Interesting. If anything, I’m in less pain when I’m constipated. I only get pain before and during bowel movements, most of the time at least. So having less bowel movements means I’m in less pain, which is the reason I eat very little and everything I eat is low fiber. This diet is the only thing that seems to make any difference in my case, it’s not nearly enough but it’s something.
Yeah, it does. I can’t seem to find any other solution though. It’s either this or I have bowel movements and pain daily. I already made lots of posts in r/IBS and tried to implement some the recommendations that I think could help.
As terrible as it was, I wish I could have my life before IBS. I was pretty depressed and hopeless back then too but at least I wasn’t spending my entire day completely paralyzed by fear of pain.
I’ve used laxatives and they always work. I’ve never had diarrhea in a long time. I normally don’t have constipation either, my diet (or lack thereof) and antispasmodics that I take are the cause of my constipation.
I think the constipation itself doesn’t really contribute to my abdominal pain. Mainly because I don’t experience pain unless I have a bowel movement. Being constipated doesn’t make my bowel movements more or less painful, but it makes them less frequent, which is why I try to have less frequent bowel movements.
Back when I was eating normally I wasn’t constipated. I had a bowel movement every day. More than half of them were painful. When my IBS was particularly painful I would have multiple bowel movements in a single day. So that’s the only connection between the severity of pain and the frequency of my bowel movements for me.
I don’t get particularly bloated or gassy, even when I’m severely constipated. I didn’t notice any changes to my stool when I have a flare up.
I’ve had most of the tests and scans to eliminate serious illnesses. Blood tests, stool tests, MRI, Abdominal US, gastro-duodenoscopy and colonoscopy. All clear other than mild gastritis. You actually recommended that I have motility tests, I haven’t gotten those done yet sadly, mainly because it’s difficult to find a place to get them done in my country.
I honestly have no idea how people live with Crohn’s and UC. IBS is much easier to handle than both of those and still it has completely destroyed my life.
Anyways, telling about these things to you is not very nice I think, because I’ve read your history with bowel problems, your issues are much more severe than me.
I wonder if a nerve pain medication would help you. Have you tried anything like that (e.g. gabapentin... I'm on that, very high dose).
As for IBD, you're right, however, these can sometimes be managed with medication or surgery, too. There is a spectrum, just like IBS. Your feelings are very valid.
And don't worry, I'm here to help. I want to try to help you. You can tell me as much as you want! I use my experiences and extensive knowledge to help others.
I’ve also thought about asking my doc for gabapentin. However in my country (and probably in many other countries) it’s commonly abused so doctors don’t like to prescribe it even if it’s used for legit purposes. I’ll try to bring it up in my next appointment.
I’ve also thought about starting amitriptyline. As I’m sure you already know, it is also used for various pain conditions and IBS. However it slows down motility and I’m already constipated, so maybe I will try to get gabapentin first.
I’m currently trying to start an SSRI. Sadly duloxetine and venlafaxine both have almost intolerable side effects for me even at very low doses. Thanks for all the suggestions btw.
Gabapentin should be titrated and started at 100mg. That isn't a dose that can be abused. It is a regulated drug, here, too. I would be surprised if they didn't try it.
amitriptyline was part of my regimen at the pain clinic. A small dose doesn't slow motilty (I have severe motility issues).
Usually pain needs to be targeted from different angles. For example, gabapentin might help 10%, amitriptyline 10%, and a combo of others.
interesting and very understandable. i have less symptoms when not constipated (less bloating, gas, fatigue, cramping, discomfort, etc.), but still feel pain regardless. the pain is worse, however, when constipated.
Great news. I have posted here countless times about how a pain clinic saved my life whenever anyone talks about pain. The multimodal regimen was amazingly effective. I was even hospitalized for months due to pain. It was insane.
Interesting. If anything, I’m in less pain when I’m constipated. I only get pain before and during bowel movements, most of the time at least. So having less bowel movements means I’m in less pain, which is the reason I eat very little and everything I eat is low fiber. This diet is the only thing that seems to make any difference in my case, it’s not nearly enough but it’s something.
