Tummy, Lower back - bladder?! Very anxious.

[Kellylou1712]

I have had issues recently with lower tummy pain 'widespread' and comes and goes with build up of gas and feeling at times of not being able to empty my bowels properly or suddenly having to go to the toilet with great urgency. Along with this I seem to have bladder complaints with feeling like on occasion I can't get a good wee out and that I am having to wee more regularly than normal (naturally I thought this was a UTI) Alongside this I have been experiencing intermittent lower back pain.. now I do have a desk job so I do spend periods of the day sitting but other than that I'm running around after my children and keeping fairly active - I'm a 30yr old female.

I have had full blood screenings including CA125 test, tests for coeliac, general FBC etc. these have all come back normal. I have also had a normal urine sample test and a normal stool sample test. My stools look completely normal with no blood/mucus etc. I have normal periods however I do have HPV (Last smear done in March which showed HPV but clear cancer tests)

My Dr has said she suspects IBS but has now referred me for an Abdo, pelvic and bladder scan - I'm petrified to say the least. I have a hugely anxious disposition and suffer from health anxiety and always thinking the worst. Is there anyone with IBS who can identify with my symptoms at all?

[Kellylou1712]

To note my lower back pain can also extend into my hip, pelvis and thighs.

[kml74 in reply to Kellylou1712]

Do you run at all? Could your pelvis be out of alignment? This is what I have issues with!

[Kellylou1712 in reply to kml74]

Thank you for your reply! It has some potential as I do like to keep active! x

[Dolly38 in reply to Kellylou1712]

Hello My advice consultant your Doctor and rule out other illnesses going on.

Lally

[Kellylou1712 in reply to Dolly38]

Thank you for your reply x

[Linley]

Hi Kellylou1712You have pre-emptied the questions I was going to ask you. Firstly, I had health anxiety in my 30s when I started getting symptoms like yours. There are a few conditions that have similar symptoms to IBS and mine turned out to be Endometriosis and later confirmed IBS-d. I have to say you have a very good doctor if he/she has put you forward for scans they are covering every avenue with all the BTs and STs. Easier said than done but try to be positive about getting the scans as once you know what the prob is if there is one you will feel much better. Finally, I was told I have HPV so just get your smear done regularly and all should be well. Wish you 🍀and 🤞

[Kellylou1712 in reply to Linley]

Thank you so much for replying to me Linley! Will a scan pick up on endometriosis if it is that? x

[Linley in reply to Kellylou1712]

Scans are much more sophisticated than when I 1st had my probs but a Laparoscopy clinched the finding of Endo. Let us know how you get on🌹

[Luisa22]

What your doctor suggests sounds very sensible to me. She sounds like a decent doctor, and you have had some good tests done.

Scans and tests always are nerve wracking. I remember having a head CT scan a couple of years ago and I looked still and calm in the hospital but inside I was a nervous wreck! All was well with that, totally normal, but I was convinced I had a brain tumour because of months of horrible symptoms (mostly those have gone now by the way.)

There are different types of HPV and some aren't a cancer risk at all. I had one like that years and years ago.

I have IBS-D and all your symptoms except the peeing thing I can relate to, to be sure! I do have odd peeing issues but not like yours. Like for instance, sometimes I go all day except first thing in the morning, without needing to pee and it starts to freak me out especially when I have been drinking water, coffee, tea etc. Then in the evening I will need to pee maybe 7 times! But no red flags, urine tests normal, normal urine flow, normal colour, and no bladder burning or pains there. So I think that's something to do with diuretic/anti-diuretic hormone and its ups and downs with me. But it's still a mystery.

My stools are too loose sometimes, but otherwise normal in all ways and not even any strong smell to them, blood, mucus etc. But I get lower tummy aches and discomfort , bloating low down, and pass a LOT of wind when I wake up in the morning (then hardly any all day long)

[Kellylou1712 in reply to Luisa22]

That’s really helpful Luisa22 thank you so much for taking some time out to reply to me x

[Edgar77]

This sounds a mirror image of me. I am a celiac with IBS also had HVP in the past. All clear now. I have lower back, groin s and bladder pain heavy legs too. Had a 3 day course of antibiotics which did nothin. Sometimes I have difficulty forcing my bladder to empty. I am mostly IBSC with border line BAM (Bile acid malabsorbtion) more common in IBS sufferers. Worth looking into.

[Kellylou1712 in reply to Edgar77]

Thank you for taking time to reply Edgar77 I appreciate it x

[RedTeddy]

I've been the same as you for over a year, all tests I have had came back clear. I currently have no diagnosis other than suspected IBS.

I do suffer with UTI's, I usually get 2-3 a year but so far in 2022 I've already had 3. I'm putting it down to the extra stress I've been under since Xmas really as it can lower your immune system. I'm now working really hard to lower my stress levels as this will help IBS too. Try not to worry the tests you've had so far were clear & it's good you've got some scans lined up. Good luck & stay positive (as I keep trying to tell myself) 😊

[Linley in reply to RedTeddy]

Just a thought have you had a coil fitted in the last year or so?

[RedTeddy in reply to Linley]

No I've never had a coil fitted, I don't like the idea of it & knowing my luck I'd be one of those people who'd have problems with it, I've already got enough problems.....

[Linley in reply to RedTeddy]

Well said you know your own body👍

[Kellylou1712 in reply to RedTeddy]

Hi RedTeddy! Thank you for replying to me, I’m so sorry you’re going through things too and have no answers. Wishing you all the best x

[xjrs]

My IBS pain is experienced in the lower back.

[Kellylou1712 in reply to xjrs]

Thank you for your reassurance! x

[Pte82]

Kellylou1712, B1 deficiency may be a connection to the symptoms you listed. Here is some links to research.

objectivenutrients.com/insi...

eonutrition.co.uk/post/when...

eonutrition.co.uk/post/thia...

stuttersense.blogspot.com/2...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Kellylou1712 in reply to Pte82]

Thank you, I will take a look into this x

[b1b1b1]

Also considerer that it may be a pelvic floor problem. For this you see a colo rectal doctor, although your gastroenterologist should also be Abel to advise you.

[Kellylou1712 in reply to b1b1b1]

Thank you, certainly another avenue to consider! x