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Lower abdominal pain, not sure if ibs!!

Posted , 4 users are following.

kathryn14071
kathryn14071

Basically... I was on 2 courses of antibiotics (amoxicillin) and whilst on them I had bad diarrhoea (sorry tmi) and towards the end of the course I had just plain pasta and cheese and within about half an hour of eating it I was crippled over in pain, I had never felt pain like it! After roughly an hour it had passed and I didn’t have any problems again. Until about 2 weeks ago I had pasta again and the same thing happened, although I used to always eat pasta (a few times a week) with no problems! Since then I keep getting lower abdominal cramps and currently my pelvis area is very tender and achey and I struggle going to the toilet sometimes! Could this all be caused by the antibiotics? Sorry for the long question!

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • kathryn14071
    kathryn14071

    Posted

    Also I am 24 years old by the way and it was my first ever time having antibiotics as I’m not a fan of taking medication and now I know why!!
  • kirsty47495
    kirsty47495 kathryn14071

    Posted

    Your best speaking to your GP or maybe seeking advice from a pharmacist. I do know amoxicillin can give you diarrhoea just like any antibiotics can. I think if it was IBS you'd suffer more (don't quote me on that though as everyones symptoms are different). However don't completely rule it out. Keep a food diary and monitor what your eating and whether or not it upsets your stomach. 

    I've suffered for 2 years every single day but only got diagnosed with type A IBS 3 days ago. Mine did start with the odd meal upsetting my stomach. I was tested for more serious conditions and everything came back clear and I was constantly being told I was healthy but I was still wanting to throw up every item of food i put into my mouth, my stomach kept feeling like it was tightening up all the time, I was beginning to feel exhausted, I was constipated then i would have diarrhoea, bloating all the time, i had the worse abdominal pains every day.. basically the list goes on. Like I said everyone's symptoms appear differently. I would definitely keep a diary and speak to your pharmacist for advice. If your still not convinced speak to your GP. 

    • kathryn14071
      kathryn14071 kirsty47495

      Posted

      I did go to my gp with suspected ibs over a year ago because I kept getting constipated but I never went back for tests as the symptoms went (stupid I know) before the antibiotics I didn’t have any problems, I could eat anything, regular bowel movements etc. But since I had them I’ve had nothing but cramps, aches, constipation and the pain I have now worsens when I go to the toilet as in “pushing”, when I push my pelvic area hurts a lot and sometimes the pain goes up my sides, mainly my right side but I’ve had no bloating or anything so I just don’t know! I have health anxiety so I’m terrified of eating incase something makes it worse so I’ve literlly been living off snacks for the past few days! I will get an appointment with my gp but my doctors isn’t the best and the waiting list is 6 weeks! But thanks for your advice kirsty smile 
    • kirsty47495
      kirsty47495 kathryn14071

      Posted

      6 weeks is a long time to wait! :o If your doctor offers you an ultrasound or CT scan I would definitely take that and get them to have a good look inside. The annoying thing about IBS is the symptoms are so similar to more serious medical conditions. I was constantly being palmed off with a kidney infection and suspected appendicitis but further tests showed I had neither but I was still being given antibiotics to treat an infection I didn't have rolleyes 

      If the cramps are bothering you a lot and you don't want to try medication to ease the pain, try rubbing some lavender oil where the pain is. It weirdly works for me. It was something my doctor suggested. Applying heat to the area helps as well. I know it's not the best advice but if you don't want to add more drugs to your system, fearing it will upset your stomach even more it's worth giving that a go.

      When you make your appointment with the doctor explain to the receptionist the problem you have and they might be able to get you in sooner. That usually works with my GP.  

      I hope you get sorted! And fingers crossed it isn't something serious. smile 

       

    • kathryn14071
      kathryn14071 kirsty47495

      Posted

      Thank you smile I am trying to tell myself it’s nothing serious as I’ve been freaking out about it every day!! 
    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 kirsty47495

      Posted

      I have IBS and my symptoms are very mild most of the time.  Some people suffer more than others.
  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 kathryn14071

    Posted

    Sounds like IBS.  It may also be possible that the antibiotics disturbed your gut flora. Try probiotic foods such as yoghurts or soudough to rebalance it  Cut out pasta and try a food diary to see what other foods upset you. 

    However, see your doctor for a firm diagnosis.

    • kathryn14071
      kathryn14071 pippa58442

      Posted

      Thank you for the advice smile I have thought that it could be due to bacteria in my gut but it just confused me because  had the antibiotics at the end of October and I was fine up until about 2 weeks ago so I was thinking if it was due to gut flora I would have suffered sooner? It’s just so worrying when you see things online about serious medical problems and stuff!
    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 kathryn14071

      Posted

      You could ask your doctor to test for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) which can be done via a breath test.  However, your doctor may want to run other tests as well such as an ultrasound, celiac test and stool tests for h pylori and fecal calprotectin.  I had these tests along with a urine sample taken and everything was negative.

      I wouldn’t google your symptoms because it will make you more anxious?

       

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 kathryn14071

      Posted

      I sent you a private message because I couldn’t post some of my comment.

      My doctors did an ultrasound, celiac, urine and stool tests which were all negative so I was diagnosed with IBS.  Ask your doctor for these tests to rule out other conditions first.  Don’t google your symptoms because it will make your anxiety worse.

       

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