Last few weeks ive had a dull ache in abdomen on and off and softer stools mixed with harder ones.Not once have I had D though.went for rectal exam today and all was fine so will be having bloods done.I have a major health anxiety and been constantly worried about me having cancer since this started.I have nothing wrong with me if I can concentrate on something else I have no dull ache or anything.Np bloody stools and not really any pain but just this ache.All happened when I started a new job.Can this really be down to anxiety?I had to stop having caffiene years ago as it was making anxiety bad.i recently started drinking energy drinks as I was working long hours.now ive stopped.Im so worried they will find something its pretty much taking over my life right now
Hiya
I've had exactly the same symptoms as you since May, have had a scan and docs say nothing wrong with me only IBS. However despite monitoring and controlling diet, trying IBS meds nothing seemed to work. In the end I begged to be put on thyroxine as I am borderline hyper, and this has relieved the constipation but the dull ache continues. As I also have a deep anxiety around this I have now opted to pay for my own colonoscopy as I feel this is the only test I can rely on to be sure this is not more serious. My advice to you would be to insist on having the same, on the Nhs, before allowing docs to diagnose you with IBS or you will just end up continuing to worry as I have for over 6 months. Good luck!
Thankyou.to be honest I think if I had been told it was ibs then I would have come away feeling alot better about it.not knowing is driving me insane.Nothing stops me doing daily stuff.i almost get back to normal again and then seem to eat something that's starts it off again.i feel/hope alot is just the anxiety but cant understand how it could be.i get slightly constipated and sometimes hard and soft mixed together.No blood or anything.I read alot of peoples posts and see how much pain they are in and makes me feel thankful I'm not.hope it pans out well for you
Hey
Anxiety and stress, along with long days hard work running around are the main triggers for ibs type symptoms. You just have to figure out what makes you feel better. But like Louise said insist on a colonoscopy and an ultrsound/ct scan it's the only way to be sure it's nothing else. As for the ibs diagnosis, it's just a lable for you when they don't have a clue why your insides don't work normally. There are so many variations for pain and symptoms that it's just what they say to give you box to fit in. And as for treatment it's as varied and as individual for every single sufferer. Cut out what makes you really bad, really focus on learning to relax and find meds that work for you xxx
drew,
What you are describing are the classical signs of ibs.
a) changes in bowel habits.
b) reacting to stress
c) sensitivity to caffine
I think you should leave the energy drinks alone, they often contain caffine and carbonated drinks will cause problems.
I will be very supprised if the medical people find anything wrong with you.
I had a Colonoscopy then X rays then CT scan.......absolutely nothing.
It will help if you can stop worrying. I found slippery elm useful, you can get it from most health food shops.
Wishing you all the best
bob