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Wondering if it might be IBS

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virginiq12336
virginiq12336

It's a month now, it all started with stomach cramps on the right bottom of my abdomen/pelvic area and constipation. Then the costipation have been coming and going every 3/4 days together with the cramps, sometimes sharp fast pain just under the belly area on right side (stabbing). Sometimes I also had the sharp pain (like stabbing) when trying to have a bowel movement. The gp had me do blood test, celiac disease test, pelvic ultrasounds, lower abdomen ultrasounds and x-rays but it was all ok. She said it had to be IBS but 3 days ago I was so sick ( I felt nauseous, pressure builting on lower right abdomen, sharp pains and a stinging feeling near the navel) so I went to emergency, they did blood test and a pelvic exam...all clear no problems found. Now, in the last week I also had pain in the lower back, kinda like back pain but more mild and yesterday, I was nauseous for about 2-3 hours and then the pain shifted to the left side of the lower abdomen and it have been there since then. I wonder if instead of IBS it could be a parcial occlusion that have been slowly moving in my intestin. Please let me know what you think about it.

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • Missjosefina
    Missjosefina virginiq12336

    Posted

    I hear you, Virginiq. IBS doesn't sound as big as what this pain, discomfort, embarrassment of our symptoms. It's like when someone tells me they suffer with migraines, I can't comprehend it being such a problem because we hear that phrase a lot.

    But here's the thing... IBS is a pretty big deal and, unless we take action to put a treatment option in place, and do that treatment 100%, IBS can be a real pain in the a$$ (excuse the pun).

    For example, I see a lot of people on these forums talking about FODMAP and being disappointed with the results. They then explain that the do 'the fodmap diet' but still eat baked goods/dairy/onions/fruit etc. I have to admit too that I once would do fodmap in the week but treat myself at weekends. As if my digestive system also took time off on Saturdays and Sundays????

    When our doctors tell us "well, that test came back clear, it must be IBS " let's stop and actually consider how we can manage this illness.

    I used to think they're only saying that because they haven't found the problem yet, so they need to keep testing. Last week, I was booked in for my colonoscopy... The last test the specialist was going to do for me. And I was so determined that they need to find something here because it can't just be IBS. Then an old friend came in to clinic. She explained that she actually has crohns disease and showed me her handbag stuffed with adult diapers. She was in clinic today to have more of her bowel lining scraped away; a regular visit she'd been making even though that day was her 40th birthday!!!

    Wow!!!! At that very moment, I prayed that all my results would come back clear and I only had IBS. You see, once we accept IBS as it is, we can change our lifestyle, we can follow the treatment plans we're given and life can continue relatively normally. We stop stressing that it must be something else and put our gut through even more trauma by being so anxious.

    So my point is, why not find out how you might be able to manage your symptoms if it's IBS? Why not have a go at the treatment plans given...and give it 100%. We're lucky, because if it is 'just IBS' we can take control and get our lives back. I don't ever want to have to have a specialist scrape parts of my bowel away on my birthday because that's how life now is 😖 xxx

  • james13344
    james13344 virginiq12336

    Posted

    I have crohn's but never got the constipation. At first your symptoms sounded like apendix but I think the blood test would have shown high white blood cell count. I am not doctor so don't go by what I say. The back pain on the right side in the back sounds like gall bladder which I am getting now. Interestingly enough, I have had IBS for years and Missjosefina says is true. If it is IBS it can be controlled by what you eat. With all my problems, I am able to control it a bit by watching my diet very carefully. I find that taking dairy, oils, and anything spicy out of my diet, the diarreha is reduced. I also found that by reducing meats and going more vegetarian, that things improve as well. Hope this helps by everyone is different. Try a very basic diet and slowly introduce things. I started with Oatmeal, then included cream of rice, drink more water. Read up on the subject by getting books from the library. Hope this helps. Keep after the doctors to perform more tests.
    • james13344
      james13344

      Posted

      Oh, and avoid things like tomatoe sause or orange juice that are toward the acid side. They can really make you miserable.
  • virginiq12336
    virginiq12336

    Posted

    Did you ever had blood in the stool?
    • Missjosefina
      Missjosefina

      Posted

      The docs have done lots of different tests:

      Blood tests

      Stool sample tests

      Urine tests

      Ultrasounds

      Endoscopy

      Allergy tests

      Colonoscopy

      For the last three tests, the specialists asked me about my symptoms. As soon as I said my trips to the loo were under control now I'm following FODMAP so strictly, they all said "ah, so it must be IBS".

