Could I be suffering from IBS?

[hxbibaaa]

In January 2020, I experienced this cramp in my lower stomach. The cramp turned into a severe stomach back ache to the point where touching my stomach/back was painful and I was throwing up constantly.

I went to the hospital and they assumed it was kidney stones (it wasn’t). February comes and I experience the same thing again. They told me I had a urine infection and gave me antibiotics (there was no UTI).

From March onward I didn’t get pain but I constantly felt as though I had a urine infection. All tests came back negative however.

In August, I experienced the same pain again; it lasted 12 hours until I was given painkillers through IV. I stayed overnight in the hospital this time and they carried out an ultrasound scan on me to check for ovarian cysts. Everything looked fine and the doctor assumed it was still a UTI and said that i must have bladder inflammation.

Ever since that occurrence in August, I could no longer bend down without feeling pain, as though my lower abdomen was swollen, and I had all the symptoms of a urine infection (though I didn’t have one). Before August I was running every morning, exercising and doing all sorts. Now I was simply sitting all day and mostly feeling uncomfortable or in pain.

In September I felt all better. I was bending down again, going for walks but then the same thing happened and I was hospitalised again.

I assumed I had interstitial cystitis, but now having done a cystoscopy, I’ve been told that my bladder is completely normal. Now I can only assume that it could be IBS. For a few months I was constipated, and even taking laxative twice a day and eating soft watery foods did not help.

Months later, I’m now less constipated but when I need to do a poo, I NEED to do it (it feels as though it’s suddenly going to slip out) and if I don’t have the sudden need to do it but I’m sitting on the toilet and am able to poo, only a bit will come out despite the many times I push (pushing then usually ends up hurting my tummy so I have to stop, leave and wait a few hours later for the time where I will suddenly get the need to poo). I have also noticed mucus in my poo many times before.

One thing I’ve noticed is that bending or picking up heavy things seem to hurt my stomach. At times where I have flare ups, stretching my stomach/back also makes it worse. Is this a sign of IBS?

[Maureen1958]

I am wondering if you are still a bit constipated (IBS(C)). You could try laxatives again or making sure you drink plenty, might help.