Come and calm me down IBD/IBS experts!

[Crumplet]

I've had horrible belly pain for the last four months. The onset was sudden with a couple of days of very servere upper belly pain, more on the right. I had just had a course of antibiotics, strated the minipill and was under massive work stress...I ended up having a gastroscopy and ultrasound and some blood tests, all of which were normal. I left reassured and thought it would all settle down, but it didn't and now I have daily almost constant pain, mainly right sided, usually just above right of the belly button although often much lower and sometimes higher. Its nit terrible - I can still work and see to the kids, but its wearing and sometime keeps me awake or wakes me up. I have also strted having my bowels open, up to 8 times a day - not diarrhoea just frequent episodes of normal soft stool, no blood or anything. My gastro consultant thinks I might have ileal Crohns or IBS - and wants me to have a colonoscopy and CT, which I will. Apart from the pain and the nuisance of going to the loo so often, I actially feel quite well (although increasingly anxious!). Does this story sound like anyone else's and how did it turn out for you? Also what's a colonoscopy like?! (gentle stories only please!!)A bit worried about it all and need some positive reassurance if anyone can come up with it!!

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I have IBS, but it appears to be dormant @ the mo, mine is definately stress related.

It doesn't tbh cause me any great difficulties, I have meds I can take, if required but have managed to minimise it.

For that region I would have been thinking liver or gallbladder pain...any idea whether the ultrasound covered this? Also it should have showed up in the bloods really if it were that - though they may not have tested for liver function/chole-whatsit.

I am sure they can sedate you for the colonoscopy if you wish...apparently the laxative experience beforehand is worse than the procedure from what I've heard, so the procedure isn't too bad.

I hope you get a bit more info soon and can relax. It must be very upsetting.

Not much use on experience of colonoscopies, but can worry and wait with you, fwiw...have been to GP today with right sided nagging achey pain (a few weeks' worth, and yes, I have increased stress atm as am attempting to buy house) and slightly more frequent BMs and sure enough, am being referred to gastro for eventual colonscopy

I do want the reassurance (or fast treatment!) but am not looking forward to it.

Unwisely googled a bit, but actually right sided pain is fairly reassuring - pain doesn't seem to be the most common symptom. Still, needs checking.

IBS is v v common, OTOH, and frequent need to poo along with pain are the most common symptoms...

When is your next appointment, Crumplet?

Elibean...I guess you have considered gallbladder as well? I am set on diagnosing someone fgs My mum just found out hers is causing this kind of thing you see.

don't know.. am waiting to hear. Nice to have company though! Can I ask - what do mean right sided pain not so common?

p.s. ultrasound of liver and gallbladder was all normal. My blood tests for this were normal too. I fact all my blood tests were. I suppose I just want to know how bad and where IBS pain can be so that I can try to pretend to myself I am likely to have this, rather than Crohns!!

Sorry, Crumplet, was speed typing (LOs rampaging, need to get them to bed!). I meant, having googled various bowel cancers, pain doesn't seem to be one of the main symptoms to look out for, or one of the first at least - especially right sided.

J, I think mine is too low for gallbladder - in fact, GP seemed more interested in appendix, though only briefly Its just inside my hip bone, sometimes a bit higher, or a bit lower, but mostly there.

IBS pain can be v bad, and anywhere - esp where the 'corners' are (ie top or bottom right hand side common).

I've had a load of bloods done today, including LFTs and coeliac.

I think with Crohns there would be bleeding, fwiw. Try not to worry.

my ultrasound of gall bladder kept coming back normal for 3 years and then one day i collapsed with guess what...gall stones and biliary colic.

Crumplet, I have passed out (on more than one occasion) from the pain due to IBS. I'd rather go through childbirth than a bad flareup (months of pain and wildly fluctuating clothing sizes).

If it is IBS and you are a 'suggestible' person, you might want to find a good hypnotherapist. There was a hypnotherapy unit in Withington hospital (NHS; Manchester) that was researching the use of hypnotherapy for treatment of IBS. It made a huge difference to my life but it will not work for everybody. I was unbelievably sceptical at first and the only thought on my mind was why not try?

