Question for women

[matty]

question for women

I have colitis and its getting more pain when i have my monthly's The last couple months my period's more pain and flowing. Its awful and i get them every 3 weeks. I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy on april 28 and my period lands right on it. I was going to re-schedule but it would take long, i've been waiting since nov. Should i go through with it, or re-schedule. I'm dreading the pain from p's and the prep work. Plus when i do the test i'll probably be flowing lots. Have any of you women done the test like this.

 

[Jennifer]

I use a tampon during the procedure and you can easily hide the string by pushing the rest of it up a bit so you can still reach it. There have been a couple of threads about this and so far I haven't heard mention that its a problem. If you don't use tampons then maybe you could contact the GI's office and ask the nurse if it matters at all but it shouldn't be a problem. I also keep my period pain and time under control by being on the pill (Ortho Tri Cyclen) so if I needed to for a procedure or even a vacation I could continue taking the pills and skip the period entirely. The pill also reduces the amount of your flow as well. If possible I'd look into it if your periods are that bad.

 

[Keona]

Hey Matty
there was a thread exactly like this a week or so ago. If you search "colonoscopy" you might be able to find it. I think the general consensus was that people do go through with it because the doctor has seen it all. Also, if I remember correctly, someone had been given a question and answer sheet about preparing for a colonoscopy and that was one of the questions. I think it said what crabby said...just use a tampon.
I can totally understand your hesitation but your overall health takes priority.. and they really have seen it all...
hope you decide to go - and I hope it is uneventful for you!
Take care fellow Canadian

 

[StarGirrrrl]

What a horrid position to find yourself in. Personally, I was going to change my appointment if it came through on a p day, but it didn't, however that is my own personal preference.
If you have been waiting that long and need the scope, then i'd say go for it, just tell them when you get there you need to use the loo on the way into the theatre, so you can put in a fresh, super tampon, that way hopefully you will feel more secure.

 

[Crohn's 35]

I am lucky that has never happened to me but I was told by a nurse to use a tampon if you think you are going to "on" that day. I too get horrific pains for a day or two on my days. I swell so much that for a long time I couldnt figure out why I was having bowel obstructions at certain times. My mother said "are you on your days again"? Boom, that is why I was always in the hospital at that time. Some of us suffer terribly. Good luck with your colonoscopy. Hope it doesnt show up!

 

[minnietoty]

Hi matty,
I don't think that it will be a problem. I remember when I had my last upper endoscopy for my stomach, i had my p and I asked my doc whether i should postpone it. He reassured me that it wasn't a problem at all and that they could handle any situation and told me even if you are going to undergo a colonoscopy, it won't be a problem for him. So, go on and take care.

 

[matty]

thanks for replies. I've never used a tampon, but i am going to for this. There was also another question i have, what about hemmi's. The d might flare them up. Willthis casue a problem, the last time i did this i had no hemmi's.

 

[Bookworm]

I am new to the forum and not diagnosed yet but have had 3 bouts of colitis symptoms so far. All three have been near the beginning of my cycle (day 4-5 for two of them and day 9 for one). I don't know for sure but suspect the two are related. I have a history of painful periods and heavy monthly flow, now wondering if this is also related to bowel problems.

My first appt with GI doc for consultation will probably fall during the first part of my cycle and I think this will be a good thing in case I'm having symptoms.

Since I'm new I don't know all the lingo yet, what is a "hemmi"?

 

[ameslouise]

Yep, I have used a tampon many times in the past during scopes. Just mention it to the doc because they will probably see the bump from it while they are in there.

Good luck! - Amy

 

[matty]

thanks again. I will wear a tampon, just hope my p cramps are not too bad. As for hemmi, that is a hemmoroid.

 

[silveyk]

Technically, there is no reason for a woman to get her period every month unless she is trying to get pregnant. Therefore, some women use brands that give you a period every 3 months (once a season). My spouse, because she has direct access to a prescribing physician, only gets her period once a year so as to avoid the PMS and cramping pain associated with her cycle.

As for having your period during a colonoscopy....it's really no big deal if you wear a tampon. Remember, your GI doc is used to swimming through fecal matter. The sight of a tampon string will not phase them in the slightest.

Dr. S

 

[Joleen23]

Hey ,I had my period for my last colonoscopy and worn a tampon and the Dr was fiine with it , don't know anything about hemmies though

 

[matty]

i have another question. I get pains all over stomach and groin area on and off. How do we know if its the colitis or something else like gyno problems or bladder infection. When i get bladder infections, i don't burn, so its kind of hard to tell.

 

[Keona]

Hey Matty
I find this hard to differentiate as well... I am finding that the more tests I get and the more I learn about my body the more I can tell the difference between the various problems.. I think you just have to keep asking your doctors what is what.. process of elimination and blood tests (i.e - urinary tract infection). I would suggest getting a OBGYN appointment if you find your periods are getting worse..
sorry this doesnt help what-so-ever.. I had the exact same concerns and found I wont really know what pain belongs to what unless my doctors investigate to know the answers....

All I know as a rule of thumb and have been told repeatedly... if you are vomiting or bleeding a lot, have a high fever or extreme pain... go to ER.. the rest is a long waiting game...
Wendy

 

[matty]

its so awful for women with ibd. I never used to wish for menopause but now i do.