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Chronic stomach pain possible IBS?

Posted , 4 users are following.

daniel02538
daniel02538

Hi everyone,

I'm 37 and a new poster with a problem that hopefully someone may be able to shed some light or least let me know I'm not alone. It's a long post so bear with me.

For about 4 years I have been having issues with my digestive system. It started off with starting a new job and changing my body clock due to an hours change. I found myself being constipated quite often so taking laxatives was quite a common thing for me.

This developed into having trapped wind and bloating or at least the sensation of it located in my upper abdomen so it felt a bit distended and bloated which was/is very uncomfortable nearly all of the time. The symptoms also involved bubbling sensation around my gallbladder area and mirrored on the left side too. I seem to experience some form of acid reflux at least once a week that takes few days to clear. The only time I was/am comfortable was laying down or getting up first thing in the morning and then would develop the further along the morning went on. I believe it is trapped gas at least that is the only explanation I can give for how it feels.

My first visit to the doctors i was prescribed Lansoprazole to which I had a reaction and developed hives. A blood test showed nothing which was a relief but the symptoms have continued.

I put up with this for a few more years and tried different remedies like buscopan, camomile tea, peppermint capsules and oil and changes in diet. I went to the doctors again and once again was prescribed Lansoprazole. I was hoping that maybe it may be different but again the hives came after a week. I am currently on a course of domperidome which I have to take 3 times a day before meals.

I provided a stool sample and after 2 weeks finally got a result of no issues. This made me extremely frustrated as in a way I was hoping that something would be there and I could have a solution or at least a referral to a gastronenterologist.

Occasionally eating will cause the symptoms to subside for a short time but they do return. I gave up smoking for 2 years and the symptoms were still there too. I still suffer with inconsistent toilet patterns or feel like I need to go and nothing but a little nugget and really smelly gas that sometimes has a sickly sweet or very eggy smell. My stool can be very bitty but I also have a glass of water with Fybogel for fiber and it will put it back to normal for a while. I have found myself subconsciously sucking my stomach in as I have put a bit of weight on and don't like the look of myself in mirrors so that probably doesn't help so I am actively trying to look past my body image issues for the sake of this issue.

Again apologies for the lengthy post but its very hard to actually get across how this feels in a way that can be explained. Is this IBS or something else.

Thankyou for your time.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • sam18386
    sam18386 daniel02538

    Posted

    hi Daniel, i think after reading all of your post you need to speak to someone about IBS. it could be this or it could be something else bowel/stomach related. ask to speak to someone to put your mind at rest. i wish you luck and the least you worry the better you'll feel.

  • becky000
    becky000 daniel02538

    Posted

    Hi. I have most of these symptoms too but mainly cramps in various areas of my stomach and chest. I've been having these symptoms on and off for many years and was diagnosed with IBS. and aggravated by anxiety. Because when I get the symptoms I worry and this causes more symptoms. Last year I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy and it was all clear. Then I was treated for helicobacter pylori and hoped that would sort out the symptoms. It didn't. Then gallstones were discovered and it was thought that was the problem so I had my gallbladder removed. But there's no difference in the symptoms. I still have them all!

    I think what I'm trying to get across is that if you've had all the tests and they find nothing they diagnose IBS and you're left to deal with it.

    I haven't found a solution but the symptoms are worse if I eat badly or have too much stress. and during a flare-up my stomach seems to be extra sensitive so I eat carefully during that time.

    If you find a solution please let me know. Although I think it's probably different for everyone.

  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee daniel02538

    Posted

    Hallo Daniel, Try looking at your diet.Is it balanced? plenty of fruit,veg etc and varied as well?. Regular unhurried meals?Do you drink much alcohol? If you are satisfied that your diet is ok and the balance is good and your alcohol intake is low,then consider doing an exclusion diet. ie exclude a type of food for 2 weeks and see how you feel. It takes determination but its worth it in the end.

    The usual culprits are high fat in your diet, high alcohol,gluten /wheat products, and dairy products and food with dairy in it.

    Try excluding one of these for 2 weeks and then if no better, re introduce that food and exclude another.

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