Is this IBS?

[chubbybear1]

Hi all, so I'll lay out my stall 😊
I'm 40, have copper coil fitted for last 4 years, am over 3 weeks late for my period.
Negative pregnancy tests, many!!
Severely bloated morning through to night, look 6 months pregnant.
Back pain
Slight constipation
Slight grumbling in pelvic area
Fatigued
No appetite
Full blood count done and all results perfect.
I have never had any problems with my bowels and indeed I don't currently apart from slight constipation at the minute but I am hardly eating, I don't suffer from pain in my stomach, but apparently my symptoms are being ascribed to IBS, does anyone with experience of this condition think this sounds correct please? Thank you

[DawnMumsnet]

We're moving this thread over to our General Health topic at the OP's request. Hopefully some Mumsnetters will be along soon with some advice and suggestions.

[DawnMumsnet]

...And giving the thread a bump, for luck.

[chubbybear1]

Thanks Dawn

[pickingdaisies]

So what advice did you receive? Exclusion diet to work out what you are intolerant to? I mean, your symptoms do fit, but seem pretty severe so I hesitate to offer advice.

[chubbybear1]

No advice really, given some medication beginning with M, sorry can't remember name, which are making no difference. The thing I'm struggling with is I have no bowel issues or bowel pain so I'm wondering why they are so fixated on IBS

[keepingbees]

Most of the symptoms could be caused by constipation so I would try a mild laxative and see if it helps the bloating and grumbling. A food intolerance could also cause the bloating. IBS is just unfortunately the fob off term used for most digestive issues they can't be bothered to find the cause of so I would take little notice of it. If it was Mebeverine (commonly given for IBS) you were given it can make constipation worse and won't help if you don't have any cramp type symptoms. Peppermint tea or capsules might be worth a try.
Late period could be due to routine changes of lockdown, sounds weird but is apparently a thing. Or it could be a hormone issue or peri menopause?

[Atinytrolley]

Agree IBS seems to be diagnosed when it's something like an intolerance, ime anyway. Lactose intolerance can cause this kind of bloating but also usually diarrhea and stomach cramps. Don't want to alarm you, but has ovarian cancer been ruled out?

[chubbybear1]

Atinytrolly, they included the test for ovarian cancer in my bloods and nothing showed up, I just don't feel it's a bowel problem as I don't have any issues with my bowels, I had normal bowel movements today and yesterday and can't remember the last time I had diarrhoea, no cramps etc either 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Atinytrolley]

Glad that's been ruled out. I'd push for further investigations into the symptoms tbh, scans etc. You can point out the medication hasn't helped. Have you seen a specialist or just GP. If GP I'd ask for a referral to a consultant.

[Atinytrolley]

Meant to add, if you've no bowel symptoms it doesn't sound like IBS to me. But, I'm not medically trained or anything. I had a lot of symptoms and went through the process of loads of tests. Eventuality discoverd it was lactose intolerance.
You can look up some good info on IBS online to find out more about it and compare to what you're experiencing.

[chubbybear1]

Thanks for replies, I've got a follow up appointment on Wednesday so will see what happens then, am currently having right sided pain in pelvic area, came on a couple of hours ago

[pickingdaisies]

How's it going @chubbybear1?

[chubbybear1]

Still extremely bloated, now causing breathlessness and back pain, struggling to eat, the past few days I've had a bit of toast all day and that's it. I have had a private vaginal ultrasound which shows everything fine from a gyne point of view. I'm speaking to doc again tomorrow so see where we go from here. Thanks for checking in 😊

[pickingdaisies]

Hope you get some answers, sending positive thoughts today

[EmergencyPractitioner]

Sounds like you need a scan of the whole of your abdomen

[EmergencyPractitioner]

What's happened to your weight?

[Missillusioned]

Sounds like an ovarian cyst to me. I don't know if the scan you had would have picked that up?

[chubbybear1]

I'm losing weight apart from on my stomach which is just getting larger. spoke to doctor today and she has referred my for abdominal ultrasound, just hope it comes through quickly! Thanks all for replying

[Squiffy01]

Hope your ultrasound comes through quickly.
I would be asking for an endoscopy and colonoscopy as well to make sure nothing more serious is going on.

[EmergencyPractitioner]

Very concerning. I hope you are on a urgent list for the scan - perhaps phone the hospital and see if they have any cancellations. . Have you had liver tests?

[chubbybear1]

No liver tests as far as I know, she did say scan should be within a fortnight. I have had heart problems in the past so maybe connected?

[pickingdaisies]

Glad they are taking this seriously OP, I hope you don't have to wait too long