IBS/constant low pain/aching

[jkh1960]

I have been told I have IBS C and have a constant low pain/ache jut across the top of my bladder, is this a 'normal' symptom of IBS?

[Krn210]

I often get pain there too. I don’t know what normal is...but I can sympathize. Are you eating a high fiber diet, or taking any sort of probiotics?

[MrAddy]

I have IBS-M so suffer both, and there is a consistent pain/ache with the occasional jab on my left side of my colon which is worse while I do not go to the loo for a while (IBS-C). Once an episode of IBS-D springs into action the pain subsides and I ache until it builds up again.

It can be very frustrating because although I take pain killers they do not always last as long as they should and it's a constant reminder of what's coming.

So in my experience it's normal. Hope that helps and you find a way to reduce the impact of it.

[xjrs]

IBS can cause pain like symptoms - mine used to give me mid to lower back pain. However, any symptoms that you are unsure of should really be discussed with your GP.

IBS related pain could be caused by visceral hypersensitivity (functional abdominal pain) - there is info about it here:

iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorder...

It is where the brain interprets the normal activity of the bowel as pain - this is due to a wearing down of neurons in pain control centres of the brain which can be caused by PTSD, neglect or abuse in childhood, extreme stressful events etc. The first line treatment is nerve pain agents such as low dose amitriptyline. There is a theory that being on something like amitriptyline for 6-12 months can help the pain control centre neurons to regenerate. Note that amitriptyline can cause constipation, but this can be helpful in people who are diarrhea dominant. Unfortunately I couldn't tolerate these.

The pain can also be caused by a gut bacterial imbalance, which is why taking a good probiotic might help.

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. 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. Linaclotide is meant to increase transit time and help with pain. Linaclotide reduced my pain by 50%-60%. When I added in Alflorex, the pain reduced to zero and only comes back when I am reintroducing foods back into my diet and before my body adapts (or I have to give up on that food).

To improve constipation in the short term you can try ground flaxseed on your breakfast, starting at 1 teaspoon and increasing at 1 teaspoon every 2-3 days - you'll need to consume extra water with it.

This is what I have for breakfast: 75g oat bran, 50g of all (wheat) bran soaked overnight in water plus 10 almonds & 1 tablespoon flaxseed ground together, 2 tablespoon chia seeds and 9 prunes plus homemade oat milk - all soaked for a further 15 mins (so the chia seeds form a gel).

Note that any increases in fibre need to be performed on a gradual basis. Note that I'd needed the Alflorex first to make me more tolerant to some of the FODMAPs in some of the foods mentioned.

There is also Shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex) .

Before lunch I have 1 orange (which contains a natural laxative).

Before dinner I have one of these high fibre fruits:

2 small hard pears

5 dried apricots

90g Raspberries

2 kiwi

I bulk buy fruit and freeze where necessary to allow me to have this variety.

At other meals I have:

Quinoa

Wholewheat bread

Whole grain pastas (Spelt or GF: Buckwheat)

If you eat potatoes, you can try sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes since they have much higher fibre content, plus they contain a natural osmotic laxative (mannitol).

I also take 30 drops of ginger extract in a little water before bedtime to aid motility. You may need to work up the dose to say 7 drop increments each night.

I have been giving Optifibre a go, which has been helping but I need to be careful with the amount since it gives me gas.

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).

There is some good advice about constipation here:

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

[Siminsays]

Yes, I take morphine as the pain is like someone with a hack saw cutting through and across, and then twisting my bowel just to finish off the job! Mine started after getting ptsd, I also use peppermint capsules (colpoermin), exercise has best effect, like 2 hour walk