Hi guys, I've been having all sorts of frustrating symptoms that have lead to health anxiety. I'm 23, female. Had IBS for years but it recently changed from IBS-D to IBS (mixed). Now I have yellow stools frequently, bad heartburn, nausea, and more significantly, severe pain under my ribs my right side and flank. It feels sore when I press down on them, but also even to lie on my side feels uncomfortable. Different positions can affect the area under my ribs (e.g. if i stretch it hurts, and if i don't move its not noticeable)- it's been like this for 3 weeks now. Also have stabbing pain in my upper back which is super frustrating. Saw a gastro the other day and he is convinced it will be IBS. I'm having an upper endoscopy due to belching, indigestion etc. Taking omeprazole which has slightly improved the belching, although the heartburn seems worse. Wanted to ask if any of you have has any similar symptoms with your IBS, or an exprience where your IBS symtpoms changed? I'm also thinking of getting a CT scan privately just to rule out anything sinister (drs think this is unnecessary, but I thought it might help for peace of mind). Thanks!
hi I get the pain on my left side when I lie down its uncomfortable and painful my gp thinks it’s my hip sent me for xray awaiting for results. and awaiting for a second ultrasound scan. hope things get better
I would say your symptoms sound like IBS since that’s what you have been diagnosed with. Accept your doctor’s opinion when he says further tests are unnecessary. My doctor told me repeating my tests was unnecessary and I accepted this and felt immediately better.In my experience, further testing can cause further anxiety and doesn’t give peace of mind especially if they are negative. They can make you feel that something has been missed. Your doctor is the expert.
IBS can change especially if you have anxiety. My IBS has changed from constipation to loose stools/diarrhoea as a response to stress. IBS does not show on any scan or test and can cause upper digestive problems like heartburn, belching and indigestion. Ribcage pain and backache can also occur. Keep taking omeprazole since it helps the belching. It should be helping the heartburn too. Stress can cause heartburn to get worse. You can get neuralgic, sore to touch pain with IBS. This one of my four different types of pain.
I found it painful to lie down with my IBS. I asked my doctor about it and he confirmed this was common with IBS. IBS flare ups can last hours, days, weeks or months. The more you stress about it, the more painful and long lasting your IBS will be. My first flare up lasted three and a half months because of health anxiety. Health anxiety seems to be flaring up your symptoms. My advice would be to accept your doctor’s advice since you have already seen a specialist. Since your doctor is convinced you have IBS, be convinced yourself.Try relaxation therapy, distraction techniques and anti spasmodics.
hello. just to say your symptoms sound very like what i’ve had for years. mine starts with pain under my right rib. this moves round into my side then back and now leads to bad indigestion and heartburn. (i was prescribed omeprazole but don’t feel it worked. in fact id say it made it worse!) recent flare ups have also led to a pain so sore in the centre of my ribs and a burning feeling in my stomach i ended up in hospital. once this all dies down i feel so tender on my right side. even when lying in bed or bending over. anyway i have had ultrasounds, bloods, h pylori tests and an upper endoscopy. only thing that showed was inflammation of my duodenitis. at the follow up with my gp she said she believes its stemming from my gallbladder (even though i’ve no stones) so i’m being referred back to the consultant as she thinks it might have to come out! anxiety def doesn’t help so try not to worry too much. hopefully you’ll get answers soon.