Digestive issues and back pain?

[Sunniehols]

For about 3 years now I’ve had digestive issues such as a rush to go the toilet on waking most mornings, if I try to ignore it the pain is awful, bloating throughout the day ie wake up normal size tummy but increases in size by evening, extremely noisy digestive sounds under left ribs, mostly early hours of the morning but does happen during the day also.

I had a 12 week period of intense pain under left ribs in early 2024, numerous blood tests, paid for a private abdominal US and a gastro consultation which led to a gastroscopy under nhs 2WW. Thankfully all clear with the exception of a 3.5mm gallbladder polyp, deemed not linked to any pain and of no concern. GP will not follow up on this to check on size. Biopsies taken were negative for coeliac and h pylori, although I have been treated for this 4 times. Last fit test around a year ago normal, recent calprotectin normal, CA125 normal. For other reasons I had a recent pelvic US. They struggled to find my right ovary, I was asked to push on my abdomen to move bowel out the way so that they could find it.

Since Jan this year I’ve now developed, lower middle back pain, just left of my spine. NHS referral for physio for mechanical pain but still waiting so have started private sessions.

Im just so fed up. My sleep is disrupted by both issues, I get on average 5 hours of poor quality sleep. I feel like a nuisance going back to the GP all the time. I worry they are linked to something in the bowel, a blockage or a bacteria overgrowth maybe?? I do get health anxiety but when I feel so rubbish all the time it’s hard not to worry something more is going on.

Any advice, what should I be asking my GP, what can I try myself? I drink lactose free milk, I use gluten free pasta, don’t really eat bread but when I do I do tend to just have whole meal, I try eat a varied diet in meats and fish, some fruit and veg, nuts, gluten free porridge etc, decaf tea, no fizzy drinks. I’ve looked at low fodmap too but found there wasn’t actually many things I was eating in abundance that were high fodmap. Re the noises at night GP said ibs, try yoghurt before bed ! Felt slightly fobbed off to say the least.
Im 44, hormone tests normal, still ovulating and regular periods, so unsure if peri playing any part.

any advice would be massively appreciated.

Hello!
did you find out what was the issue?
i have similar symptoms, x

I really think this may be IBS. It's not being fobbed off if that's actually what it is. Unfortunately theres just not a great deal you can do except consistently note down any foods that seem to cause an issue. With IBS it can Unfortunately be really random things. I can't tolerate egg yolk without pain fir example.
The back pain can often be from trapped gas. Gut issues can often cause pain in the shoulders and back. From trapped gas and also because a certain nerve refers pain to those places.
Peri may indeed make things worse as hormones can have a big impact on digestion. My IBS worsens in the week leading up to my period each month as my digestion slows down.
Apparently peri can also increase issues.

Anxiety can also worsen IBS so it can become a vicious cycle. It's important to try and think positively and try and engage with things like mindfulness and meditation. You may think this sounds like nonsense but it DOES help. Yoga and acupuncture are also supposed to help.
It's important not too get too fixated on sounds and sensations in your body.
I have been through similar before my IBS diagnosis. I had an endoscopy and various scans. I was in A&E with the pain.
You don't realise how severe IBS pain can be. I thought 'well there must be something more sinister wrong with me to be in that much pain' but actually IBS dies cause a great deal of pain sometimes.
I've got things into a good place now with limited pain. It was about doing something regarding the health anxiety as well as the actual physical issue because they make each other worse.
Try a two pronged attack and also explore anxiety treatments.

Have you been tested to see if you're coeliac? If you are then even a small amount of gluten could be causing these symptoms.

I was going to say the same about coeliac. It can cause muscle aches and pains as well as digestive issues, and have an impact on liver function and other organs that can cause pain too. You would need a blood test to see if you have it.

Hi @Sunniehols

Sorry to resurrect the thread, but I wondered how you were getting on with this, and whether you’d made any progress with either a diagnosis, or symptom management.

I literally read your OP and thought I’d written it myself - every little detail mirrors my own experience and I’m literally desperate to make it stop😄🤷‍♀️

Any update would be soooo appreciated xx