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IBS? Chronic abdominal pain but no constipation or diarrhoea

Posted , 15 users are following.

andrewparker
andrewparker

Hi all, hello to everyone, I've been reading the forum for a number of months now, but this is my first post.

I began to develop abdominal pain following a course of antibiotics presecribed for an overactive gland back in October last year. Since then my condition has worsened to the point where I exprience lower abdominal pain on a daily basis. Often the pain can be present all day and I can find no way to relieve it. The only other symptom I have is occasinal bloating, but no consitpation or diarrhoea (always been regular and that hasn't changed). My health in general is very good and I exercise regularly (swimming and running).

At first I was prescribed Mebeverine but I found it had very little effect. I have had numerous blood tests, a urine test, and also an ultrasound, all of which were clear.

Around 8 weeks ago I was referred to a specialist gastroenterologist and my appointment is in 3 weeks from now. 2 weeks ago I visited my GP again because I was experiencing an unusually degree of pain. She said she would expidite my appointment with the specialist, however this is something she has been unable to fulfil, in part due to bad communication between them and the gastroenterology department and also due to the fact the specialist only works two days a week.

At this point I haven't been diagnosed as having anything specific, and If I'm honest I kind of feel like I've been hung out to dry by my GP whose answer on most occasions has been to wait and see, which suggests they aren't taking it very seriously.

My question really is, is it possible to suffer from IBS but only experience abdominal pain and bloating?

3 likes, 46 replies

46 Replies

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  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 andrewparker

    Posted

    I have no heard from you on this post for a bit, just wondering how you are.

    Sarah

    • andrewparker
      andrewparker sarah87162

      Posted

      Hi Sarah, mostly good news I'm pleased to report!

      Around 3 weeks ago I started following the Low FODMAP diet, along with my usual supplements. I noticed a dramatic improvement after only a week to a point after 10 days or so when I started introducing High FODMAP foods back in, with no ill effect.

      I've just returned from an all-inclusive holiday in Turkey where I pretty much abused everything going, and none of the lower abdominal pain that defined my symptoms occurred, nor did I take any Buscopan or Slippery Elm.

      What all this means is another question. I was due to see a gastroenterologist tomorrow for an appointment that I booked in March, but I have just opened a letter saying it has been put back another 2 months, despite the fact my GP wrote to the department requesting that my appointment be expedited! Faith in the NHS? None existent I'm afraid.

      I do from time to time gets a very mild stitch type feeling under my rib cage, on the right side. Whether this is related in unknown (to me), but it's a question I'll be asking my GP, rather than waiting another 8 weeks.

  • andrewparker
    andrewparker

    Posted

    Hi all, after a really positive few weeks I've had a recurrence of the pain I have been experiencing since October last year. I managed to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist yesterday, the outcome of which I have rather mixed feelings about.

    I guess the most important aspect is that he said it was definitely not IBS, which I kind of suspected anyway. My symptoms are constrained to abdominal pain only, with no irregular bowel movements, bloating etc. As such he doesn't think this is a dietary thing, which if I'm honest has buoyed me massively.

    On the flip side he did say the chances of finding out what is wrong are very slim, which I accept. Triggers seem very hard to pinpoint; I've had periods where I've felt very stressed and it has been fine, and I've had periods when my diet has been less that ideal and it has been fine.

    He did express interest in the course of antibiotics I took last year - after all, that when all of this started, but did reiterate that actual finding the cure was pretty much none existent. I'm having a 3D colonoscopy in a few weeks, purely as precaution.

    So going forwards I'm going to treat this with a fresh mental outlook, take comfort in the fact it doesn't appear to be a serious problem (certainly compared to a lot of the other posts I've read on this forum), and no be beholden to a diet that depresses me.

    • sarah87162
      sarah87162 andrewparker

      Posted

      Glad to hear from you again.ddd

      Yes being beholden to a diet is pretty dAltohough I am now a lot better I still have to be careful what I eat.

      Having said that I have had a cheese scone a large piece of coffee cake and a strawberry cornetto today. No wonder I am struggling a bit with stomach pain now. Yes I can hear the I TOLD YOU SO ringing in my ears!!

      Take care and keep in touch

      Sarah

    • Starking
      Starking andrewparker

      Posted

      Any update, andrew? Sounds like a couple of us have exactly the same story and would love to know what became of your issue. Hope you're well. @andrewparker

    • andrewparker
      andrewparker Starking

      Posted

      Hi all. Well thankfully my symptoms disappeared around this time two years ago, and have never resurfaced. I remain convinced that I had some sort of bacterial infection in my gut, and that it was nothing to do with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I simply didn't have enough of the common symptoms associated with it, which is something I don't think the doctors investigated sufficiently. They were very quick to consign me to the "you've got IBS and there isn't much we can do for you" bin. Sounds harsh, but when you break down in front of your GP and beg them to help you expect them to look beyond the easy answer.

      Thankfully it is all becoming a distant memory, but I do still think back and wonder what caused such a grim and unpleasant period in my life.

    • PetePickle
      PetePickle andrewparker

      Posted

      Hi Andrew

      I'm so pleased to hear that you got better. Your (old) symptoms match mine and it has been nice to read a happy conclusion from someone who just didn't disappear without finishing the story.

      I have only had my lower abdomen pains for a week but they are upsetting me and as I have health anxiety, you can imagine the things I have been thinking! I blame mine on my PPI as I never had any issues before that and so many others say the same of PPIs.

      I am seeing my GP on Friday and hopefully he will offer a solution. Can you remember when your symptoms went away?...did you just wake up and realise they were gone or did you need more medical intervention to help?

      Any insight would be great and I apologise if it stirs emotions for you.

      Best wishes. Pete

    • andrewparker
      andrewparker PetePickle

      Posted

      Hi Pete, the catalyst seemed to be going on holiday. Amazing what a week lying in the sun can do! After that the pain reoccurred on a few occasions, but over the course of a few weeks disappeared completely. As I said above, I've experienced nothing similar in two years. There was certainly no medical intervention and the reality is that nothing the doctors suggested offered any relief anyway.

      One thing that I regret is not persuing the fact that the whole thing began towards the end of a course of antiobiotics I was taking for an unrelated matter.

  • john44169
    john44169 andrewparker

    Posted

    Any update Andrew

    I sound identical to you and I am desperate for some info

    • L52887
      L52887 john44169

      Posted

      How are you getting on John? i'm also in an identical situation and have been since last May. The pain is so intermittent - fine for 2 days, bad for 1, fine for 3, bad for 2, but I can't see ANYTHING is triggering it! 

    • john44169
      john44169 L52887

      Posted

      Mine is all day every day

      Nothing yet to help

    • mary03830
      mary03830 john44169

      Posted

      Hello john i am 68 yrs old and was told i had ibs yrs ago it did clear up for a while then came back i have pain and bloating every day all day the pain is mainly upper feels like i cant breath ine is getting worse feel as i dont want to be here have no life i have anxiety which doc blames it on but told him it is my symtoms that make me anxious i wake up every morning feel cant breath i get it if im stressed or not had colonoscopy abdominal scans nothing works only hot wate bottle for the pain at night it is now making me depressed i dont have gluton doc says got to live with it im sure it something else to get this every day so tired

      Thank you for reading this long. Post.

  • lee36510
    lee36510 andrewparker

    Posted

    Andrew did you get on top of this in the end? I have similar challenge gokngmon for a few years so was interested in you post and wondered how u were getting on
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