IBS-M flare and Back Pain
Posted , 6 users are following.
So I posted last year when I was having issues, but can't seem to find my post now. Of course, its been a year, so I can't remember the symptoms I was having at the time either. I've been doing my best not to get anxious about my symptoms, and this always seems to help...so here I am!
I noticed about a week ago, my BMs went from loose to larger and slower to pass. I was still passing daily, but not as much as usual when i have loose stools. Then, this last Monday, I woke up with back pain that started in my lower back, but then progressed up my left flank and into my upper back by the middle of the day. My back almost feels "out", but I know its not...just had an adjustment. My back and flank muscles feel sore like the day after a major workout and they feel strained when I try to stretch them out. In the mean time, I've been trying to have a BM, but still don't feel totally empty. Feels better in my back for a bit after emptying some though...but comes right back after eating. Anyway, I keep second guessing myself whether this is IBS because despite the fact I've never really had back issues (at least not like this), this feels so close to what i would think a "back issue" would be like. But...then it comes and goes throughout the day depending on whether i have eaten or evacuated my bowels or whatever. Anyone else experience this? I really need to write these symptoms down so I'm not freakin' myself out each time this happens!
0 likes, 13 replies
pippa58442 charcey97
Posted
Back pain is very common with IBS, so do not worry! I have had back pain with my IBS and it tends to happen because the end part of the colon wraps around the lower back and the colon pain radiates to the back. Since the pain tends to come and depending on what you have eaten or evacuating your bowels, this could explain your pain. Try a food diary to see what foods trigger the pain or look at the fodmap diet. IBS symptoms can change over time. Everyone worries when new symptoms appear with their IBS.
Having back adjustments may also contribute to the pain. I tried having back chiropractic adjustments for my back injury and within hours I had severe pain and I had to stop the treatment after 4 appointments. The pain and the stress eventually led to my IBS. Maybe stop your back adjustments in case this is adding to the IBS back pain.
sabab172 pippa58442
Posted
I have had a flare up this week and yesterday had the very same back pain you are describing. It was predominantly in my left flank and then rises into the middle of my back below my shoulders. I have has a holistic massage this morning to try and alleviate it and its mildly better but still there. I have IBS-D and my symptoms seem to change all the time which then you start stressing its something more serious... which makes you anxious and the whole thing is a miserable merry go round. I have stopped getting the bloating but have stinging pain that moves around the front of my stomach. Pretty fed up with it all to be honest...
charcey97 sabab172
Posted
I sympathize. My absolute favorite is how my lower back is even worse then what I feel it should be because the bloating is making my front feel heavier or "off kilter" which strains my back even more. UGH! Thank you for sharing. It gives me relief to know its familiar territory.
charcey97 pippa58442
Posted
Thank you for replying. It helps to know I'm not alone.
pippa58442 sabab172
Posted
Try antispasmodics and painkillers for the pain. This helps to reduce the pain and once your pain subsides, so will your anxiety. With IBS D, rice or bananas help to bind you up more or Imodium and also avoid fruit.
sabab172 pippa58442
Posted
Thank you and I do take Buscopan/Senocalm and paracetamol .. some days they are effective and some days they sadly make no difference :0(
charcey97 pippa58442
Posted
Typically, how long does it take the low/mid back pain to subside after BMs start to normalize? I seem to be able to sleep ok at night without back pain, but the minute I stand up and start walking, it starts up again. I can feel the "agitation" in my digestive tract still, so i know everything isnt totally better. Just curious though...is it typical to have IBS back pain that subsides with rest?
pippa58442 charcey97
Posted
Rest can help with IBS pains for some people; it helped my brother with his IBS. Since rest helps you, then this is the way your body recovers and this is the best way for you to cope with your symptoms.
However, I have found there is nothing typical about IBS because everyone is different. There is no exact time for IBS pain to subside either because everyone has their own recovery time. Try antispasmodics and painkillers for your pain until your flare up completely clears up. Don't concentrate too much on how long it should take for your symptoms to clear up because this in itself can cause further agitation .
For me, Buscopan clears up my pain within 15 minutes. IBS is a very individual thing. My IBS was very different from my brother's case so I couldn't compare my symptoms with him. For me, I am hyper energetic and can keep going even during a flare up. I don't feel the sensation of needing to rest because I am autistic. As long as I take my medication in time, my IBS will subside.
pippa58442 sabab172
Posted
This is not unusual for IBS medication to be effective one day but not the other. Paracetemol is not particularly strong and I don't really find it effective. I find anti inflammatories work better
sam18386 charcey97
Posted
hi charcey have you tried acupuncture or chiropractic for the pain?
pippa58442 sam18386
Posted
Chiropractic treatment can be very harsh and can lead to severe pain. I tried it for my back injury and it made it far worse and I stopped it after four sessions. Deep tissue massage was also tried to relieve my chiropractic pain and once again I felt much worse. The side effects lasted nine months and the strain led to my IBS. That being said, I am very thin and bony and perhaps this sort of treatment is best suited to people with a heavier, more muscular build instead.Also, my immune system went into overdrive because it thought my body was under attack.It really depends on your metabolism. Mine is very sensitive because of my autism.
sam18386 pippa58442
Posted
Hi Pippa, i suggested this as my sister has tried it for a bad back and it really helped her lots. Different people react in different ways, i can't take certain IBS medicine but some people can it depends how much pressure you can take. I'm trying to offer an alternative and not tablets they think they're sweets at doctors! I hate any of the medication i have and would rather take none.
pippa58442 sam18386
Posted
I know some people may benefit from chiropractic treatment and everyone is different but I thought it wise to warn people about how bad the side effects can be because I was not warned at all and was led to believe by the chiropractor that the side effects were mild which was not the case. I felt that he was not being straight with me so I had to get my money back and make a complaint. This has led me to be very suspicious of these treatments and I wonder how natural they really are when they can cause such trauma to the body.
For me, painkillers or heat treatment are the best options but as you say we are all different and it is trial and error to see what works for you.