Why Do Doctors Ignore Our Pain?

By Amy Dodd Pilkington

3 min read

The amount of pain I have with IBS has greatly increased in the past year. My tolerance for this pain is wearing thin. At times it seems almost unbearable, but I have no choice but to endure it.

It seems this pain is ignored by doctors. It feels like our suffering does not matter. Why are so many of us finding no relief for pain levels that disrupt daily life and drastically decrease our quality of life?

Failing to find effective pain relief

I have bouts of both IBS-C and IBS-D. Treating one triggers the other, and there is no treatment that works for both sides of the coin. In the past, some doctors have simply thrown antispasmodics at me to treat cramping. It sometimes relieves a decent bit of the pain caused by cramping. The problem is it triggers severe IBS-C flares.

For many years, I have simply endured the pain. I have adjusted to a certain level of pain, and my tolerance for pain increased. However, the level of pain is increasing and I have no idea what to do about it.

Coping with pain that is dismissed by doctors

I have spent many days in misery as of late. Even if I fast, and it is becoming much harder to fast, I find that it does not always make the pain stop. It may decrease at times, but I still have cramping and burning on a completely empty stomach. Sometimes the burning pain of an empty stomach is somewhat relieved by eating, but then it causes more intense cramping. It is a relentless cycle that seems to have no end.

The problem with this cycle of pain is that it is largely ignored by doctors. The dismissive attitude of many members of the medical community is hard to swallow. Some medical professionals refuse to acknowledge the effects IBS and pain have on our quality of life. Why? Why are digestive disorders ignored when it comes to pain? Is our pain less important? If you have ever spoken to your doctor about IBS pain, did you feel like you they were concerned?

Seeking solutions to relieve chronic pain

I am not saying all medical professionals ignore IBS pain. I had one doctor many years ago who was happy to throw pain medication my way. His answer to any complaint I had was to prescribe more pain medication. I replaced him fairly quickly. While I would like to get rid of my pain, a never-ending cycle of pain medication without limits was not, and is not the answer. I felt like he prescribed pain medication to silence my pleas for help rather than try to find a solution to the root cause.

Admittedly, there is no real solution. For decades, I have survived without any type of medication for pain. With increasing levels of pain, I know pain relief is going to become an issue. It is becoming an issue. In the near future, I may need medication for occasional pain relief. Thanks to the opioid crisis here in the United States, attaining a prescription for any kind of pain medication is no easy feat. What am I supposed to do?

Enduring relentless pain with no relief

With all the restrictions in place, doctors have largely stopped prescribing pain medications for many issues. IBS pain is ignored, and that is a big problem. Many of us endure relentless pain. Some days it seems unbearable, but we have no choice. We are ignored. We are treated like our pain does not matter. What are we to do when our doctors are not concerned with our pain?

As I sit here facing another day filled with pain that is rendering me useless, I am angry. I am angry for all of us who suffer from IBS pain. Why is our pain treated as “less than” the pain of other chronic illnesses? Why are we ignored?

Have you found ways to cope with your pain? Have you had any success with pain management? I would love to hear how you are managing your irritable bowel syndrome pain.

