does this sound like ibs or kidney problems???

[lozwil]

Hello I recently posted about loads of niggles with my health week over the last couple of weeks my symptoms have settled down to just a few.

I have seen my Gp and l a few other specialists but the process takes forever so was wondering if anyone had any experiences.

All symptoms are on my left hand side, and non are stopping me carrying on day to day but pain etc is making me anxious.

I have a pain like a stich on my left hand side, which radiates to my lower back and around my groin it feels like something is stuck where my knicker sit on near my leg l feels like pressure also have the odd stomach cramp which is the only thing I can relate with going to the loo and pain i my left thigh which feels muscular but only started with the back ache. I have had a pelvic and abdominal scan so they were all clear gastroenterology thinks ibs but no test done as doesn't think it is needed due to my age and I have now been referred to urology as have had blood in urine for 2 months but kidney function test was fine.

Any ideas I want to ttc ASAP so really want to get to the bottom of things even thinking of paying.

Sorry about typos on my phone

Thanks in advance x x

If the pain is where your underwear sits, it's far too low to be your kidneys - that'd be a higher pain, around your lower back.

It sounds like gastroenterology are likely to be right - if you have gynae/kidney problems, they'd have shown on your scans, and your kidney function is good. Blood in the urine isn't unusual, I have that 99% of the time.

Have you tried IBS meds? Over-the-counter ones can be good, and if you get some that stop the spasming in your gut, you'd know if that was the problem. If they don't help, try to get some help on prescription.

I don't think there is a test for IBS, as such - I think it's an exclusion diagnosis. So if that's what they've decided is most likely, you'll probably find that's the diagnosis on your medical records and your GP should be able to help with treatment.

Thank you, I suppose I am just worried because the pain is there all the time and has been for some time and they didn't really do any tests they just said it's ibs cos of my age

'if you have gynae/kidney problems, they'd have shown on your scans'

No they wouldn't. Gyne issues like endometriosis often can't be picked up by scans and require a laparoscopy to diagnose. Endometriosis can also affect your bladder.

Modify your diet according to ibs but I would also be requesting a gyne referral if I were you.

Thanks I was a bit dubious about the ibs thing tbh he may well be right but he didn't check anything just said take laxatives which I did but as I don't have that problem they didn't do anything I have to go back in 3 months to see him again which is a long time when u desperately want to ttc but are scared to in case something is wrong esp as I had a mmc 7 mnts ago
Your opinions are all much appreciated x

I would go back and ask for a gyne referral now rather than waiting 3months. The wait for an initial gyne consultation around here is up to 44 days at the moment.

I would continue to follow their advice in terms of diet and monitoring (definitely keep a pain/symptom diary) but also ask to see a gyne in the meantime.

Thank you the problem is they didn't give me any advice other than try laxatives and pain killers and the last time I went to gp's she said to call if it gets worse and they will give me stronger pain killers but won't do much else till I see urology which could take months I have already been in pain since Oct don't know if I can cope with another few months but what can you do ?

Have you asked for the referral? It's good that they want you to see urology (and that you've already seen gastro) but there's absolutely no reason why you can't also see gyne as well. Not to explore the ttc issue yet (don't mention that bit as they'll think you want to see gyne about fertility) but about the pain. If that one GP was saying no I'd be requesting a second opinion.

Don't worry I won't mention ttc, thankfully I seem to fall pregnant easily enough (although I know this might not be the case again). I will ask them I am rubbish tho so will have to prepare myself, I have booked a private smear as the GP refused to do it as everything looked ok and I only had the last one 18 mnts ago I wouldn't usually pay for anything but I think it is worth it for piece of mind and just so I can say that that has been check and is (hopefully) all clearb

I have ibs and endometriosis (asymptotic but picked up via endo for fertility issues) but it's been a long journey to get my pain taken seriously. I've been crippled in A&E had many days where I've missed work etc. I was given every test under the sun but only when I went on the Fodmap diet did things start to even out.
My pain is on my right hand side,it's a stitch/ nipping type pain. However when I'm having a major episode the pain is below my belly button radiating to my lower back and all the way up to my right shoulder. Through a fodmap group on Facebook one thing I've learnt is that everyone seems to experience their pain differently. Anxiety can be a major factor in ibs though.

