Left sided abdo pain: I have been suffering from... - IBS Network

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Left sided abdo pain

Flecmac profile image
18 Replies

I have been suffering from left sided abdo pain for long time, in agony night and morning, eases a little after evacuation. Have lower back pain too. GP says IBS but first seem like that yo me, it’s all the time!!! Tried all sorts!! Any help please.

Thanks

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Flecmac profile image
Flecmac
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18 Replies
ling profile image
ling

Had any diagnostic tests done to rule out other causes?

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to ling

Had many tests over many years, colonoscopies, bloods etc. Past couple of years pain has been increasing, GP’s just look at notes and say IBS and fibromyalgia. Buscopan does nothing, pain relief doesn’t really work and causes constipation which makes things worse. 2016 had polyp removed, told to have another 2018, four more removed, had another last September, none found so discharged. Recent postal stool sample (I am over 60) came back unclear, had to do two more which were normal. My Mum had polyps and was discharged, never retested and later had benign tumour removed from bowel then ended up with terminal rectal cancer. All drs know about my history, my Dad had diverticula disease and so has my brother. I have been seeing dietician as GP referred, she suggested a fodmap diet which I have followed with no relief. I had a major op last year to remove benign tumour from spinal nerve sheath. I have lumber scoliosis and degeneration of discs. Pain every morning is bad, easing after evacuation slightly.

Many thanks 😊

ling profile image
ling in reply to Flecmac

Any idea when it started?

You never had diverticula disease?

Are you eating a lot of fibre?

You have IBS?

Ever suffered any eating disorders?

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to ling

Thanks. Mild IBS 20+ years ago, only flared occasionally, buscopan got rid of it, but nothing like this. Colonoscopies have never shown diverticulitis, GP tried me on two meds for it but had to stop as they made me ill. I eat fibre foods but less since FODMAP so GP gave fybogel. Never had eating disorders, always been slim but normal 8-9 stone.

ling profile image
ling in reply to Flecmac

Constipation?

The pain's only at night and in the morning?

Do you feel the need evacuate when the pain's there?

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to ling

Pain all the time but really bad night and morning.

No not really.

ling profile image
ling in reply to Flecmac

Was foodmap before pain started?

Are you passing motion regularly?

Is constipation ruled out?

You might want to see a pain specialist if its worrying you terribly. The mental distress could also be adding to your discomfort.

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to ling

No after pain. Yes, every day usually but sometimes difficult to pass and changeable from normal motion to thin strips. GO said not to take laxatives bug take fybogel. Pain is really bad esp. night and morning. Been through pain management few times but no conclusions.

Thanks.

ling profile image
ling in reply to Flecmac

Just wondering if the thin strips is worth checking out?

Btw, is it a burning type of pain?

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to ling

Yes burning type. I have told my GP about thin strips and changing but they just say IBS!!

ling profile image
ling in reply to Flecmac

Inflammatory bowel disease?

Genetically, I guess the things to worry about are the diverticula disease and rectal cancer.

The major op last year - did left abdo pain occur after that?

How about the scoliosis and disc degeneration? Is that progressing and causing organs to be pressed upon and thereby causing pain?

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to ling

I’ve thought same as you. Abdo and left hip pain worse after op, but had it before and abdo getting worse since. Right side starting to be problem too. GP will not accept anything other than IBS and fibromyalgia, but IBS comes and goes, and this is constant! They just tell me to speak to surgeon which I have a few times as also since op right side of ribcage sticking out but I was told it was swelling, then muscle, referred to physio, then told it’s my rib and not to do with op, I’ve told him didn’t have it before op, but he won’t have it!! He said see spinal unit, which I’m under, they do the physio, only been once, taken a year to get it sorted!!

Thanks

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to ling

Thinking about it, in the morning sometimes pain makes me feel the need to go.

ling profile image
ling in reply to Flecmac

It's a chicken and egg thing. You can't say for sure which is causing which.

You didn't reply re the scoliosis. What's the status?

And no mention before about hip pain?? And now pain seems to be in the right side as well. It could very well be the scoliosis progressing. Imagine if the spine is curving more, that's going to skew your body weight distribution, amongst other things. That could explain why pain is now showing up on the right side as well.

And if scoliosis is progressing and you are continuing with the same level of physical activity, I guess that's going to cause the pain to worsen.

Lastly, if it's not the scoliosis, there is a possibility it's something related to the surgery.

Cheers.

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to ling

I know, it’s all so complex, hence why medical professionals keep passing me around. Re lumber scoliocis/disc bulges, no idea of status, just told nothing can be done, just physio which has taken over a year to get. Physio says spinal curves/degeneration etc are normal with ageing. Pain in hip area started 2017, tests showed nothing wrong with hip, they just assume that it’s related to low back pain/scoliocis. No one has ever really given a clear picture of what is happening and with bowel problem too it’s very difficult to explain and to get any firm diagnosis or treatment. Being untreated or under treated for hypothyroidism (hashimotos) for 15+ years has certainly also taken its toll too. I have had to fight hard with that.

Thank you.

Tig345 profile image
Tig345

This may be back pain related...have you tried baralgin as a pain killer

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to Tig345

Thanks. Could be either or both. No what is it?

Flecmac profile image
Flecmac in reply to Tig345

I looked it up and it’s banned in U.K.

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