IBS or Blockage?

[QuiltLady]

For a few weeks now I have felt "full", seems like there is trapped gas and I don't pass it often. I am usually constipated but it doesn't bother me until now. Should I see a doctor? I'm not in a lot of pain, just mild to medium discomfort. I try not to worry about what is wrong. It seems to help to lay down.

[b1b1b1]

You should definitely see a doctor if you are concerned. I did have a blockage due to scar tissue and had to have emergency surgery to fix it. It is unbelievably painful. So painful you cannot even walk. So you probably don't have one, but I am not a doctor and it sounds like you should see one.

[missymo]

I take so windeze or chew on any "gas resistant tablets every time I've had a meal.cpuldnt live without them. It's not a solution but it certainly helps.x

[Beezwax]

My problem started off in a very similar way 5 or 6 years ago. I spent 2 weeks feeling like you do and unable to pass gas. I went to my GP but then ended up in A&E. It wasn’t a full blockage but it started the process of finding out what was wrong. Luckily I was referred to a really helpful consultant who said I needed further investigation- I had a proctogram that revealed intersussepcion, a type of internal bowel prolapse that makes it difficult to go to the toilet or pass gas. It has gradually got worse over the years and I may need an operation in the end but at least I know what it is and the hospital got me a self irrigation system that I now use every day and prescribed me the right kind of laxatives. Managing the condition is frustrating and it takes hours of my time each day, worse when I have flare ups. But without getting a proper diagnosis I could be in a much worse situation.

You should try and get a referral to a good consultant who is prepared to send you for investigation, not just palm you off with ‘drink more water and eat more fibre’ - in fact more fibre can make the problems of intersussepcion worse.

Anyway good luck and hope you find out what it is.

[Pat1 in reply to Beezwax]

Hi I have the same problem and have had the same tests as you have. What laxative did they give you?

[Beezwax in reply to Pat1]

Hi,

I have been prescribed Movicol and Lactulose for years now and told not to take any others - not allowed fibre or senna laxatives as my consultant says they can make things worse. I prefer lactulose but someone I know with the same problem prefers Movicol.

The self irrigation systems have helped me the most - I have both a Qufora mini system and a Peristeen one. I have to self irrigate daily. Both of these systems were first prescribed by the colorectal nurse at the hospital and then my GP just continues the prescriptions for me.

[Eliana5]

If it has been going on for a few weeks, I would see a Gastro. Do you have IBS? I would definitely get some tests done to rule anything out, sigmoidscopy, rectal exam, colonoscopy..Barium swallow etc..just to make sure. I hope you feel better soon. I'm not doing so great today either.

[Hidden]

Wouldnt do any harm to see your doctor, it will help to put your mind at ease.

[Matrix]

I have been in the same boat as you for weeks tried everything tablets from dr nothing then I tried All ...n if you don’t understand that pm me .Its worked a treat within two days I was going .Get some of this and if that does not work go see dr because it can make you really poorly ,I was feeling horrible myself .Hope this helps I also have IBS leaky gut and bad constipation .xx🤗🦋😇

[Hidden]

If you leave it too long, you could be in trouble like I was. After almost three months when little was done by doctors (I had been fobbed off with 'tummy bug'), my abdomen swelled so much it was painful to walk. I ended up having emergency surgery to remove a tumour and am now wearing a colostomy bag. Insist that you have at least an x-ray to find out what the problem is. Don't let it get too far.