IBS-C: The Pain of Chronic Constipation

By Amy Dodd Pilkington

2 min read

I have IBS-M and have recently experienced long bouts of constipation. While I am accustomed to pain, I have developed a new pain that is even more annoying than the typical symptoms.

Over the years, I have had a number of different aches, pains, and complaints related to both sides of irritable bowel syndrome. Bloating, gas pains, and cramps have been a part of my daily life for decades. Now a newer symptom is causing me a lot of grief.

Chest pains and severe constipation

The newest pain I have is a relentless pain in my chest. Sometimes it is dull, and other times it can feel a bit sharp. It is always a real pain, and it is one of the most agitating pains I have had with IBS. At times, it is severe enough that I cannot function.

I did not know what was causing this pain for a while. Prescription antacids seemed to be hit or miss. It did seem to reduce the pain a bit, so I am assuming acid reflux contributed to the problem. However, months after starting them the pain has not gone away. It comes and goes in spurts, and its cause was a mystery.

Pinpointing the source of the pain

As I am in the midst of an ongoing bout of constipation, I started noticing more and more chest pain. This flare has been ongoing for some time, so I have had a good bit of time to analyze it all. I noticed that the pain was relieved when I was able to relieve myself. It was a lightbulb moment.

I have always had the cramping anyone with constipation is all too familiar with, but the chest pain is new. It is far higher than any of the pains I have had with IBS, aside from gas pains. This is not a gas pain. It is a pain caused by being very backed up internally.

Dealing with IBS symptoms and pain

I know I am not the only person with IBS who has experienced this symptom. It is simply newer to me. Perhaps I am a bit more backed up than usual as I get older and am less mobile. I feel like my mobility issues are a contributing factor to the level of constipation I am now experiencing.

Of course, a simple solution to dealing with constipation is to take a laxative or stool softener. Unfortunately, either of those is bound to trigger an ongoing IBS-D flare that lasts long after the laxative or stool softener is out of my system. Even milder ones trigger a violent reaction. That leads to a completely different kind of pain.

Knowing when to treat constipation

It is sometimes necessary to treat constipation in order to prevent obstruction or impaction. Either can lead to hospitalization, and it is definitely something you want to avoid. It is best to ask your doctor when and how to treat ongoing constipation in order to avoid serious complications.

I have a limit on how many days I will go before treating constipation. I also have a pain threshold and begin treating if I surpass that. Always ask your doctor what medication to use, and be prepared to stay home for a while.