I had the colonoscopy and agree with what julliett says, the picolax prior was as bad as the initial finger examination - but the sedative was good!

Hello, I have ulcerative colitis (diagnosed in June after what I thought was coeliac disease)

When it first started it seemed like IBS, no blood, frequent trips to the loo but no pain. It was only as it progressed that the blood and much looser stools occured, with anaemia and weight loss also.

The colonoscopy was slightly undignified but not terrible. I was just relieved to get a diagnosis (although not one I wanted)

Good luck, stress plays a huge part in gut related problems so try not to worry too much.

Dh has Crohns/Colitus, too (I can't really say which he has as his ulcers are like one condition but where they are is like the other).
I thnk his colonoscopy was pretty bad. It is uncomfortable and you are awake during it, although I think you get a mild seditive.
He is very well at the moment and is taking medication. Constipation is an issue for him and he does have a self imposed diet regime, nothing special

not too much coffee
no bananas
small amount if cheese
high fibre breakfast and bread.
He finds pepermint tea is good for pain, in particular the twinings Digestif tea

Julliet is right there would nomally be bleeding with crohn or colitus

NACC This is the support group. They have good info sheets.

i have colitis and had a colonoscopy, you are heavily sedated but awake, and i have to say it was quite uncomfortable, tho being drugged up, it went by in a bit of a blur

i think its worth investigating, i really do,. my colitis is made worse by stress, and my weight loss can be dramatic,it makes me quite ill at times, so knowing a proper diagnosis will help know how to treat you in flare ups

i am 5ft7 and was down to 7.5 stone a few months ago because of it, but have slowly managed to regain the weight after getting my meds regulated, and am now back to 9 stone

just because it is bearable now does not mean it will stay like that (though hopefully it does), so best to get it checked out early i say

I used to have Ulcerative Colitis (have had surgery now) and think it is unlikely that you would be feeling otherwise well if it was IBD, as the inflammation makes you feel a bit flu-ey. Also, the fact you mentioned frequency of toilet visits and not the urgency is reassuring.

It might be worth starting a food/symptom diary now as this is something they will probably want to look at at some point if it isn't IBD and it'll save you some time (and help you feel like you are doing something about it).

The colonoscopy isn't too bad and you are usually sedated, especially if they are going quite high up. You can always ask to be sedated if they haven't arranged it, they would rather that than be fighting with you on the table! Good luck!

Hi crumplet , Im in a similar position to you, as am also waiting upon a colonoscopy in a few weeks.

I have vasculitis right now , which they think may be caused by a number of things : crohns , colitis , celiac ......

I have a thread on whats been going on here.

Like Lou33, Ive also lost a lot of weight and Ive got multiple symptoms inc frequent BM (with blood) and lower pain. Theyve suggested for the time being to use the same diet as an IBS sufferer until things get worked out.

I hope what they're talking about with me doesnt add to your anxiety as my case may be very different from yours, but just wanted to come on to offer support for going through the same procedure. It may even be reassuring to you if you dont have the many symptoms Im experiencing!?!

thanks all.. very nice to chatter - makes me feel much calmer, and therefore better! Large camera up my bum in December doesn't sound like such a Christmas treat though!!... Will keep you posted! Can the IBS sufferes let me know where the pain was - I think this is confusing me as mine sits right up in the top right corner IYSWIM ?can this be IBS?

Crumplet, I can't say hand on heart that I have 'only' IBS, as not had the colonoscopy or seen the specialist yet, but my GP has told me I have IBS for years - my pain is nearly always in the upper right hand 'bend'. Its quite a sharp bend, so common for wind/spasm to lodge there, I think.

HTH during the waiting - my apt is a week today, and agree with the Xmas treat bit

I had GA for a colonscopy and TBH, apart from the pre-op nerves, it was much better than sedation.

Just in case anyone strays this way and wants to know. The colonoscopy was not that bad. Did not have sedation. The prep, however, was vile.
Pain much better thank gog - think its just the reassurance!