Ongoing abdo pain.

[CElizabeth15]

Hello, i am an 18 year old university student, for nearly a year ive been having really bad bouts of constipation then diahorria, Ive also been getting severe abdo pain for almost 3 years, especially to the bottom left, when its at its worst i can barely move, The doctors haven't been able to do anything, I've had ultrasounds in the past which were normal, but this pain is really getting me down, has anyone got any suggestions? As most of my symptoms are the same as IBS but no doctor has mentioned this to me.

This pain is often worse after ive emptied my bladder and can last hours, but i have abdopain daily, this is really getting me down, If you have any help then please comment.

[Ctb567]

Are you taking anything for the IBS? If you've had this for the last few years then you should incorporate some sort of regular laxative into your diet to sort out the constipation and a lot of the time once you get the constipation under control then the diarrhea follows. IBS can cause bad pain when its not under control :/

[CElizabeth15 in reply to Ctb567]

I got given buscopan but that didnt help, and i take movicol when i need too

[Ctb567 in reply to CElizabeth15]

You need to be taking a laxative regularly to prevent constipation instead of taking it once constipated. I found taking fybogel in the evening with dinner and movicol in the morning really helped me. I would take these one day then have a days break then start over. Perhaps take movicol every 2 days consistently and go from there. I saw a gastro and they said movical is okay to take long term.

[whiteladder42]

Have you had a colonoscopy and blood tests? Also a dietician might be able to give advice on elimination diets, or even keep a food diary yourself and see if you spot anything. Alcohol, caffeine, garlic, onion and fizzy drinks are just a few common triggers that can easily be eliminated to see if it provides any relief. If you are a coeliac this can be picked up on with blood tests and biopsies. Personally I have a massive reaction to rice and any rice derivative but am absolutely fine with gluten. Some people have found the FODMAP diet helps (google it) but it's not for everyone. It may not even be a food trigger, there are things like SIBO and diverticulitis and Crohn's disease which can have similar symptoms.

Get on top of the pain--you should not have to suffer. Hopefully you have a supportive

GP (and gastro consultant), if not, finding one can really make a difference. Look at the NICE NHS guidelines on IBS diagnosis and management and ask your GP if it is being followed. Sorry for rambling on, I've had IBS for nearly 7 years now and am 30-it's absolutely horrific and it's taken away my life completely so I wish you all the luck getting the help you deserve. Don't give in! Sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

[CElizabeth15 in reply to whiteladder42]

I had a colonoscopy and it came back normal, blood tests also do, i still get abdo pain and bleeding, there are certain foods that make the pain worse but then sometimes the same foods dont, i just dont know what to do.

[whiteladder42]

You could go back to your GP and before you go write down any questions you have for him, about pain relief, referrals to dietician and gastro consultant, managing your constipation/diarrhoea (it's not good to become reliant on laxatives it can make things worse in the long run). If you feel more informed about IBS and it's diagnosis and treatment options hopefully you can ask relevant questions to which you should expect answers. Also get some time frames about how long to try each new approach for whether it is dietary or medication, and that you will not accept being in pain. I hope this is of some help to you-this is a great forum for asking for help and advice from people going through what you are.

[Weeshell]

I have suffered from IBS for years, I tries hypnotherapy and WOW, what a change in my life!!!!!!!!!! I don't want to write an essay about it but it was the only thing that helped and helps

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