Pain Investigations - IBS?

[PurpleShark]

I think I am maybe looking some advice, or perhaps some reassurance from anyone going through similar... I feel quite deflated lately. I have had intestinal/abdominal issues since I was about 17 when I was hospitalised. I am almost 30 now and still dealing with the pains.

At 17 I had all sorts of testing done due to right-side abdominal pain and originally a high fever. Colonoscopy/biopsies showed inflammation and small ulcers in my ileum, and some congestion. Barium enema showed some signs of mild active Crohns disease. However, capsule endoscopy some months later was clear and so I was discharged with suspected IBS instead.

My pain has been present over the years, with right-side tenderness, but I was too anxious to go back feeling like I was wasting the doctors' time. The last doctor I saw made it feel like I wasn't being taken seriously which left me with anxiety around raising my symptoms.

In June this year, my pain changed. It's been on-and-off for the past 3.5 months but the symptoms have been consistent in that I have a new deep-aching/pressure type feeling in the right-hand side occasionally radiating towards my back, along with lower back pain, hip pain/stiffness worse in the mornings, spasms in the middle of my abdomen. I also had large amounts of mucus and even some blood on two occasions when wiping. It feels different to IBS pain (as far as I can tell) and it's not after eating food. It seems to persistently be there for days at a time, even when I've not eaten yet (e.g. mornings and lunchtimes). I've also been getting frequent chest tightening (which may not even be related), but I just don't feel myself at all. Everything has been relayed to my GP.

The GP tried me on Buscopan for 1.5 weeks which didn't help at all. Perhaps lessened the spasming, but the pain/pressure was still very persistent in the right-hand abdomen.

I had stool samples and bloods which were presenting normal. I also had an ultrasound (pelvic and abdominal) plus a trans-vaginal ultrasound today which the sonographer said doesn't show anything concerning, which is good.

I guess I'm just getting a little fed up of not being able to pin-point what is causing this. I can't find a pattern related to food/drink and this aching pain is awful. Part of me thinks there's more to it after the previous findings years ago from the colonoscopy and Barium meal. I am keen to not give up so easily this time and I want to find what's causing the pain or at least find something to ease it, however, I get the impression that my GP doesn't fully believe my pain and seems a little dismissive at times.

Anyone with similar feelings or worries?

[BabsyWabsy]

I'm so sorry that you feel you are being dismissed. It is very frustrating. It took me years to get my GP to take me seriously (sorry), and then it was a young locum who finally referred me to a gastroenterologist, while freely admitting that he knew nothing about guts. I think that 'therein lies the problem'. GPs unwilling to admit gaps in their knowledge, when they are supposed to be omnipotent. You may need to be politely persistent, as frustrating as that is. Is there an option to see a different medic? You can ask for a second opinion and /or a referral to a gastro. It may also be worth contacting the practice manager about your concerns.

[Ley97]

Hello, I’ve had my first colonoscopy in 2016, clean. Then in 2021 and 2023 because I’ve had pain, too much gas and cramps. 2021 was a difficult year for me and they’ve found 3 small ulcers in ileum. Lab noted (Crohn’s??) Doctor said no, ibs. Cut down on gluten also he advised. Then in 2023 one, it still showed 1 ulcer in ileum again. Doctor said he even has these and nothing to worry about. There and then I’ve let go the worrying for other health problems popped.The stool test for blood is always positive for me . You need to watch diet beforehand which I never did. I suspect the blood in your case maybe from inside hemorrhoids. I can sometimes feel a bump rising on my lower right side which doctor said is gas. Reason I see it o that side is my abdominal muscles on that side are thinner from over years, pregnancy etc

Also I used to have painful episodes during which I was prescribed a combination of buscopan and medozepam(similar to lorezepam ) which seemed to calm me down.

Wishing you health.

[Linley]

After 5 colonoscopies, 2 gastroscopes, full CT scan with contrast over many years for mainly RIF pain and diarrhoea nothing significant found only endo scar tissue but the CT scan showed the position of my caecum is rather low??. So I now manage my IBS and the anxiety that accompanies this disorder and take the good with the bad days. I am fortunate enough to have a good GP who say if your symptoms change come back and see me. What I am trying to say is you are not alone and these feelings and worries are real but we have to try and manage them if tests reveal nothing wrong. Wish you good luck for the future🤞