[JerryNyc718]

Hey guys I posted here before and just had a quick question. My DR says I have IBS but is it normal to feel the symtoms of ibs almost 24/7? That just seems not to be right to me, also whatever pain/discomfort I feel is only on the left side of my stomach/ab. I was just wondering if others have this same problem and it is a case of me being too worried.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Usually left side is IBS more often than not. Some of the not IBS things cause pain mostly on the right. Not much other than IBS is on the left, but IBS can be anywhere the colon is on both the right and left.IBS pain can vary. Some people have some pain almost all the time (tends to be less during sleep when the colon is less active) or may come and go based on colon activity. So some people mostly have pain after meals and when they get up but may have some time in between where it isn't so painful.Most people think IBS is mostly about the stool consistency issues and that would be the only thing that bothers them. In fact a lot of IBSers have much bigger issues with pain and other discomforts.

 

[JerryNyc718]

Oh ok wells that is a bit helpful thankyou. I feel though that this feeling I have feels better after I eat, it is a lot worse when my stomach is emptey. Also it tends to be better when I am at work and my mind is busy, I have a mild axienty disorder so that maybe adding to it. My main fear is that I have somekind of tumor/growth in my colon, but my GI dr strongly feels it is IBS.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Are you over 50?If you are under 50 you usually only have to worry about colon cancer if about half of your relatives had colon cancer in their 30's.IBS is the most common cause of abdominal pain, especially in those under 50.Less pain after eating sometimes is stomach irritation but not on the left side of the abdomen. That would be central up against the chest (may even feel like chest pain).

 

[JerryNyc718]

I am 25, will be 26 in a few weeks,,,I have asked as far as know going back to my great grandparents there have not been any colon cancer in my family...I took a upper gi series a few months back and it came back that my stomach was mildly irritated..guess my insides r all messed up lol.

 

[IPPO]

hi jerrynyc718,i am 28 and also suffer from a lot of left sided pain and discomfort, annoying i know. mine can be anywhere between my ribs and pelvis, can sometimes get all over tummy gurgling and tenderness.. but left side gets me the most, almost any sort of description of the pain can apply, and anywhere between 2/4 bm's a day, normally soft/loose...... how is your pain/bm pattern?i take peppermint caps every day but still get pain, take them as a matter of course really..hope you feel better soon..

 

[JerryNyc718]

Yes it is very annoying, some days like today I have to take off work because I feel like ####. But reading from other people here it is good to know I am not alone in all this and others deal with the same issues. Also my bowel movements change every few days from pretty much normal to very loose and watery, also they seem to be flat sometimes.

 

[Diana63]

Hello JerryNyc718I do not have left sided pain only,but my pain is right across my pelvic area also my stomach,back and rectum.I suffer ibs symptoms 24/7 every day.I find it extremely depressing to suffer all the time but try and cope as best i can.My GP has always been supportive and helpful but i am still searching for something that helps.You are not alone in the pain that you suffer.Take care.

 

[IPPO]

Hi Diana63,I also get pain in my back and sometimes pelvic area. I oftern stand there with my hand over my side between my ribs and hip just massaging myself, helps temporarily.

 

[clareuk]

I used to get mainly right sided pain but I also suffered with really uncomfortable lower back aches and generally felt really s****y all the time. I suffered with the diarrhea every single day and during the day as well. As Kathleen said, I didn't tend to get it during the night but always really bad first thing in the morning when everything started moving again. At one stage I did start to get really worried that it might be something else especially as my weight was falling off but it wasn't and i think when your body isn't working as it should be that we probably all think the worst.