Stomach Problems

They have done a gastroscopy to examine my stomach each time the colonoscopy was done. I wouldn't really describe it as pain per-say, more like extreme discomfort to the point where I need to move/shift position. If I am moving around I feel fine, when I sit or lay down the discomforts begins immediately. My concerns with the prep are mostly the inconvience of it without seeing results. I have to drink a substantial amount of this liquid that purges my bowels in order to clear them of any discolouration so they can see clearly during the colonoscopy.

Also, my bowel movements have always been regular.

Do you cook from fresh or do you eat processed food? If you do eat processed meals, switch to home prepared foods.Ready meals contain chemicals that can upset the gut. Eat little but often and don't eat late at night.

We try to eat very healthy in our house. Organic fruits and vegetables and fresh meat (we are rural folk so get most of our meat from local farmers.) I usually don't eat at all before bed.

You said in your post that your stomach was hurting and were having to twitch your foot to avoid the pain. This would suggest that the discomfort you are experiencing is pain. Try painkillers again or an anti spasmodic like Buscopan which is designed for IBS. Since you haven't tried an antispasmodic, this might be your next option. Ask your doctor about this. Do you experience bouts of constipation? With IBS, you can get constipation or diarrhoea only or a mixture of both.

Sometimes certain vegetables can cause gas such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Even if they are organic, they can still be hard to digest for some people. Have you tried avoiding these foods?

I never get constipated or have diarrhoea. I'm not big on painkillers, I would much rather get to the source of the pain rather than put chemical into my body. That being said, I have never tried a antispasmodic. I also get a feeling of discomfort/pain in my legs when I lay down and have to constantly move them or twitch my feet to get to sleep sometimes, I wonder if a antispasmodic would help that?

I considered this quite a bit since my favourite vegetable dish is broccoli smothered in melted cheese. I did my own little "study" by staying away from it for a couple of weeks, then eating it more often than I usually do for a couple of weeks. I actually felt slightly better while eating it. Not much better, but I ruled out the correlation. I do backpacking trips every year and the food I eat while on the trail is processed, dehydrated food that I rehydrate at meal times, usually not very healthy at all because I just want calories in those situations. I feel very little discomfort, if any, while backpacking. I chalk it up to the fact that I am walking 10+ miles per day usually gaining elevation so I am usually exhausted by the time I set up camp for the night.

Sometimes getting to the source of pain does require a painkiller especially if the pain is bad. If I have a bad flare up of IBS or my bad back, nothing but a painkiller will do . An antispasmodic tends to be for abdominal spasms but you could check with your doctor if they would work for your type of pain.

Sometimes you don't get food problems with IBS and some don't get bowel habit change but experience other symptoms instead. Stress causes my IBS to flare up but food doesn't.

I saw multiple doctors before getting a referal to the specialist. I spent 6 months on a waiting list to see the specialist. I have tried getting a referal to a different specialist and have been turned down because I am already the patient of this specialist.

Try a hospital emergency room. They can't turn you down for any reason.

I'm not sure how this would help. I can drive to the city and wait hours in the ER but for what? The specialist has access to all medical equipment the ER does, and then some.