I'm not sure if the symptoms I'm experiencing are IBS.
I'm too embarrassed to go to my GP as over the past year I've been so many times with so many symptoms - I think they'll think I'm a hypochondriac
Since the beginning of the new year I've had pain in my lower left abdomen. It can move higher or more towards my groin. It's pretty constant, low level. It is noticeably worse when I bend or pull my knees up ( I used to sleep like this but can't now because of the discomfort). It kind of feels like my intestines/colon is bruised... But as I say, this has been going on for 2 months now. My BM have never been regular. All my life I only ever go every 2/3 days. My BM are solid and I have bled for a number of years from straining (so sorry! I know TMI!!).
The pain is really worrying me and have done lots of research on the net. The only other thing which crops up alongside IBS is ovary related but I've had 2 ultrasounds about a year ago....
Basically, I wondered if the pain would last this long with IBS? Eating and going to the toilet makes no difference. And also if it can be worsened by bending?
I have had bouts of what the GP called spastic colon since I was a child but the pain with that is sudden and intense - lasts a few hours and gradually fades completely over a couple of days.
Please help!
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mrspinkrat
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You cannot tell if you have IBS without going to a GP and referral to a gastrologist to rule out any other diagnosis via a battery of tests. I urge to go to your GP.
I have the same bruised feeling. I can't feel it unless I put pressure on my abdomen, though. The doctors have told me that it is IBS-C, but I don't believe that to be an actual diagnosis. I'm sorry that I can't be of help, but I really hope you get it figured out!
Also if it's affecting your daily life, I would keep a journal of the symptoms you feel throughout the day. If you feel that the doctors are judging you or not giving you the benefit of the doubt, switch doctors! Make sure you have one that actually cares about getting to the bottom of it.
Have you tried alternatives ie. Osteopath for deep massage to get bowl moving. Or colonic irrigation to clear you out and give your bowl/colon a break.
Don't be embarrassed about going to doctors that's what they are there for.
Your gp will be the best person to tell you if you have I.b.s but I would see your doctor if I was you, it doesn't sound quite like I.b.s but who knows!
Hi,I agree with Sashapet,your GP,can't tell you if you have IBS it does take a Gastrologist ,and even then only after tests to rule out other problems. Go and get your GP to refer you.
first of all .go back to doctor.your not a hypocondriac! DOESNT SOUND OBVIOUS IBS but sounds like your colon isnt working well. have you tried more water/ squash-no artifical sweetner, more fibre less sugar.
have you ever kept a food diary .seee if you can spot a pattern. iv suffered from ibs many years. took a log time to discover one cause of pain was a small hernia. persist with doctor and ask for bllor /urine tests.
some people benefit from high fibre, i the oppsosite. have to experiment. ps walking is reallyu good for digestion/colon. cofeee/tea / onions and mushrooms are all a no no for me.
try to stay positive and do things you enjoy. ibs often made worse by stress and better by laughing!
I prefer to use the word anxious rather than hypochondria because until we find out what is causing the pain anyone would be anxious. As everyone has said on here go back to your GP and get a referral to a Gastro and being female the next stop would be a referral to a Gynae (ultrasounds don't show everything) when all tests come back negative only then can you say you have IBS. You can then work on a diet that would be of benefit to you. Good Luck
If you've previously been diagnosed with 'spastic colon', almost certainly you have IBS as this is the old term for the condition. Pain in the lower left quadrant is exactly the same symptom which I had when diagnosed and the diagnosis was confirmed by a barium enema X-ray examination. My IBS is triggered by drinking red wine. BM every 2 or 3 days shouldn't be a problem but inevitably your BMs will be very large and you should avoid straining. I've found that glycerin suppositories or micralax enemas are very helpful and more effective than oral laxatives.
I really think it would be a good idea to keep a record of everything you eat & drink also note BMs then you have the information to pass to the Consultant when referred by your GP. Don't worry about going back to the doctor, you are worried and feeling unwell, it's their job to look after you. Take care & good luck.
Thank you everyone though some of the posts saying ITS NOT IBS have got me more worried than ever
I've bitten the bullet and have an appointment for one week today.
It's the only way to find out for sure - I knew that really so thank you for your encouragement- I'll post back next week and try to stay off Dr Google in the meantime! Xx
Did you find out what was wrong? I know in your initial post, you said your Dr. said you had spastic colon. Funny thing is, spastic colon is IBS - both are one and the same. I was diagnosed with "spastic colon"/IBS from my Gastro when I was in my 20's. I just turned 50 last year. I know IBS pain - it's intense and very sharp - at least with me. However, just like you I've started having this dull bruised pain in my colon that hurts when I bend over or sit down. I've never had this type of pain before, so I'm curious to see what the Dr. told you...
I have the symptoms of IBS however, most of the things I read involve pain on the left lower belly. Mine is severe pain in my right lower belly and into my groin. This is tear rendering pain 24/7. Can anyone offer me helpful advise?
What did you find out? These are the symptoms I have been having for 2 months now. My GP sent me to PT and it helped for a week because the PT got my bowels moving, sometimes twice a day! But a few days ago I didn't go for two days and the pain was right back. Very frustrated with my GP because she won't order other testing like CT scan. She hasn't even ordered bloodwork for me. Only test she has ordered was urine. Been to her three times now. Xrayed my hip didn't find anything, but sent me to PT. Does that make sense? I never go to the doctor and they have me feeling like I'm a hypochondriac. She first sent me to my gynecologist and he did an ultra sound and tested my estrogen levels. Found nothing. So went back to GP and now going to PT. And here it is 430 am and I can't sleep because of all this, but have a PT appointment in 2 hours. So guess I'll just stay up. Just very frustrated!
Lower left abdominal pain listed as symptomatic of diverticulitis. Could this be possible for you?
I'm having some sort of distress- diverticulitis (which I've had to the point of bowel perforation and surgery) or IBS c which I think I had since 20 yrs ago (undiagnosised, recognized in hindsight). For past few days eating causes distress and a bm leaves my bowel _________feeling scraped____. Symptoms seem so idiosyncratic. I was complaining a lot a few yrs before I blew my bowel out --not of pain but fatigue. This problem now is distress or pressure -makes me groan. However sharp twinges or pain I had occasionally over the past 4 years have seem part of a healthy stomach. This is different -- can't stand to have any thing in gut well gut can't stand it. Hope sharing was some help.
IBS is an diagnosis given to those patients with various symptoms (pain etc) but nothing found after several non invasive and invasive tests. Without those tests it is irresponsible to give IBS diagnosis to a patient. The most usual non-invasive tests are blood tests (including tumoral markers) and stool tests (usually Calprotectine test). If there is something unusual next step are the invasive tests like a colonoscopy. However many practitioners prefer to go straight for a colonoscopy.
Sounds very much like diverticulosis .i had excactly the same and dr.ordered a colonoscopy which found pockets where food gets trapped.look it up.but I am over 65 so he was probably looking for bowel cancer .which pleased to say negative..groin up to under rib cage on left side is a symptom of colon damage .hope you get answers .i am not a doctor so please accept this as my personal opinion .
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