Is this ibs?

[Pannalash]

I have been unwell for 5 weeks now initially suffering from agonising pain in my left hand side which was initially suspected to be kidney stones however an ultrasound showed no problems with my bladder or kidneys. I have ended up in A&E twice due to severe abdominal pain and being put on a drip and giving painkillers. I became severely constipated after taking codeine which then caused me to have what was possibly trapped wind and I had pains that's spread to my chest and across the top of my abdomen and randomly throughout my abdomen. Whilst the trapped wind seems to have eased I now have awful pain still in the top of my abdomen which comes and goes, various stabbing pains randomly throughout my abdomen and a lot of wind pains. I also get pain in my chest and back I occasionally get low down pain in my abdomen. I have had blood tests which I came back normal ecgs and an x-ray of my chest that was normal. I suffer from anxiety and this is now the consensus I am suffering from IBS. I have a lot of wind and loose stools, floating stools, ribbon like stools, you name it more different types of stools than IKEA. However I'm not convinced that it's following a pattern of IBS in the fact that I don't have any particular urgency to rush to the loo and I never have the sort of pain that is relieved by going to the loo. The pain is there a huge amount of every day and I've been spending quite a bit of each day in bed feeling ropey which is no good. At the present time I am taking paracetamol and Buscopan and I've just been given some diazepam. I'll be very grateful to hear from anyone who has had similar problems. I'm just really worried that this is being put down to IBS in case it's something else. I have just been through an intense period of stress and anxiety prior to the commencement of this pain. Can IBS really affect you every day to a greater or lesser extent or is it usually just something that causes discomfort every few days? I am really at a loss and it is getting me down. I would describe the pains as variably stabbing, aching, pinching, dull, intermittent, sharp. I have twice felt like I could faint but have not done so and never fainted in my life. There has been no suggestion of referrals to bowel of gastro consultants but I really can't go on much longer in this misery not knowing when I'll feel better and wondering if it coukd be something else. I've had a complete hysterectomy so it can't be anything gynaecological. Feel like I've never been away from the doctors over the last month. Any advice or reassurance greatly appreciated.

Bump thankyou

bumping again thanks

I have ibs & divoticular disease, during a bad flare up I get all the symptoms u describe & cant stand up properly with the pain in my left side.
its awful
When it flares up

Thanks for replying Summerdiamond I'm worried though as have been having pain every day now for over a month. Do you mind me asking how often you get flare ups and how long they last for? Do you take any medication and if you don't mind me asking did you have diagnostic tests. Sorry for all the questions just feel a bit desperate at the moment.

Have you had any scans?
Did you have bloods done? If so did they show anything? Sorry if I've missed any info - I'm skimming doing the tea

Have you had the colonoscopy yet?

Thanks FeralBeryl have had an ultrasound of my kidneys and bladder which was normal and I have had a chest x-ray which was. Ive had a number of blood tests including ones to check my heart which were normal and full blood counts which didn't show anything untoward. The last time I was at A+E the consultant was very kind and said that there was nothing showing on the blood test that will give any cause for concern therefore this led them to believe it was likely to be irritable bowel syndrome. I just can't get my head around the fact that you can have pain everyday for a large part of the day it does ease off but then it ramps up again. This morning I had abdominal pain and this afternoon I have had upper abdominal pain and discomfort in my chest I've also had stabbing pains in my right hand side which have literally taken my breath away. I have had to take two lots of Buscopan today and 2 paracetamol and just contemplating what to get down my neck next 😂. I am suffering from severe anxiety at the moment I have been referred to see the psychologist at hospital. I have never had any tummy pain that has been relieved by passing a motion. Have had ecgs all normal. Thankyou

Not been referred for a colonoscopy gamerchick not been referred to a consultant at all just seen A and E consultant when I have either been admitted for the pain or sent by my doctor to be admitted to hospital however the A+E doctor declined to admit me saying it was irritable bowel.

Have had daily abdominal pain for over 10 years, it is managed with tramadol, it is IBS, so yes you can be in pain every day. Sorry

Thanks justmum how we're you diagnosed if you would share?

I would suggest diverticulitis too. And/or what is wonderfully named as a "poo stone" (I think it's a fecolith). Have you had a camera up your bum for a look?

No camera chips

I had pain/nausea every day for years but now generally keep it without too many flare ups.

