Changing bowels, again! Ugh.

[FordMus84]

I have yet to be diagnosed with IBS. My gastro doesn’t think I have this. Really they have no idea what’s going on. I decided I’d take it upon by myself to figure this out and be better prepared for my upcoming appointment. Apart from fibromyalgia and thyroid symptoms I also have chronic pain in my pelvis (like menstrual pain or diarrhea). I have flare ups of burning pain in my stomach but sometimes lower around my abdomen. I have constant right flank pain and pressure on the left side too along with back pain that spreads Into my hips. Anytime I eat, I get an upset feeling in my stomach. I had an abdominal and pelvic CT without contrast (allergy to dye) found to have a fatty liver, ultrasound to confirm fatty liver and rule out obstruction was normal, I’ve had numerous blood tests all normal except my liver enzymes AST and ALT were elevated for a couple months but all normal now. I do have some lactose intolerance so I avoid dairy products. I was having a lot of nausea but that has subsided (thankfully). Also, any pressure on my right side of abdomen causes stomach ache and nausea like sensation. Anyway, I’ve been dealing with this for a while now and have basically chalked it off but lately I have floating stools, no mucus, they stick to the toilet, only on two different bouts of diarrhea I noticed an oil film but that was like a month ago. My bowel movements are regular colored and well formed stool 1-2 a day but they always float. I’m trying not to worry too much about this because I don’t want to make my symptoms worse but it’d be a relief to know if anyone with IBS has floating stools? I hardly eat any fat and eat pretty healthy despite my stomach pain. I only drink water. Even if you don’t have this could you please be so kind as to reply with your symptoms so that i can compare and research and have a better argument for my doctor. Thank you! 🙏🏼

[RhiannonT]

Hi!

I've been dealing with very similar symptoms. I was diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago now. Recently (2 years on and off), my symptoms have got a lot worse. Alternating bowel habits, seriously painful stomach cramps (generally all over), but sometimes just right sided. A lot of pelvic pain. Very sick feeling after eating. Lack of appetite. Lots of blood and mucus in my stool (more recently black blood). I've been seeing my IBS nurse every 3 months or so. She put me on Constella which has been good, but there's a manufacturing problem in the UK atm. I've had to get in touch with her as my symptoms are just not right. She referred me to a gastroentrologist. He's agreed that although my bloods all came back fine (Calprotectin and bowel cancer screening), my symptoms aren't IBS typical. I'm going for a full colonoscopy under a general anaesthetic in just over a week to check there's nothing more sinister going on. I would say if you think there's something other than IBS going on, definitely push to get it taken further. You know your body and you know when something isn't right. Hope this helps a bit. 😊

[FordMus84 in reply to RhiannonT]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, we definitely need to advocate better for ourselves. I certainly hope your results from your colonoscopy are not serious but I hope you also have some relief soon. It’s a frustrating situation to be in. Keep me updated if you don’t mind.

[RhiannonT in reply to FordMus84]

Thank you. 😊 Yes, I agree. We know our bodies and we know when something isn't right. Hope you get some relief soon, I'll certainly keep you posted. X

[asbayford]

Have you had a SeHCAT scan for bile salt malabsorption? Or you could even have a fructose intolerance? Have you thought of doing the low fodmap diet for 4-8 weeks to see if it is food related? Monash university have an amazing app! It's hard work but goodness it helps!

Other key things to research: SIBO, Candida, functional therapists.

Best of luck on your journey to better health! You will get there x

[FordMus84 in reply to asbayford]

No, I haven’t been tested for any of that only a stool test for H-Pylori (negative). I don’t think many doctors think outside the stomach and intestine when it comes to indigestión and symptoms like that. They keep upping my reflux med (even though upper GI scope didn’t see any of that?) I’m trying the FODMAP again for longer as you mentioned and hoping this does something good. Thank you for the info.

[Tig345]

Hey me too. I was told it was ibs a few years ago but the symptoms improved with dietary changes. Recently it came back with a vengeance mostly

my left side...nerve pain, flank pain, cramps, gas, constipation and painful BMs.

I decided to increase my fibre yesterday and today after going to the bathroom, the cramps have been terrible. But i just wanted to go after three days of nothing.

It has been stressful.

Have you been tested for SIBO too?

[FordMus84 in reply to Tig345]

I keep reading that high fiber is actually a trigger for IBS symptoms. But too little is also bad. So difficult to find a balance. No, i haven’t been tested for SIBO. I’m asking my doctor for it on my upcoming appointment. Thank you for your reply. I hope you are better now.

[Nuttycatlady]

I have had similar symptoms and presumed they were IBS. Am having tests which will hopefully confirm this

[FordMus84 in reply to Nuttycatlady]

I hope you got a diagnosis. It’s hard to be undiagnosed but also scary to know there could be something wrong. Fortunately, IBS is benign and manageable for many!