Hey all. In the past few months I've had a lot of problems with abdominal pain and on and off constipation/diarrhea for which I've been put on all number of antibiotics (they were first sure it was a urine infection).
Last week it got a lot worse, I had pain in my back and constant dull achey pain in my stomach, so I went to my new gp. He said it was more than likely to be ibs because I'd had a ultrasound of my kidneys and urinary tract so they could rule out anything like kidney stones or cysts. He put me on fybrogel and the pain got a little better to the point that when I was on my period over the weekend it completely disappeared (but I wondered if that was just because of that). But now it's come back a lot worse - last night I was getting sharp stabbing pains in my right side, so much so I was almost thinking it was a problem with my appendix but the source of the pain seems to be a bit too low for that.
Today I've continued to get recurring very sharp spasms of pain normally in my right side but very occasionally in my left. Other symptoms are that I am getting a lot of white balls in my stool (probably too large to be parasites) which don't change at all depending on what food I have (sorry for the graphic info) and very slight chest pain. I don't think this is normal of IBS, or is it? Can the pain get that severe? I think I should see my gp again, the only problem being that no doubt I'll have to wait several days to get an appointment to see him, so any advice or musings in the meantime woud be much appreciated!
Hi crezzle123, you do sound as if you have IBS. It can be very painful when the spasms are bad and stabbing pains and 'crushing' feelings are normal with IBS in a big flare up. Could you have eaten something you shouldn't? (We've all done it and it's hell for a day or two).I've spent many nights cramped up and in the bathroom in a flare up. When I'm this bad I take Motillium, it's very good but shouldn't be taken all the time, just for flare ups.
The white bits in your stools can be from the fat in your diet not being broken down properly. Your gall bladder could be bit upset by the IBS and not sending enough bile to the gut for a while.
If this happens now and again it is fine. If however it happens all the time or your stools become like clay then that is the time to see the doc.
As you've had scans recently then kidney/bladder probelms have been ruled out, so don't worry about that.
My gp gives me Movicol, I find it better and kinder than Fybogel.
It's good to hear you are going to the gp later this week. I'd suggest a very light diet until you see him.
Oats are very soothing to the intestinal tract.
He/she will be able to check you over just in case something else has happened that may not be associated with your IBS.
Hope you get to the 'bottom' of it and you get some relief soon. Fanny Jane.
Would I be able to get Motillium and/or Movicol over the counter before I see my GP or will I have to wait until I see him? Thanks for the advice, are there any foods you would suggest not to eat? I had a lot of pasta last night so I'm not sure if that's part of it...
Hi, yes you can buy Motillium over the counter at boots and other good chemists, not quite sure of the Movicol but you could ask.
Pasta is very hard to digest, delicious though it is. Rice is better for you and oats.
If you google diet for IBS or light diet, loads of sites will tell you the good/bad stuff. You need a light diet to control IBS. It's not always a lot of fun. This doesn't mean that they will all affect you but are the main culprits.
I have had to give up cheese and ice cream (I love cheese and ice cream and sometimes succumb and then get ill everytime), I have semi skimmed milk and can't eat yogurts either. Some veg and some fruits and juices are hard to digest and very acidic
Curries and spicy foods are a no no as well. Some people can't tolerate wheat products at all.Nuts and Fructose in sweets and desserts are also bad for some people. Bread can bloat, white toast and crackers and rice pudding are good when inflamed. Also alcohol can set you off (I told you you wouldn't like it).
What you need to do is keep a food diary. Write down anything you recently ate when the symptoms start. Then you can see what it was and not eat it again, or at least eat less of it.
My gp told me not to eat uncooked fruit and veg. Tinned is actually better then fresh for IBS sufferers although beans are bad.
It's a hard thing to get to grips with but if you do you will feel well and happier and be more healthy too. Do some research. Good luck.