Pain upper left side?? Digestive issues.

[Kimple123]

Hi

My mum has had IBS for years and has always had to watch what she eats. About a year ago she started having pain in upper left side but was dull and intermittent. Then about 4 months ago it became more severe. Full pulling sensation all the time and pain on and off. Particularly at night but more recently almost all of the time. More severe when eating. She has been eating very little since before Christmas but has very little weight loss!!! She feels nausea a lot and is lethargic most days and the pain is still there! She. Her urine was clear and bloods ok. She was convinced was a blockage in colon. She had a colonoscopy a few weeks ago and awaiting results. Apparently nothing obvious on inspection. Biopsy taken to rule out microscopic colitis. She hasn’t had any blood or fatty poos! But bowel habits are always up and down. Mostly constipated! Takes laxatives to ease things!

Worried sick!!! Can you help? Anyone had similar symptoms?

[willow24 Administrator]

It doesnt sound like IBD more like severe colic - which can be very painful. usual symptoms (not always all) of IBD flare up are pain, diarrhoea mostly with mucus/blood, weight loss - due to diarrhoea not always due to poor appetite, electrolyte imbalance in bloods due to diarrhoea, raised inflammatory blood markers, extreme fatigue.

constipation in IBD is normally due to strictures caused by scar tissue and thickening of bowel wall following years of flare ups.

Has she done a faecal calprotectin test to measure the amount of inflammation in the bowel?

You also say she is on regular laxatives - is she on any anti-spasmodic medication such as mebeverine (ie, colafac) or hyoscine (ie, buscapan) ?