Have you had chest pains associated with chronic constipation? How did you treat it? I would love to hear about your experience.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The IrritableBowelSyndrome.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Emajean Member
I’ve had IBS-M for a number of years. The D was easier to deal with. Now it’s mostly C. I want to relay my recent experience. I’m not recommending anything at all. I have a GP who knows nothing about IBS and had recommended a drug that ended up constipating me even more. Recently, my GP finally referred me to a GI doctor. I had wanted just to do Cologard because my last colonoscopy was only four years ago. So I went to GI doctor. After the consultation, the PA prescribed Linzess and gave me 20 days of samples, and set up colonoscopy. The Linzess worked great, but after 20 days with 6 weeks still to go before procedure, I checked on filling prescription and whoa — $20 per pill! Ouch! I was already taking a very good probiotic everyday and eating a fibrous diet, drinking 80-100 ounces water per day and following all the rules, but as you all know, if your body doesn’t want to cooperate…! Added to my issues was the fact that I’m allergic to soy and to polyethylene glycol (it’s in almost all laxatives and stool softeners—it’s also in the Covid vaccine). I was in big trouble. I set out on a research mission and now for two months I’ve felt the best I’ve ever felt. I discovered that Senokot Gummies do not have PEG in them, they’re all natural. In my research, I read where a mother had a young child with constipation problems and she gave him one Senokot a day. I figured, well, if a child could handle one, then I could. The daily dosage is 4, BUT, I chew just one at night, every night. I take my probiotic in the morning before my oat muffin, coffee and lots of fruit and water, then daily vitamins. I have a regular bowel movement daily now. Once in a while I have diarrhea, but it’s because of something I’ve eaten, not the Senokot. Only one time I’d eaten too much bread and not enough water and had to take two gummies. I’m so excited because I get to wait on the colonoscopy (per doctor—it was too soon since last one and the constipation is taken care of for now), and greatest of all — about 25 cents per gummy versus $20+ per pill. This is not a commercial — I’m just telling my story and about the relief it’s been!
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Emajean" user-id="4126871"/> I'm glad that you've found something that works so well for you and that's more affordable as well! Thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)
Warla Member
What really helps me with the occassional constipation is to make sure I have oatmeal for breakfast once a week (usually Wednesday), and two pieces of raisin bread toast one morning a week (usually Friday).
1. Kim Dolce Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Warla" user-id="4356694"/> What great luck that oatmeal and raisin toast one day a week helps your occasional constipation! So glad you found a simple solution that works 😀 Thank you for adding your own experience to the conversation! How are you feeling today? Hugs, Kim, moderator
Barbie55 Member
I get spasms at the 2 turns of the large colon at the transverse colon that give me extreme pain on both sides under the breast.
1. CommunityMember3b3934 Member
 <inline-mention username="Barbie55" user-id="2272373"/> it hurts so much too! 
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember3b3934" user-id="2303472"/> and <inline-mention username="Barbie55" user-id="2272373"/>, I'm so sorry you're both dealing with so much pain. 🙁 Have you found anything that helps you cope? In case you haven't seen it yet, we have an entire article collection about pain here: <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/chronic-pain' target='_blank'>https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/chronic-pain</a>. You're not alone with this. Karina (team member)
Njf0618 Member
I can only go about 3 days and I start experiencing quite a bit of misery. I don't really have a lot of pain but it turns into nausea and that gets my attention pretty quickly. I can't go a long time like a lot of people. I've never had any chest pain from it just the nausea. I've been doing better lately by adding oatmeal and raisin bran - some mild prescription laxative was not helping but I have an appointment soon and will talk to the doctor about something else. I used Miralax for many many years after a colon resection surgery and for some reason even though it is tasteless I just can't seem to get into using it again. Anyway, I guess I'm glad that it doesn't take a long time for me to know I have to get my system back in gear and I know surgery is not something I want to think about as an answer if I get totally blocked up. When I had my surgery before it was for extreme diverticulitis and a very narrowed colon and took many months to recover from. The doctor thought it was possibly cancer so it was a relief that it wasn't that but still it's been most of my adult life and I'm now 69 spent dealing with bowel issues of both diarrhea and just more recently constipation. 
1. Njf0618 Member
 <inline-mention username="Elizabeth Alvarez" user-id="2297012"/> I am supposedly on the cancellation list and was told a while back there are 22 people on it so I don’t expect that matters….
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Njf0618" user-id="4832334"/> We have the same issues here in France. Most specialists don't even take new patients where I live, the only option is to travel to the big cities... It's so very frustrating. 🙁 Karina (team member)
CommunityMemberb17f6d Member
I have had IBS-C for about 3 years. It was the D type for many years before. I have been on several supplements, medications, and fiber, but with no luck. About 2 years ago I kept having uncontrollable stools with vomiting with no warning. I've had colonoscopies according to my GI doctor's treatment plans. Then, with no warning I started going 3-5 days without defacation. The only food that helps is whole kernel corn, so I eat that every 2nd or 3rd day, with good luck. Adding to my problem is my limitation on fluids---64 oz. per day day due to kidney disease and heart failure. Living without the wild, impulsive b.m.'s has helped me cope better than before. 
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberb17f6d" user-id="6698161"/> Your symptoms before sound absolutely terrible, I'm so sorry you had to deal with them. Were the doctors ever able to figure out what caused them? Or what caused the sudden switch to IBS-C? It's good that whole kernel corn helps. Are you able to avoid getting too constipated by eating it regularly? I can only imagine how hard it must be to deal with IBS on top of all your other health issues. I hope you're not feeling too bad today. Big hugs, Karina (team member)
Steve M55 Member
I'm not a doctor, but as all of us have I've gained a lot of medical experience through the years and dealing with my IBS.C. a few years back I started dealing with a type of chest pain that initially and for quite a while never associated with IBS. It was kind of burning and really uncomfortable. I finally gave in and went to the gastro. He diagnosed me perfectly with costochondritis. I would suggest that everybody with that particular symptom Google that condition and read about it. It kind of comes in different shapes and sizes but it is a burning sensation in the chest. I suggest that for two reasons. First reason, everybody should know exactly what they're dealing with and what's wrong with them. My second reason to suggest that everybody reads it is the reason I went to the doctor with the chest pain. Although I'm in great shape and an exercise junkie I was afraid I was having heart problems. Being diagnosed with costochondritis which I should mention can certainly be brought on by IBS was really good for me. It can be partially controlled with a cortisone injection in the ribs. Google it. I'm not being arrogant by suggesting people Google it. It's just that costochondritis seems to affect everyone a little differently and everyone should read about it because it can present in different ways.
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Steve M55" user-id="2323834"/> thank you so much for sharing your experience with costochondritis with us. I had never heard of this before. I’m glad you don’t have heart problems and we’re relieved by your diagnosis! For anyone interested, I’ve found this study that mentions a correlation between costochondritis and IBS: <a href='https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9722391/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9722391/</a> - “For example, in additional to back pain, many patients with IBS report costochondritis in the lower thorax or sternum.” Karina (team member)
Steve M55 Member
I forgot to mention one thing. The easiest way to diagnose costochondritis at home is to touch the area that hurts. Seriously. It usually stems from the ribs and if you touch the area that hurts you can trace the pain to its source with your fingers by pressing gently and moving to where it hurts the most. If you can make it hurt more by touching it you're basically superficially ruling out heart disease. That doesn't preclude seeing a doctor if you have chest pains but it does give you relative assurance that the doctor more than likely concur with your home diagnosis. I think that's about it. Thanks for the article Karina. Going to read it right now reactionsreply <inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> 
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Steve M55" user-id="2323834"/> Thank you for sharing that method! It can be helpful to have an idea of what you might have before seeing a doctor for sure. All the best, Karina (team member)
Nanny Hange Member
This is identical to my experience. In fact I was admitted to hospital via ambulance last Saturday night. I thought I was having a heart attack and rang my daughter. I was diagnosed as having a massive panic attack. I promise you I was felt like someone was, standing on my chest and my left arm pain and numbness in my hand was so intense. I was discharged the following morning. As I sit here typing, I am constipated to the max. (Sitting down is agony). And I have pain in my left arm, rather a dull, dull ache which runs from my shoulder to my hand. I have put this down to undiagnosed fibromyalgia, but after reading this' I think it may be replaced to my IBS! I rarely get diarrhoea. Thank you for writing about your experience. I will raise it with the psychiatrist I am seeing later this month. I also have bipolar disorder!
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Nanny Hange" user-id="8577826"/> I'm so sorry that you had such a severe attack and are having so much pain due to your IBS. 🙁 I hope your symptoms have gotten better over the past few days. How are you feeling now? It's a great idea to bring this up at your next appointment with your psychiatrist. Hopefully, they'll be able to help. Please keep us updated! Hugs, Karina (team member)