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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Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
I hear you. It is always hard when you are struggling so much with pain and your doctors just don't seem to understand. I have been there and it's a terrible feeling. I'm not sure why they are so dismissive. It's as if they don't understand the condition, like pain doesn't come with the problem. I hope things change soon. -Elizabeth (team member)
corgimom Member
My surgeon told me that because of the opioid crisis, and fear of lawsuits, that physicians are now very reluctant to provide pain meds. Most physicians will only prescribe a small amount at a time unless you go to a Pain Management clinic. You didn't say what you were taking- I'm assuming it was Phenergan or Bentyl- but again, my trusty applesauce cups come into play. If I have to take an opioid pain pill, I eat an applesauce cup and then it all works out well. My gastroenterologist told me that GI research isn't near what it should be. It's not sexy or glamorous and new meds are hard to come by. Hot herbal tea (Decaf Constant Comment) with Splenda is very soothing on my stomach. I drink that whenever I'm having a bad GI day. That, and I just climb in bed with my electric blanket on. When I have a flare up, 98% of the time it's because I'm under stress and my body is saying "This is more than I can handle." I've learned that when a flare up starts, if I try to keep going, it just gets progressively worse. It's just beyond pleasant to be in the grocery store, doubled over in pain, unable to walk normally and everybody is asking if I need an ambulance. I've learned.
lucy33 Member
I was really sick last year. I have lymphocytic lymphoma, which took over my bone marrow and caused all sorts of havoc, including stress fractures and a bout of bacterial meningitis that nearly killed me. The fractures caused terrible pain...affecting my entire back and lower body. It came on slowly and since I am extremely active, I was just told "I did too much and just needed to rest." I ended up in the hospital...delirious. In the hospital, I had a horrible attack of IBS-C. That really compounded everything. I finally got in to see a pain management specialist who is wonderful. Fortunately, everything is much better right now. My back is somewhat damaged from all the fractures but I do a lot of exercise (I saw a great physical therapist) and dedication to fitness has helped a lot. I do take gabapentin and an anti-inflammatory (Voltaren). I've never needed narcotics more than short term; I have a full bottle in the cupboard. I eat a high fiber diet and use Colase if I start getting IBS-C. Generally, IBS-D for me is more annoying than painful. I would definitely recommend exercise. It helps everything. You may also want to find a pain management specialist. They sometimes know tricks to help and they understand how serious pain can be.
explodingguts Member
I was trying to imagine what it would be like to have access to a pain management clinic. We have no such animal in primitive Canada. Cancer Agency alone assures their willingness to make cancer pain-free. If you don't have cancer you must rely on your ability to plead a convincing case for pain meds. Good luck with that. Up here, I would say visit ER on a weekday. ER docs are prepared to treat extreme pain and they're usually younger and may know about new drugs. GPs are all heavily indoctrinated against opioids until we can't get them when needed. Exercise is definitely helpful but not if you're in cramp mode. Maybe if you walk and while walking focus on possible root causes your psyche will reward you with possible strategy. Make a list mentally of everything bothering you and how many of these you might offload. If you can get rid ofthem, do. I suspect your apple cart of stressors is overloaded and your guts are trying to get you to make some changes. This worked for me. A good tho often - too often - stressful, inflexible living arrangement was largely the culprit in my case. When I got my own place my guts relaxed. Still not 100% but I got my life back. When mine is bad I feel like I have a terrible infection or flu and even when the worst passes there is such pain at times - a lingering ache interspersed with sharp pains. For me, the big challenge now is overcoming the fear of IBS-D explosions, which may be sudden and fierce. Too many close calls and covidiocy has not helped. One day at a time, one challenge at a time. I feel I'll get there. Should we besiege the college of physicians and surgeons and the medical schools with demands to study our symptoms? Probably. But in the meantime Amy, track your pain daily and note what you did or ate and look for patterns. I think it's all you can do.
jeannie Member
I have found help with alternative methods like Accupuncure and chiropractic care.. and yes I pay out of pocket but if I am not healthy, my money will not help me so am willing to pay.. Traditional medicine does not have any help for us so we can’t look to them and have to learn for ourselves..
1. Chris H. Community Admin
 Glad to hear you've found some relief in alternative treatments, jeannie. Thanks for sharing! - Chris, <a href='http://IrritableBowelSyndrome.net' target='_blank'>IrritableBowelSyndrome.net</a> Team
sds1968 Member
