Can someone please help me with my current problems.....

[charliechalk]

I am 28 and have sturggled over the last 10 years with spradic abdominal pain. It first started with a dull pain in my stomach (quite high at the bottom of my ribs). I ignored it for about 3-4 years as it would only happen a few times a year.

Then in 2008 (whilst living in Australia) I had an attack but this time it was different, the pain would go through into my back and kept me off work for a few days.

I had numerous tests (CT, ultrasounds) and i was told I had pancreatitus, but only very very mild.

Once i returned to the UK (2009) I had another attack and went to the doctor and told them I had been diagnosed with pancreatitus in Oz. They told me that wasnt correct, I was too young, levels not high enough blah blah. This then started 5 years of ongoing tests and lots of pain and lots of sick days. I have had MRIs, CTs, ultrasounds, xrays, 2 endoscopys etc. In the end I felt like they gave up as every test would come back negative. I felt like they didnt believe me and werent taking my level of pain seriously. In 2012 i was diagnosed with IBS and told to take a probiotic yoghurt a day!!! That was it.That was their management plan.

So about 6 months ago I had another bout of pain and went to a new doctor. Long story short I am so constipated that I am full, I am full to the brim of poo!! I ahve had numerous xrays (one found calcium deposits on the lining of my gall bladder, nothing to worry about apparently) and I have been taking numerous laxatives for the last few months and it isnt helpng.

Last friday I collapsed with my usual pain, which had spread up my back and into my shoulders (ive never had it spread that far before) and I ended up in hospital. They decided to ignore the pain and focus on my constipation, which is not why I went in, but obviously I told them about it. I ended up having a glycerin enema and also another 2 smaller ones. I think this has helped boost my (hopeful) final emptying of my bowels but the pain lasted for a few days and is still there, very faintly, in the background. It always seems to linger for a few days after initial severe pain. I always also get a really bad headache sometimes a migraine when I have an attack of this pain.

Other symptoms I suffer ongoing with are: headaches, migraines, always tired, never feel refreshed after a full nights sleep, no motivation, lack of sex drive, memory loss, night sweats, over sweating when going from one environment to another, feel low a lot of the time, I have gained a lot of weight around my waist which I cant seem to get rid of......... I can't think of anything else right now, lol....

My question is... can anyone suggest any other issues that I could be facing other than solely IBS, has anyone been in a similiar situation and can suggest anything....?

thank you in advance for your help and advice

[Tarot1234]

To me it sounds like you have a gluten intolerance...and it does sound as if no one is looking at your diet , do you eat enough fruit and veg ? I suffered for years with the same symptoms, til I realised it was gluten products that were bloating me up.

[charliechalk in reply to Tarot1234]

Thanks for the reply Tarot

I eat a moderate amount of veg, but not much fruit (I just dont like it!) but I do love veg so I try eat lots of that. Although I do love all the "gassy" veggies, and a quick look at the fodmap diet has made me think I could be choosing the wrong veggies....

I think I may give the FODMAP diet a go... see where that takes me. It's just come to a point where I feel at the end of my tether, no one listening and everyone thinking I am winging about my IBS which "is no big deal"..... I say try having it!!

[Hidden]

Hi charliechalk,

I think you should definitely give FODMAPs a go, it's been a revelation to me and keeps me 90% symptom-free.

You can either ask your GP for a referral to a dietitian (most in England have now been trained in it), but if you want to start it straightaway under your own steam, you can find the best information on the Monash University (in Oz) website where the diet was created – just put FODMAP into the search box on its homepage. If you have an iPhone there’s an app you can download from there plus a handbook you can order by post.

An American dietitian called Patsy Catsos has also written a very good book about FODMAPs called 'IBS - Free At Last' which contains all the info you need to get going and gives the science behind it.

Results can be quite rapid - less than a week for me, but can take a month or so for some people.

In case you feel your bowels clogging up again, you can buy glycerine suppositories OTC at Boots, I always keep a pack by me as laxatives only serve to give me gas and bloating and never clear me out properly whilst the suppositories never fail to work as they should.

Hope this helps.

Pagan

[charliechalk in reply to Hidden]

HI Again Pagan,

I have just been browsing on the site and have found a few comments from yourself saying that the FODMAP diet doesnt work very well for IBS-C... I am C and I was wondering if you still feel it isn't suitable for C sufferes.... as it may be pointless me paying for the breath test if the diet doesnt work..... or would you suggest to try it and see how I go?!

Thanks in advance

[Hidden in reply to charliechalk]

Hi,

At one time there seemed to be a few comments on here from people with C for whom FODMAPs didn't work so well, but then there have been others with C for whom it does work - it all horses for courses I think.

I alternate between D & C and it keeps me okay on both counts, so it's worth a try, you've nothing to lose.

You can get the breath tests done on the NHS, so no need to pay.

Pagan

[charliechalk]

Hi Paganmoon

Thanks for your reply.

I have had a good look into the FODMAP diet, and i am definately going to give it a go. However it looks like I need to have a breath test first so I can figure out my intolerances so I can best match the diet to my needs/symptoms..... I am going to ask another question to see if people can recommend which test to do, as they are pretty expensive!!

Oh and I am also going to be the book

Thanks again

Charlie

[charliechalk]

Hi Pagan

I actually now live in Australia, and the test isn't covered by any medical insurance or medicare here, so I would have to pay unfortunately

I think I might give it a go, and see what happens..... then maybe opt for the testing later if I feel I need to.

Thanks

[Ibsr]

Hi Charlie, great advice already given above. I would add that you could include ground flaxseed in your diet. Drink quite a bit of water after taking this as it helps to flush through your system and keep you regular.

I usually add a tablespoon to a cup of warmed almond milk with grated ginger and cinnamon ( both good for digestion) every day.