I know I sound like a broken record on some issues... but kaplods, have you ever discussed these symptoms with an OB/GYN? They are classic symptoms of endometriosis. I had severe, severe period cramps for many years before I was diagnosed, to the point where they seriously disrupted my normal life and activities, and I was taking an obscene amount of ibuprofen (1000-1200 mg every 2-3 hours) in my attempts to combat them. Narcotic pain meds did almost nothing to help curb the pain; high doses of NSAIDs ate away at my stomach lining, but they were the only thing that enabled me to be even semi-functional on those days. And along with the cramps came the diarrhea. If you haven't spoken to an OB/GYN about those symptoms, please do. The symptoms (and the issue underlying them, if it's endometriosis) can be better controlled.

hahahah, thanks for making me laugh girls! TOM makes me eat like a crazy person, and I also feel pregnant. I don't even bother to get on the scale then..

I now only see your post. I too have these symptoms. My mother has/had endometriosis. Just last week she said she thinks it's time for me to visit a gyne, considering that I'm 22 and have never visited one.

I don't fight it, per se, but I can't stop my annoyance that I only lose weight two weeks a month and the rest of the time I either stay steady or bounce up. I have these issues with the week of ovulation and the week of my period. It sucks, and there's no way around it.

I'm reading all this and want to say thanks to all of you for reminding me that there is an up side to being 61.

Lin

It's so strange reading all these posts. I have no PMS, no TOM bloat or weight gain, no TOM-related cravings, and since my pregnancies no cramps. The only way I know it's TOM is by spotting blood on my underpants. It amazes me how different bodies can react to the same biochemical event in such different ways.

F.

:dancer:

Oh my yes, I've been talking to OB/GYN's about my symptoms virtually since I started my period in fourth grade (age 9 or 10).

I think I had my first test for endometriosis when I was 12 or 13.

I've even told new OB/GYN's "it's not endometriosis" and they'll send me for tests anyway and then be surprised to find that I was right.

It's apparently more of a hormonal severe PMS (or mild PMDD) thing.

Even as young as 12, my pediatritian suggested that birth control might alleviate my symptoms, but at the time my mother and I weren't willing to accept the risk of weight gain (little did I know that I actually would find it easier to lose weight on birth control, because it reduced the crazy pms "rabid hunger").

My previous birth control was extremely helpful in minimizing symptoms, but my insurance no longer covers it. The birth control I am on isn't quite as effective, but it's still worlds away from the symptoms I experience when not on birth control.

I'd love to return to my previous bc, but with insurance not covering it, the cost is just not in our budget.

By being careful with diet and exercise, I can maintain decent relief though. It's now more in the inconvenient range rather than life-altering as it was in the past (I missed a lot of work and school when I was younger, until I found the right bc).

With the old bc, I didn't have to worry about diet (though probably should have).

Sorry, I realize this post is now several weeks old, but I just now saw it! And I want to respond less for your sake (as it seems you're on top of your issues with your doctors), but in case anyone else in the same boat reads this some day. It's SUCH an important issue not just because of the pain, but because of how it relates to infertility.

Just out of curiosity, what tests were the doctors sending you for? The only way to diagnose endometriosis is via laparoscopy (or a look at your pelvic organs during a more extensive surgery). Hormonal testing, ultrasounds, etc. cannot diagnose it, though the presence of what looks like ovarian cysts (actually endometriomas, in the case of endometriosis) in combination with other symptoms can be a good indicator. But a lack of cyst-like structures on ultrasound does not mean one doesn't have endometriosis.

The early onset of issues as well as improved symptoms with birth control pills still makes me think endometriosis - both are hallmarks. And so I'm not surprised that your OB/GYNs keep wanting to check you for it. :) I wish mine had! Not a single one ever mentioned it to me, and it wasn't diagnosed until I had a laparotomy to resolve an ectopic pregnancy. Regardless, I'm glad you've gotten at least some relief from your symptoms (whatever the cause) with the birth control. I wish your insurance were still covering your old bc; it must be frustrating to have to change for that reasons. I'm not sure what you're on now, but for what it's worth I've had the most luck with monophasic bc over triphasic bc in terms of controlling the pain and other symptoms.

For me it's not so much the bloating that gets to me. It's my hormones. This month was the worst raging hormons I've ever had, its so hard to control my anger when I get them to, especially when I'm at work and I have the need to blow up at nothing. I'm really hoping next month's will be a bit more mellow.