Ileocecal valve questions -> do I have an issue or not.

[karger]

So for the past year and a half (almost 2 now) I have been having pain right where the Ileocecal valve is. I've done a tone of research and cannot figure out how to cure this. Here is the strange thing. The only symptom is that right where the valve is, i get pain. I have no other symptoms that listed online that indicate if I have an open valve issue or a closed valve issue. I've always had bad bowels and dealt with constipation my whole life so that's nothing new. I take Metamucil, lots of fiber and stool softeners to try and stay regular, and I do for the most part.

So the odd part is the only symptom is the pain. I quit drinking Alcohol and coffee along withe avoiding spicy foods. I noticed that spicy foods and alcohol caused sharp pain right were the valve is.

I now eat soft food, chew well, drink a ton of water, eat soup every day for lunch, I drink chlorophyll twice a day, take garlic pills, vit C, milk thistle (maintain a healthy liver), along with taking probiotics with every meal.

So i've manage to get the pain from a sharp down to a dull pain that always seems to be there. I can eat a can of soup and still feel something.

This all started one day after I drank one beer. I did drink frequently a few years ago, being in my early 30's and all, having pints with friends. Some of my friends drink really heavy and they don't have any health issues yet (probably will later in life if they don't slow down.) To me this seems to be onset by drinking beer. That's just the conclusion i came too, maybe it's just coincidence.

I have no clue if my valve is open or shut, or perhaps it is working correctly, it's just inflamed. Is there any way to tell if it's open or shut? I would expect I would have the list of symptoms listed online if it was one or the other.

I've seen my doctor and had an ultrasound done and nothing could be determined by that. It will be months before I can see a gastroenterologist.

Based on my symptoms does anyone have any ideal what I may be facing? Is it my valve or something else?

I'm only 35 and it starting to scare me since I am still young and dont' want a colostomy bag..

Also, I've seen chiropractors, had Bowen therapy, tried all the tricks and stuff.

One other odd thing. Grapefruit juice seems to calm things down and make the pain pretty much go away... Odd?

Thanks in advance.

[Ibsr]

Have you been to see a Kineosiologist? Search the Internet for one specialising in the ileoceacal valve. They would be able to tell you ifs there's a issue there or not.

However, if grapefruit juice gets rids of the pain than how about just having that?

Have you had colonoscopy or endoscopy to check out your insides?

[Gypsyontherun]

I hear you ! I have that pain too. It's more like a bothersome ache ,some days worse than others. It seems like a problem most dr.s won't address or even bring it up. I think if it's open it dumps garbage into the lower it makes your bowels so toxic. There was a reply on here to see an I ileosecal expert but where are they?

[karger in reply to Gypsyontherun]

Do you find anything that you can do to get rid of the pain?

[Gypsyontherun]

First time I ever heard of a kineosologist. Where do you fing them?

[Ibsr]

Search 'kinesiology ileoceacal valve'.

[Therapist1]

Hi karger, sounds like it could be ICV syndrome and this is much more common than people realise. Please don't worry about colostomy, that is only done with bowel disease such as crones or cancer! If the valve is open it causes discomfort/pain and sometimes you can feel a lump around your right hip area. Lie down and gently massage the area to see if that helps

[karger in reply to Therapist1]

Thanks Therapist1,

It's odd the only symptom I have his just pain. I would have thought I would at least have other symptoms. I'll see if i can shut it and what the results are. Is there any type of remedy to get the valve working back on it's own? Or is everyone different and it depends on the person for the correct remedy?

Thanks.

Karger

[Gypsyontherun]

When the valve is open, your bowels are messed up. It sounds like you might not have this. I'm researching it too, but I have pain and a terribly inflamed bowel with bleeding and odd stools. It is so bad. Plus a sciatica problem that I feel might be causing this whole fiasco. Your pain might be from some thing else. Not really sure

[Gypsyontherun]

I'm trying the massages that I found searching how to close iilocecal valve seems to be helping some.

[karger]

Thanks for all the responses. I manually closed my valve and feel great. No more pain. Took about 10 min, but it was like day and night. Now question, how do i know it will open when it needs to, or do i need to manually open and close it from now on?

[beau_alicia]

perhaps this website will help, i just found it looking for what the ileocecal valve is

digestiveawareness.drupalga...