9 replies to this topic

[bloatedbritt90]

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hello there. i am very miserable lately i have been to doctor after doctor, even a gastroenterologist was unable to find answers. your help would mean the world to me. i was on a very big diet, high in protein and my stomach would make the funniest gurgling noises after i ate. protien would send me straigh to the bathroom. i also got terrible, explosive diarrhea from hard boiled eggs and too much greens. i went back to my old eating habits (very unhealthy) and i was under alot of stress. i had horrible stomach cramps and terrible diarrhea. the cramps were in my lower left and right abdomen and my back. i also saw black in my stool. the doctor wasn't sure what it could be and ran a fecal occult test. i did two slides and both were negative for blood. the stomach pain continued and my appetite went. it went into my back all of the time. i wasn't sure if IBS could cause pain in your back, especially the lower back. i would also bloat after meals. i felt constant pain in the lower right of my back. it feels like i have to pass gas but i can't. my bowel movements would rotate between hard stools and loose, watery stools that smelled and looked like diarrhea. my symptoms continued so i went up for a full blood work up (which i would imagine reveal any serious issues). i had a full CBC count (red & white bloods) cells, they looked at my platelets, my liver function and my sugar..they looked at how everything was functioning. everything came back great. my stomach pain continued so i went to another doctor, she strongly felt my symptoms were attributed to IBS & possibly crohn's or UC but i don't have bloody diarrhea so i doubt it. these symptoms did come on when i became very stressed out. i finally saw a gastroenterologist who believed my symptoms demonstrated IBS but he wanted to do a colonoscopy. im only 18 years old so i said no and accepted the IBS diagnosis. i wasn't about to put myself through a colonoscopy which is invasive and risky for no good reason. my stomach makes violent growling noises after i eat & gurgling. the abdominal pain moves into my back. it almost feels like a big gas pain. my bathroom habits have changed. i also have some stomach acid that comes up to my throat at night. i feel like i have alot of acid in my stomach as well & i don't know if this is attributed to IBS or not. maybe stress has affected my digestive system? does this sound like IBS? they thought it might've been a kidney infection because of the pain in my back but they tested my urine. how about gallbladder attacks? it feels like trapped gas but im really not sure. im not about to put myself through a colonoscopy if it is believed to be IBS. does this sound like IBS? can IBS move into your back? please, IBS EXPERTS give me some insight. im sick of suffering & i want some advice from people who know their stuff. i don't want to hear "just go for the colonoscopy." i want insight based on the symptoms i have mentioned. i was also freaked out about colon cancer. i don't know anymore but please let me know what you think about my symptoms, thankyou very much.

[Cherrie]

HiI'm fairly new so I'm not sn "ibs expert" -- but just thought if I replied and bumped your post, some much more experienced members may see it and offer more.As far as I can see from your post, I feel that it's still IBS. Some people with IBS do have back pain and pain that runs all over the place (most likely trapped gas, I think). If you're only 18 and if all other tests and all your symptoms point to IBS, me too wouldn't think a colonoscopy is necessary, and chances of someone as young as you getting colon cancer is very low, esp without family history.I'm not sure about gallbladder attack -- usually if you have upper right pain, that could be. But then again there is a portion of the colon that's bending underneath the right ribcage, so...Hope some expert members can see your post soon and hope you feel better soon, too.Cherrie

[Jannybitt]

Your symptoms definitely sound consistent with IBS. My advice would be to read all you can on this forum about what works for people, and start a trial and error test with yourself. Possibly a journal of your day; what you eat, how you felt, were you on your cycle, etc. It will help you if you have trigger foods that bother you. I would also make another appt. with your primary dr, and work on a game plan.. Discuss how much anxiety you have. If it's alot, that should be addressed, as it will make your symptoms worse. There are many treatments out there. Some people have great success with calcium with vitamin D. There is no one answer for everyone. And, yes, back pain, pelvic pain, trapped gas, bloating, altered bowel habits are all consistent with IBS. Good luck to you, and try some of the methods here. If you don't have a good relationship with your doc, find a new one. It's important to have one that is willing to work with you on this. You're not alone. Keep sharing, and read, read, read! Welcome!

