I Can't wear ANY Clothes! (Even loose clothing)

[Charlie2w]

Hi Everyone!

Wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

I can't wear any clothing around my waist even loose clothing. Any pressure causes me unbearable pain and I have to take them off immediatly. I feel the left side of my abdomen/ colon flare up and it feels like there is a snake living inside of me.

Loose clothing around my stomach also triggers pain in my back as well, and even wearing a loose fitted bra causes me pain.

I can no longer wear bras or anything round my waist but I am thankful that I can atleast wear loose dresses and Jumpsuits, however I desperately want to resolve this issue and wear normal clothes again one day.

-I have had a Colonoscopy, Ultrasound and MRI which all came back normal, although it is worth noting that when I had an enema before the colonoscopy, it triggered my pain and it was the most intense and horrendous pain I had ever felt before.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks for reading

[Nothingimpossible]

Hi, sorry to hear your in so much pain, are you taking any medication? I use to get bloating with pain from left side of stomach travelling to right side and into my back right hand side which sometimes was agony. I have stopped taking meds now after 16 years and so far not had any bloating or pain, into my second week so early days yet. Make a diary of what food you eat each day to see if it triggers it off more, try bland foods for a while also try drinking a cup of boiled water as I find this sooths the stomach. Might not work for everyone but does for me. If on meds before stopping talk to your GP. I wish you well soon .

[Charlie2w in reply to Nothingimpossible]

Hi thanks so much for you reply! I am not on any medication at the moment. I will definitely try the hot water. I notice sometimes that decaf tea triggers the pain but there never seems to be a link with foods. (I'm allergic to most foods anyway so my diet is pretty much veggies and healthy foods! So happy for you that you are feeling better, It definitely gives me hope! Best of luck

[Nothingimpossible in reply to Charlie2w]

Thankyou, and I hope you can get yourself sorted as well. Keep safe x

[Linley]

Yes me too usually after lunch or dinner but not every day. If at home I change into loose pyjama style trousers, then get the hola hoop out for 10 mins, pass gas and it calms down. If I go to friends for dinner take Mebeverine 200 gm cap 20 min before we eat but always wear long top so I can discreetly roll trousers down 6inch and keep fingers crossed. My discomfort is on the right on the ascending colon.

[Charlie2w in reply to Linley]

Hi, I too have noticed that passing gas seems to help and I can feel it sort of bubble inside me very painfully before it's released. I get discomfort on the right side too occasionally although it's primarily the left. Definitely going to look into Mebeverine and yes I know that feeling of trying to discreetly roll down your trousers!

[Linley in reply to Charlie2w]

Don't know whether you are male or female but if you are the latter I find the M&S (other brands available!) tapered Black trousers are comfy to go out to dinner in as their sizing for me is slightly bigger than other brands😉

[Charlie2w in reply to Linley]

Hi again, great thank you I will have a look at those!

[rosco1]

Hi, so sorry you can't wear anything around your waist and are in so much pain. I too have the same problem,can't bear anything near my waist and suffer from severe pain on the left side of my abdomen. I've had a Colonoscopy, Ultrasound and even tests not relate to the bowel to see what's wrong but haven't been diagnosed with anything. Now I feel like it's all in my head. I was even put on a Gluten Free diet to see if that helped but nothing helps. I glad there is someone else with the problem as myself. I hope you feel better soon.

[Charlie2w in reply to rosco1]

Hi there, thanks for replying, it makes me feel so much better too to know that others are going through this and we can all certainly try and support each other!

I definitely feel your pain I have been for tests also unrelated to the bowel and never seem to get anywhere. Its very frustrating that the answers doctors give me are always "it's just a mystery." Have you found anything that helps you or what triggers any pain?

For myself I think mine may be linked to the stress of growing up in a chaotic household where I didn't feel safe. I notice when I am stressed I trigger the pain although this happens when I am completely calm also. I am in a very calm environment now where it is no longer an issue other than occasional stress and it has definitely helped. Do you think yours could be stress related?

