Is it IBS or something else?

[Mrsjulesflo]

Hi all! I am new here! Has anyone been diagnosed with IBS based on pain right side of belly button and constipation? I have had mild constipation my whole life (now 35 49kg) with no pain. But last October I had what the gastro thought it was gastroenteritis (although I haven’t eaten anything unusual and no infection came up in bloods) and that my pain now might be a post infectious IBS which I strongly doubt as it has been lasting for so long, and the pain is very localised. Right side belly button and appendix side (CT scan at a&e ruled out appendicitis). Also it feels swollen and my husband says it’s also visibly slightly swollen. I am down for a colonoscopy in the next days, which hopefully will bring some answers but was wondering if anyone experienced anything like this?

[Liz1234ty]

Hi there and welcome to forum. Has a hernia been ruled out? I had pain and swelling below my belly button and turned out to be an umbilical hernia. Or, could it be a partial obtruction? A colonoscopy would help rule in or out an obstruction but not sure if it picks up hernias

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Liz1234ty]

Hi and thank you for your reply. I have asked about hernia because it happened that a week before I lifted a table..but they said they can’t feel anything. And the CT scan was done at the very beginning of the illness in a&e. Wouldn’t that pick it up..?I don’t know. Obstruction sounds more likely, it is very scary. I haven’t changed anything in my diet and I eat fairly healthy, no red meat or ready meals, mostly organic, I myself cook it. I have developed health anxiety and have to say i had a panic attack when I realised that side of belly button is bigger than left. I also feel it’s slightly numb, as when I press on it, can’t feel all nerves like on the left. I really hope the colonoscopy will find something!

[KJ13 in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

I had pain on right side , after colonoscopy and mri they found diverticula , it felt like I had appendicitis the pain was so bad . I got antibiotics and it helped .

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to KJ13]

Thank you for your reply. Do you mind me asking how old you are? I have asked the gastro if it can be diverticulitis but said not possible because I am young, 35 is not that young! I am also fairly slim. The month I had the diarrhea i lost 5kg. I am now 49kg and couldn’t put on any more weight by the looks of it.

Have you suffered from constipation at all? I have, most of my adult life.

[KJ13 in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

I’m 58. Not really suffered with constipation, I take probiotics which I believe help keep things normal. I hope all goes well for you and they get you some answers.

[Javsy in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

I'm in my 30s and got diagnosed with diverticulitis. I would suggest you push your doctor for a colonoscopy

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Javsy]

Hi Thank you for your reply. I had “some sort” of colonoscopy today. Unfortunately after sedation they said they could not see past the sigmoid colon because I was showing a lot of pain (which I cannot remember) and had an unresolved loop (don’t know what that means). Another colonoscopy was requested to be performed under general anaesthetic at a later date I don’t know yet. I really needed some answers today..been waiting since beginning of October:(.

Where is your diverticula? Right side or left side? Has it resolved?

[Javsy in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

I have multiple diverticula in my sigmoid (left side).

My pain during my flare up was on the bottom left of my tummy....

[Readmeastory]

Since last year I have had this pain even ended up in hospital it was so bad . Had a colonoscopy and was told I had diverted . And slow track bowel . With a narrowing . Right at my belly button on my right side . Constipation is bad and I’m on on constella 290 and take laxido I sachet at night . And buscopan when the pain is bad . Had ct scan and endoscopy as I’ve went from 67 kilos in May last year down to 48 kilos now . The colonoscopy will find out what is causing the pain and discomfort . I’m 64 , but like you I’ve been bother all my life with constipation so once you get the colonoscopy hopefully they will be able to help you . But keep going back to doctors for help .i hope you get some answers .

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Readmeastory]

Oh bless you! You must have been so poorly! I hope the colonoscopy will see a cause for my pain! I relate to your symptoms, the pain is dull now but i have had some days when it was very strong and only strong painkillers stopped it like Dehydrocodeine (i was given in a&e). But that opioid made me even more constipated! Buscopan doesn’t do anything in my case. Does the treatment you are now on help with the pain? Will you be in this treatment indefinitely? What did the gastro say? Repeat colonoscopy after a while?

[Readmeastory in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

Constella 290 does help the pain and laxido helps constipation a bit . Buscopan I don’t no if it really helps but been taking it to see if it will help . Seen my specialist yesterday and she said I will be on the laxative and constella for long term . My issues are that my age is a big factor to . She also said a mild antidepressant can help with your brain and bowel are linked . But to see my doctor . I only take parcetomol as find strong pain killers make it all worse . Tried high and low fibre diets but now I just eat smaller portions but more regularly . I try and move about and do light exercises , Just try and keep strong and keep pestering the doctors till you get the help you need . I take peppermint oil capsules as they are suppose to be good for bloating and wind . I think the6 help a bit . Doctors told me it’s trial and error withfoods and meds so I tr6 different things to see what helps. I’ve started taking pro biotic drink for your gut . Only been on it 5days so to early to say . Hope it all calms down for you soon .

