Hi, newbie here, for 3 years have had increasingly painful upper right stomach pain, specifically upper right quadrant, constant burning, aching, tenderness, made worse by eating and then insanely bloated, daily very loose bowels. The pain radiates in a ‘C’ shape from the front of my stomach to around the lower back, where it’s insanely itchy. No pain or tenderness in any other part of my stomach (lower abdomen and left side fine).
I do have insane stomach cramps when bending where my intestines feel as though they are moving somewhere else, but as I also have Elhers Danlos that may be why. Gallbladder and appendix out years ago.
Am on Omeprazole, Tried FODMAP didn’t work, neither did cutting out dairy or wheat. FIT test clear.
Was referred to Gastroenterologist in June this year but moved to completely different County and removed from waiting list and told to see new GP and ask for new referral. New GP says it is definitely IBS-D as my history fits (didn’t examine me) and isnt going to refer me to Gastro instead going to prescribe Buscopan and Amytriptaline, and full blood check (previous one showed high level of inflammation).
I’m going to try these but a bit sceptical about the IBS diagnosis, I had IBS in my 20’s and it felt very different to this, the pain is specifically in my right upper quadrant and doesn’t move (the bloating is also one sided).
Does anyone else with IBS have it in one area only and constantly?
The pain and tenderness under my right ribs has worsened over the last year in that area only, does this sound like IBS?
I wanted to push for a private MRI to check my liver/pancreas/bile area as I swear it feels like extreme burning but GP says it won’t show anything and a waste of money. Will see what bloods show and make a decision then I guess, just wondered if this sounded like anyone else’s IBS-D.
Thanks
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Bodsmum
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I've put all the research I've done into IBS onto a non-commercial website:
ibsresearcher.com
You may want to have a look around there regarding your symptoms.
Doctors must carry out tests to diagnose IBS and cannot do this from symptoms. If all the usual IBS remedies fail (explained on the site), they need to carry out further tests for other things (mentioned on the site).
That sounds exactly like me, I've had it constantly for years and told it's just IBS. I had a colonography last month but all it showed was a tiny polyp and a gallstone. Was told once again that it's IBS and to try fodmap again. No medication has ever helped it. I hope you manage to get some relief. It's an awful condition to live with.
Suggest looking xjrs's site but agree with your idea to investigate liver, pancreas, duodenum area, though I'm wondering if it might be due to biliary reflux (bile going 'backwards' into the stomach or due to 'excess' bile. What sort of response do you have to reducing fats to a minimum (just for a trial of a few days maybe). After the gall bladder is removed the liver continuously dribbles bile (rather than it being excreted just when food arrives and can neutralise it).
Hi Bodsmum, It sounds like you have Acid reflux and maybe Diverticulitis. I must say that your new gp is scanning to try and give you the cheapest if what can be given. Don't take the Buscopan as you need a stronger PPI, Proton Pump Inhibitor. What he should do now is bump up the strength of your PPI to Esomerprazole, rather than just the bog standard Omerprazole. Our Esophagus doesn't work properly, this is colloquially called the wind pipe. This has a type of flap at the end which opens to let food in when eating. Ours doesn't and let's acid, etc ruminate down there and come back up our Esophagus. This leads to a myriad if symptoms, leading to our IBS going stir crazy due to no stability, being or feeling sick, stomach pains, gastritis which can turn ito pockets of acute pain in any area in your body. Please, please, please request the Esomerprazole from your gp. The Amitriptyline he's trying to give you to sleep and shut you up, whilst stopping you from complaining about your pains. Please let us know how you get on. All the best 😍
Have you researched Bile Acid Malabsorption as a possible diagnosis? I was also told for 15 years that I had IBS-D but it turned out to be BAM all along which is very different with specific binder medication and Low Fat Diet. Your upper right quadrant pain is what I get especially if I've gone over my fat quota. I'm UK based so was diagnosed by SehCAT scan after being referred by a private gastroenterologist.
thanks for all the replies, I’ve asked the GP to refer me to Gastro and he said no so I’m seeing another GP in a month will push again. Buscopan didn’t help at all and not tried Amitriptyline as I genuinely scared it it will just mask what’s going on physically.
Definitely something wrong with my bile release/absorption, it is upper right based and very painful. Am going to try very low fat diet until I see another GP, although don’t eat much fat. Will research BAM thanks, and look into scan, I’m convinced it’s not IBS as the symptoms don’t fit my pain. Thanks so much for the replies guys!
first of all I’m sorry you’re suffering. And secondly demand an MRI. And you can pick where you go whether that’s private or the NHS. Some of these doctors seem to think they know everything.
I get a burning sensation below my right nipple. And it feels like it’s throbbing. But it’s usually when I go to the bathroom. But I have not really spoken to my doctor about it.
I have had IBS D/C for about 4 years (58 male) and the only thing I think that has helped. Is amitriptyline. I’m on 50ml at night. And they have really helped with the D. But I get horrendous Temusmus that can last for weeks.
Next time you go to your doctor ask him to send you for a scan. And then ask can it be done private. The NHS is brilliant but you can tell the difference with a private clinic.
Have you had a colonoscopy or any other treatments?
Hi, Your mention of diarrhea and a removed gallbladder may point to the possibility of bile acid malabsorption (BAM), also known as bile acid diarrhea (post-cholecystectomy diarrhea), as a potential cause of your symptoms. It might be worth discussing this hypothesis with your doctor before considering a diagnosis of IBS. As a reminder, IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning it should only be made after thoroughly investigating and ruling out other potential causes of symptoms.
If BAM is suspected, a selenium-homotaurocholate test (SeHCAT) is often used. This is a radioisotope test that evaluates the degree of bile acid reabsorption in the intestine. If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment typically involves bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine and other enterosorbents.
I have heard reports of chronic loose stools from people who had the gallbladder removed.
But to be honest, I don't like your GP's attitude. He's probably working within tight NHS strictures, but nevertheless he should give your symptoms more attention.
Right sided constant pain suggests the liver is under stress (as you've had gallbladder removed.) The itching you get on your back on the right side also could have some connection with the liver.
At the least, he could send you for an ultrasound. He seems more bothered about saving money than getting to the bottom of what might be wrong.
Also, sometimes a liver ultrasound can show things up that don't always show up in blood tests. I used to think that a blood test would definitely show if there were liver problems via raised enzymes etc, but apparently it's not always like that.
Some quite small local hospitals have the expertise and equipment to perform an ultrasound and only need a GP to refer you. Not even a gastro specialist (which would be ideal!)
Can you get a second opinion from another GP? If possible, one in a different health centre? I am not sure how that could be done without changing GPs though. And for all I know, they might all be at it!
It could just all be IBS. but you do have a right to get checked properly.
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