Mild, niggling stomach pain... anyone else?

[earwig1]

For a few weeks now, I have had mild stomach aches that come and go, just for a second or two, not strong enough to hurt.Sometimes it's on the right side, under ribs, other times on the left, and other times further down, sort of premenstrual discomfort...the two may not be related? GP says could be IBS and couldn't feel any inflammation when he examined me. I am getting worried, what is it?

[R2PeePoo]

I have this and have just been diagnosed with IBS. Mine got a bit stronger and more painful after a particularly stressful year and I am being checked out for gallstones too. My gastroenterolist said that the first few turns of the intestines after the stomach can be quite tight turns so gas and cramps can be felt more acutely there.

I've also got GERD which contributes to the overall digestive discomfort.

Mebeverine tablets are what i have been prescribed for the cramps but I can also control them through diet and trying to keep my stress levels down. I thought I had all sorts but have had a flexible sigmoidoscopy and gastroscopy, xrays etc but they only found the GERD, stomach hernia and a few polyps, nothing more serious.

[R2PeePoo]

*gastroenterologist

[earwig1]

Thanks, R2...how long did you have problems for before diagnosis?

[R2PeePoo]

I had problems for years, just mildly when in stressful and uncomfortable situations or when I am nervous.

At its worst it felt like labour pains and hideous stabbing pains just under the ribs on both sides. But it took two years of being hideously stressed/poor diet and mentally unstable to manifest like that.

Now I control it by diet and keeping my stress levels as low as possible. I had counselling to help me with some unresolved problems as well. Its slowly going back to the low level of just been occasionally uncomfortable.

If they can't see any inflammation thats good. - I was told that meant I was unlikely to be a coeliac or have chrohns or anything like that, just the IBS.

Dealing with it has made me a much physically and mentally healthier person. And when I am thinking about a second cake or packet of crisps its there to remind me thats not such a good idea!

[R2PeePoo]

Forgot to say, had problems for years before being diagnosed. Diagnosis was only last month and it only came about after I was admitted to hospital.

But I had all sorts of reasons for not going to the GP before.

[amillionyears]

I should go back and see him again,or another gp in the practice.
it could be adhesions,prob not,but you could mention it.

[CointreauVersial]

Under ribs?? Gallstones? If you are 40+ it is a possibility. My DSis suffered for months before it was diagnosed; the pain gradually got worse and worse over that time.