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Readmeastory]

Thank you, I hope I have an answer soon too. I will update here!x

[Hidden in reply to Readmeastory]

You and I are so very similar in our symptoms and side-effects of meds....i too cannot touch stronger painkillers (the short term relief is just not worth the longer term pain). I have also discovered 'little and often' is the best way (for me) to eat, as it causes the least bloat and pain. Buscopan and others like it have no effect whatsoever. So, it's laxatives daily for me too, small meals (no fruit or fibre - it kills me!) and plenty water 😁

[Readmeastory in reply to Hidden]

How long have you suffered this . I’m just had it about 10 months . In constant pain . My dieticiasaid fibre tried all fresh and veg but still in pain . Then low fibre and tried that but still in pain . So no I’m trying to eat normal foods but smaller portions and take laxido . As well as constella 290 just one a day . Laxido 1 or 2 . Depends . What laxatives do you take . I’ve lost so much weight now under 8st from 10st4 last June . But decided that no matter what I eat my bowel needs help shifting it . Test after test and same result . Slow track bowel bowel got kinks init . And narrowing in places . So hard but I do try to stay positive . Glad I found this page as I don’t feel it’s only me . Sorry for the rant but nobody knows how it is unless you have suffered it .😀😩

[Hidden in reply to Readmeastory]

Hey hun.

I've been suffering for about 35 years (jeez, that makes me feel OLD! 😁), since I was a teenager. It comes and goes (tbh, I have pain more than I don't) but most days its just uncomfortable rather than painful. If I can 'go' in the morning then I know it's gonna be a decent enough day with SOME discomfort - but if I don't go, then I know it's gonna be a painful afternoon and evening. If that happens, I just double up on the laxative at bedtime so I am guaranteed to go next morning.

Definitely, small meals helps (as does plenty water) but fruit, fibre, nuts, pulses, seeds and all the other 'healthy' stuff just kills me, so I avoid all that and just stick to non-healthy food and snacks. However, I've managed to maintain a healthy weight for years, give or take a few pounds. I'm not a huge fan of exercise (😬) and I couldn't even tell you the last time I got ill, so the 'unhealthy' diet doesn't adversely affect me (apart from being borderline anaemic, but I've been that way for at least 15 years, it doesn't go down enough to make me feel shitty, I just can't donate blood or I'd suffer).

Persevere with foods and doses of laxatives - I'm sure you will find a happy medium, it'll just take time and patience (I know how difficult that can be though - I have been so miserably sad with it all a few times, but you'll get over the worst, dust yourself off, and move on from it)

Keep on keeping on is the best advice I ever got.....

[Readmeastory in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your response . Some days are worse than others as you say . I just get disheartened at all this trial and error . Some days i just have very loose stools , then when I cut down on the laxatives I get constipated . So is everyday a learning thing . But I’ve started eating* more although small but more regular as well . See if that helps me gain some weight . But I would just like a pain free day . My exercise consists of a going up the stairs a few times and some marching on the spot . So that’s about it . Back at dietian tomorrow see if she can help . 🤪but won’t hold my breath .

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Readmeastory]

Hi all! I had the second colonoscopy today and they haven’t seen anything obvious in my large bowel, and they took 10 biopsies. The gastro will refer me to investigate further the small bowel as they are still not convinced it’s IBS or IBD. Bowel prep was awful and now stomach gurgling like never after it, but the colonoscopy itself was good as I had under general anaesthetic. Symptoms of right side dull pain are still there and don’t seem to have to do with what I eat. I will however have a go at an elimination diet once I have all tests. Like taking out cheese from my diet and introducing it after, say, 2 weeks. I already drink only lactose free milk and doesn’t seem to be bad. Caffeine gives me symptoms.

Can I ask what is the location of your pains is? Is it all around the tummy? Is it at night at well?

[Readmeastory in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

My pain is mainly on my right side but then it can move to my left side like today it’s in my left side . I also get loads of gurgling in my stomach I can feel it when I put my hand on it . . My colonoscopy came back with diverticulitis . But then had ct scan you have to drink some stuff that highlights your bowel .it came back loopy bowel and narrow bowel . Theycouldnt get a full colonoscopy done it would only go up so far . That’s why I had ct scan . Then they sent me for a endoscopy and now they want to do another ct scan . But there is a waiting list . So been told laxatives and trial and error . As I’ve got dietian tomorrow’ hopefully she can help . I take laxido at night and sometimes one before dinner . Buscopan I don’t think helps that much . But been trying it for a couple of weeks . But just hang i there and hopefully they will be able to get some answers . 😀

[Alysm]

Hi if the colonoscopy comes back clear you could look into SIBO. I had same symptoms

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Alysm]

Hi! Thank you for your reply. Have you had a treatment for SIBO? If so, what was it? Do you still have it? Does it linger for long?

[Alysm in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

Hi yes I had antibiotics three times now and still can’t get rid of it unfortunately.

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Alysm]

Oh bless you. Has it been long now?

[Alysm in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

I’m going in to my 2nd year with it. But I just thought I would let you know as I had a swollen bloated right side feeling all the tine too.

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Alysm]

Thank you so much for letting me know! Yes, this is one of the main symptoms and couldn’t find anything on Google! I know I shouldn’t Google..

I will definitely mention this to the gastro when I see them..provided colonoscopy is clear or no Crohn’s. I will update here too.

[Mrsjulesflo in reply to Mrsjulesflo]

Colonoscopy was clear for now, just awaiting the biopsy results in a couple of weeks. Gastro thinks more tests in small bowel needs to be done, to rule out IBD. But at least for now it’s reassuring nothing obvious was found in the large bowel.

[Mrsjulesflo]

So gutted! A whole colonoscopy could not be performed because even under sedation I was told I looked very much in pain and they couldn’t go past the bending above the sigmoid colon (which looked normal). I don’t even remember being too much in pain, I’m so sad I have to repeat it after the horrendous preparation. Another colonoscopy has been ordered for me which will be done under general anaesthetic God knows when..NHS will now delay even more my treatment