Hi
Following on from a minor stomach bug a few weeks ago, I have had a big flare-up of unwanted IBS symptoms. I haven't had a bout for about a year now and I am so fed up: I have almost constant abdominal pain (low down, mid and upper at different times). It feels crampy and bloated. I have wind, gurgling stomach and a pressure type thing low down in my bowels which makes me think that I always need the loo (feeling of incomplete BM). I also have some indigestion pain round my ribs.
I don't have any really sinister symptoms: I average 3 BMs per day and always have and now that the bug has gone, they are mostly normal (although I have the heavy tummy feeling of constipation!). I have no bleeding either. I did panic earlier this week as I was having very dark, almost black stools until I remembered I have been taking 6 charcol capsules a day! I rarely get woken up with the pain at night either.
During past flare-ups I have had a colonoscopy, barium x-ray, abdo ultrasound, blood tests, urine tests and stool tests. All were fine.
I am sure that this is just IBS but I do worry as they are also some symptoms of cancer!! My doctor felt my tummy last week and said just to give it time.
I hate this!! I am going on holiday in just over a week and I feel rubbish for most of the day. My worst symptoms are the pain and rectal pressure. Does anyone else have similar symptoms or can recommend anything? Please!!!