So worried what this is

[Calamity64]

I'm so worried as to what my ongoing pain on and off but mainly on since ladt November, I sleep OK but then when I'm awake towards the afternoon the bad wrenching pain in my lower left abdomen pelvis area is horrid and sometimes and wanting to poo, I'm waiting for a CT scan and I've to see the gynocologist in June but I'm so worried, I've had colonoscopy in Nov 2019 but all OK apart from lots of gas.

[Maureen1958]

The problem with IBS is everyone who doesn't have any knowledge of it thinks it just a little inconvenience. I can assure you (as can many others on this site and the other sites I belong to) that it can be excruciatingly painful and can last for ages.

Generally in the UK the first thing would be stool and blood tests and then you may follow up with a colonoscopy. If nothing untoward is found during the colonoscopy then you are told you have IBS and left to get on with it. Hence so many sites like this.

Can I ask what you are particularly worried about?!

[Calamity64 in reply to Maureen1958]

Thanks maureen, I had 2 colonoscopies in 2017 and end of 2019 but results were gas, this year in Jan and Feb had blood tests and the stool tests, calprotein tests and all ok, I'm down to see the gyno and a ct scan, this pain is on and off every day, heat bag helps the burning twisting lower left bowel area and rectum pain, just so worried.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Calamity64]

So are you worried that you have something like cancer or just worried that you can't cope with the pain!

[Calamity64 in reply to Maureen1958]

I suppose both, when I get home from work I lay down with a heat bag and when I go to sleep there's no pain and when I wake nothing, then the pain starts during the day, with lots of anxiety and worry,.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Calamity64]

Well stop worrying about cancer, put that out of the equation, you have had tests lately, I am sure something would have been found if that were the case. But how to deal with the IBS pain is a difficult one, as I know too well. Most days now (I have had IBS for over 35 years) I am in pain, it does move around a lot which at least gives me a change if not a rest, but it's more or less there 24/7 these days. But I am afraid I have no idea how to deal with it. Sometimes I take paracetomol but they don't help a lot if at all.

[Calamity64 in reply to Maureen1958]

I have had the odd lower left abdomen pains on and off over the last few years but nothing like what I've got now, this started last October also I'm having big issues with damp and mould and worry and anxiety, my gastronologist consultant has seen me a few times now but says more likely to be IBS but having the CT scan and had the bloods etc, heat pad does ease it and when i stand too.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Calamity64]

We are all so different, I usually find I'm better sitting down when in pain but sometimes I find I'm better standing up. You never know what to do for the best really. Are you from the United States by any chance?

[Calamity64 in reply to Maureen1958]

No I'm in the UK, walking and laying flat with my heat bag helps a lot, ginger and peppermint tea, I've been on gluten free and other diets but still wonder is it something I've eaten or the constant anxiety and worry I have,

[Maureen1958 in reply to Calamity64]

I'm not so good with lying flat although I always feel better when I have laid in the Dentist's chair. There seems to be something about the angle of their chairs that make me feel better. Not many people go to the dentist and feel better when they come out. Last time I went I ask the dentist, she is a young girl (well I say that, young to me, probably in her late twenties or early thirties but lovely to chat to, her mum has IBS!) if it was possible to get hold of a second hand dentist's chair, but she said they have to be anchored into the floor and they are very expensive!

[Iesgobdafydd]

Anxiety and gut pain can make a kind of nasty feedback loop where we worry because of the pain and then the anxiety is bad for our gut health and it goes round and round making itself worse. If you don't find it easy not to start thinking about your worries when you lie down with your heat bag, it might be worth trying a relaxation meditation CD or playing a youtube video on that theme - I find things like that help me to relax more deeply than just by lying down.

[Calamity64 in reply to Iesgobdafydd]

Thanks for the kind info from many, I do try to listen to calming music with heat bags when I'm home from work, I also have tinnitus that doesn't help.

[Luisa22]

I get lower left 'discomfort' often in the evenings a few hours after dinner. The discomfort is a weird feeling. like a heaviness, and like a feeling something is running around inside there. My lower belly swells up then. I pass wind maybe 4-8 times but passing the wind only relieves it slightly. Then after about 2-3 hours it just eases off somewhat, but I am still a bit distended low down.

It sounds strange but the feeling is almost as if my actual gut (not me!) is having a panic attack!

