Coping with Pain

Hey , I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this pain again! One of the trickiest things with IBS is that it shows up differently for each person, so it can be really difficult to diagnose. I think it would be beneficial for you to see your doctor again. There are other tests besides the ones you mentioned that can help nail down a diagnosis. (Check out this article to get an idea of other ways your doctor can test for IBS: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/testing-and-diagnosis).
In the meantime, have you found that certain foods or activities trigger your symptoms? The good thing is that there are ways to minimize your symptoms, so getting a clear idea of what your triggers are is really helpful!
Please know that we’re here for you! Keep us posted and let us know how we can support you. Sending positive thoughts! - Kat (Team Member)

Hi , I just wanted to share that as someone with both IBS and anxiety, I do get purely stress-related stomach pains. Sometimes, during a stressful situation, I can even feel my intestines twisting into a knot (at least that's what it feels like).
That being said, getting some blood work and a stool test done is always a good idea when you're having symptoms like that, to rule out any infections or inflammation.
You could also experiment with your diet to see if there's something you're sensitive to. Common triggers include gluten, dairy, caffeine, fatty foods, artificial sweeteners, onions, garlic... It might be worth cutting these out for a week or two to see if you feel any better. We also have this food diary you can download: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/food-journal-download, to track your symptoms and everything you eat. The Low FODMAP diet can also be helpful: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/ibs-diet, although it doesn't work for everyone.
I hope this helps.
Karina (team member)

Thank you so much for your kind responses. What shocks me is the pain involved. So much pain, I can hardly think clearly. Three years ago, I was under stress and eating poorly and then I got better and it went away. But here I am again and looking back to the last couple of months, I see the stress again and eating poorly - basically stress eating. So for sure I'll check out links to eating better and the food diary. And I thank you both for sharing your own stories. Out of the 4 or 5 times I've had this over the the last 10 years, once it was a UTI. So what concerns me when I get this pain is - is it a UTI? Ovarian cancer? Bowel related. It seems really bowel related. I'm going to see my doctor. I considered going to the ER, but I think seeing my doctor would be the most peaceful thing for me right now. Thanks so much.

HI there,

I saw my doctor yesterday and she did a urine test. I'll get the results today. She also is sending me for an ultrasound on my pelvis. So we can rule out stuff. I've upped my water, cut down on caffeine, and I'm eating bland food. I'm feeling a bit better, too. It's frustrating that there is no screening for ovarian cancer and they usually find it when women have symptoms and it's too late most of the time. It's not that I'm thinking the worst - but the reality is when we have abdominal pain it could be many things. So it's scary. And the pain is fierce. Thanks so much for listening. I appreciate it.