Confusing symptoms

[Itchyislander]

Hi all,

It seems since turning 34 my body has decided to throw a whole manor of health issues at me. I had a b12 deficiency. I had loading doses 3 months ago and no return symptoms. My stomach/bowel has had many issues which the doctor tells me is ibs without undertaking other tests. I have had a pinching pain under my ribs on both sides. This seems to be related to gas. I have frequent burping, several times an hour. Some days it's worse than others. I've been booked in for an ultrasound of the upper abdomen but this is still 4 weeks away. I have irregular bowel movements occasionally with cramping. No diarrhoea. My stool a week ago had a white part in it about the size of a grape. I went to the doctor who requested a stool sample (awaiting results). Since then all normal except for additional mucus. Are there any tests I should specifically ask for. I am concerned that they are happy to put everything down to IBS without investigating further.

[Zippy75]

Hi,

I have similar symptoms and am going to see gp next week. I have always suffered with constipation but now I seem to always have wind and pain under my ribs which I am worried about as I thought IBS pain would be lower down.

[Hidden in reply to Zippy75]

It's always a wise move to consult your doctor. But just to share my experience (if your doctor can't find anything physically worng) I too used to have wind and pain under my ribs. And it was one of the IBS symptoms I had daily thereafter. (I don't anymore because I no longer suffer from IBS.) In my case I found this to be linked to neuro-muscular contraction (and the constipation too).

I don't know if this is what is happening for you, as your IBS is unique to you, but you might find this article useful: sickofibs.com/ibs-triggers/...

Hope this helps,

Alison

[Itchyislander in reply to Hidden]

Thanks both for your replies. It is reassuring to know that I am not alone with symptoms. I've just heard my stool test came back clear. So back to the Doctors I go. I am willing to say it is IBS if we are sure it is nothing more serious. I just don't think tests have been done to rule this out. Have you experience mucus in your stool? I don't know if it's normal and has always been there and it's just that I am looking more! Never thought I would be so obsessed with what goes in to the toilet!

[Hidden in reply to Itchyislander]

To honest I didn't look much at my stools all the time. I was just happy to "go".