I haven't mentioned this to a doctor yet as I don't want to be dismissed as the pain being in my head. I too have days where I scare myself into thinking I have made it up but when I try in clothes I instantly know it's real.

Good luck with your gluten free diet. I would love to hear how you get on with it and hope you feel better soon too!

[rosco1 in reply to Charlie2w]

Hi again, yes your so right. It makes you feel better knowing there is someone has your symptoms.

No I haven't found anything that helps and I've been on numerous medication, at the moment I take Alverine 60mg 3 times a day and when my pain is so severe I take Dihydrocodeine 60mg every 4 hours.

I would definitely say stress causes flare ups, when my symptoms started I was in a abusive relationship and had problems at my job and unfortunately I was paid off due to being absent from my job. My symptoms eased a little after I had been away from work but then my father and my dog passed away so I'm just as bad now.

I too havent mentioned to a Doctor about the feeling around my waist incase they thought I was crazy.

I was even referred to a Dietician and he suggested the Gluten Free diet but it didn't make any difference, it is so weird I can eat something one day and be ok then eat it the next day and be in pain.

I've just had to understand that I will be like this the rest if my days.

Hope you feel better soon too 🙂

[Charlie2w in reply to rosco1]

That sounds like a lot to take on all at once.

I'm so sorry to hear you've been through all of that. Its interesting that you say about your past relationship because I feel my problems have stemmed from an abusive parent and the anxiety of getting hurt or"walking on eggshells" Maybe it is our body's response to ongoing stress. Do you find you are constipated a lot? I find I am until I'm suddenly stressed and then I can go/ it hurts a lot more and I get some relief after I have been to the toilet ( sorry if too much information)

Fyi I totally know what you mean about being fine with foods one day and not the next. I'm also allergic to a lot of foods which can make it all the more difficult!

[rosco1 in reply to Charlie2w]

Hi,

When I think about it now it was a lot to live with, i don't know how i have survived. My Ex husband was so evil, I should have left him long before I did, but i thought it was all my fault.

Im very rarely constipated, I mostly have diarrhoea. No its not too much information, I understand completely what your saying.

I just don't understand it all but know I have to live with it

[Iggls]

You have my sympathy....I suffer in the same way. It gets worse as the day goes on, so I eat my main meal at lunchtime and very little in the evening.

I follow the strict Fodmap diet and take masses of medication, also do hypnotherapy and deep breathing but nothing helps much. I’ve seen several top consultants who are very sympathetic but at a loss.

A few tips are...buy some bra extenders( Amazon) which instantly extend your bra by a few inches. Elastic waists, obviously, and lie on your side with a hot pack draped over your colon. A few farts if your lucky but for some reason I can only fart sitting on the loo, so lots of trips there. We are told to exercise but that greatly increases the symptoms...though I still do so.

Good luck to all of us !

Iggles

[Charlie2w in reply to Iggls]

Hi there thanks for replying.

Thanks for the tips! Bra extenders sound like a great idea.

Elastic waists for me are an absolute no go unfortunately 😔 they seem to exacerbate my pain!

I have noticed that farting is getting harder and I have to strain a lot to fart.

There are certain yoga poses that I have found helpful in relieving gas. Yoga in general has helped me a lot.

I think exercise has helped me too. I started going to the gym 5 days a week at the beginning of January for a few months until the gyms closed and I am barely exercising. I do feel that it helped although wearing sports clothes is not so fun!

I have never tried the Fodmap diet. Has it helped you do you think?

[Bs06dw]

If i wear like sport leggings or high waisted jeans i have terrible stomach ache i have to wear clothes below mystomach most of the time

[Charlie2w in reply to Bs06dw]

I feel your pain. I used to be able to wear clothes below my stomach but even nickers can be too painful now! I'm starting to think perhaps this isn't IBS but something else entirely as most people can still get away with low rise clothes. Have you been diagnosed? I hope you feel better soon

[Tummyhell in reply to Bs06dw]

Same for me

[Kriswiles3]

Hi there. I know this is a few years late, but I was wondering if your doctor ever mentioned anything about having visceral hypersensitivity.