This will be quite longish and I am seeing my GP on Thursday but looking for similar stories.
In early September 2020 I caught covid. Felt rubbish for a couple of days and tested negative on day 9. On the 7th October I had my usual ovulation pain (it is quite painful for me) accompanied by the usual constipation and severe bloating. I did mention to my husband that it felt more painful than normal. The lain went after 2 days but the severe bloating remained.
I tried buscopan and some laxatives but the bloating remained. After eating I could literally feel my stomach swell and would have to let the button of my jeans out after eating a small amount (like a cracker). 2 weeks later I got my period. Was normal flow and pain. But the cramps never left. So I had pain that went round my back and down my legs.
I had several months of back of forth to the Dr's where I was prescribed buscopan and then mebeverine for the cramps and was told to take simethicone for the bloating. Nothing worked. But the GP just shrugged it off. So I was left with increasing pain and bowel symptoms such as intermittent constipation and loose stools. The bloating remained. I was a size 8 but needed size 16 jeans to fit the bloat in. Haven't lost or gained any weight. I was still having painful ovulation so I was started on cerazette which I'm still on.
Fast forward to August 2022 I saw my GP as an emergency. Agonising pain in my lower right side. Referred to the surgical ward. Appendicitis was ruled out as my bloods were normal. I had a CT scan which showed a small amount of diverticular disease although not inflamed or infected on my left side. A 3cm ovarian cyst on my right side. I was discharged and the GP referred me to gynaecology for a follow up on the cyst. I had the scan in January 2023 and it's gone. No further cysts found.
Since January of this year the pain is constant. It hurts when I dont eat and hurts when I eat. It's a constant pressure low down in my tummy and feels like it's up my bum sometimes. If I sit down too quickly it sends an excruciating pain up my bum into my lower tummy. I haven't had sex for 8 months because intercourse has me yelping out in pain and an orgasm Leaves me with agonising cramps afterwards.
I've had an upper endoscope for reflux disease which was pretty normal just a small hiatial hernia and I take gaviscon occasionally.
I've had tumour markers, occult blood and inflammation stool checks and they were normal. Cealic blood test was negative. I've cut out wheat, gluten dud low FODMAP and no change. I can eat onion on a Monday and it will hurt but then try again on a Wednesday and no pain. There are no specific foods that cause pain consistently. Gp said IBS and prescribed amitriptyline. It helped with the pain in the beginning but stopped. I'm on the max dose of 30mg and no relief.
I had a smear test last Friday and ended up in tears from the pain when she inserted the speculum. The nurse asked me to make an appointment with the GP as recto-vaginal endo can also cause my symptoms particularly the deep intense pain during sex. And the looking 8 months pregnant all the time. I go to bed bloated and wake up bloated.
My appointment is on Thursday but I'm lost as to whether I need to ask for a referall to gastro or gynae. Can IBS really be endo?