I had one yesterday though that left me in so much pain I was screaming out loud and had to stop my car and curl up in a ball on the verge as I couldn't bear the air in my car and there wasn't room to curl up.

I've been considered twice for suspected appendicitis.

I take a combination of omeprazole, mebeverine and buscopan primarily, with painkillers, fibogel, loperamide, peppermint oil, gaviscon and domperidone on top as necessary. Hot water bottles often give vastly more relief than I expect them to.

I also maintain a fairly careful diet (e.g I try and avoid beans etc!)

I had every test under the sun, plus endoscopy and colonoscopy, but all fine so diagnosed as IBS. I am just used to it now, its gone on so long now that its normal for me.

My gastro has talked about putting me forward for a faecal transplant trial now as there has been success in the states.

Mines been massively better since I started on probiotics. I'm also beginnning apple cider vinegar organic to add to my friendly bacteria.

Before that I'd get attacks of rhythmic spasms. I'd be sweating. Doubled over Agonising twisting pain under my belly button. Feeling sick.

Isually the only thing that would cure it is an hour on the loo until I was empty

Oops pressed post too soon.
I've never taken pain killers for it and just ride the pain.
I had colonoscopy and the doc said I had a very healthy colon so I have NO idea what triggers it I do know I can't eat raw egg whites.

Anyway it's been a whole lot better since boosting my gut health.

I suffer with ibs, probiotics, I drink Yakult helps LOADS hope you get sorted soon

I have had similar symptoms for the past 2 years. Abdo cramps, feeling like a need to do a number two all the time but can't, nausea. I too suffer from anxiety. I find that when I get stressed and anxious my symptoms get worse. About a year ago I did got referred to a gastroenterologist and had a colonoscopy and endoscopy. They found that I had severe diverticulosis and gastritis. Try to push for a colonoscopy if it continues.

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and for your advice. Have really never felt so poorly and desperately looking for a solution. Will be calling the Dr again tomorrow. Thankyou all so much again.

Sorry lovely - late back
Right - you do need seeing again. The blood results you have had may not have been specific to every condition if they were just a and e bloods rather than ones done by the relevant teams.
You really need referring for a scan if this has been a while.
Pain mainly on the left can often be indicative of diverticulosis or ovarian pathology.
Are you passing any mucus when you go to the toilet? (Sorry!)
Have you had any menstrual changes?

In the meantime, start taking some probiotics. If it is IBS, restoring your natural gut flora can go a long way to relieving symptoms, however you really want all other conditions excluding

Thanks Feral (you're not my Dr are you?)

Should have said I have had a hysterectomy and removal of ovaries 5 years ago.
Not noticed any mucus. What sort of a scan do you think I need? I had a colonoscopy 5 years ago and cant say I'd relish another - please don't say an endoscopy as I'm severely claustrophoic and phobic about that being suggested. Are there any alternatives to endoscopy? Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

I'd echo what Feral says. Please don't be fobbed off about this. Colonoscopy. And, if that is clear, a scan - probably CT. I'm not a doctor though.

Hello

I know you've had a lot of tests including general blood tests, but have you had a blood test done to check for coeliac antibodies? If not then please ask the gp to order this. It's a simple blood test. Coeliac disease can manifest itself in many ways, some of which you are describing, and is frequently misdiagnosed as IBS. I have coeliac disease and was diagnosed in 2008. I also presented with nausea, pain, floating stools and no relief after having my bowels open.

No - definitely not your doc
Has anyone ever mentioned adhesions to you? After abdominal surgery it can be a complication which can cause a range of problems.
Try not to worry about a gastroscope at this point - your symptoms sound lower end! Even the top of your tummy ones, the large bowel is a lot higher up than you imagine.
Whoever you are referred to will decide in the type of scan, at this stage it may be an ultrasound (similar to pregnancy scans) but there are different blood tests to see if there is any inflammation present.

Thanks feral someone else mentioned adhesions to me which is interesting but would that literally give me pain randomly all over my abdomen, chest, sides and back?. I've certainly been told that my blood test doesn't show any inflammation but I didn't realise that there were other different types so I will ask about that thanks again.

Hello Makeup I think one of the things that concerns me is actually I haven't had many test for my actual abdomen. The information about coeliac is very interesting and I will look into that thank you.

Thanks 1234

Very much appreciate the time you've all taken to reply to me, really hard feeling so rough for weeks and not feeling like I'm any further forward.