get bloated and cramped and I just don't go but when I finally do it's like giving birth lol. I have also had the diarrea but not as common for me. I have also had a hysterectomy everything was removed except for the right ovary. I had IBS way before that though. I'm seeing my gastro on the 21st and he's putting me back on Amitiza. When I was just in the hospital they gave me Colace twice a day, everytime I'm hospitalized they do that but it doesn't do much for me. They also give me milk of magnesia but that never does it either I need to just wait til my bodies ready Good luck !

I have IBS with diarrhea, but I can also get very constipated, especially if I take a pain pill. Then I'm blocked and in big pain for days. There are days when I have as many as 8 bowel movements in a day...my ex used to call it constipated diarrhea. I don't get cramping so much as this really painful deep ache when I sit, especially on a hard seat.

For a few years they gave me a drug called Levsin, but it was a smooth muscle relaxer and both your colon and your heart are smooth muscles. It started giving me palpitations so I was forced to give it up when I turned 40. Since then I've mostly just suffered in silence until my colonscopy. They suggested fiber supplements and they worked OK. Now tho I eat two breakfasts. The first one is coffee & an oatbran & berry muffin. A couple hours later I'll eat Activia yogurt and some fruit or fruit juice.

If I take a migraine pill or one of the few emergency vicodins I have, I take two senna-kotes with each pill and eat extra fiber.

I never EVER take Immodium because it will block me up for a week and I want to die.

I've read a great and tasty anti-diarrheal are macaroon cookies. Yum, coconut!!

I suffer from IBS also. When it gets bad, I take probiotics every day for a month or so. They help get my system back on track and the pain improves greatly. I used to alternating, but since I take so much pain med its not just with constipation. When it flares up, it causes alot of abdominal pain. I was given an antispasmatic for it but don't like to take them. Bentyl. I take softners every day. They help alot. I also had a hysterectomy, when I was 32 so I couldn't have any more babies which was devastating cause I wanted a big family. Anyway, I still have my ovaries so no hormones, thank goodness. I only mentioned the hyst also, cause I find it interesting that so many of us have had them due to one prob or another.

I suffer from IBS as well. But it has been since I was in 3rd grade. It is mostly the constipation though. The time I was in the hospital I didnt have a BM for at least 3 weeks or more. I was severely sick! I still have problems because that had stretched out my bowels so much that now I cant have a normal BM. While I was in the hospital they had done xrays, enamas, stool softeners, drink mixes and more around the clock. I was one misserable girl. Now after I go my stumach still hurts and cramps up. Its like there is no releaf for me at all! I also have PCOS and have not had a cycle for close to or more than a year now so I know its not that. Anyways talk to your doctor so it dont get as bad as what mine had gotten. Nothing helps me, except very strong doses of laxatives, which I dont have time for. Anyways I hope you get to feeling better soon.