dull ache in lower left abdomen /fatigue/nausea

I have that same pain in lower left abdomen. It mainly bothers me ( a lot ) when I go to bed. Lying down, I guess. I've seen so  many quacks that I'm about done. I don't eat well, never have, but I had to avoid all kinds of foods. I end up eating a small bowl of  cereal then a small lunch, bland and tasteless, then I just drink green tea. I don't drink or smoke, cigarettes. This all came out of left field for me and I've tried to chalk it up as ibs but I don't know what is wrong.

I have other side effects, that I won't enumerate here, but I'm sad to say I'm glad that I saw your post. Now, I know I'm not alone.

Maybe a magic solution will come along for us both. 

It does sound like IBS. especially if you feel better after a bowel movement.  Change of bowel habit, stomach pain that moves about, bloating and food intolerance are all symptoms.  However, I would see a different doctor and ask for further testing to rule out other causes.  If everything else comes back negative, IBS can be diagnosed.  It is a diagnosis of exclusion because IBS is functional and doesn’t show on scans.  It is important to get a firm diagnosis.  

I have had thrush twice in the space of a few months.  The first time it was due to antibiotics and the second time was due to stress. Your doctor will take a swab if unsure if it is candida or bacterial vaginosis. The two can be confused.  They thought I had BV but a swab said it was thrush.  The second time I recognised my symptoms.  I was given an oral tablet and cream for the irritation.

Have you talked to the doctors about pancreatitis , have they tested your lipase level . I now have chronic pancreatitis and a lot of the symptoms are the same . Worth having it checked .

Hi Hermit:

 I have been through the mill when it comes to abdominal issues. I truly empathize with your situation! When it is your left side as you mentioned your sigmoid colon, you are probably on the right track. It is amazing how we instinctively know our bodies as WE live in them, however, sometimes you need to ACT very hard and be your own ADVOCATE, as doctors see so many patients you become just a number in the game to many of them. I would do a bit of research on Diverticulitis. The symptoms you describe sound like when you eat any fibrous food it is probably getting into the pouches that Diverticulosis(which is a chronic condition where your bowel develops small pockets that are a bit like little hollow balloons that pooch out la bit like a tire blows out and has a bubble in the side.) Many times people with chronic constipation or people who have pushed a bit hard to produce stool cause internal pressure and a "blow out" of the colon wall. This little blow out pocket then collects fecal material and becomes inflamed causing Diverticulitis(anything with a suffix itis means inflammation). This inflammatory pocket can become infected and become an abscess and medical emergency I had 2 abscesses form within the transverse and descending colon. Only one was visualized on a CT scan. When  your body is in pain sometimes you have to fight for your life. Become your own ADVOCATE. ARM yourself with knowledge, and PLEASE do as much research as you possibly can. Take someone with you, as medical personnel tend to treat people better when someone is with them.(this should not be the case, however, it is a true fact in the culture we currently live in). It also sounds like you probably do have candida overgrowth. Anything with sugar will feed the yeast and antibiotics do tend to make things worse. Anytime you take an antibiotic follow up with a BROAD spectrum probiotic(a probiotic with as many different strains of GOOD bacteria as possible)Do not just get a probiotic with one or two strains like bifidus and lactobacillus. Believe me, I know pain. I have had 17 abdominal surgeries and have endured several bowel obstructions. I am an ex-BSN, Nurse Manager. It is very difficult to be on the receiving end of care. I try to help as many as I can, as I actually got to the point of being considered for hospice care in the U.S. for a frozen abdomen. I had to go to Germany for special standard of care surgery that did not include CO2 for a pneumoperitoneum(where the surgeon blows up your stomach for easier access to your abdominal cavity. As well as other differences I will not get into right here. There are so many people currently suffering from abdominal issues and so many physicians and medical care personnel do not take them seriously. I truly apologize to you for the simple fact that I believe people should be educated about what is happening inside their body. I am currently writing a book to try to help those hundreds of thousands looking for an explanation and not getting what they need. There are a number of people also suffering from adhesion disorders following surgery. The adhesions are not visible on any type of scan(CT MRI CAT SCAN or x-ray). These patients become very frustrated and think they are "crazy" as "nothing shows up on the scans. Listen to your body, it is telling you. Stay mentally as positive as you can as YOU are special, but when in the medical system you can be made to feel isolated and minimal and unworthy. You ARE WORTHY!!!! Good luck and KEEP FIGHTING to find the TRUTH of what is making you ill. The path is not always EASY, believe me after over 2 years of being bed bound and several trips to Germany, as well as my home burning to the ground and losing everything along with my 30 year old son passing on Valentines day.Then getting a smaller new vehicle following my auto being lost by the house fire(and way undercovered by any insurance) I have been challenged. I feel that I have gone through so much, however, I feel it has made me have the ability to understand what others are truly going through and how extremely difficult it is to deal with not feeling well and having the people who are supposed to be diagnosing and finding your problem, not understanding, as they are HEALTHY and have not experienced ANY of the problems you are currently going through. PLEASE REMEMBER YOU HAVE SUPPORT THROUGH THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN IN YOUR SHOES! IT IS  WORK ON YOUR PART! Suffering IS NOT FUN!!!! You are in my prayers Hermit! I know that it is difficult to feel acceptance in your life and this just adds to the isolation. ONE DAY AT A TIME, SOMETIMES ONE MOMENT AT A TIME!!!! It is lonely, and they do not understand. Stand Strong and insist on them listening to the knowledge you gain concerning your health.

Sincerely, 

Renee(Hope this helps, in some small way)I am trying to become an ADVOCATE for those suffering and not represented!!!