Hi. Can anyone help. Diagnosed Fibro 13 years ago but had problems for over 30 years. Always had bowel problems, ie. constipated and abdominal pain with periods, but had hysterectomy for endometriosis in 1989 and thought it was the end of my problems. how wrong I was, it was merely the start. I also have head, neck and shoulder issues and am hypothyroid. My abdominal pain over the last three years has been constant and horrendous. I cannot get past doc. IBS, Adhesions, constipation , but I am now convinced I have cancer. I have had blood tests and a fecal test and told OK so more or less dismissed. My stomach is distended I am piling on weight and my stress and anxiety is through the roof. I don't know what to do next. I have no support and am caring for My DH who has dementia, can hardly walk, COPD and a host of other problems. I seem to spend all my time tending to him and running the house when I literally feel so ill I am convinced I am dying Everything is such a nightmare from making his docs appts, hospital visits, etc. etc. What I really would like to know is whether anyone else on here diagnosed with fibromyalgia or IBS is suffering with constant right sided abdominal pain, grossly distended stomach, constipation and nausea. Thanks for listening.
IBS/Fibro: Hi. Can anyone help... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
IBS/Fibro
Bless you ShelWhitt .Firstly you shouldn’t be just left to deal with chronic constipation on your own, the doctor should be advising you..
If your stomach is distended to this extreme, you may have a blockage, and if laxatives are not helping, I take it you are trying laxatives?, then it should be investigated .
Ask your doctor to refer you to gastric specialist , and you can have a camera, endoscopy to see if anything is wrong, they give you a powerful laxative to empty your bowel 1st.
Constipation can make you feel very Ill, soI’m not surprised everything is running around in your head.
I wish you luck, it’s your right to ask for a referral.
Thanks for responding Blue 52. I do appreciate what you are saying. The problem is it is a longstanding problem, although the distended abdomen is relatively recent. I was admitted to A & E swith suspected appendicitis admitted it was 16 years ago, given antiobiotics and discharged. had a colonoscopy after that, also a cystocscopy. Also scan on liver and gall bladder. Doc seems convinced it is related to fibro, e.g. IBS or accepts it could be adhesions, plus te stress ad anxiety. Just wondered if anyone else on here has the same symptoms.
It might mean you need it investigated again, ie colonoscopy to put your mind at ease. Trust me to get it wrong, and say endoscopy.Ibs-c is related to fm.
Have you joined the ibs community on here.
I found it really helpful, lots of people with fm and ibs and very knowledgeable, they seem to have a lot more remedies and helpful tips .
Thanks again Blue52. I think you may be right but last time I was really ill with the laxatives beforehand, so am scared to go through it again. The actual procedure was fine. I am on the fibromyalgia site and Thyroid but was not aware of the IBS, it is something I should think about.
Hi I have fibromyalgia and ibs and suffer from chronic constipation. I take macrogol daily prescribed by GP which helps. I have a lot of nausea and often have a distended stomach and the pain can be severe. Over the weekend I had diahhrea and severe nausea so I started the FODMAP diet on Monday, obviously it’s only been a few days but I am already feeling some benefit from it. I also have a lot of neck and shoulder pain, chronic migraines and hypothyroidism.
Hi Sandra. Thank you for responding. It helps a lot when you know someone else can relate to what you are going through. I can also relate to the neck and shoulder pain, migraines and hypothyroidism. It seems to be a common theme with fibro. I had a hysterectomy when I was 47 for what turned out to be extensive endometriosis and I think my fibro troubles started then. I think there is a link but that is only my theory.I hope you find you diet helps and I am sure you will let us know how you go on. Take care.
I too have IBS and yes it comes with FM at the moment my IBS is Excess wind it is completely out of control very embarrassing especially when standing in shopping queues, my GP has given me some medication and told make a food diary I know milk is a no no for me but worse than milk is stress when I’m stressed I seem to spend more time on the toilet, Going from diarrhoea or constipation seems to control your every day life 😢
Thank you for replying Pauline. Sorry to hear you are also having a pretty rough time. I am sure diet has a lot to do with i, its being able to find what helps or not that is the problem. Plus like all diets, you need willpower. Hope all goes well.
Hello ShelWhit, I am sorry you suffer so. Besides what everyone has suggested, you might need your own time away from everything and focus on you - at least two hours a day. You must create it and do something for you whether it is swimming, stretching, Pilates, or even meditation. You sound so like me in terms of diagnoses. I also have a distended stomach because of IBS and fluid retention around the tummy. For me, after all the medical investigations and nothing was found, came the acceptance what my body has become and loving myself. This started with keeping an eye on when, what, why some pains come on or get worse, I try to understand this condition. It is not easy, I am coming out of my worst flareup and at one point i was blind with fear, this is it; I'm never gonna walk or do that again but I am coming out of it. Investigation, learning never ends with this condition.
Hi Kizit. thanks for replying. I know you are right and I am making an effort to find some 'me' time but it is not easy. Covid hasn't helped. Or social life, such as it was, has dried up. Things have closed down, I have lost friends , for various reasons; i.e. no contact; various serious hospitalisations and on going illnesses and even deaths; and I must admts a lack of feeling sociable on my part. It is difficult to ring up for a chat when you are feeling ill and depresse,d no one wants to hear that, and unfortunately I have had very little contact from them. So we are where we are, and now trying to get on a more positive footing . I doesn't help that neither of us are now driving and DH is barely mobile. He couldn't handle a scooter because of his dementia and I couldn't handle a wheelchair so we are limited to our very unreliable public transport or taxis,I keep saying 'things can only get better' so we'll see!
Hi ShelWhitt I have ibs also at moment feelimg so stressed my stomach is destended as well also i pass wind its so embarrasing but im on tablets to help with the wind. Its awful the way fibro and ibs is making us feel jist hope things get better for you soon.
Thank you Maggie. Sorry you are also suffering. Take care.
Have you had thyroid blood tests? Constipation, putting on weight and anxiety can be symptoms of hypothyroidism. Just an idea. Have you tried cutting out gluten too?
Karen
Hi. Thanks Klr. Yes Ive been hypothyroid over 30 years, on levothyroxine. That 's just another problem. I know some of the symptoms overlap but my thyroid has b een all over the place for the last two years. I think that is settled for now. fingers crossed. Just need to sort all the other problems out!!!
It doesn't sound like it if you still have symptoms. You need to check your actual results yourself, don't rely on doctor's 'normal'. Also, check B12, D, folate and ferritin as they aid absorption.
Karen
Had a blood test and B12, folate and ferritin were all OK according to doc. Asked about taking extra B12 and doc said no. So I am reluctant to go against doc. Prefer to have them on my side, but things are not easy.
I also have fibro and ibs (and a few other things) and I've been told my stomach doesn't look right as it's distended. But no one in health care listen.
Hi, I too have the same problem. Toilet rules my life. Had a colonoscopy last eweek and they found and removed several polyps and I.ve been diagnosed with Inverticular disease. Same problem with doctor waiting to see her to see if I can have an operation or at leastwhats the next step. Hope you get sorted
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