A setback in control of pain.

[JackoI]

Hi All

Long time since I've been on here as my symptoms have been going quite well... until recently.

Prior to Mid January they were controllable and I had very little discomfort / pain. I would have 1 bowel movement a day either when I woke up or when I came home from college. And I would always have a bowel movement every Saturday morning, as I was up early for work on those days & even if I didn't go in to work early, I would have a bowel movement when I woke up (10am).

However, I was off work this Saturday and didn't go for a poo when I woke up. I did in the afternoon, and it was normal and painless. Then on Sunday I did a bowel movement in the evening, which I haven't done since I had IBS (Summer 2014).

Ever since it has been bad, Monday night at about 1am I was in excruciating pain and went to the loo and had, what felt like a 'constipated' bowel movement. The same on Tuesday, at about 11:30pm, another small bowel movement, which was quite dark too. Those where in addition to bowel movements that I'd done in the day.

On wednesday I did my 'normal' bowel movement when I got home from college at about 11:30, then I felt like I needed another one in the afternoon, so went to go and could feel one right there but it wouldn't budge. ABout an hour after that I tried and did manage to go, but it was only tiny. That night I didn't go to the loo.

Today (Thursday) I waited till I got home which was later on (4:30pm), but it was quite small.

Since Monday evening my pain has never gone away, I always feel like i'm constipated and it is really getting me down. I've booked another appointment with GP to ask if there's anything else it could be and to ask about CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) as yesterday evening I just broke down crying.

I don't deal with pain well and it's starting to get me depressed and not enjoying life. All this after I felt like I had my symptoms under control and was enjoying life again, and now this set back.

As I said during one of my breakdown's to my mum the other day "This illness is my life, and my life is an illness".

Obviously seen all over the web about people wanting / getting colostomy. I will mention this to the doctor and gauge their reaction. I don't want it now, far from it. I just want to know if this pain carries on for ever there is something I could do.

Any responses really welcomed!

Thanks guys

[whiteladder42]

It sounds like you need to find an effective form of pain relief, whether that is dietary or medication or a combination of the two. Either way, your GP should be able to help or refer you to a dietician and/or gastroenterologist who can. There are drugs such as co codamol and Tramadol which can help (although they can make constipation worse sometimes) , mild laxatives which may help short term to get things back to normal for you, and there are some types of antidepressant which, at low doses, can have a positive effect on the bowel. Take a look the NHS NICE guidelines on IBS for more info so you can ask your GP as many questions as you need to get help. Good luck! I've had IBS for seven years now and I hope you have more luck than I do in finding relief.

[JackoI in reply to whiteladder42]

Hi

I have been prescribed both Buscopan and Colofac which I take every day. Also, every morning I drink peppermint tea, as that is said to help.

But, at the moment I feel like it isn't spasms causing my pain, but a blocked up bowel. I feel more full and 'bunged up', as I say.

I'll keep you posted, got an appointment next Thursday morning with a doctor who is trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, so she might understand.

Thanks all.

P.S: I know I'm not the worst on here, far from it. The reason I post is because I really don't deal with pain well at all. Thanks x

[binks in reply to JackoI]

It could be the combination of colofac and buscopan which is blocking you up. They both slow things down a bit.

[JackoI in reply to binks]

Hi

Ah, good point. I might give them a rest for a few days.

Cheers

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