New severe symptoms...

[Moomins91]

Hi everyone,

Newbie here!

I've had fairly manageable IBS for the past 12 years, however over the past year things have become quite a lot worse and in the last 3 months I've had 2 very severe pain episodes which led to me being referred for a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy didn't show much but I'm waiting for the biopsy results to come back which will take approx 6 weeks. However, these pain episodes have been utterly excruciating (worse than kidney stones I had 6 years ago) and I've never been informed about this kind of pain from IBS from a GP.

The pain comes on fairly suddenly (builds up within about 20 minutes) and the last episode I had left me stranded in a motorway service station for 3 hours, delirious from the pain and barely able to move / talk. Luckily my partner was with me but in hindsight I should have gone to a&e. The pain came like contractions and felt like my insides were tied in knots and being stabbed by knives. Both times it has lasted for 2-3 hours before wearing off. I have no urge to go to the toilet when it happens.

Has anyone had this experience with IBS? I'm wondering whether it is something else entirely like gall stones maybe. Anxiety is pretty bad with all of this which obviously doesn't help things either. I've been tested for Crohn's, celiac, had FIT done and all back negative.

[Blue_81]

Im so sorry Moomins. I just got diagnose with IBS. I have strong abdominal pain right in the middle of my stomach every day. Its rare when I dont have it. I have had all sorts of test and nothing has come out of it. Doctors did find I had gallstones and suggested to remove my gallbladder and said my pain was due to that. What a mistake that was. Made everything worse for me. Intermittent fasting helps here and there. Walking lowers my anxiety. I try to get through each day as best as I can. Hope you get better.

[Suecoo66]

I've had pain like that it's spasms. For me it usually ends is explosive diarrhoea and I've also passed out from the pain before

[Viklou]

Sounds like gallstones xxx

[Frasina]

They need to do an ultrasound; colonoscopy can only reveal insides of the large bowel so go back and pester your GP; possibly gallstones.

[Hidden]

Hi, I suffered episodes of severe pain for about 18 years which led to paramedics being called out, and visits to A&E. The severity of the pain would cause me to collapse and lose consciousness. Tests were all negative and conclusion was always "it's just your IBS". Anxiety often did precede episodes. However, last September I had to have emergency surgery to remove half my bowel as it was twisted and this is serious. I've not had an episode since but do still have IBS pain and discomfort. Also strange that despite the right portion of my bowel having been removed I still get lower right side pain. There's a lot that is still not understood about our gastrointestinal system.

[Bugsmum12]

Was your pain from blowing up with gas? If so I have found Deflatine from Rennie a game changer. Works within 30mins. Good luck

[Moomins91 in reply to Bugsmum12]

No gas, just the pain. But thank you for the suggestion I’ll keep that in mind!

[Luisa22 in reply to Bugsmum12]

Thanks for that tip. I haven't tried Deflatine yet. It might stop my gassy mornings, and discomfort about 5 hours after dinner at times. I might try it. If that worked for me it would be good.

[angelwings52]

It sounds like gallbladder pain, you need to ask your doctor to refer you for an ultrasound scan as soon as possible, to check for issues. I would also recommend that you also ask for an ultrasound scan of your ovaries, I had horrendous pain regularly which I thought was my IBS, but was actually caused by a large cyst and chronic inflammation of my fallopian tubes, this got missed by my GP as we both assumed it was the IBS. Hope you feel better soon.

[Nickibmibile]

You could've been describing me!! The pain starts low but quickly escalates and I am in agony. I'll be doubled over, sweating like mad and generally rolling around in excruciating pain. I can't stand up and frequently pass out. I've have had some mega black eyes from hitting my face on the floor. I've been tested for everything they can think of but all negative so I'm left with the IBS diagnosis and to basically get on with it. I'm so sorry you are going through this too