Not sure if it's IBS or reflux or blocked colon!!??

[Fiatmanda]

I've been having what feels like a blocked colon for months now, only partially blocked as I'm still going to the loo but I suffer with bad constipation, bloated almost constantly, a little heartburn but not much and when I massage where it feels blocked it pops like there's a mass of trapped air. I've been given anti reflux tablets but I'm sure these symptoms aren't reflux ones. Can anybody tell me if you've had these symptoms? I rarely get diarreah just constant constipation. I'm convinced it's a partial colon blockage

[Viklou]

A blocked colon would be extremely painful and you would know about it. Even a partial blockage can be pretty bad. Personally I would be speaking to your doctor to get some advice on your symptoms

[FRreedman]

As Viklou says, if you had a partial blockage or a sub acute blockage, you would certainly know about it. While awaiting your doctor appointment might I suggest you make sure you are drinking a minimum of 2 litres of water per day. There is a lot more that can be done for constipation, but we should wait for your doctor(s) diagnosis of your condition first. Good luck, stay safe and take care.

[Shn12345]

Are your stools thin when they come out is there a pain any blood

[Fiatmanda in reply to Shn12345]

No blood not thin just hardly anything at a time

[Natlou888]

I have the exact same symptoms and have had since March, I am on acid reflux medication provided by the doctor. Bowels change constantly - one week I can have diorreah which seems to help the blocked feeling I have in upper left abdomen, the next week I can be back to constipated which makes the blocked sensation much worse which can be felt from the front, side and right around to my back. Same popping sensation upon moving/stretching/massaging, and I also noticed I’m not able to pass wind as often. Is this ibs or??? Not getting anywhere with docs and I just pray this is nothing more serious. Glad to finally see a post which is the same as me!

[Fiatmanda in reply to Natlou888]

It's so annoying isn't it!? Have the acid medication helped you at all? I only started them yesterday. If I do have IBS it'll be a long process to work out trigger foods. I'm getting married next year I can't not fit into my dress because of a pot belly lol

[Jellyfish99 in reply to Natlou888]

Ditto, mid March for me too. Pharmacist said probably indigestion and sold me Pepto bismol disgusting pink stuff 😜. No difference. Next pharmacist : Sudocalm ... 🙄 Finally got a GP appointment, sent for ultrasound ... Normal. Macrogol prescribed.. 😜 blood tests, poo tests ... Normal. Told to buy peppermint pills from Health Food Shop!!

[Natlou888]

Yes it is! I find that the blocked feeling can come on as soon as I’ve eaten or during eating and will be worse depending on what I’ve eaten - triggers I have discovered so far seem to be fatty foods or white bread and pastry. Gluten free based foods seem to help and also managing stress which I think is what brought mine on! Just try to relax as much as possible and not to think about it. My acid reflux meds have helped, it was chronic in the beginning from morning till night but now it’s mild. I have been taking esomeperazole and gaviscon advance along with buscopan for the blocked feeling. The reflux seems to also tie in with how blocked I feel in the upper left abdomen Right where my colon is.

[Hidden]

Carry on explorations with your doctor by all means but also consider a good nutritional therapist - I found the NHS tends to tell you you have IBS and that’s it. They don’t have the resources nor the time it takes to deal with root causes etc. I was told by an NHS gastroenterologist to ‘go on the Internet’ when I was feeling like you did.

So diet is paramount and drinking loads of water. Have you tried taking magnesium in the evening? It really helps me, keeps me regular and calms my gut down. Exercise is a must and also relaxing (yoga, meditation works). Try taking out the main culprits from your diet - one at the time, for 2-3 weeks and see how you feel: dairy, gluten and eggs. And also don’t worry you will fit in your dress and will look amazing! 😊

P.S. also do you know if you have any fibroids? They can press against the rectum sometimes and cause feelings similar to what you are describing

P.P.S. Have you tried omega3+6 oil? That should really help with lubrication and softening (TMI!! Lols) 3 tablespoons a day cold on food helps a lot!

[xjrs]

Have you been formally diagnosed with IBS-C (constipation dominant IBS)?

I have IBS-C and have been prescribed Linaclotide for it and I am also taking Alflorex probiotic which has been scientifically studied for IBS and is available on a free 2 month trial on joining theibsnetwork.org. These in combination have reduced the pain I am in considerably and I have been able to tolerate more foods so that I am able to consume the extra fibre I need to have a BM without laxatives including 4 tablespoon oatbran, 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 8 prunes, 2 tablespoon chia seeds and 3 shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex) for breakfast, plus quinoa, wholewheat bread and whole grain pastas at other meals. These fruits are particularly high fibre and can help with BMs: hard pears, dried apricots, raspberries, oranges (contain a natural laxative) & 2 kiwi. In some people the Linaclotide also helps a lot with BMs which is its primary purpose.

There is some good advice about constipation here:

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

Exercise can help with BMs. The government recommends 150 mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking as if you are late for an appointment) or 75 of intense exercise (e.g. jogging) per week. I also have a bit of a walk around straight after breakfast to get things moving.

You need to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (2 litres of fluid per day).

If you really get stuck you want to have a clear out, you can try 800mg+ of Magnesium Oxide. I used to take these for a regular bowel movement when having to be low fibre:

myvitamins.com/vitamins/mag...

- unfortunately out of stock at the moment.

I used to start around 800mg at bed time on an empty stomach, then increment by 100mg (1 pill) each night until I got a response the next morning or the morning after. Most of it goes straight to your bowels where it draws in water to bulk out stools.

This worked well when I was low fibre, but when I started to introduce fibre it became more unpredictable (either not working well enough or too well), so I had to give it up.

[Edgefield]

Hi Sounds like constipation. I suffered the same for a long time - see my recent post.