Not sure if its IBS?

[KatherineM_PBC]

Over the last couple of years I've been suffering constipation which I put down to taking Amitriptyline for chronic migraine. I would go 2-3 days without a bowel movement and could only get things going again with Laxido and Senakot. I can remember the first time I felt a sharp left sided pain as it was right at the beginning of 2020 lockdown, and unable to get an appt with my GP, I made a Livi call and was laughing, holding the phone infront of my abdomen and telling him where the pain was. He simply suggested to take Buscopan which made no difference. Since, I have been to my GP twice with the same symptoms, left sided sharp pain and dull achy pain in my abdomen, accompanied by bloating. Having put on weight during lockdown and feeling thoroughly uncomfortable, I put myself on a calorie deficit diet and have managed to lose 7lb which has helped with the bloating, BUT, I am now suffering near constant lower abdomen discomfort. Last time I spoke to my GP she said she would refer me to Colorectal Team, as yet I have not heard back from them, but honestly find it hard to believe that this constant discomfort, whether sitting, standing or laying, can be IBS? I cannot see any blood in my stools so have ordered a kit online to test. If anyone has had similar symptoms can you reply with any advice please?

[b1b1b1]

The best think is to see a gastroenterologist as soon as possible. This is likely to relieve some of your anxiety.

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to b1b1b1]

Yes I have been referred and hopefully I will get an appt soon.

[MOLLYMILO007]

This was just same as me I take amitritlyn and Co codemol so had sluggish bowels ..started with horrific pain in Dec low left side thought prob gynie I paid for a ultrasound...nothing there..so had fit test found blood so I was scared stiff...referred for a colonoscopy found nothing.wrong with colon ..my gp said prob ibs but it isn't...had other gynie problems paid to see a private gynie he suggested I took movicol everyday and more water and fruit ..fibre etc anyway pain dissapeared and bowels are alot better prob every 2 days but not constipated....anyway is worth a try ...Good luck x

[Superzob in reply to MOLLYMILO007]

I was wondering something similar. I don't know whether KatherineM_PBC can reduce her dose of amitriptyline, because that might indicate whether it is actually the cause. I have become constipated on changing my probiotic, so there is good reason to suggest that any change in food/drug intake can change bowel habit.

My understanding is that, officially, you are not deemed to be constipated unless you have fewer than one bowel movement every 3 days, and anything from that up to 3 movements per day is considered normal. But you certainly would not want to be in constant pain, regardless of the "official" line, so your suggestions seem a good way to go.

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to MOLLYMILO007]

In a way it’s reassuring to know that others can experience such pains yet it not be anything critical like cancer! Mine feels like period pain but I have a coil fitted and had an internal Gynae scan last year with nothing unusual found. I will try with Laxido to get bowels regulated, I’ve also read good things about a probiotic called Alflorex and started on that a week ago. Also started on peppermint oil caps today, apparently they help too!! Thank you for your reassurance, hopefully when I get to see a Gastro consultant I’ll get more advice. X

[weegmack]

I take 50mg daily on amitriptyline for chronic daily headache. I know exactly the pain you’re talking about as I have IBS-C. Any pain is so anxiety provoking so I do think it’s worth getting checked out, but I mean for your own reassurance. I take a sachet of Laxido everyday to keep regular and drink plenty of water. Xx

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to weegmack]

Oh I do feel for you as I also suffered chronic daily headache for 3 years until I got to 75mg daily dose of Amitriptyline and the headache stopped. I haven’t had a migraine for 18 months yippee but the cons are that Ami has probably caused me bowel issues. But I won’t give up, started on a new probiotic last week called Alflorex, I read about it on the HU forums, perhaps it might help you? Laxido and Senacot do help too, just wish this dull abdominal pain would ease off! X

[weegmack in reply to KatherineM_PBC]

It does cause constipation in some people, but I find Laxido works best for me. Unfortunately I can’t take probiotics because every single ones I’ve tried make me very sick! I have gallbladder problems too, but I’m finding digestive enzymes are helping. I have anxiety disorder and I’m pretty miserable just now. When I got my gallbladder scanned, they found a shadow on my right kidney and it’s a mass 😞. I’ve to see a urologist ASAP. I won’t know if it’s benign or malignant until they’ve either done a biopsy or removed the whole lot. I’m 46 and I’ve had IBS, upper GI issues, anxiety and depression for 34 years and I’m so gutted this is what I have to deal with next. 😞

[Smeese]

I found drinking more water at regular intervals during the day and taking psyllium husk in two of them really helped with the constipation. Might be a good idea to look carefully at what you are eating in case your bowel is inflamed and causing the pain. I tried a low fodmap diet very strictly for a while and it helped a lot with identifying the culprits (wheat, cows milk, onions, garlic and beans).

[Krisbetty]

I found having 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds everyday helps and I have 1 sachet of laxido and really helps with my bowels. I take amitripltyine to help control my colon spasms.

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to Krisbetty]

Hi, I had read that linseeds were good for bowel health and have been eating most mornings in my porridge - I'll try flaxseeds too!

[Krisbetty in reply to KatherineM_PBC]

Chia seeds are go too . I think linseed and flaxseeds are one of the same

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to Krisbetty]

I like chia seeds but they get in your teeth 😆 x

[Batteria in reply to KatherineM_PBC]

Linseed and flaxseed are the same thing and are very powerful purgatives. Do not overdose. Con amore Bx

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to Batteria]

I can't quite believe that with the amount of help I'm giving my bowels I'm still not regular😂 at least linseed in my porridge is more pleasant than some of the fibre drinks!

[Batteria in reply to KatherineM_PBC]

Have you considered colonic irrigation? Con amore Bx

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to Batteria]

Never fancied the idea of that, is it known to help with constipation and IBS issues?

[Batteria in reply to KatherineM_PBC]

Colonic irrigation, I believe, is very effective. My grandfather used to get it and swore by it. Read up on it and see if you think it would help. Read all you can on the whole subject and try everything. It must be horrible not being able to void. I have a friend who told me she had a stool half in and half out of her rectum and couldn’t move it any further. She had to go to bed and wait for it to clear which took about 24 hours. So this level of constipation is not unknown. I hope you sort this out. Buona fortuna Bx

[Batteria in reply to KatherineM_PBC]

Also, what happens when you do a soapy water enema? Anything? It looks like the linseed is ignored by your bowel. The worst thing for me was cous cous. It made me soil the bed so I never touched it again. I can’t really help as I’ve never been constipated but I hope you find a solution soon. Let us know how you get on. Con amore Bx

[IBSgraduate]

Don't give up. Alflorex generally takes 3-4 weeks to really begin to work.....

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Hi Katherine I also didn’t realise constipation can cause so much pain I have constant dull ache every day and sometimes severe pain down above the pubic area . I take optifibre every day which speeds transit up and 1 sachet movicol which softens it this has virtually solved the constipation problem but not the pain ! I drink lots warm water with fresh lemon and use a hot water bottle and massage the lower stomach . Amiltriptine is a bugger for causing constipation and codeine . Is there anything else your gp can give you for the migraines ? I used to be on meds for that years ago the migraines put me out of action for days x