I feel your pain...I have dealt with ibs-d for decades and the pain seems to be getting worse too. The pain is ER worthy and I also have a high tolerance for pain..I have tried every medication on the market, every home remedy, holistic cures, and even the Fodmap diet..nothing seems to work..Recently, I had some success with Elavil( 10 mg) in reducing the pain... I didn’t like the side effects... dry mouth, lethargy, some constipation and reduced urine flow, but I may have no choice but to go back to that. I take Hyoscyamine sublingual when a flare starts and it barely takes the edge off now. I stopped both Prilosec and Elavil to try Xifaxan ( the very expensive antibiotic that has shown some success with IBS-d) I’m half way through the prescription and sitting here with the same excruciating pain - so a no on that drug too- which was like my last hurrah...I feel ok if I just don’t eat ( one Gastro Dr. had the audacity to say that to me- I hope it was just his dry sense of humor) But damn, I get hungry! So that is not an option either.. So sorry, I can’t be of much help except to empathize with you...
1. sds1968 Member
 <inline-mention username="Elizabeth Alvarez" user-id="2297012"/> thank- you for your reply...I have used CBD gummies, but not Capaiba oil..I will look into it- anything that will help. I am also going to try a new gastroenterologist..
2. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 You are so welcome @sds1968. Keep us posted with how things go with your new gastro. Definitely try the Copaiba oil if you can, of course consult your doctor first. Hugs, Elizabeth (team member)
mrkittlesworth87 Member
I have ibs -d so I get cramping but it’s not as bad as it is when it goes c. I also have ms, and likely endometriosis. I started using mmj mostly for my ms symptoms but the more I learned about it and realized our bodies and our bowels especially are lined with cannabinoid receptors the more and more I started using it. My mmj doctor actually told me how using it after meals might help with my ibs d. If you’ve never tried it, it is definitely worth looking into for pain management. 
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 Thank you for sharing this info @mrkittlesworth87. I use CBD oil and find it to help me greatly. I'm so happy you have found mmj to bring you relief. Hugs, Elizabeth (team member)
Poofmeister Member
I feel your pain in all aspects! I'm still searching for the right doc. Has anyone had success with IBgard available at Walgreens or any other type of peppermint oil?
1. DeeH Member
Drewmeme Member
I recently applied for my medical marijuana card. I have researched and did a lot of reading on the benefits of marijuana and IBS. So I'm going to give it a go on those days when the pain is so bad I can't function in life. 
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 I have heard a lot of success stores from those who use medical marijuana. Let us know how it goes! I hope it gives you relief. Hugs, Elizabeth (team member)
Poofmeister Member
Good luck and please let me know how you fare. Med mj is not an option in WI. CBD is currently what's available.
joel Member
Most doctors aren't concerned about your IBS pain for 3 reasons. They believe that the pain is not a symptom of something that can lead to death. There is no visible harm to your digestive tract that results from IBS symptoms. Now if you had IBD symptoms that would be a different matter and doctors would take your pain seriously. Secondly they can't be certain that the pain isn't possibly a result of your diet or life style. You may have developed an intolerance or you continue to use alcohol or drugs that makes it worse. Finally they believe that there is nothing they can do to stop your symptoms and cure you of IBS and so they chose to ignore it. Basically you won't die from it and there is nothing that can be done so they move on to things they can do something about. They aren't being mean or insensitive but just being practicable with their time and efforts. They see a lot of people in pain and focus on those that can be harmed by it and they can help in overcoming it.
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 Thank you for sharing this perspective @joel. Definitely something to think about. How have you been feeling lately? Best, Elizabeth (team member)
jlweaver1964 Member
The pain you express may make the doctor feel uncomfortable. I did find this article that suggests the immune system is part of the problem with IBS and the pain associated with it. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/what-causes-ibs-pain-it-may-be-local-immune-reaction?fbclid=IwAR2DIQUBiTRtfcsV1sUTrY6VXWlpl5e34jLie0pslpLqLQINqHbit1e6rPw 
1. joel Member
 <inline-mention username="jlweaver1964" user-id="4127996"/> Tanks! Great article.
Happy Knitter Member
So sorry for all this pain with IBS Amy, You can try to add Aloe Vera Juice a juice glass in the morning and a juice Glass in the afternoon That will calm down the burning in your digestive track. Also drinking a cup of Peppermint tea with ginger powder sprinkles in the cup can help. Aloe Vera Juice can be bought in gallon jugs at Walmart in the Tums, Stomach medicine Isle. Right now I have a constant battle with good and bad days. It warms my heart I am not alone here. Prayers pain goes away for everyone who is experiencing it.
gutsalmighty Member
Hi I have post polio syndrome for 30 years and developed IBS after appendicitis 4 years ago. I’ve been trying to deal with it here in UK , but honestly, I get no help with the PPS never mind the IBS. You’d think a deteriorating neurological illness would get help but no. They just say, oh it’s PPS, there’s nothing we can do, and because I react to side effects of say, anti-depressants, or anti-inflammatory drugs, I’m just left to deal with it. Now with the IBS load on top, plus insomnia , which is awful, I’m in bed most of the time. It’s now impossible to get a telephone appointment with a GP, let alone see one here in UK. And even if I do, they just give you pills which mask the symptoms, don’t deal with the root cause. I really sympathise with everyone on here, I’ve

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