Advice

[Matthewfletcher92]

Hi everyone

I have IBS and I have been in remission for years now. The past 2 weeks I have had a stitch/sharpish pain in my upper left side which travels down my left side. I have no other symptoms hence why I haven't been to see a doctor. Could this just be IBS pain?

[dedeottie]

I have this and it is driving me mad! It is an almost constant fairly low level but sharpish pain in the upper left part of my abdomen. It can be anywhere along the ribcage but most often at the side. It is sometimes accompanied by a gassy feeling and lots of gurggling noises but not always. It sometimes travels down my left side. My G.P. has ruled out a problem with my spleen as it is not enlarged. He says the the only other thing there is the colon and he thinks it is a form of IBS where gas gets trapped in the kink in the colon called the splenic flexure and then backs up causing pain in that whole area. I have had the over 60s " poo " test and that was clear. My bowels are operating normally. He is not concerned but is sending me for a non urgent appointment with general surgery as cololn cancer is in my familly. I live in Wales so It will be a 6 month wait.

I can not say that the pain is debilitating but it is constant and so is always on my mind.

Good luck and if you get any answers I will be interested to read them. X

[elainedeam in reply to dedeottie]

Very interested in the reply above from 'dedeottie'. My symptoms are very similar. I have had a number of tests and so far it appears to be something as described above. I too get the gurgling noises and a sort of 'wind' pain underneath my left rib - always on the left. I don't feel unwell otherwise but, yes, conscious of being uncomfortable too frequently.

[Hidden]

Dont know - PLEASE see your GP !

S x

[dg8867]

Hello Matthewfletcher92, I'm not a doctor, but in my experiences i know that on your left side is your descending colon. This is part of the large intestine. As we get older pockets can form in the weak spots called diverticuli. These pockets trap and hold small bits of food particles, building up over time causing a clog or backup in the colon (similar to a drain pipe). As this backs up more and more, only the soft and liquidy fecal matter passes along with causing large gas bubbles. The pain experienced may be caused by the gas build up, and the harder fecal material built up in the area. In this case you need to have a colon cleanse done to unclog the back up. I recommend you see a gastroenterologist to have any comfirmation thru a colonoscopy. There are some over the counter products available as well to clean out the colon, ask your pharmacist as to what they recomend for a total clean out. Your doctor will guide you as to the foods you can or can't eat to further aleve your situation with diverticulitus. I hope this helps and i hope you feel better soon again. Be sure to see a doctor to comfirm as well. Good luck

[94444]

Hi there you do wonder when things like this happens I know but in the absence of other sym and ptons prob isn't anything you know. do you keep a food diary maybe something there thats different in your diet. After 2yrs free its just one of those things that reminds you. does it come at certain times say after eating or going to the loo? I grt niggles both sides for years now and know that feeling you get all to well and then it goes away. have you tried painkillers I find that helps. you tend to be aware all the time when you've got/had IBS Feel lie Sherlock Holmes at times but rememer you are not alone and someone else could have an idea to help you. hope you get rid of it very soon From Liverpool Lass

[Matthewfletcher92]

Hi

Thanks for the advice, I am burping a lot more and I have noticed it gets worse when I eat, it also comes and goes, I haven't lost my appetite and my bowel movements seem to be normal. I'll go see the doctor next week just to be sure.

Thanks again.