Some days it just isn't there. It is not related to any foods I eat. I can have the same menu on one day and have nothing. But on another day I will. It's not related to any obvious stress either.

But I do get awful back pain. I do know there is something very wrong with my back, and it's bad of me not to get an x ray for that. I just keep soldiering on with it after useless doctor's visits in the past over it. All I was told was "it's probably a bit of wear and tear" or "It's not a slipped disc" after an examination.

My back is deformed. Invisible when I wear clothes. but one hip juts out and is high, the other lower, one leg about 2 inches longer than the other, I have lost the natural spinal curve, and my ribcage seems to be getting closer to my pelvis as if my back is collapsing.

That is the cause of my pain basically.

I often think my back troubles are a main irritant of my ibs. Or...I even wonder if they might be the cause. Sometimes back pain makes my lower tummy hurt

I try to do stretches

[Arpin]

I know this is easy for me to say but try not to stress as this sends anxiety levels soaring and more discomfort it's a vicious cycle On here we have all been where you are now You are going to go through tests and once you have a diagnosis talk to us Ive found so much comfort support and valuable advice here and loads of kindred spirits You can then try out foods etc This will take time and to be honest I wouldn't of ever wanted IBS but I have and it won't beat me down flare ups are tackled and life becomes happy again Have your tests talk to anyone who understands then diagnosis and plan forward You may have to have a lot of strength so you can't afford giving good energy up for stress Know your not alone Best thing I did joining all the rest of the warriors and survivors who are all great and positive people so Hi and I'm wishing you the best and please talk to us again Sandie 🧡

[Calamity64 in reply to Arpin]

Thanks sandie, more tests yet and will see how I get on but will keep you posted, are you in the uk?

[Arpin in reply to Calamity64]

Hi there I'm sorry I've had probs trying to access this site Password wrong etc but it seems to have corrected now So enough of me yes tests and tests in places you didn't realise existed but they have to be done to get you the diagnosis you need to start on the journey to get your diet ok, meds and outside things like calming your stress meditation is my choice so that you can work out what suits what doesn't Everyone is so different IBS is such a huge umbrella When I can be as positive as possible I feel so much better After your tests you will understand more about yourself and how you work IBS is tiring and debilitating but not everyday I wish you strength and the ability to understand This challenge you have you will face with courage and dignity and once accepted live your life as best as you can My thoughts are with you

🧡

[Arpin in reply to Arpin]

Sorry yes I'm in the UK Forgot to say 🧡

[Arpin in reply to Calamity64]

Hi yes sorry I forgot to say I am in the UK🧡

[sandycrafter in reply to Arpin]

Hi Arpin, like Calamity I am having lots of bowel pain all mostly left sided, had bloods and fitt test, all clear, and pain killers the wind pain and discomfort has lasted 6 weeks, have just tried to book on-line appointment with GP

[Arpin in reply to sandycrafter]

Hi sandy crafter I do apologise I haven't got back to you I couldn't access the site wrong password etc It's righted itself now thank goodness It is really baffling when your tests come back ok or clear You think how can this be when it feels so wrong and you feel illYou just have to be given an appointment Can I ask have you lost weight? I ask because when I finally got a telephone consultation I mentioned my weight loss and that was it I was fast tracked and went through test after test until diagnosis I didn't have at this time any gas or bloating I do now but not excessively IBS is like doing a jigsaw puzzle we have all the pieces but they don't fit we can juggle them upside down back to front but we are still none the wiser and so we feel very negative using what little good energy we have While we feel low we tense with pain and it worsens the intensity it grows out of what normally we would find ok to manage The jigsaw puzzle will be put in order its up to the individual But know you are not alone Talk to us here we all are going through at various stages where you are now so someone will listen and give you positive advice Keep at your surgery you need to address this preferably face to face then you can deal with it and continue your life living with it and not fighting it

You are in my thoughts and I will answer you if I can

kind regards Sandie🧡

[sandycrafter in reply to Arpin]

Thanks Airpin, can I ask what tests you have had so far.

😀

[Calamity64 in reply to Arpin]

Do any of the IBS sufferers out there also have a lot of burping during the day along with constant pain, my abdomen is flattish in the morning and gradually becomes more bloated with pain as the day progresses reaching bad pain in the evening, heat does help sometimes.