I'm wondering whether anyone has suffered with the same problem as me? I have abdominal pain and constipation.

[Millierose6]

I have been to the docs four times in six weeks - once to clinic at hospital. They keep pressing in my abdomen and telling me to take ibs medicine which is doing nothing. They have put me on laxido - I an pooing if I take it but the stools are very narrow or come out in loose plops. I haven't done a normal poo since all this began. I am taking pain killers which take the edge of the abdominal pain but don't take it fully away. I alternate between pain in my back passage and on the right side of my abdomen. Some days I feel relatively ok and then it hits me again. Usually worsens in the evening and then wakes me up early hours of morning. I begged doctor to look at my bowel as we have history of bowel cancer - my mums brother died arpund my age of it (44). They have agreed to a flexible sigmoidoscopy which I have on Tuesday. I am terrified they are going to find a tumour. I have three children who need me. I'm also worried that it's bit a full colonoscopy as they might miss something. I can't believe I've seen four different docs and not one of them had sent me for a scan. I have had three c-sections and have a lot of scar tissue - after last one the surgeon warned me it was so bad I shouldn't have any more. I also have had ovarian cysts in the past. Only thing that seems to ease the abdominal pain is a hot water bottle. I feel like I'm going out of my mind with worry. My husband works abroad and I feel so alone. Any advice you can give me much appreciated.

[shelly144]

Hi there, I understand how you are feeling I also have stabbing pains in my right hand side and lower back pains. Was shown during my lap that I have a bad gassy bowl, gp put me on ibs medicine but nothing easing the pain it's actually getting worse. Have been given a syrup to loose poo which has but still to relief. I don't know what is causing all my problems in my lower abdomen which I thought after my surgery which is 5 weeks ago I should be feeling less pain I'm sorry to hear your suffering an doc not taking you serious, all you can do is keep attending them or change doc until they start realising that u need immidate attention. Wish you all the best an hope your feeling better soon x

[Millierose6 in reply to shelly144]

Thank you - I hope you feel better soon too. It's so frustrating to be given a new prescription without anyone doing any scans etc and then to realise the medicine makes no difference and your pain continues. I'm dragging myself through each day pretending I'm fine for my children when all I can think about is pain and worrying what it is!

[shelly144]

Aww ... it's not easy to try an put on a brave face when you are in so much pain. Wouldn't easy for you too when you have children to tend too. Have you ever had the camera inserted through your belly button to see actually what is going on? From my past its the only way to actually see what is going on inside you! Really hope you get sorted soon and suffering less pain x

[sk291]

Hi Millierose6, sorry you are having such a bad time. A lot of painkillers can cause constipation which won't be helping. Also do you drink plenty of fluids? I take Bisacodyl 5mg tablets, usually two, if I haven't been for a couple of days. I buy them at the supermarket. I got fed up talking to the Drs about it! Wondered if you have come across the TENS machine for pain, sometimes it let me reduce the amount of tablets I was taking. Hope your upcoming tests will all be ok and look after yourself! Kate x

[daffodil]

So sorry to hear of your suffering -many of us will understand what it is like, but to have 3 kids to care for is even harder .Do you have any family or friends who could help you out?

It is good that your GP has agreed to sigmoidoscopy and I do hope they tell you results asap but it may be endo on bowel or adhesions which are constricting the bowel somewhere .Narrowing of the bowel can happen with advanced endo and your 3 CS will have left lots scar tissue also. Can you identify any pattern to your pain - does it ease any times? Do you bleed or have mucous from back passage when on period or all the time? Could also be inflammatory bowel disease? Why oh why do doctors blame everything on IBS! I was diagnosed for years with IBS, when it turned out to be gluten intolerance -as soon as I cut out gluten my IBS disappeared.

I am having very similar bowel problems and awaiting appointment with gynae and also a general surgeon. In Dec I ,had a partial bowel blockage, so I now take a laxative powder 2x daily and this is very effective. gp says to drink plenty and make sure I go once a day! I am finding that if bowel is empty I feel less pain. Also if you are taking codeine based painkillers -codeine, dihydrocodeine, tramadol,they are notorious for bunging you up.I never suffer constipation unless my endo pains are in a flare, like now and I have to take loads of pills. My GP thinks the endo may have gone into my bowel, so I am very apprehensive about what is ahead and wishing my "emergency " appointment would hurry up and come in.

Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more. Hang in there and know that lots of lovely ladies here can empathise. Sending you a hug and hope your investigation goes well. xx