IBS pain worse than ever

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Looking for some guidance and reassurance here. Short background: had colonoscopy 11 years ago (at 29) and endoscopy 5 years ago for abdominal pain- nothing really found. Splenic flexure issues speculated with colonoscopy, as well as, light gastric inflammation with endoscopy. Eventually found issues with gallbladder and had it removed. Fast forward about six years later. Started having occasional LUQ pain with feeling of “something” protruding or out of place under my rib on the left side (but nothing there), as well as, upper back pain under my bra strap (like a bad muscle strain...but not). A couple times a year, I’d have episodes of this discomfort that would last less than a week. I didn’t notice bowel changes, but I’ve always had constipation issues throughout my life anyway so I’m not sure I would have put the two together. I was given an informal diagnosis of IBS at the time by my PCP. Over the last few years, the protrusion feeling under my left ribs has gotten worse, and I still have occasional pain episodes, but still nothing to feel on an exam. Had an abdominal CT 1 yr ago- completely normal. About a week ago, I started to have increased pain in the same areas on my left side, as well as, my left flank. The pain would change from a sharp pain to a burning feeling which would change location from front to back randomly throughout the day. I would also wake up with feelings of mild gastritis which sometimes subsides and sometimes doesn’t. Pain will also move from front to back with this, dependent on whether I’m laying on stomach or back. Pain seems to get a little better after eating, but only upper abdomen and it’s short lived. Accompanied symptoms: abdominal tenderness, belching, heartburn, difficulty getting in deep breath, gas pains, indigestion, and urinary frequency/ discomfort. After a couple of days of that, the lower left quadrant discomfort  started. The pain would radiate from the previously mentioned areas to the left lower quadrant just above my hip bone and then turn into intestinal cramps lower in the pelvis which would then result in either very loose stools or diarrhea. This will only happen 1-2 times a day. As a side note, I have noticed my BMs changing over the last 6 -8 months where they are loose most of the time and they are always the same Gold yellow color...regardless of what I eat. I just assumed it was my supplements and coffee I was taking (I have since stopped- wasn’t it). Anyway, long story short, pain was better yesterday (minimal- just abdominal tenderness), but then suddenly went back to pain today along with this feeling of a bruised rib on my left lower rib on my left flank. Slightly on the right, but more so on the left. Gastritis feeling has stayed with me today along with belching and gas. Going on 7 days now. Physician ordered a CT...waiting on insurance auth. Anyone had symptoms like this with IBS? Do attacks typically last this long? How long can they go?  I’m wondering if it started out as mild gastritis ...or possibly an ulcer and then flared IBS symptoms. At a loss...and so uncomfortable. 😣

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  • Posted

    Thank you Much.

    Can I ask if you had heartburn as well after eating? And after eating did you feel gurgling in your stomach even after a small intake of food, mostly rice is what I'm eating. BRAT diet is what I'm doing right now. GERD an issue at all when dealing with your bouts?I think I had a stomach virus that kicked off these systems, spoke to a few friends and they are having same issue with their stomachs. My anxiety is through the roof about this which I'm sure doesn't help. Going to Dr today, I'll post what he says later tonight. Thank you for your help.

    Rich

    • Posted

      Yes i had heartburn and gerd for a long time.. about a year or longer before i started having the gastritis symptoms. But otc antacids weren't helping enough. If you do have gastritis, unfortunately the only way to know is by getting an upper endoscopy done. I have to follow a bland diet and watch what i eat or i will have pain if i dont. Idk about the gurgling part but i did have twitching feeling in my actual stomach. Hope you find what is going on.

  • Posted

    i haven't been confirmed with IBS yet, but the symptoms are spot on. i was wondering if anyone here knows if there is a correlation with IBS and hypothyroidism? i recently had a flare up and increase in my thyroid meds and this started tye ibs symptoms

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