Could someone please advise, feeling desperate :(

[blueocean]

Hi, 

I’m a 25 year old female and for over 2 years now I have been struggling with IBS-C. 
 

I do have frequent BMs but I don’t feel like I’ve been able to empty completely. I am constantly bloated and in pain from cramps, often high up in my gut (it feels like things are being blocked from passing through properly) and I also feel like my bladder is being pressed on and I’m constantly having to go to the loo. When I do go I feel like my bladder hasn’t emptied completely either. I had a urine test and ultrasound of the bladder which came back normal. I have also had blood and stool tests, which also came back normal. I had a breath test and was told I had mild SIBO and took antibiotics for this but this didn’t help. I later was tried on antibiotics again followed by probiotics, and I’ve also been on mebeverine, buscopan, probably other medications etc which I can’t remember because I’ve lost track of everything I’ve tried. Nothing helps  

I was taking laxatives which helped with the pain somewhat but I came off them to take my second course of antibiotics. What followed after a few days was severe pain and cramps - I didn’t sleep in over 48 hours and was crying with the pain. I was put on movicol and within a few days the pain became bearable again but I am still so, so uncomfortable all of the time. I am taking several sachets a day and am wondering if I should soon try taking 8 sachets for 3 days to see if that helps, to try and clear things…

I have suffered a rectal prolapse which the GP didn’t seem too concerned about (he didn’t do an examination though - just looked at a photo I took and confirmed what it was) but I am wondering if this could be contributing to the problem / if I could be suffering from pelvic organ prolapse? My GP hasn’t done any kind of examination.

i have been trying to get a colonoscopy on the NHS for a year but my GP practice always tell me they’ve sent off a referral - but the hospital tell me they never received it  I’m chasing them up a lot but I don’t seem to be getting anywhere. I’m not even sure if a colonoscopy will help or what tests i really need. Would I benefit more from an x-ray? 
 

I have tried the FODMAP diet twice and kept a food diary, but no food seems particularly to trigger symptoms. I eat plenty of fibre etc.
 

I am so exhausted and can’t sleep properly with the discomfort. Can anyone please advise? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[redbean7]

Hi there, just wondering if you are able to consult with a pelvic floor physical therapist?  And also try to look up a visceral manipulation practitioner (could be a physio or massage therapist) to see if that might help you?  The colonoscopy is good to rule out some red flags.  I hope you find answers soon.  

[floppsey]

I feel your struggle!! I am having exact sane issues and it interferes so much with your life.  I dont have answers either but just wanted you to know you're not alone!

[Belle_W]

I strongly promote the practice of daily meditation; it has helped me tremendously through this IBS journey. In all health matters, it is crucial to sync up the mind and body and strengthen that connection. Remember your 'gut brain' - the microbiome has a brain of its own, and we need to build and maintain a connection between the microbiome and our 'head' brain for full, lasting restoration. There are numerous scientific studies and books that attest to the power of the mind to help in healing the body. It can be as simple as just sitting for a few minutes a day and visualizing a healthy body and healthy gut. Stress is definitely a factor in dysbiosis, and sometimes the pileup of tests and treatments can cause mental and emotional stress that end up exacerbating the problem. Also, you may want to check out the book Gutbliss by Dr. Robynne Chutkan. She includes information that may be useful for you about women's health as it pertains to the large intestine and the gut microbiome. 

Edited July 12, 2022 by Belle_W

[bungeedog]

Wow, sounds miserable.  For emptying try glycerine - liquid glycerine suppositories are made by Fleet.  They work well to empty and you don't get hooked on them like a saline enema. 

But it sounds like a different GP might be an idea, if you can, and a gastroenterologist -  Fiber can actually cause gut pain and problems with some people, it's all in the type of fiber it is and how much. 

[Bryn]

What has helped me significantly with constipation symptoms is Miralax and Acacia Fiber. The fiber you take NEEDS to be lots of soluble and very little insoluble fiber.
Start with Miralax twice a day, then add in Acacia Fiber

Miralax should be at your local drugstore.
Acacia FIber can be bought at Heather's Tummycare website.
The same website has a wonderful assortment of other useful resources including books to you could find useful.

If possible, rather than a GP doctor, you should be seeing a GI specialist...

 

Edited November 30, 2022 by Jeffrey Roberts
Removed URL to for-profit website