      I watched the colonoscopy... The pain was pretty horrific so I needed to take my mind off it...and was very happy to see my colon looking very healthy with only a couple of diverticula formed.

      As I say, the realisation that life can be so much more difficult made me look at my IBS diagnosis in a new light. I now want to cherish my healthy colon and take good care that it stays healthy xxx

    • virginiq12336
      virginiq12336 Missjosefina

      Posted

      I haven't done Endoscopy and Colonoscopy yet, I have to wait for referral, and it can take a while, what to do in the mean while?
    • Missjosefina
      Missjosefina virginiq12336

      Posted

      What to do in the meantime... Do the treatment options for IBS. Do them 100% so that when you do get referred, you can tell the specialists what did and what didn't work for you.

      I'm doing FODMAP 100% now. Although I miss all those delicious foods that are high FODMAP and so no longer on my menu...I've realised a chilli can cost me 8 days on the loo; fruit takes 3 days to get out the bathroom and garlic bread....wow, garlic bread is DEFINITELY not worth the problems afterwards!!! Xxx

    • Missjosefina
      Missjosefina

      Posted

      FODMAP works for me, but it doesn't necessarily work for everyone. That's why it's important to try all the different treatment options for IBS. Try them all and do it 100% so you can definitely find what will work for you.

      IBS can be controlled and we are the ones who must take control of our own bodies. I really hope you 'only have IBS' too xxx

    • virginiq12336
      virginiq12336 Missjosefina

      Posted

      I hope I have nothing honestly. My intestin have always been fantastic and it makes no sense to create problems all together out of nowhere. Anyway, any solution for constipation? It's pretty bad atm.

       

    • Missjosefina
      Missjosefina virginiq12336

      Posted

      Do you have the constipation after diarrhoea or constipation alone?

      I must admit, my symptoms have almost always been d then c, so I'm not sure how to treat c alone.

      Don't worry, these forums are brilliant. So if someone doesn't respond to you here, you'll be able to find advice for constipation on other forums.

      Good luck Virginiq, let's hope all your tests come back clear too xxx

    • Missjosefina
      Missjosefina

      Posted

      There's a constipation leaflet available on this site, I found it by searching in the Cs.

      One thing it did say was that painkillers have a constipative effect and so do antidepressants and iron tablets. If you have been prescribed any of these due to the pains you've been experiencing, speak to your Gp about prescribing an option that doesn't have that as a side effect xxx

    • virginiq12336
      virginiq12336 Missjosefina

      Posted

      Constipation only and stool is dark or normal color so I don't think is the gallbladder... 
    • virginiq12336
      virginiq12336

      Posted

      Maybe something is stuck in the intestin and it's slowing the food passage creating all this constipation...the pain moved from right to lower left today and I felt slightly better...
    • Missjosefina
      Missjosefina virginiq12336

      Posted

      Have you tried digestive system massage? There are videos on YouTube showing you how to do it. If you do have a matter that needs to move through the system, then this can help.

      Also, make sure your fluid intake is high...about 2litres a day. Water helps flush the system, so to speak, but also helps make it softer so that it can move through more easily.

      I have used laxatives since being on fodmap because it's very difficult to get fibre from low FODMAP foods. But I wouldn't like to suggest laxatives to anyone else unless your doc has also suggested it. I take one senna tablet a night to help things move 'normally' xxx

    • Shelly54
      Shelly54 Missjosefina

      Posted

      Sounds like IBS C to me thats what I have and my pain moves around in my stomach too left side and then right side and in the navel area somtimes lower back also and somtimes up higher in my back I just take stool softners not lax I have just started low food map but as a Diabetic find it very hard to figure out good luck to you IBC can be very hard and drives you crazy but I am new to this hope we both figure it out
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