Abdominal pain... what else can I try?

[Imposter1212]

I have a diagnosis of IBS which was given after recurrent abdominal pain, constipation and extreje bloating over the past 3 years. I take 20mg amitriptyline which sometimes helps. I should say I'm not convinced it is IBS but I've had an upper endoscopy and bloods which were all normal.

Anyway severe pain started on Sunday night. Its all across my tummy from the bottom up to my belly button. It is really painful when I walk and lie down. It's better when I sit but still very sore. Its not cramping it's more like a stabbing/piercing pain. Which shoots all around my tummy and when I walk I get an unbelievable pain piercing up my bum. It makes me gasp it's so bad. It feels like I'm constantly sitting on something or have a poker up my bum.

I'm very bloated. I'm a size 8/10and I can't fasten my jeans. My waist is measuring 40inch from the bloating. I feel breathless probably from the stomach bloating pushing back into my lungs maybe?

I have eaten very little since Sunday night. I feel hungry but I can't finish a slice of toast because I feel like my stomach will burst.

I sneezed earlier and the pain was horrific

I called the GP today and got a telephone appointment. She said that unfortunately IBS pain and bloating can be very severe. I should eat as much as I can manage but stick to high fat foods to "grease the bowel" (?) And continue sipping fluids as much as possible. Take paracetamol and give it a further week to settle.

Paracetamol doesn't make any difference.

I've tried
Solpadine max
Naproxen
Buscopan
Hot water bottle
Bath
Simethicone for the bloating
My usual twice daily laxido for any constipation

And absolutely nothing is dulling it enough to be able to walk without crying (I feel as pathetic as I sound).

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could try? This is honestly the worst flare I've ever had.

I have ibs too
I empathise

Just wanted to double check - b4 diagnosis / bloating wise - did they also check your liver?
Fatty liver is common and can be bloating too

Equally- bloating - transvaginal scan - to double check / rule out ovarian cancer ?

I have an ibs diagnosis
And a nafld / fatty liver diagnosis

The fatty liver was found when they werecl checking other stuff - its v common - 1 in 3 have it - often people don't know they have it

Have u spoken to guts uk re ibs ?

Have u asked gp 4 referral to dietician?

I had right sided pain last August and was admitted to the surgical ward. They ruled out appendicitis by way of CT scan and didn't see anything else of concern. I was then handed over to gynae. They had to do an internal scan as they said the bowel was overlaying the ovary quite badly. No cysts or fibroids seen on ultrasound. I was discharged after 5 days with no known reason for the pain.

I think liver function was checked as I had full bloods done last year including tumour markers and celiac disease.

The pain started after ovulation a few years back and sex is quite painful so I've never been convinced that it's gastro rather than gynae. But everything seems normal on scans

I was going to suggest checking for fibroids but if they've already done that. I had a hernia op a few years ago and that was terrible, doubling over pain. In the UK, they just gave me antibiotics but when I moved overseas they did an ultrasound and found my hernia! Maybe check they have ruled that out with your scans...

I had awful abdominal pain & unfortunately in my case it was a symptom of bowel cancer (not suggesting that the case for you). The main things that worked for me were using a hot water bottle/ wheat bag, a tens machine & Tramadol (although can make you drowsy). My sympathies as it’s the worst!

Ever done a Qfit test / poop test ? - def ask 4 one of those

Ever had a colonoscopy ?

I had bowel polyps twice last year.
I have another colonoscopy due next month ish

Id also consider asking gynae 4 transvaginal to check again / recently re fibroids / cysts

I had cysts show on an mri that werent there 6 months ago on transvaginal

How recently has your gall bladder etc been checked?

What kinda age bracket are u ?

Ca125 is a quick blood test - very easy to check re ovarian cancer

Sorry to hear - how are you doing?
Im on colon surveillance 4 life after what they found in 2 x colonoscopies last yr

I've had 2 poo samples tested - last was October last year and they both showed no blood or inflammation markers.

I might phone again tomorrow amd request stronger painkillers because its really sore. My husband rearranged his work this week so that he can do school pick up and drop off because I'm scared to drive with the pain

Ever had an mri of abdomen?

Stool has been checked. CA125 was negative.

I had my gallbladder removed 15 years ago.

I'm 41 and generally quite healthy. I am the progesterone only pill to stop ovulation as its been incredibly painful for years.

One of the other GPs said that of amitryptline didn't work he would refer for a colonoscopy so if ot doesn't settle soon I'll push for that. I wish I had got that GP today as he's incredibly helpful. The other is variable in terms of how helpful.

I know I'm lucky I got an appointment but I just feel like I was brushed off with the usual it's just IBS. I think I'll struggle to cope for another 7 days so will phone them nack tomorrow morning if ots not settled.

