Hello, my name is Jenn I am 51 years old diagnosed with IBS C/D 12 years ago. I recently had a MRI of abdomen all ok. Lately I have been having a intermittent pain above my belly button to the left. Burping a bit and feel pressure as if I have to pass gas. Not constipated, normal BM. Has anyone experienced this, I am in a panic of anxiety and scared to death..
Sounds like an IBS flare up. Your bowel is located on your left side, pain can move about and can occur just about anywhere. Have you tried an antispasmodic such as buscopan and combined it with nurofen? This helps my IBS. You can also ask your doctor for an antispasmodic. Have you tried a food diary or the Low Fodmap diet? Distraction techniques such as a hobby of light exercise can help with anxiety and pain. Health anxiety is common with IBS, but try not to worry because anxiety makes IBS much worse.
Have you had any stress recently? Stress can trigger IBS flare ups; my IBS was caused by stress.
Thank you for your reply Pippa, I am under some stress..usually always because I have generalized anxiety disorder. The more nervous I get the more it hurts. I have tried antispasmodics, but they always made me feel worse. I am going to try and breath and calm down. Perimenopause doesn't help either. I will keep you posted. Thanks again
Hormonal change often makes IBS worse and the perimenopause can cause digestive problems on its own. I am 45 and I haven't reached The Change yet, but periods did make my IBS worse when it started. Hopefully you'll feel better soon.
Hi Jenn, I think I know what your talking about. I have IBS with constipation, and sometimes I get this pain that is about two inches to the left (and sometimes the right), of my belly button. Went to see the doctor, and when she pushed on that spot, I thought I was going to scream. I was told it was gastrointestinal stress. Well, gee....that helps!
I have PTSD, and anxiety so "stress" is pretty much the norm for me.
Finally, I got a new PCP, and she wrote me a script for a huge bottle of miralax(polyethylene glycol 3350). I take it every morning before breakfast, and it really helps. I will say, it does make me "go" more often, and it's not very solid, but I'm not in pain. I also bought one of those "squatty potty" foot-stools, and I've found that it's much more comfortable to "go" in that position. I still have flair ups, but not as often, and I use glycerin suppositories when that happens.
Now, talking about IBS with anyone other than my doctor is not something I've done, so I have a question. I was told I had ibs /c, but when I get a flair up, I get this intense pain, that lasts a few minutes, then passes. Then it comes back stronger, and I try to go. It hurts, and it's very hard, then it turns into diarrhea, and I go about 2 - 3 time more. It this ibs /c, or is it both ibs/ c and ibs/d? My daughter is the same way.
Some people get IBS A which means their stools alternate between constipation and diarrhoea. I have experienced this with my IBS alrhough in the main I have IBS C.