A couple of quick questions for those that suffer from IBS and similar conditions...

[NorbertDentressangle]

Where do you get your pain? Do you ever get it in the higher stomach area/up under your ribs or in your back?

Are you left with any soreness after a particularly bad episode (like a bruised type feeling)?

Thanks

I used to just get the windy cramps down low in my tummy. Over the years I get pain in my whole abdomen.

Worse though these days is the pain in my lower back and at my worse this will be in my sides around my ribs too.

After a bad episode I feel tender bruised and bloated - usually for 48 hours.

Thanks for replying Lolly, thats really helpful.

Can I ask how often you get episodes like this?

The last episode I had was last week, I had the pains into my back; it was the worst I'd had in a long time and the first time they'd gone in to my back. The only thing that touched it was Colpermin, the other brand - Buchasan (??) didn't do anything.

Thanks also Chocamochalatte.

The situation is that I get these episodes of extreme pain,with up to 6 months in between, which initially seemed to be gallbladder problems but scan showed g/b was fine. Up under ribs, around to back etc

I was then told possible IBS type problem but Buscopan didn't help.

I'm asking questions as I thought IBS was a much more frequent problem than every 3-6months. Also I don't have the 'poo' problems often associated with IBS and can't link it to any particular food or situation like stress etc

I've had some bloods taken to test for various other things.

Have you had a test for Helicobacter pylori? It's a bacteria that lives in your gut and can be treated really easily. I had very similar symptoms to those you describe, high stomach pain, sore afterwards. This was my problem/diagnosis. I was given a course of omeprazole and some antibiotics and the pain was gone.

I also had a gall bladder scan, convinced myself I had gall stones, was amazed when they said it was clear!

Laura -funnily enough I read something about this on MN the other day (but after I'd seen the GP).

I'm not sure if I'll be tested for that or not. I will mention it when I go back

I know the GP was going to include testing for coeliacs after a conversation I had with a friend who has it -she'd had some very similar symptoms and I also have some possible auto-immune indicators.

Whatever is causing your pain I really hope they find out what it is soon.

Hi, is your pain only in one side or both? It is just that I have gall bladder motility dysfunction which causes me pain on right side of abdomen, and round the back. Dr was convinced it was gall stones, but no stones were ever found. I had a HIDAS scan performed which showed my gall bladder doesn't empty quick enough, which then causes the pain. My pains were every 3-6 months apart and left me sore and bruised feeling for days after. I also have IBS too, but that pain is lower down and comes with the diarrhoea and or constipation.

I am now on Movicol which regulates my bowel habits making my attacks few and rare.

Before I started Movicol about a year ago I was having attacks once a week or fortnight at my worse. Attacks could go on for days. I went through a phase where I was scared to leave the house or plan anything as the attacks were so frequent.

Movicol has transformed my life. I still get the odd attack but its a rare incident these days.

The pain is mainly on the right but extends towards the middle. It is high up (if I press immediately under the rib thats where it is).

There seems to be so many variations of conditions just from the few of you that have posted here. Its giving me some food for thought though. Thanks