If you've been diagnosed with IBS and also have lumbar spine problems please read on...

Six months ago I had surgery on my lumbar spine at L2 - L3 and L3 - L4 to relieve stenosis (compression or pinching of the nerve roots). Although the op was only partially successful, and I still have further treatment to undergo, my 'IBS' symptoms have reduced by about 90+%. Apparently, it's common for this type of lower back problem to affect any of the organs in the pelvic area, causing some or all of the symptoms attributed to IBS. Bladder weakness or the inability to fully empty it is another common side effect.

So, if you've been given that catch-all, rubbish diagnosis of IBS and have any problems with your lower back, ask to see a specialist so you can get a scan to ascertain whether your bowel problems are, in fact, caused by your spine.

Roz

[PatV]

Mine is aggravated by dystonic pain caused by PD.

[Susique]

Hi Roz You have just comfirmed what I always suspected and that is, the connection between IBS and lower back pain. Was diagnosed with so called IBS about eighteen months ago and had lower back problems for several years, having lost acouple of inches in height, organs in the tummy are being squashed, hence the connection. Recently had an MRI scan that showed stenosis in L4-5, L3-4 and nerve root impaiment inL5/s1 and dehydration of all discs causing loss of height. Pain consultant not keen to operate, but has offered ddermabrasion (burning the nerve ends) are you pleased with the results of your operation.

Susique

[Hidden in reply to Susique]

Hi Susique,

Well, although a lot of the pain I had down the front of my right thigh has been relieved by the op, I now have pain in my right hip instead and the pain across my back (at the waist) has increased, so I'm not at all pleased about that. However, the surgeon has obviously released the nerves that innervate my bowel and, to get rid of almost all of the problems that was causing, is blissfully wonderful.

The op I had was a double decompression and, after a further scan, I saw my surgeon last week who said that although the gaps between vertebrae L2-L4 had opened up a bit, it still obviously wasn't enough to achieve what we both wanted. I now have to have a steroid epidural under heavy sedation to see if this will give a long term benefit. I had one pre-op, the effects of which only lasted a week.

I don't know whether you're seeing an orthopaedic or a neurosurgeon, mine is an ortho/spine specialist, but have found out recently that when spinal nerves are causing a problem, a neurosurgeon is a better bet. I'm only giving my ortho one more go at my back and if it doesn't work, I intend to ask for a referral to The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

This is the link to a highly-recommended surgeon there:

uclh.nhs.uk/OurServices/Con...

This link gives good info about the effects of lumbar spine trauma:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauda...

I hope this helps.

Roz

[Susique]

Thanks Roz for the information you gave me including links to the National Hospital for Neurology, very impressive looking hospital and after reading about the work they do there will definitly aask my doctor for a referal if the injection I'm having on the 13th November.(for blocking pain) does'nt work. Who knows we might even meet up at the same hospital.

Susique

[Hidden in reply to Susique]

We may indeed.

I hope you have some success with the injection. Keep me updated on how things go for you - maybe we can compare notes.

Roz

[dalit2412]

Hi. What test to take to see if my ibs is related to my back problem

[dalit2412]

What kind of specialist is that?