Can IBS mimic appendicitis?

[Talkthirtytome]

Every so often I get stomach pains that follow the same pattern. Starts with a pain central in my stomach quite high, almost between my ribs. Then it goes to a sharp lower right pain, nausea, loss of appetite, sometimes going to the loo 10+ times a day when I have this pain.
First time it happened I was 17 (I’m 32 now) and I was admitted for suspected appendicitis. Tests showed mild water infection but nothing more. I even got it while I was pregnant and was admitted for possible ectopic.
It’s especially bad tonight, laid feeling really sick and the pain is bad I’ve just got a hot water bottle. This happens I would say maybe 2-4 times a year. It can last a day or a week there is no pattern. Doctors last seemed to think it could be IBS related.
Has anyone had this kind of pain? I’ve heard of a grumbling appendix I’m wondering if it could be that.

Also it seems to occur sometimes but not always if I have been stressed or anxious.

Yes. My IBS flare ups often do present with jabbing pains. I get hot, sweaty, loose bowels and often pass out while having a poo. Doctor said it might be mild endo or related to my pcos as these tend to be timed around my period (usually just a few days before) and I have been fine since getting pregnant.

@Grumpy Do you get pains in your lower right, which I suppose is your appendix area? Have you been prescribed anything for it?
I’ve been told to take my pill back to back as I’ve got low iron to avoid having a period and I’m wondering if that could have triggered it.
It’s difficult to believe it’s ‘only’ IBS when it’s at its most painful isn’t it? x

Yes. Right more severe and the pain will often travel up to my right shoulder-blade. I get left sided pain during my period.

@Grumpy I’ll try to stop worrying then if you get bad right sided pain and it’s your IBS. As soon as I get the pain on my right even though I’ve had it before the little voice in my head goes but what if this time it isyour appendix! x

I did. I was diagnosed With ibs at 18 after colonoscopy and tests. Funnily enough it became really severe once when I was 29 and I was admitted and had my appendix removed as they were certain that’s what caused it. Tests showed afterwards that my appendix was normal but I haven’t had any large ibs flare ups since. They did say my appendix was very long and twisted so maybe it was just aggravating the bowel

@sammy867 That’s interesting. So you didn’t actually have appendicitis but it seems like your appendix was obviously causing some aggravation?
I don’t know what to do really as I’ve had so many physical exams to rule out appendicitis over the years (where they push in really hard and move away quickly etc) I just feel if I keep going back they just think we’ve been here before kind of thing. If it’s as bad as this tomorrow though I might go to the walk in centre and say I would like it looking into more thoroughly.

Your appendix is meant to harbour good bacteria to replenish your bowel after sickness and diarrhoea. So I suppose if you have a diarrhoea type ibs maybes it’s just in overdrive. My biopsy definitely showed it was normal but I’ve never had the pain since the operation and that was 3 years ago. My bowels are pretty much normal (which they haven’t been since I was 15) and other than being sensitive to sweeteners I have no other issues now at all. I can even eat foods I couldn’t before with no symptoms. Maybes it was just twisted or maybes it has a relationship with the ibs process but I’ve been fine ever since the op 2 years ago (I was even able to stop taking my medications and was discharged from my consultant)

@GrumpyHoonMain isn’t that odd. It’s almost like you didn’t have appendicitis.. but it was your appendix causing the pain? I might mention what you said to the doctor. It’s caused so much pain and anxiety for nearly 15 years now.
On the occasion you had it removed were you in severe pain then? Sorry for the questions!