[Guest]

I just found this board this week and I was wondering if anyone could tell me if my symptoms are IBS symptoms. I had a laparscopyone year ago and had bilateral ovarian cysts endo and adhesions lasered. Since then however my pain has never gotten better. I had colonoscopy in April. I have been put on many different IBS meds including Donnatol Librax and Bentyl. I don't have constant "D or C" on rare occasions when I am very stressed like a death in the family, a new job interview I have "D" then but that is a very rare occurence.My pain is lower left and is a constant ache some days it is worse than others and during my monthly period it is the worst. Oh and my colonoscopy did show mild diverticulitis but he said this would not cause the pain I have. None of the meds have been any help and there were too many side effects so i no longer take anything.I don't know if I should go back to the gyn or the colon doctor. Neither has been much help anyway and I think they are just guessing at what is wrong. Any input is appeciated.Thanks,Chelle

 

[Guest]

Since IBS is a diagnosis that involves ruling out every other possibility,it's hard to say whether your pain is IBS or not. My symptoms have varied greatly over the years, but the one constant has been the pain in my lower left side, which is the sigmoid colon. When it starts to flare up, I drink peppermint tea, which really seems to help--the peppermint relaxes the constrictions in my gut. Try this and see if it helps. (I just use the Bigelow brand--there are several others available, too).

 

[Guest]

I'm on this site because I'm looking for answers for my mother, but I have endometriosis, which is what it sounds like you are describing. You said you had cysts and adhesions removed, and I've been there. Don't let endo doctors put you off, if that's what you've got. You don't need anything else to develop (e.g. Crohn's) if they let the pain get worse without looking into it. I went to doctors over ten years ago, seeking an explanation for extreme pain and "D" at PMS time, checking to see if it was Crohn's, since my mother had had it for 15+ years and was always concerned we might get it. The doctors laughed, saying Crohn's wasn't hereditary, and sent me away with that "it's all in your head little girl" attitude. I started to accept it all as part of being a woman. Well, after more pain and other messy symptoms, I finally needed surgery to remove cysts, and that was when they found the endo. I had Stage IV endo, thick and deeply rooted in my cul-de-sac. Very frequently, I still have pain in my lower left abdomen, but all they said was that the adhesions hadn't invaded my bowel, and I'd just have to live with the pain. I was on Lupron for 6 months, and they said they'd do it again if I insisted(not on your life, unless I really want to spend at least 3 years in solitary). Five years later, after many hours of soul searching and fervent prayer, I have learned to live with it, and often ignor it. I hope that you can find your answers. I gave up on the doctors, especially since it was the leading endo doctor in the country who told me to live with it. I guess having a hyst makes you a non-profit patient, when most of an endo doctor's money comes from fertility needs...

 

[Guest]

Hi Chelle,Your post has me very concerned for you. I really think you should find a new GYN that will LISTEN to you. I went for about 10 years in constant pain, trying to tell the Dr's that there was something wrong with my left ovary. They wouldn't listen and kept telling me that my pain was up too high to be the ovary. Plus the fact that I would have extreemly crippling pain with my periods. Two years ago, I finally found a Dr who would listen. Last year I insisted on a hysterectomy and he found that I had endometrial cancer in the uterus. My ovaries were to be removed at the same time, but he couldn't find my left one. Guess where it was? Up higher and attached to my bowel! Luckily, it just peeled off in the second operation required to remove it and didn't cause a problem with the bowel. No wonder I was in pain! I'm not trying to scare you about cancer or anything, but you must be persistent, especially where you have endo. Sometimes I don't think Dr's take female problems serious enough. The pain of endo is very real and very bad as is ibs, but I assure you, cancer is worse! Get a second, or third or forth oppinion if you have to. Don't take "Oh, it's nothing" for an answer. You shouldn't have to live like this.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies sorry it took so long to reply back...You are so right Lynn about the doctors not taking female problems seriously enough. The attitude my gyn had was "I have already been in there and took care of it so it must be something else". Like he couldn't have missed anything!! I am planning on finding a new doctor as soon as I can, but first I want my husband to get his gallbladder taken care of. As soon as I get him back on his feet and I can afford it I will go get checked out again...Thanks,Chelle

 

[Guest]

I've had pain on my left side forever! I've been to GYNs and Gastros. I thought I might have some ovary problem and feel a bit better now that two GYNs have said that there is scar tissue from having 3 C-sections which is very close to my colon and when the colon is full it can cause pain. I always have a fear of cancer and am always very much in touch with my body and the pain. One GYN, whom I have a lot of faith in, said she could do a laparodscopy(?), but it could add more scar tissue and she felt sure of her diagnosis. So, I now have less pain while treating IBS symptoms and taking birth control pill....Good luck.

 

[Rose]

Karin,Since you seem to know about the sigmoid colon...do you know exactly what it does or what it's function is: I sometimes get pain in my lower left side, but it's almost as if either gas of feces is trapped there. With release of gas or BM, the pain goes away. Is the sigmoid that last place waste goes, before exiting the body????? Just Wondering. Also, does anybody know what the illium is and where is it located??Rose

 

[Guest]

Chelle - I just got back to the discussion group after being away for awhile. Just some information for you. I have had D and C for about 5 years or so now. I am wondering about endometriosis and if the two go together, but regarding your pain in your lower left side. I had that about a year and a half ago and come to find out if was a hernia. I had to have it operated on and the dr. found I had two of them on the same side. I felt like I had a pea size lump on my left side that hurt alot. Mainly when coughing or moving different directions. Many dr.'s don't think that it could be that because women don't usually get those. Hope it helps. Joely