[bandesmommy]

hello there. i am very miserable lately i have been to doctor after doctor, even a gastroenterologist was unable to find answers. your help would mean the world to me. i was on a very big diet, high in protein and my stomach would make the funniest gurgling noises after i ate. protien would send me straigh to the bathroom. i also got terrible, explosive diarrhea from hard boiled eggs and too much greens. i went back to my old eating habits (very unhealthy) and i was under alot of stress. i had horrible stomach cramps and terrible diarrhea. the cramps were in my lower left and right abdomen and my back. i also saw black in my stool. the doctor wasn't sure what it could be and ran a fecal occult test. i did two slides and both were negative for blood. the stomach pain continued and my appetite went. it went into my back all of the time. i wasn't sure if IBS could cause pain in your back, especially the lower back. i would also bloat after meals. i felt constant pain in the lower right of my back. it feels like i have to pass gas but i can't. my bowel movements would rotate between hard stools and loose, watery stools that smelled and looked like diarrhea. my symptoms continued so i went up for a full blood work up (which i would imagine reveal any serious issues). i had a full CBC count (red & white bloods) cells, they looked at my platelets, my liver function and my sugar..they looked at how everything was functioning. everything came back great. my stomach pain continued so i went to another doctor, she strongly felt my symptoms were attributed to IBS & possibly crohn's or UC but i don't have bloody diarrhea so i doubt it. these symptoms did come on when i became very stressed out. i finally saw a gastroenterologist who believed my symptoms demonstrated IBS but he wanted to do a colonoscopy. im only 18 years old so i said no and accepted the IBS diagnosis. i wasn't about to put myself through a colonoscopy which is invasive and risky for no good reason. my stomach makes violent growling noises after i eat & gurgling. the abdominal pain moves into my back. it almost feels like a big gas pain. my bathroom habits have changed. i also have some stomach acid that comes up to my throat at night. i feel like i have alot of acid in my stomach as well & i don't know if this is attributed to IBS or not. maybe stress has affected my digestive system? does this sound like IBS? they thought it might've been a kidney infection because of the pain in my back but they tested my urine. how about gallbladder attacks? it feels like trapped gas but im really not sure. im not about to put myself through a colonoscopy if it is believed to be IBS. does this sound like IBS? can IBS move into your back? please, IBS EXPERTS give me some insight. im sick of suffering & i want some advice from people who know their stuff. i don't want to hear "just go for the colonoscopy." i want insight based on the symptoms i have mentioned. i was also freaked out about colon cancer. i don't know anymore but please let me know what you think about my symptoms, thankyou very much.

Hi Britt,I can totally relate to many of your complaints. I too suffer from extreme bloating, back pain, and severe pressure. I agree that most of your symptoms (aside from the black stool) does sound like IBS. Being only 18 the chances of colon cancer is extremely unlikely. The only thing a colonoscopy may do is put your mind at ease that you don't have a life threatening disease, like cancer. I have found that when I am under a lot of stress either professionally or personally my symptoms escalate. I have recently lost my father in law (he was only 60) from a massive heartattack and since, my symptoms have been almost unbearable. I suffer from IBS-C and with it comes a tremendous amount of abdominal pain and pressure along with a ridiculous amount of bloating. I have had IBS for over 13 years and am STILL trying to find what works best for me. The pain in your back is a very common complaint of IBSers. We have so much extra fermenation from the wrong kind of foods that we unknowingly eat that it causes extreme gas. Obviously, our tracts do not contract normally which then just traps all this extra gas that leads to pain, pressure and bloating. Think of your tract as a water balloon when you put pressure anywhere on the balloon what happens to the water - it builds up on either side, causing pain. Your large intestines are about 5 feet long so there is a lot of room for problems. Have you tried soluble fibers (Benefiber, Citurcel etc?). Soluble fiber has a soothing, regulating effect. If you do try these be sure to start out very slow (like maybe 1/2 tsp daily then gradually building up to maybe 3 tsp daily). I would definitely take your time giving your intestinal tract at least a week at any current dosage at a time. Another natural product to try is peppermint capsules with fennel and ginger, this does help with bloating and cramping. Exercise is also a big one, I know it is extremely difficult to muster up the energy to exercise when you just feel horrible, but even just some light walking is beneficial in regulating intestinal contractions. Good luck Britt, let us know how you do.

