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What Causes Abdominal Cramps Along With Bloating?

Posted on Sat, 7 Mar 2015

Question: I am having mild cramping and bloated during day. Dr says It is IBS. period ended 3 days ago and I'm not sure if these are menstrual cramps or GI cramps due to IBS. Went to dr said to stop dairy products I'm scared cramping mildly for 3 days now. I had pelvic sonogram about 3 months ago it was normal I have colonoscopy every 5 years due to mother died of Colon cancer that's normal. I'm 47 so I have been having irregular periods at times 2 weeks apart. I'm worried can you help

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more info

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

I understand your concern however to differentiate between menstrual cramps , ibs or something else I need a little more info

1. Do you have cramps after eating ? or is it unrelated to food intake ?
2. Are you in your periods now? do you have backache as well?
3. any blood in stools ?
4. Have you been losing weight lately ?
5. do have other symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite or burning sensation in the upper stomach ?
6. is you stool well formed ? or do you have loose stools ?

Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply

regards

regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (32 minutes later)

Hello no i dont have any of those symptoms the only symptoms I have been experiencing lately is diarrhea I have been having diarrhea for the last 2 to 3 weeks I talk to my doctor today and he thinks that it's part of the IBS I am under a lot of stress the last few weeks and months due to some personal problems but I don't have dark stools I get checked every five years for colon cancer I just have some mild cramping the last couple of three days and I'm bloated now the bloating are usually get pretty much

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
possibility of Irritable bowel syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back with the details.

Since you are having diarrhoea and also bloating of the stomach associated with bloating the possibility of irritable bowel syndrome is high. This is how you should go about it

1. I would like you to take a pro biotic like vsl#3 once a day or tab sporolac three times daily
2. Avoid caffeine and smoking
3. Make sure you are eating on time everyday, do not skip meals
4. I would recommend anti anxiety medication like alprazolam once in the night, I believe this will take care of most of the symptoms
5. Drink plenty of water
6. Food that causes bloating like dry fruits, protein rich food and beans should be avoided

If your symptoms do not improve in a weeks time I recommend further work up with stool routine and thyroid function

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (15 hours later)

I wanted to mention that doctor prescribed generic lubrium for ibs and i noticed dsy after I started taking this medication I began experiencing mild to moderate cramping in my intestines abdominal and I have been having these cramps since then since a Monday which is now four days I was told to get off this medication because it might be affecting me negatively and causing the cramps that Iwad not having any

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
mebeverine is good instead

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for getting back

I usually don't prescribe Librium for cramps although many doctors do, I have not seen good results in my patients.

I recommend you to take mebeverine instead of Librium after consulting your physician, it is a good drug and provides good symptomatic relief. It has to be taken after food, twice day.

Regards

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E