Do I have IBS or is it something else?

[Stitch95]

I've recently been suffering with cramping and pain in my lower abdomen and constipation. My doctor has arranged some blood tests for me and a stool sample. In the meantime I've been prescribed mebeverine for the pain which is commonly used for IBS. However in the last couple days the pain is moving down into my groin area as well and I don't know how else to describe it other than an aching burning sensation. Is this a common symptom of IBS?

[Hidden]

Hi there I get pain low down too just above pubic area I have ibs c x

[Stitch95 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for replying 😊

It's definitely a relief to know I'm not the only one. I get bad pelvic pain too, I always just assumed that IBS would be more stomach related pain. Its all still very new to me x

[Maureen1958]

Hi, I certainly get groin pain (which I particularly hate), it certainly aches and does kind of burn. I am curious, is it your right side or left side. I am thinking your left side if burning! Maureen.

[samba101 in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi Maureen. I have bad groin pain aswell, both sides. Have tried everything but nothing helps. Have IBS C, most remedies seem to block up even more! Taking over my life. Wish I could find a long term solution.

[Stitch95 in reply to samba101]

Hi thanks for replying 😊

Yes I'm left side, majority of my pain is left side. Is that unusual?

[Maureen1958 in reply to Stitch95]

Hi Stitch95, see my reply to samba101. When my IBS first started it was IBS(D) but has gradually changed over the years. But when it was mainly diarrhoea, it always felt like it just run down the left hand side of my bowel and out. But as time went along (about 15 years) it started going over to the right side. This is when I got really confused with it. I don't know if it was because I was holding it more, although I had always held it to some degree or I would have been in the toilet all day.

[Maureen1958 in reply to samba101]

Hi samba101, I think I am IBS (M) or (A) (Mixed) or (Alternating). When I was more IBS(D) is was left side but now I find it is more right side. I find the right side worse for some particular reason. I think it is because it doesn't feel right somehow, like I have bowel where I shouldn't have. That's about the only way I can describe it. But it could be a tendon or muscle or something that I am feeling. Does that sound anything like what you are experiencing. Does that make sense to you.

[samba101 in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi Maureen

Yes,absolutely, I am feeling just the same. I have had all the tests, colonoscopy, endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and an abdominal scan, nothing shows up on anything. It does make you think you are going mad as no one seems to be listening. It sounds very similar to me, I often think how can it be the bowels, but I think it is. Maybe it is our age, I am 61, how about you? Fed up of taking medicines that don't work and trying new things in the diet which also don't work.

[Maureen1958 in reply to samba101]

It's so refreshing to finally find someone who understands what I am saying! I too think I am going mad sometimes. I'm 63 in February and I think you could be right about it being our age. How long have you had IBS, I have had it for 35 years. I don't take any medications for the IBS either, the only medication I take is betablockers for high blood pressure which started about the same time as the IBS!

[samba101 in reply to Maureen1958]

I have had IBS for about the same amount of time as you and also take no medication for it as it doesn't help. I take laxatives now every other day otherwise there is no movement whatsoever, I have very bad indigestion aswell so take omeprazole every day too. There seem to be alot of us with similar issues, so there must be an answer somewhere. It is nice to know I am not the only one.

[Hidden]

Forgot to ask if your female and going through the menopause as fibroids can cause this too x

[Mubble50 in reply to Hidden]

Hi - I just read your post re fibroids and menopause/ which I have both - I didn’t know this could happen

[Hidden in reply to Mubble50]

I’ve had an ultrasound today to see if my fibroids have grown and causing my bowel problems they can press on bowel and bladder and cause pain and bloating but most fibroids I’ve been told cause no problems at all x

[Mubble50 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying - hope you feel better soon and everything sorts itself out 🙂