Splenic flexure pain
Posted , 88 users are following.
Hi all. I have been suffering with pain in upper left abdomen below the ribs for 7 months now. I've had loads of tests and nothing has come back showing anything. Had faecal calprotectin test done and that was normal so the docs have not done an endoscopy. Sometimes the pain ramps up to where I can constantly feel it and I can agrivate it with movement such as twisting or stretching Other times it just rumbles along and I hardly notice it but it's always there. Do any of you guys ever get this?
The best way that I can explain the location of the pain is like this. Make a fist with your left hand and place it half way down your left rib line just underneath. Where your little finger rests is where the pain is mostly. I does travel about a little bit but it's mostly there. This normal for ibs?
0 likes, 161 replies
kath08635 leigh74005
Posted
Just joining this conversation. I've had this pain for years. Started as twice a year then more frequently but now almost constant. Certain things worsen it, e.g. walking, coffee, alcohol and stress. The latter I have a lot. Eating makes it better. Had every test and my pancreas is a little inflamed. I'm a Coeliac, have diverticular disease and IBS so know digestive system isn't good. Just started on Kefir and am hoping this will help. It's the not knowing...
John-1 kath08635
Posted
What test showed the pancreas inflammation?
kath08635 John-1
Posted
An ultra sound scan. I keep worrying it's my pancreas.
John-1 kath08635
Posted
Have you had your TtG tested, DGP or had a follow-up biopsy for Celiac to make sure that is under control?
stephanie69058 kath08635
Posted
Hi,
I also have this pain and it is driving me mad with worry! I get repeated episodes of pain under and just below my left rib that feels like something catching. I also get nausea, wind, burping, constipation, mucus in stool and bowel changes ( colour, size). I also have problems with intermittent lack of energy, feeling clammy and body aches. Sometimes the pain moves a little lower but I get it for days at a time. Currently seeing a gastroenterologist. Had an gastroscopy this week which was clear apart from early GERD, MRI due next Friday and a Colonoscopy due before end of the month. Have also had extensive blood tests! Trying not to freak out as worried it is my pancreas, or something else awful. Reassuring to find out I am not the only person struggling with this!
stephanie69058
Posted
Also had an abdominal
ultrasound which was clear apparently!
kath08635 John-1
Posted
Hi John-1. saw a different GP last week and have had lots of blood test including one for coeliac. Not sure what TtG is? Results will be back next week...
John-1 kath08635
Posted
Ask for DGP & TtG (Tissue Transglutaminase) to be tested - both are Celiac blood tests that assess compliance with the gluten-free diet.
A follow-up biopsy for Celiac is also recommended.
kath08635 John-1
Posted
I think it's the latter that's been done. I was initially diagnosed by an endoscopy. strangely I can eat bread in France
John-1 kath08635
Posted
Any bread containing Wheat, Barley or Rye (or any derivitives or other names of any of those) is unsafe, and you should not be eating it as a Celiac.
For more information, check out the website Gluten Free Watchdog; search for "sourdough" to find related information.
kath08635 John-1
Posted
Only tried a small bit once otherwise I stick rigidly to the diet
nadia18273 leigh74005
Edited
This thread has been such an interesting read, I was diagnosed with IBS in August 2012 my normal symptoms are alternative constipation/loose movements which are well managed, and abdominal cramping which i take an anti spasmodic for. Since Feb this year I've been getting symptoms exactly as you're all describing, like a sharp pressure pain under the left rib/breast as though a balloon has been pumped underneath the ribcage and a sensation which i can only describe as being winded, that at times can lead me to feel short of breath and pain in my side and back. I also become incredibly bloated too. Some times the only relief is to apply pressure to the area and I can almost feel something clicking under the rib area. I've had blood tests, Ultrasound and a chest xray which all came back normal. Initially after the tests my pain went for about a week so when i returned to my GP I said i was feeling better, more fool me, two days later the pain returned and was very intense and has been for the past 5 days. My anxiety has been really raised due to this and recently I've been wondering if it could be Splenic Flexture Syndrome, I just want to know whats causing it, my mood is totally rubbish all the time because of it! Do you think I ought to ask my GP for a referral to a Gastroenterologist or for further scans, or should i accept its just my IBS? Thanks
daniel1885 leigh74005
Posted
I've been suffering from very similar symptoms for a few months now, and I still don't really have any answers. The most frustrating thing about it is that it's so difficult to explain to others. It's not really a pain, but more of a feeling of discomfort and that something isn't right. The feeling is situated just below my left ribs, occasionally moving round to my back. Sometimes I feel like I just want to reach in there and tear it out. I've had blood tests and an ultrasound scan, and apparently all is well. However, it's hard for me to move on, because I don't FEEL well. My imagination has been on overdrive for months, and frankly it's dominated my mind, causing me to feeling mentally wiped out, tired and constantly stressed.
I will say that it seems anxiety is an issue for some of us, and although it seems bizarre that the body can react physically in this way to feelings of anxiety, I think it is a massive factor. The stress and worry that's caused by stuff like this makes it worse and actually creates all sorts of new symptoms.
John-1 daniel1885
Posted
Yes, anxiety can play a big part. Do you notice the pain is related to eating at all or related to movement, or both?
Does it hurt any worse lying on your side?
nadia18273 daniel1885
Posted
100% anxiety plays a huge part. I can really relate to everything you are talking about, the discomfort coupled with not feeling well but unable to describe why and increased tiredness. I truly believe a huge amount of my discomfort was anxiety related, I've been having councelling to help manage my anxiety and since the pain has been lesser as well as my feeling of unwell. I really hope you are able to find some peace and acceptance that this is likely due to IBS and the scans would've shown if anything was wrong.
daniel1885 John-1
Posted
To begin with, lying on my side seemed to make things worse but that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment. The pain doesn't seem to be related to eating, in fact generally it seems to make things better - initially though, several months ago, I would often find myself feeling nauseous after eating. Sometimes it feels like a sore spot on my ribs themselves, other times like something deeper and more spread out. Movement doesn't usually make much difference, but occasionally it can trigger it.
daniel1885 nadia18273
Posted
Yeah, these past few months have been a wild ride in terms of anxiety. It's definitely caused extra symptoms, physical and mental, some of which have been really tough to deal with. I feel like when I first felt the pain, my mental state started to spiral downwards and I immediately thought the worst. It seems like slowly, I am starting to come out of this episode though, and although I don't have answers I'm beginning to accept how powerful the mind actually is in scenarios like this. The more I accept this, the more I'm convinced this mystery pain will start to disappear. Easier said than done though.
nadia18273 daniel1885
Posted
Daniel1885 I feel as though you’re writing my story, even on your other replies, the way you describe the pain and discomfort coupled with the anxiety is exactly my experience. The mind truly is powerful and during points where my anxiety was bad I was experiencing all sorts of physical symptoms and I was living in such fear, it all lasted about 10 weeks and I too decided I wasn’t going to let my mind rule my life and speaking about it has helped hugely, the pain had virtually gone and I am much more content in myself, not 100% but better. It’s good to know I’m not the only one going though this, but equally it’s rubbish that we are all experiencing this awful ride!