Thank you I know about the anxiety link and it's a awful cycle I wasn't anxious till I started to be in pain and now I am anxious it's making the pain worse, I am going to try to change my diet and see what happens. I hope you have things under control now I know how hard it is to get your pain taken seriously I have been to a and e once and my gp too many times to count in the last few months

Getting there lozwill but it takes time and a listening to your body. I've cut most diary out as well as fodmap and feel much better generally. Hope you get the answers you're looking for. for your mmc

Thank you so do I, as usual I was awake at 3 this morning cos of the dull pain in my hip and lower back I don't think lack of sleep is helping as it is hard to deal with it logically and not panic if you are knackered

I have endometriosis and ibs. The last Dr I saw said it is common to have both and for one to affect the other
I am doing fodmap diet (it is hard) and am seeing some good results re my stomach and back pain and cramping.

That's useful to know canyou I have always either been on the pill or pregnant this is the longest I haven't been either so it could be endo rearing it's ugly head, I am glad you have found something that works I have been having a look at the diet today and it must be really hard to stick to

The diet in full is impossible I went to a dietitician
I cut wheat and dairy, onions, leeks, garlic and green veg, fruit with stones.for 8 weeks (3 weeks in) that was hard but doable bring food in your bag for snacks. Also quit coffee and tea no milk and fizzy drinks-- so had fruit tea etc with me when at work or out and about.
I think wheat and dairy and onions are my problem as is not eating often enough. Slow cooker and pre planned meals and snacks are a must to be sucessful.

Thanks for the tips I am really going to need to get organised by the sound of it

So my back and side are still aching but the good news is I have nhs physio that has been brought forward to this week so hopefully they will be able to tell if the pain is mechanical or internal the bad new is no urology referral from drs as yet x

I should have my appointment in next month with urology and the physio thinks I have a facet joint issue and he should be able to sort it in a couple of months, still not sure that the back pain isn't bowel related but I have to try following the advice I have been given I am driving myself mad with worry which probably isn't helping

Have you looked up the symptoms for diverticular disease? I've had pain on the left hand side which has radiated to my back and groin area. It's an unpleasant 'burning' sort of spasm. Diagnosed by colonoscopy and kept at bay by modifying diet. Good luck with your appointment.

Thank you for that it was something I had read about and was wondering about, my nhs gastroenterolgist just told me to go back in 3 months and won't do a colonoscopy for now I am thinking I might bite the bullet and go privately I can't wait another few months it is driving me mad.

I am glad you got a diagnosis and hope you are feeling ok now x

Sounds like some of the symptoms I had with kidney stones, especially along with the blood in your urine. Hopefully the urology appointment will come up soon!

Fingers crossed, I have had an ultrasound and it didn't show any but ink ow they don't always show tbh I am kind of hoping that is what it is so I can get it sorted and get pregnant they said I should hear in nxt couple.of weeks so fingers crossed, did you need any treatment for them (you don't have to answer I am just curious) .

Back pain again up at 5 god this is depressing just when u think it's subsiding it comes back I am trying to stay positive but it is so hard only dh and ds that keep me going even tho I feel I am letting them down by not giving them the family they want

So I have my urology appointment in a couple of weeks and I am paying to see a gastroenterology consultant as I need to know what's going on and the nhs one saying I am too young for it to be anything to worry about really isn't good enough good or bad I will get answered fed up of it now and determined to get it sorted.

Urologist appointment done no issues found so that is good so back to gastroenterology it is I will found out what is wrong before the summer it's being going on for a year I can't believe how the system works no wonder nhs is skint