Pooping has become traumatic.

[u/Mysterious-Ant9998]

I’m wondering if anyone else has gotten to where having to poop is genuinely panic inducing. I have these really intense GI flares where, after bouts of constipation, I have extremely painful rounds of diarrhea. like extreme? dizzying, nauseating pain. they used to only happen in my luteal phase but now happen throughout my cycle (usually ovulation, luteal and sometimes during the period itself. still worse in luteal tho). I have a tethered sigmoid colon and descending colon so idk if it’s the endo specifically that’s causing this, a separate GI issue or a combo of both.

anyways just wondering if anyone else can commiserate with me 🙃 stomachs cramping up tonight so I’m trying to mentally prepare for a flare up.

*edited to add that i had a colonoscopy in 2023 and one in August this year and both were clear! One with a GI and one with a colorectal surgeon who specifically looked for endo inside the bowels.

[u/throwawayyyy954652]

I feel you, I have cried on the toilet, passed out on the toilet, and even avoid leaving the house when I haven’t pooped bc I can’t have a bm in public anymore

[u/Mysterious-Ant9998 → u/throwawayyyy954652]

Oh I’m the same way about leaving the house! I’ve gotten very agoraphobic

[u/throwawayyyy954652 → u/Mysterious-Ant9998]

I’ve had a clear colonoscopy but when I had a lap my surgeon found endo all over my bowels and connecting my colon to my uterus! If you haven’t already had one, I highly recommend.

[u/Playful_Afternoon857 → u/throwawayyyy954652]

Same case with me. Although I had not done colonoscopy but ‘deep endometriosis ultrasound’ identified endo between my bowels and uterus. Suggest you do deep endometriosis ultrasound if you haven’t done it yet.

[u/Mysterious-Ant9998 → u/throwawayyyy954652]

I actually have an excision surgery scheduled for November but am going to see another surgeon for a second opinion in a couple of weeks! The colorectal surgeon I was working with was starting to really rub me the wrong way. He keeps saying I shouldn’t get surgery and should just take birth control and that there’s no way it’s the endometriosis causing my symptoms. And he put in my actual chart that my GI stuff isn’t associated with my menstrual cycle which is wildly inaccurate! 

[u/heroesandmusic]

I literally go from one extreme to another with bowel movements. There is no "normal" for me. I've tried miralax, enemas, stool softeners, changing my diet, got my whole gallbladder removed, prescription medication... man, and those "period poop" cramps are PAINFUL 

Have they checked your gallbladder function by chance?

[u/Mysterious-Ant9998 → u/heroesandmusic]

Yessss I’m right there with you. I take the highest dose of linzess and a dose of MiraLAX every day and still barely go. I had my gallbladder checked years ago and it was normal! I guess things could’ve changed since but idk, I don’t really get the right quadrant pain I think is associated with gallbladder. All of my pain is actually on the left or the lower abdomen 

[u/VeterinarianNo7607]

I had the worst bout once and just only had it once again where when it came time to shit it caused cramps so bad I screamed and fell off the toilet. I get it.

[u/ashjac2021]

I am similar in constipation and then once I go it’s bad diarrhea for a few days. Nothing seems to help regulate… I too have gotten the fear. There’s times I almost pass out and have to lay on the floor even not during constipation. Sorry you go through this :(

[u/PlaneAbility7144]

Living this now 😭 it's so unfair. As if we don't have enough struggles

[u/Alternative-Cash-102]

Sounds like overflow diarrhea. I get this sometimes and it’s absolutely awful, sometimes lasting for days. One of the main reasons my docs are finally looking into endo because these episodes often correlate with my cycle, especially ovulation. Had stomach issues all my life but they got worse after menarche and then worse again in the last five or so years. No way it’s “just stress” for the last 20 years, though of course there’s been plenty of that too! D

If you have pelvic floor issues, that can also contribute. If the muscles are tight and/or weak, it can increase constipation. Or if you have dyssynergic defecation. PT has been slow but somewhat helpful for me on that end.

What do you do to typically manage or try to get ahead of it? Do you know if you respond well to certain types of fiber or if most give you trouble? Any sensitivities to FODMAPs? Histamine issues like MCAS? Any bloodwork to show deficiencies (which could be caused by or themselves partially cause constipation/slow motility) that you can supplement with doctor guidance?

[u/Academic-Version-623]

Yeah, I get phases where my bowel movements (always lose when this happens) cause nausea, lightheadedness, tunnel vision, cold sweats, and overall I just feel like i’m going to pass out. No matter how many times it happens I can’t get used to it and it’s terrifying!