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Severe abdominal cramps during exercise

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Can anybody help? Have a female client who has suffered from this for 15 years. Have looked on the internet with similar stories but no real conclusions – could it be Endometriosis?

Severe abdominal cramps about 15-20 minutes into a jog or similar cardio exercise *Cramps are very intense and painful and abdomen swells to 4-month pregnancy size have to stop exercising, if continue they get worse. *Cramps last 15-20 minutes during which time doubled-over in pain *There seems to be no specific pattern related to the timing of cycle *Sometimes when starting a new running program can run without pain for the first few days and then the cramps begin on day 3, 4, 5.

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5 comments

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    9 10

    I had the exact same problem (cramps while running, exactly as you described)for 15 years and am now cured of it.
    It went undiagnosed all that time despite many doctors (sports med, gyn… etc.)
    Then, I underwent surgery for removal of my uterus due to two pounds of fibroid tumors. I had no idea that was what had been causing the cramps, but when I went back to running after the 4 weeks of post surgery rest, I was totally pain-free and have been for 5 years now.
    Maybe you can get an abdominal ultrasound?
    I hope this helps someone.

    Avatar

    9 10

    This is for you ESC…an email was sent to me with this in and I looked it up on urban legands and it is a true story…hope it helps.

    THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END P L E A S E An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer

    I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you can. Send this to the women in your life that you care about.

    Years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was treated for everything under the sun until it was too late. This blood test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.

    KATHY’S STORY: this is the story of Kathy West

    As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian Cancer.

    Both types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the “tumor marker” CA-125 BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way – surgery to remove the primary tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin.

    Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save others from the same fate. That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will print it and give it or send it via E-mail to everybody you know.

    One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL responsibility for our own health care. I thought I had done that because I always had an annual physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the dentist at least twice a year, etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy and a bone density test last year. When I had a total hysterectomy in 1993, I thought that I did not have to worry about getting any of the female reproductive organ cancers.

    LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don’t have ovaries (and they were HEALTHY when they were removed), but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer. Strange, isn’t it?

    These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never tell us: ONE out of every 55 women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER.

    The “CLASSIC” symptoms are an ABDOMEN that rather SUDDENLY ENLARGES and CONSTIPATION and/or DIARRHEA.

    I had these classic symptoms and went to the doctor. Because these symptoms seemed to be “abdominal”, I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran tests that were designed to determine whether there was a bacteria infection; these tests were negative, and I was diagnosed with “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”. I guess I would have accepted this diagnosis had it not been for my enlarged abdomen. I swear to you, it looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant! I therefore insisted on more tests.

    They took an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was again assured that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my scheduled month-long trip to Europe. I couldn’t wear any of my slacks or shorts because I couldn’t get them buttoned, and I KNEW something was radically wrong. I INSISTED on more tests, and they reluctantly) scheduled me for a CT-Scan (just to shut me up, I think). This is what I mean by “taking charge of our own health care.”

    The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal). Needless to say, I had to cancel my trip and have FIVE POUNDS assure you), but NOTHING compared to what was ahead of me).

    Tests revealed cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, finally, finally, the doctor ran a CA-125 blood test, and I was properly diagnosed.

    I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR OVARIAN CANCER, AND YET THIS SIMPLE CA-125 BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER BEEN RUN ON ME, not as part of my annual physical exam and not when I was symptomatic. This Is an inexpensive and simple blood test!

    PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS.

    Be forewarned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it, saying, IT ISN’T NECESSARY.” Believe me, had I known then what I know now, we would have caught my cancer much earlier (before it was a stage 3 cancer). Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST; DO NOT take “NO” for an answer!

    The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35. MINE WAS 754. (That’s right, 754!). If the number is slightly above 35, you can have another done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just as women do when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly elevated PSA test (Prostatic Specific Antigens) that helps diagnose prostate cancer.

    Having the CA-125 test done annually can alert you early, and that’s the goal in diagnosing any type of cancer – catching it early.

    Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this VERY AGGRESSIVE cancer. Please, go to your doctor and insist on a CA-125 test and have one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life.

    And forward this message to every woman you know, and tell all of your female family members and friends. Though the median age for this cancer is 56, (and, guess what, I’m exactly 56), women as young as 22 have it. Age is no factor.

    A NOTE FROM THE RN:

    Well, after reading this, I made some calls. I found that the CA-125 test is an ovarian screening test equivalent to a man’s PSA test prostate screen (which my husband’s doctor automatically gives him in his physical each year and insurance pays for it). I called the general practitioner’s office about having the test done. The nurse had never heard of it. She told me that she doubted that insurance would pay for it. So I called Prudential Insurance Co., and got the same response. Never heard of it – it won’t be covered.

    I explained that it was the same as the PSA test they had paid for my husband for years. After conferring with whomever they confer with, she told me that the CA-125 would be covered.

    It is $75 in a GP’s office and $125 at the GYN’s. This is a screening test that should be required just like a PAP smear (a PAP smear cannot detect problems with your ovaries). And you must insist that your insurance company pay for it.

    Gene Wilder and Pierce Brosnan (his wife had it, too) are lobbying for women’s health issues, saying that this test should be required in our physicals, just like the PAP and the mammogram.

    PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND THIS OUT TO ALL THOSE YOU CAN. BE IT MALE OR FEMALE, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER, AS THEY CAN FORWARD IT ALSO TO THOSE LOVED ONES THEY KNOW.

    Avatar

    9 10

    Hello all…I am new to the site I am actually out looking for information on the same exact thing. I have had this problem for about 3 years but recently the cramps have gotten really bad. I am in the military and I have to run every six months for a certain time its a test and if you don’t pass its big trouble. My cramps are basically like really bad period cramps that I have to stop running and bend over to try and make them go away. Now when this happens it is nowhere near my period time, so I got confused. I have gone to the doctor and at first without doing any real testing they told me it was Irrital Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and they put me on a medication called Bentyl just to see if it helped all, well it didn’t. So I went to a different doctor I preferred the female becasue they know the cramped feeling I am talking about…I just thought it might be harder to explain to a male. She told me she had never heard of the problem before and she would have to do research. So I made an OB/GYN app. because my mother has suffered from Fibroid Cysts in her abdomin and I want to get checked out to make sure it isn’t anything like that. I have that app on Monday then a follow up with my other doc Friday the 24thSep so if she finds out any thing new I will let you guys know. I hope someone can find an answer…no doc seems to know what we are talking about.

    Avatar

    9 10

    I would be interested in any information that someone may have. I suffer from almost the exact same problem and have searched everywhere but have found nothing. I do not have the bloating to four months pregnancy (yet) and have suffered from this for over four years now. When I was on birth control pills, the problem went away for the most part but started to come back a little after a year. I am very concerned and none of my doctors have a clue as to what it could be. Please help!!!!

    Avatar

    9 10

    ESC…

    I have sent you a Private Message….please check and let me know if you do not receive it.

    Thanks so much!

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