So, I've been having cramps...

[Sarah]

yeah, for some time now I've been suspecting of having a period.
I get certain moods at certain times of the month, and I get more moody and upset easier and angrier.
But I didn't really notice that going hand in hand with the cramps until my girlfriend pointed it out to me today.
I do get cramps, and bloating and nausea. And aches.
for about a few days severely.
I don't want to eat even though I need to.
It's weird, I described the exact feeling of the cramps and the locations and where they were taking place and how, and my girlfriend said it matches her exactly. That the symptoms I described are exactly what she feels and goes through and in exactly the same places.
It comes in waves, and then sorta takes a breath for a minute and then comes again. ....
....
weird.
I called my mom, and she said she had no idea about this sort of thing but reccomended that when I'm looking for a doctor to figure this thing out, I research the doctor carefully and make sure they know what they are doing, AND have a good reputation.
That's the only thing I can think of.
I was gonna start with an endo,, but the thing is I dunno if a hormone test would help as I take hormones anyway..
I dunno..
I don't know where to start...
Do you have any ideas anyone....
What could I do to get tested for this accurately?
An
MRI?
Cat Scan?
Ultrasound??
I have no idea..
I don't want to die, I've heard about the internal damming..
I just don't know..
So what can I do to help myself with this?
Are there any ideas?
Anybody?
Help?
Please..?
Thank you....?
I love you!
-Sara

[Kim]

Hi Sarah,
   Your best bet is to contact your doctor and describe your cramps and other afilliations to him and let him/her know there seems to be a pattern as well. Your doctor will run the neccessary tests, and as results come in will order any follow-ups neccessary. This is how my wife and I approached our doctor about my 'period' and voila- I am IS, even more so than anyone could imagine. But by not mentioning anything of being IS or TS you will get a broader scope of testing done (though in my case we really didn't know I was IS when we went so we couldn't tell the doc anyways). And yes I know what the cramps and bloating and mood swings are like. Before you find out why these things are happening you feel like the world is coming to an end, especially the mood swings. They were the worst because I had no idea why I was so foul mooded and couldn't get out of it or control it. Now I know just bury in a corner for a while. The other ailment I get is bladder emptying need. I mean I may as well move into the toilet for a day or so because I spend most of my time in there anyways just before and just after that monthly visitor. Good luck Sarah.
                              Kim   

[Sarah]

Hey thanks,
A lot of my concern is I just don't know what to ask for or where to look.
I've heard storries about docs not knowing a clue about this and not getting it, and then some seem to get it right off!
Weird.
Is there a good basic fact sheet about this and where I could check?
Thanks again,
-Sara

[Mari]

Hey thanks,
A lot of my concern is I just don't know what to ask for or where to look.
I've heard storries about docs not knowing a clue about this and not getting it, and then some seem to get it right off!
Weird.
Is there a good basic fact sheet about this and where I could check?
Thanks again,
-Sara

very true... hormones are not so relevant especially if you'r on HRT
ultrasound of abdomen and testicles and karyotype are minimum
good luck and take care

[offthesidewalk]

just know that a karyotype test is expensive tho- really, i mean WOW.
I'd rather do the other basic tests first before I'd resort to a karyotype test. and from what i understand, not all IS conditions are related to the chromosomes. then again- i don't know much. *blush*
hope it helped.
*huggles*