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Inflamation, unusual menstrual cramps, obstruction - what is it??

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Posted 5/11/2012 1:11 PM (GMT -5)

So I’m starting to get a little worried (and extremely annoyed) with all the weird changing symptoms I’m having!   I started a 2nd course of Prednisone last Saturday at 20mg, then reduced yesterday to 15mg (per the dr).  Yesterday morning I had a semi-normal BM (thinner than usual but not ‘pencil’ thing) but then gassy, bloated and a little of ‘little’ BMs all day.  Last night had another normal BM, and this morning again. But this morning I started having what really feels like extremely painful menstrual cramps. Way worse than I get when I have my period and even worse than when I had a Cone Biopsy and DNC last October to remove some cancer cells.  I had to take ½ a Vicodin pill this morning and THAT didn’t even completely take away the pain.  I called my primary care doc but they said unless I have a fever or the chills its probably menstrual cramps and see what happens after I have my period next week.  In Feb I didn’t even have a period (it was like 1 day) due to being on 35mg of prednisone.  By the way, I take my birth control pills 3 packs in a row so my periods are spaced out every 9 weeks.

This time I did 4 packs though as I didn’t want to mess with my body right when I came off my 1st course of Prednisone a few weeks ago.

 

Ladies, do any of you have these sort of cramps and have them related to your UC?  I’ve been so dang worried about an obstruction the past few weeks with the pencil thin or pebble like stool, but I’ve been having BMs so my GI said it shouldn’t be an obstruction.  I think at this point I’m just so worried about every pain I have down in that area because I’m so aware of it in general these days.  I keep looking for signs its getting better but I go from 1 normal BM to then these cramps – I have no idea what to figure is going on anymore.

Posted 5/11/2012 1:55 PM (GMT -5)
Have you tried palpating your own abdomen to see if you can feel stool in your colon?

The thin stools are probably shaped that way from inflammation in the rectum. It doesn't sound like an obstruction if you're passing stool.

Do you normally get strong cramps during your menses while you're on the pill? Have you tried using a heating pad or taking an antispasmodic to relieve the cramps?
Posted 5/11/2012 3:53 PM (GMT -5)
I never get cramps (I'm on birth control pills so really don't get any cramps).  So its very strange.  Heating pad did nothing at all and I've had it on all day long, even at work.  Hoping it just goes away on its own. The doctor's office said as long as I don't have a fever or the chills it should be ok. 
Posted 5/11/2012 3:59 PM (GMT -5)
Have you ever experienced mittelschmerz? I know it's not likely that you're ovulating while on the pill, but it isn't impossible. I had mittelschmerz once and it left me panting on the floor. The pain was excruciating for about an hour, and then it subsided to merely miserable for the rest of the day. I was still sore the day after.
Posted 5/11/2012 4:24 PM (GMT -5)
Hmm I don't even know what that is so I guess I haven't (or wouldn't know if I did :) ).  GI doc just called and said to go back to 20mg of prednisone for now (for other reasons, not these cramps). Till the Imuran starts working anyway. So who knows, adding the extra Prednisone might end up making the cramps go away!  I guess we'll see tomorrow. It might even make my period super light next week again like last time. Ugh I hate steroids!
Posted 5/11/2012 5:21 PM (GMT -5)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mittelschmerz/ds00507/dsection=symptoms
Posted 5/11/2012 10:11 PM (GMT -5)
I have gotten bad cramps from UC so it could be from that. I hate it when doctors blame every cramp on "female problems". If you don't usually have these cramps then it is likely not from your cycle.
Posted 5/11/2012 10:39 PM (GMT -5)
I have been having bad cramps recently and whatever I am dealing with is pretty mild. If you're on prednisone, I have to assume you were in a moderate flare-up to begin with. It takes a long time to heal. I have recently had cramps so bad, I felt like I might throw up. Cramps can be a totally normal UC symptom for me, even severely painful ones. I don't have to be in a bad flare up to get cramps either. Are you having any other symptoms? I have mucous right now, it's gross. I never know what may come out and the sounds are abhorrent. haha.

I am sorry you're having pain. I usually don't have cramps from my period these days. I did pre-birth-control piills but no more. My cramps are almost always related to needing to use the toilet.
Posted 5/12/2012 2:53 AM (GMT -5)
beachgirl,
i recently started pred. started on 40mg and am tapering. i have the mirena coil in and up until the pred i had no periods. only what id call a sneeze of blood once in a while.
once i was on the pred i took bad cramps fpr days and i had a period. it only lasted a day but the cramps lasted 4days. id say its a side effect of the pred.
im only on them 4 wks or so and ive had quiet a list already. bruising, tremors, messed up menses, lack of concentration, highs, water retention, bloating.............
never ever again.
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