IBS

[Sunshine1001]

Hi guys,

I have IBS brought on by anxiety that has made it very difficult for the clinic to see my ovaries when doing scans. I wondered if anyone else has had this problem and what worked for them? I really don't want to have this issue for egg collection.

[Rockflower]

Hi, sorry you suffer with the awful IBS! I have this.... However I have since been diagnosed with endometriosis and at my latest surgery found out that my large colon was stuck to my pelvic wall with adhesions and I had an endometriosis nodule attaching my bowel to my uterus (this has now been removed).

So I'm left now thinking that actually a lot of my ibs symptoms were due to the fall out from the endometriosis and not IBS.

I'm wondering what the reason is behind the ovaries being hard to see because of your IBS? Did they explain why?

I didn't have problems with egg collection with my IBS, which is a few years back now and just days after they discovered an endometrial cyst on my ovary which led to my endometriosis diagnosis a few months later when I had surgery to drain the cyst. However my left ovary would have been not exactly where it should have been as the surgery revealed it was tethered in adhesion and stuck slightly behind my uterus! So I was lucky they found it no problems.

I wonder if taking buscopan or something to prevent bowel spasm during egg collection could help? And inflammitories.... Though I know you would have to check if you were able to take these with your clinic first. Maybe also alter your diet to more IBS friendly foods in the days before??

I also just wondered is you had heard of endo or ever had any investigations as it can be sometimes mis-diagnosed with IBS if it affecting the bowel... Just a thought as it common (1 in 10 women have endo) but it's hard to get diagnosed!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Sunshine1001. Oh dear! Make sure you are getting adequate treat for your IBS. Also check that you have some sedation prior to egg collection, just in case it is a little awkward. They will look after you I'm sure. Good luck! Diane

[Sunshine1001]

Thanks guys, I'll ask at my appointment about sedation and if I can take something to stop bowel spasms. They said at my last scan that I have the most active bowel they've seen and it's right I front of my ovaries.