[bloatedbritt90]

Hi Britt,I can totally relate to many of your complaints. I too suffer from extreme bloating, back pain, and severe pressure. I agree that most of your symptoms (aside from the black stool) does sound like IBS. Being only 18 the chances of colon cancer is extremely unlikely. The only thing a colonoscopy may do is put your mind at ease that you don't have a life threatening disease, like cancer. I have found that when I am under a lot of stress either professionally or personally my symptoms escalate. I have recently lost my father in law (he was only 60) from a massive heartattack and since, my symptoms have been almost unbearable. I suffer from IBS-C and with it comes a tremendous amount of abdominal pain and pressure along with a ridiculous amount of bloating. I have had IBS for over 13 years and am STILL trying to find what works best for me. The pain in your back is a very common complaint of IBSers. We have so much extra fermenation from the wrong kind of foods that we unknowingly eat that it causes extreme gas. Obviously, our tracts do not contract normally which then just traps all this extra gas that leads to pain, pressure and bloating. Think of your tract as a water balloon when you put pressure anywhere on the balloon what happens to the water - it builds up on either side, causing pain. Your large intestines are about 5 feet long so there is a lot of room for problems. Have you tried soluble fibers (Benefiber, Citurcel etc?). Soluble fiber has a soothing, regulating effect. If you do try these be sure to start out very slow (like maybe 1/2 tsp daily then gradually building up to maybe 3 tsp daily). I would definitely take your time giving your intestinal tract at least a week at any current dosage at a time. Another natural product to try is peppermint capsules with fennel and ginger, this does help with bloating and cramping. Exercise is also a big one, I know it is extremely difficult to muster up the energy to exercise when you just feel horrible, but even just some light walking is beneficial in regulating intestinal contractions. Good luck Britt, let us know how you do.

thankyou so much bandes. you were a real help wow. so this doesn'rt sound like crohn's? im very sorry about your father by the way =[ what exactly do the blood tests rule out?

[bandesmommy]

thankyou so much bandes. you were a real help wow. so this doesn'rt sound like crohn's? im very sorry about your father by the way =[ what exactly do the blood tests rule out?

Your welcome, I wish you well. I am assuming by blood tests you mean cbc and serum chemistries? The cbc will evaluate your red and white cells. If say your red blood cells were low, this could potentially indicate anemia (blood loss in the body), or if your white cells are high for example then this could indicate inflammation or infection in your body. The serum chemistries are going to evaluate specific organ function like liver, kidneys, pancreas, etc. If everything was in the normal range then that is great.

[bloatedbritt90]

Your welcome, I wish you well. I am assuming by blood tests you mean cbc and serum chemistries? The cbc will evaluate your red and white cells. If say your red blood cells were low, this could potentially indicate anemia (blood loss in the body), or if your white cells are high for example then this could indicate inflammation or infection in your body. The serum chemistries are going to evaluate specific organ function like liver, kidneys, pancreas, etc. If everything was in the normal range then that is great.

i also have abdominal tenderness on the lower left and right side. i always feel something sharp when i need to defecate but it comes out watery. i also have an itchy rectum. i was wondering if this caused my intestinal/bowel issues. tell me what you think.what's the deal with the risk of anal sex and anal/coloncancers? im very confused about that whole concept. is it anal sex in itselfthat leads to this cancer or having anal sex with someone who is infected withthe HPV virus that is a risk for anal/colon cancer? i had unprotected anal sexwith my boyfriend several times. he is free of STD's, i know it for a fact but iwas curious if anal sex in itself is a cancer risk or it's the STD's you cancontract from it that potentially causes cancer of the anus and colon. myintestinal problems developed shortly after the anal incident. maybe it wascoincidence? there is alot of misconception about anal sex and anal/coloncancer. that is one concept that really does confused me. i just finally need to have that clarified. thankyou.

