Firstly, I apologise this is a health issue but have put it on here for traffic as I am beyond desperate now.
I am 50 and although I have suffered from IBS since the age of 25 the last 5 years have been bloody awful and in particular the last 6 months or so.
I have had so many tests these last 4/5 years - 2 colonoscopies (last one 2 months ago), biopsies, a gastroscope and a pill camera endoscopy to check my small intestines, a ct scan, various ultra sound scans, blood tests and stool tests. Everything comes back as ‘normal’.
I have experimented with food and avoid my known triggers (which are mainly egg, dairy and a few other foods). I went completely gluten and wheat free for a year but saw no difference. I only drink water, no alcohol or caffeine.
I am careful with the volume of food I consume and only eat small amounts so not to overwhelm my guts and I intermittently fast (I usually don’t eat until 10am+ but that’s simply because I just can not stomach breakfast as my symptoms are often worse during the mornings). I have tried adding or reducing fibre but can not find the right level. I am currently fairly low fibre as too much really makes things bad.
I have so many gut issues (daily and no respite) and some seem to be cyclical.
I do still have a menstural cycle and find I suffer certain issues at certain times of the month (I keep a symptom and food diary). I have lots of upper issues such as awful nausea (that tends to come mid cycle), excessive burping, a gnawing acid discomfort, gurgling. Then lots of mid and lower issues like gurgling, discomfort, urgency in the mornings (and sorry if tmi, I will delete if needed) but my stools are the consistency of peanut butter and really hard to evacuate which leaves me feeling I still need to go. In the evenings I am so gassy and bloated, I look as though I am pregnant.
I have also had years of gynae issues. I have a history of uterine polyps and thickened lining which resulted in very heavy periods (so heavy I needed iron infusions). Last year I had a uterine ablation. This has eased my periods but now I have awful pain and an exacerbation of the gut issues during my period. A pelvic us scan last week said all looked fine!
I exercise (fast walk with the dog twice a day for at least an hour a day).
I have tried so many meds - antispasmodics, probiotics, pain killers, Nortriptyline (sister drug to amitriptyline) but nothing helps. Even imodium has stopped helping me.
I did test positive for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) 2 weeks ago (have an appointment with a gastro who has repeatedly told me I can’t possible have that as it usually is a symptom of an underlying issues!?). I have no idea if this is a new thing or may have been the issue all along but it has definitely all become so much worse since hitting peri along with other peri symptoms like vaginal dryness, the occasional night sweat, very very low mood (hard not to to feel low and anxious with constant gut issues), no libido etc.
I have been loathe to try hrt incase it exacerbates issues as I’ve read it can trigger bleeding (don’t want that as it will increase the uterine pain) and I’ve read progesterone can cause gut issues.
I am at the absolute end of my tether with it all, it is completely controlling my life. My life is truly miserable.
I have been back and forth to gastroenterologists and gynaecologists. I explain all of my symptoms and ask if there could be a connection and I just get shrugs and maybes from both parties and nothing more mentioned.
Does anyone else relate or can anyone give me any advice, I am miserable and desperate.