Right Upper Quadrant Pain
By process of elimination my GI guy labeled my symptoms IBS-D. I know abdominal pain is a symptom. I have abdominal pain but my episodes always start with right upper quadrant pain like I’m having a gallbladder attack (remove in 2012). Anyone else have this symptom? Also, are their blood tests that can confirm IBS?
I forgot to mention I only have about 6 inches of large intestine left due to IBS-C??? destroying most of it.
Have you had surgery to remove large intestine? If so, you have something beyond IBS. IBS is a syndrome but doesn't cause actual damage to the intestine. When there is damage you are now in the realm of Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Unfortunately there isn't a blood test to confirm IBS. Here is an article that goes of diagnostic testing: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/testing-and-diagnosis Please elaborate more on what you mean about only having 6 inches left. Sending strength your way, Elizabeth (team member)
My symptoms began with what they labeled as IBS-C after having a lower gi barium test and determining that I had normal variance in anatomy they sent me home with a list of foods to avoid and a recommendation to take Metamucil everyday. After 2more years I went to a new GI guy who took one look at those xrays and scheduled me for immediate surgery. That’s when they found out my large bowel was completely coated with some sort of green stuff (never told me what it was), all my villi were completely flat in my lg intestines, and my transverse colon had detached from my abdominal wall and fallen to my left cavity and my appendix was now under my left rib (also impacted with green stuff) They did a resection of my bowel leaving me with approximately 6 inches of large intestine which sits midline. Since then I’ve had another resection for Intussusception, another for blockage due to adhesion, and my last one which was for bowel perforation during a colonoscopy.
Wow, I am so sorry you went through that. This doctor seems frustrating. It is his/her job to tell you exactly what the "green stuff" was. Was it an infection? That is extremely important information that you need to know. Also, was there any mention that you had inflammation? I'm sure you must have had inflammation in your gut with all this going on, that would mean Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Are you able to see another GI that is experienced in IBD? If so, please go get a second opinion. It seems like your current GI is not being thorough enough and not providing you adequate information. Here is a list of diagnostic testing for IBD: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/diagnostic-tests-and-procedures I hope this helps some. -Elizabeth (team member)
You are a marvel. Always so helpful. It’s funny you should say my GI guy sounds frustrating. His office just called to cancel my F/U appointment from my latest ER visit. My pain has been off the chart when I’m having flare ups I finally went to the ER a couple of weeks ago. The only tests I’ve had for this IBS issue are endoscopy and many colonoscopies over the years. No inflammation is ever noted anywhere in my GI tract which I find suspicious in itself. I do have C-Dif from time to time that shows up. No blood work like the 2 you mentioned. I am B-12 deficient from malabsorption due to my short bowel situation but not a lot of investigation from the doctors. I feel like they think this is all in my head. Thanks so much for your support.
Always here to support! Thank you for your kind words.
And please, are you able to see another GI? This is just not right, honestly. You need better care. I know it can be difficult to make this happen but I really would try to do so. Best, Elizabeth (team member)
I found this term (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) (EPI) recently in my research and given my RU quadrant pain that I haven’t seen reported by IBS sufferers, it’s really piqued my interest.
I have heard of this! Definitely something interesting to discuss with a doctor. -Elizabeth (team member)
