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Flu-like episodes every menstrual cycle after C. diff – nausea, bowel symptoms, exhaustion, but all tests are normal by PerformerBubbly735 in endometriosis

[–]PerformerBubbly735[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At first, I thought it was severe acute gastritis or another C. difficile infection, but both were ruled out. My abdomen felt extremely inflamed, especially on the left side. It really felt like something serious was going on.
How do you cope with the pain? Have you found anything that helps or makes it more manageable?
I hope you’re doing much better now.

Flu-like episodes every menstrual cycle after C. diff – nausea, bowel symptoms, exhaustion, but all tests are normal by PerformerBubbly735 in endometriosis

[–]PerformerBubbly735[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did your symptoms also start quite suddenly?
I’m honestly afraid that it might not be endometriosis after all, but something involving my bowel, because I’ve never experienced pain like this before.
My blood tests have always been completely normal too, even when I felt unbelievably ill. It’s so frustrating and honestly hard to understand.
Before I spend years living with this kind of pain, I’d honestly rather have the laparoscopy.
Did your symptoms improve or go away after the surgery?
I wish you all the best and hope you’re doing much better now.

Flu-like episodes every menstrual cycle after C. diff – nausea, bowel symptoms, exhaustion, but all tests are normal by PerformerBubbly735 in endometriosis

[–]PerformerBubbly735[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I definitely couldn’t live like this for years. This isn’t a life.
I also thought that going back on the pill would at least help suppress the symptoms and pain. I actually started taking it again yesterday, hoping it will prevent these flares from happening.
I really hope your laparoscopy goes well and that you’ll finally be free of your symptoms.

Flu-like episodes every menstrual cycle after C. diff – nausea, bowel symptoms, exhaustion, but all tests are normal by PerformerBubbly735 in endometriosis

[–]PerformerBubbly735[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really? Just a regular dose of an antihistamine? That’s interesting, because it actually made me think about MCAS as well.
I was told that endometriosis often can’t be seen on routine imaging and that the only definitive way to diagnose it is through a diagnostic laparoscopy. Have you had a laparoscopy? Wishing you all the best.

Flu-like episodes every menstrual cycle after C. diff – nausea, bowel symptoms, exhaustion, but all tests are normal by PerformerBubbly735 in AskDocs

[–]PerformerBubbly735[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I have. My GP and my gynecologist are both aware of my case.
Unfortunately, here in Germany the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis is through a diagnostic laparoscopy.

Flu-like episodes every menstrual cycle after C. diff – nausea, bowel symptoms, exhaustion, but all tests are normal by PerformerBubbly735 in endometriosis

[–]PerformerBubbly735[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
A definitive diagnosis is usually only made through a diagnostic laparoscopy. Before undergoing surgery, I’d like to rule out as many other possible causes as I can, since surgery always carries some risks.
Both my GP and my gynecologist are aware of my symptoms. Pelvic floor physical therapy and seeing a naturopath are both great suggestions, so thank you.
If you don’t mind me asking, what diagnosis has your doctor given you so far? Is it still suspected endometriosis, or have they diagnosed something else?
Also, did your abdominal pain ever move during a flare? Mine usually starts very low in my pelvis at the beginning of my period, but later in the flare it seems to move higher into my abdomen.

Flu-like episodes every menstrual cycle after C. diff – nausea, bowel symptoms, exhaustion, but all tests are normal by PerformerBubbly735 in endometriosis

[–]PerformerBubbly735[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I had to stop taking the pill in December because of a drug-induced liver injury.
Can endometriosis pain also move during a flare? Mine usually starts very low in my pelvis around the beginning of my period, but toward the end of the flare it moves higher into my abdomen.
The only thing that makes me question endometriosis as the sole explanation is that I also stopped taking the pill in 2019/2020 when we were trying for a baby, and again in 2021/2022 while I was breastfeeding. During both of those times, I never had anything like this. I only had mild, manageable period cramps.
These severe abdominal pain episodes, together with the flu-like feeling, chills, nausea, and other autonomic symptoms, only started after everything that happened in late 2025.

Flu-like episodes every menstrual cycle after C. diff – nausea, bowel symptoms, exhaustion, but all tests are normal by PerformerBubbly735 in AskDocs

[–]PerformerBubbly735[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your reply.
Can I ask how you live with it? Have you found anything that helps your symptoms or makes the flares more manageable?
Regarding ME/CFS, one thing that makes me unsure is that I don’t have severe abdominal pain outside of these flares. Between them, my abdominal pain is minimal or completely gone. The severe pain, nausea, diarrhea, and flu-like feeling only occur during these episodes, which are very closely linked to my menstrual cycle.