Don't know if this is IBS

[KatherineM_PBC]

Hi all. I have been having stomach cramps on and off for 6 months, gradually getting worse over the last 2 weeks so made an appt with Doc. I described left sided pain, very low dull achy abdominal pain which goes right through to my back. I take probiotics and use Dulcoease most days so I go to the loo OK, not bunged up or loose. My Doc is thinking it's IBS and suggested Buscopan but it made no difference. Some days I don't feel it at all, some days I feel good for nothing, I often feel very bloated but have also put on a few pounds through lockdown.

Is all this typical for IBS or unlikely?

[Dalph87]

It is. You have the common symptoms.

What about changes in bowel habits?

And do you sleep at night?

Try Dysflatil if you struggle to expel air, it works well and has no side effects.

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to Dalph87]

Hi, thank you for replying. To me it felt more like period cramps and I haven't noticed a change in bowel habits so I wasn't thinking IBS. I have taken simeticone in Wind-ease and Senocalm tabs and neither help. I am on Amitriptyline (75mg daily) as I suffered migraines for 3 years, feels like the pain has just moved around my body! What other meds are good for pain relief?

[xjrs]

You doctor should not be assuming IBS. If you are in the UK there is a set protocol for diagnosing IBS using blood and stool sample tests:

nhs.uk/conditions/irritable...

You can ask for these tests to put your mind at ease and also know how you need to proceed. Most people will come back with IBS but best to be sure.

If you are diagnosed with IBS, you can check back in here since there is much that can be done to help your symptoms.

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to xjrs]

Thank-you xjrs. My Doc was thorough with the questioning and is sending me for Gynae scan too, but it was her thought it would be more an IBS issue. I will look at the NHS link you sent and if symptoms do persist will ask the GP if I can have those tests👍🏻

[Jaycey62]

It could've been me writing your post ..I've had IBS for most of my life and have all the symptoms you describe ..I felt great for 2 weeks, but this week feel really rough with it - lots of pains in abdomen, lower and upper back, even legs and felt a bit light headed at times ..I take Colpermin capsules, eat soft foods as bit constipated and try to take my mind off it as mines mostly stress related, which is sets off a vicious circle because I worry if it's something else, but my symptoms eventually ease off and I can then relax .. Hope your Dr sorts you out - keep on at them until they do!

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to Jaycey62]

Hi Jaycey. Like you I have started to wonder that I have something more serious as the symptoms continue. I am lucky that I have been able to access a Doctors appt and she was very thorough with questioning and did an internal exam as I said I felt the pain more in my lower abdomen and back like period pain. I am also having a Gynae scan tomorrow but when I look at IBS symptoms they are similar. I take Amitriptyline as I am just coming out of a 3 year period of migraine/daily headache, having suffered from a chronic bladder issue since 18, I think my body just moves the pain around from 1 area to another! I will look into the Colpermin caps…..have you tried Silicolgel, it's 1 of the IBS meds that seems to be well reviewed?

Much like my experience when dealing with migraine/daily headache I found good support on Health Unlocked. What is so surprising is that people live with these conditions and often the medical world is no further forward with finding good treatments? 😩

[Jaycey62]

I get the period-like pains a lot ..I had an internal scan and all was clear ..IBS causes pain and discomfort in so many area's ..I get headaches and feel nauseas with it too ..I haven't been to Dr's for quite a while as feel a nuisance ..I had a colonoscopy last year and have had 2 endoscopies over 5 years an long with varies scans ..It all comes back to IBS it's so annoying and really has an impact on our mental health ...When i have a flare up I get very anxious and have to focus on being positive .. I haven't heard of Silicon gel, but will look into it thanks.. Yes I'm really grateful to Health Unlocked as there's so many people suffering the same and it's nice we can a lol share advice and tips .. Hope we both get some relief from our aches and pains soon ...Take care

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to Jaycey62]

"I haven't heard of Silicon gel, but will look into it thanks"…..haha make sure you Google Silicolgel and not Silicon, as I don't think that would do you any good 😉. I think it is always worth going back to your GP for support to see if they have any different advice. After 30 years with Interstitial Cystitis I had a bad flare and went to a different GP in my practice. She said she had seen a patient with the same symptoms who had started to take a supplement called D-Mannose. It wasn't available on prescription but suggested I look it up. Having ordered and taken the supplement, after a few months I got massive relief from my IC and haven't had another bad flare!

[Cramped_up]

Hey, if you have gained or loss weight recently, been out of the country, around someone with intestinal infection, eat sushi, sashimi or pokie, pork, have pets, work in the garden, play in the ocean or go around a lake, or live in a town or city with poor water system you could have one or more parasites. I know it sounds scary, but many have them and don't know.