[bandesmommy]

i also have abdominal tenderness on the lower left and right side. i always feel something sharp when i need to defecate but it comes out watery. i also have an itchy rectum. i was wondering if this caused my intestinal/bowel issues. tell me what you think.what's the deal with the risk of anal sex and anal/coloncancers? im very confused about that whole concept. is it anal sex in itselfthat leads to this cancer or having anal sex with someone who is infected withthe HPV virus that is a risk for anal/colon cancer? i had unprotected anal sexwith my boyfriend several times. he is free of STD's, i know it for a fact but iwas curious if anal sex in itself is a cancer risk or it's the STD's you cancontract from it that potentially causes cancer of the anus and colon. myintestinal problems developed shortly after the anal incident. maybe it wascoincidence? there is alot of misconception about anal sex and anal/coloncancer. that is one concept that really does confused me. i just finally need to have that clarified. thankyou.

I would guess your tenderness in your lower abdomen is attributed to the IBS. The sharp pains prior to defecation are all apart of this syndrome. Has your doctor done a rectal exam? He/She can evaluate the itchiness, maybe its just being caused from the dia, try a little Preparation H Cream, see if that helps with the itching. The anal sex thing is beyond me, talk to your doc about it. I don't think the act itself can cause cancer but there is always the risk of HPV that can turn into cancer. You really need to be honest with your doctor about everything, even though sometimes it can be uncomfortable to talk about. They are going to be your best choice for advise and treatment. Good luck!!!!

[bloatedbritt90]

i just found out my dad was said to have celiac's as a child. he would get diarrhea after he ate bread all the time. the doctor didn't mention celiac's as a possibililty. i know celiac's is an auto-immune disease, if i had celiac's do you think it would've shown up in my full, in depth blood work up? (i had a CBC, platelet count, liver function, renal function, glucose..they looked at all my bodily functions & my cells). do you think abnormalties would've shown up if i had that auto immune disease (celiac's) because i heard it causes alot of vitamin deficiencies & stuff? the doctor said my blood work was perfect.

[UTSophie]

I am sorry about all the stress your illness has caused you, especially being so young. I just graduated college and am frustrated with my own painful abdominal problems that are getting in the way and leaving me confused as to what could be causing them! I know it takes forever to get a diagnosis! Hang in there. I just wanted to let you know that I, too, get horrible abdominal cramping that radiates to my lower back...but it's not caused by my gallbladder because I had it removed! It seems like it's the colon that's cramping when I get those lower abdominal/back pains, though. When exactly did your stomach discomfort start? Did it happen right after a stomach flu? It does seem like you have IBS. Oh yeah, and I know how a colonoscopy can be scary, I actually avoided having one when I was your age because I was afraid. I'm actually considering going ahead with it now, though, because sometimes that's the only way to find the real "answer" to the problem, you know? Have you tried any natural remedies? How about meds, has the doctor given you an antispasmotic? It's supposed to help with the cramping. Oh, and here's another really good thing that worked for me: Fiber! I know it seems like FIBER just screams BATHROOM TIME! But that's not the case with all fiber. Insoluble fiber is what actually adds water to our BMs and can actually make cramping worse, but there's another called SOLUBLE fiber that actually helps "bulk up" bowel movements so that they are more firm. I take something called Heather's Tummy fiber, it really works wonders with helping me not have diarrhea or constipation. I still have some cramping, but at least I'm not running to the bathroom as much. Below is the link for that fiber. And believe me, I was skeptical, but then I got desperate and tried it...and I'm glad I did. I hope and pray things work out for you, hang in there .Here's the link: ../shop/suplmts/acacia.asp