Not recently. Just 15 years ago before my gallbladder was removed as an emergency.

They wanted to do it last August but no space so they did a chest and abdominal CT with contrast as they were focused on my appendix.

Def push for / take the colonoscopy
I know everyones different but my first iffy one was at 36
I think people should have them younger

Also when my bowels were very iffy - my b12 was low - have u had that checked super recently?

This isn't about tests per say but with my abdominal pain & painful sex I asked the gynae to refer me to pelvic floor physiotherapy (all NHS). The physio gave me exercises to try as well as abdominal massage to reduce bloating, just another idea you could look at?

One thing i really learnt last year with my 13 or so referals was to keep pushing.

I now have a very good gastro consultant who wrote me and my gp a 4 page letter
And im being seen by gynae again

Do ask about mri - 4 abdomen

Mri = gold standard

Just because we have ibs - i have additionally significant colon polyp history, cfs , a liver condition, gallstones
Etc

We know our bodies
And u need and deserve answers

Mri shows much more than ct.
If they refuse mri - push 4 more recent ct

No to the b12 check. Well I don't think so but my last blood test was last year so not recent.

I'll need to be more assertive tomorrow with the GP about pain relief as I just accepted take paracetamol and the naproxen that you have (I was prescribed that end of last year when I pulled a muscle in my leg and have 20 tablets left in date).

Consider Hereditary Angiodema? Often misdiagnosed as IBS/stomach problems. www.haeuk.org/what-is-hae/

You want a recent full blood count. And additionally b12 as b12 isnt included in that

Also - depending on how u feel - id ask 4 vit d test and feretin too
I was low in all 3 @ same time and really struggled.
Now all 3 are ' fixed '

@worldwidetravel2017 thanks for asking. Unfortunately my cancer had spread so I’m on long term treatment but I did have a brief period of remission last year. Treatment has come on leaps & bounds in the last few years so lots of stage 4 people are managing it as a long term health condition. I’d much rather not have it though! My sister is also being regularly monitored as she has serrated polyoposis (I think that’s right). I’m glad they are on the case in terms of checking things out for you.
OP just to echo what pp said I found you really have to push as women’s health issues are often dismissed. I was in agonising pain & kept getting told it was IBS & even now I have a cancer diagnosis I often have to push for stronger pain relief!

Sending you all the hugs , positive vibes and luck

Embrace every day - i expect u do.

I have had many polyps removed - one medically deemed large - 1 sessile serated - they removed 5 x adenomas - higher chance of bowel cancer 4 life - my mums dad died of it in early 50s.
My aunt has chrons
Sis ibs like me etc

Awaiting date of 3rd colonoscopy - that will be third within 8 months.
Was sick both times with the prep b4 but just wanting them to chop chop with date 4 next one - they want a cap on next 1 \ easier to check corners

Ive had many maybe cancer scares in last 9 months - i found Macmillan to be ace

I hope your being looked after

I wish theyd lower the ' colonoscopy screening age - i hear of so many who get a diagnosis in their 30s

That's a good point because someone actually said it sounded like leviator ani syndrome as the pain up my bum comes and goes and I can feel it and the bloating start when I sit down but usually when I walk it eases off.

I also suspected endometriosis because just after I started clomid (which didn't work and we had IVF) ovulation became ridiculously painful and would have me bent over with massive bloating. Stopped clomid after 9 months and the pain never went away. I take cerazette which stops me ovulating now but the whole tummy and bowel issues started in 2021. I ovulate and got the usual pain and bloating but it just never went away.

I managed to have a wee nap just before the twins came home.

I want to thank everyone for their help and ideas.

I'm going to write a list of everything and take it to my next appointment. If I can't get one tomorrow I am going to at the least request some painkillers. My village pharmacy doesbt stock solapdine max so the strongest I can get from them is 8/500 cocodomol and I can't drive to get into town. As my nurse friend said today its not accetabke to be left crying in pain for another week.

Hi OP. I'm no expert and I agree with others who suggest further investigation and discussion with your GP. Just something to bear in mind is that codeine, which is in solpadeine and cocodamol, can be constipating, which might not be helping in your case. Also amitriptyline can have the same effect in some people. Colpermin, which is just peppermint capsules, can be good if bloating is due to trapped gas though if you have IBS I'm sure you will already have tried this. Best wishes in getting this resolved, it's horrible when there may be so many possible factors and you are in so much pain.

I just came on to say it could be endometriosis. It's ridiculously hard to get diagnosed though.

Your post reminded me straight away of times when my endometriosis would flare up. I'd keep going back to the Gp.

Is the bloating persistent or does it come and go?

It's persistent.

It's never usually this bloated but there is always a degree of bloating present.

I go to bed bloated and wake up bloated.