severe pain and IBS? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

sharona714 · 01-25-2009, 08:12 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this board and was wondering if anyone can offer advice. I have been having pain and severe cramping in the pelvic area and rectum. It's horrible at times and I seem to get it every other day. It feels like very very bad menstrual cramps. I am also having alternating bouts of constipation and diarreah. I have been taking an antispasmodic called dicyclomine, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. I don't know if IBS can cause pain to this extreme level, but if anyone has gone through something similar and can ease my mind, I would appreciate it. I just want to know that I'm not going crazy since my gyno or family Dr. cant seem to find anything wrong. I also saw a GI and he put me on the dicyclomine but I don't know if this is really IBS. I actually hope it is because 2 years ago I was diagnosed with cervical cancer and am just praying it is not the cancer. All Dr.s who treated my cancer assure me I am cured but I know nothing is 100% for certain. Please help, the pain is interfering with my life.
Thanks

RetiredDirector · 01-26-2009, 08:57 PM

You certainly seem to have all the classic symptoms of IBS. Some people have only diarrhea (like me), some constipation and some go between the two. I first went to the doctor (PCP) about 10 or 11 years ago with severe abdominal pain on the lower left quadrant. He referred me to a Gastro doc, who ran several tests and procedures including a Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, CT Scan, Barrium follow-through and a couple others. Conclusion: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I came right out and asked the doctor if that's the label they put on it when they can't figure out what problem is. He assured me that wasn't the case.

To get to your problem, yes, I have pain with mine every day and since I was first diagnosed with IBS, I have been on medication for the pain. I take opiate medication daily and I see a PM doctor who manages my medication. Most people with IBS aren't as lucky as I am and don't have understanding doctors. Of course I have added a couple other pain conditions with my age and I am on Social Security Disability for it and have been for five years. I had lung surgery in 2003 when they discovered and removed a tumor from my left lung and a couple years ago I started getting pain which turned out to be spinal arthritis.

So my pain meds have become my best friend, next to my wife.

Jenetti · 02-17-2009, 05:35 PM

im so sorry to hear youre in such pain hon. i got on here to ask about this same thing. it starts in my lower right area, spasms, feeling like its burning, irratated, and then theres the pain. OMG it goes down to my groin area and into my pelvic area, deep inside, but also just on the right side of the inside part. sex is out of the question cause of the severe pain i have everyday, every long day. im going to see my gyn doc to see what she can come up with. my ibs is getting worse painwise. i have had a hysterectomy (total) back in 1980. had cysts on both ovaries and endeometriosis. of course im treated with dioxocline (sp?) like many others. but that has stopped working. im just tired of hurting.