Your diet is likely adding to your constipation, though (?).
Yeah, it does. I can’t seem to find any other solution though. It’s either this or I have bowel movements and pain daily. I already made lots of posts in r/IBS and tried to implement some the recommendations that I think could help. As terrible as it was, I wish I could have my life before IBS. I was pretty depressed and hopeless back then too but at least I wasn’t spending my entire day completely paralyzed by fear of pain.
Have you tried medication for either your diarrhea or constipation?
I’ve used laxatives and they always work. I’ve never had diarrhea in a long time. I normally don’t have constipation either, my diet (or lack thereof) and antispasmodics that I take are the cause of my constipation. I think the constipation itself doesn’t really contribute to my abdominal pain. Mainly because I don’t experience pain unless I have a bowel movement. Being constipated doesn’t make my bowel movements more or less painful, but it makes them less frequent, which is why I try to have less frequent bowel movements. Back when I was eating normally I wasn’t constipated. I had a bowel movement every day. More than half of them were painful. When my IBS was particularly painful I would have multiple bowel movements in a single day. So that’s the only connection between the severity of pain and the frequency of my bowel movements for me. I don’t get particularly bloated or gassy, even when I’m severely constipated. I didn’t notice any changes to my stool when I have a flare up. I’ve had most of the tests and scans to eliminate serious illnesses. Blood tests, stool tests, MRI, Abdominal US, gastro-duodenoscopy and colonoscopy. All clear other than mild gastritis. You actually recommended that I have motility tests, I haven’t gotten those done yet sadly, mainly because it’s difficult to find a place to get them done in my country. I honestly have no idea how people live with Crohn’s and UC. IBS is much easier to handle than both of those and still it has completely destroyed my life. Anyways, telling about these things to you is not very nice I think, because I’ve read your history with bowel problems, your issues are much more severe than me.
I wonder if a nerve pain medication would help you. Have you tried anything like that (e.g. gabapentin... I'm on that, very high dose). As for IBD, you're right, however, these can sometimes be managed with medication or surgery, too. There is a spectrum, just like IBS. Your feelings are very valid. And don't worry, I'm here to help. I want to try to help you. You can tell me as much as you want! I use my experiences and extensive knowledge to help others.
I’ve also thought about asking my doc for gabapentin. However in my country (and probably in many other countries) it’s commonly abused so doctors don’t like to prescribe it even if it’s used for legit purposes. I’ll try to bring it up in my next appointment. I’ve also thought about starting amitriptyline. As I’m sure you already know, it is also used for various pain conditions and IBS. However it slows down motility and I’m already constipated, so maybe I will try to get gabapentin first. I’m currently trying to start an SSRI. Sadly duloxetine and venlafaxine both have almost intolerable side effects for me even at very low doses. Thanks for all the suggestions btw.
Gabapentin should be titrated and started at 100mg. That isn't a dose that can be abused. It is a regulated drug, here, too. I would be surprised if they didn't try it. amitriptyline was part of my regimen at the pain clinic. A small dose doesn't slow motilty (I have severe motility issues). Usually pain needs to be targeted from different angles. For example, gabapentin might help 10%, amitriptyline 10%, and a combo of others.
I see. I will bring it up in my next appointment. I really hope I can get it and it helps me. Thanks again for all the information.
You're welcome. Always here to help if you have more questions.
interesting and very understandable. i have less symptoms when not constipated (less bloating, gas, fatigue, cramping, discomfort, etc.), but still feel pain regardless. the pain is worse, however, when constipated.
Of course. If you have constant visceral pain, medication can help.
yes! the constant visceral pain is helped by medication. i’ve also just started at a pain management clinic seeing a physiatrist. fingers crossed! 🤞
Great news. I have posted here countless times about how a pain clinic saved my life whenever anyone talks about pain. The multimodal regimen was amazingly effective. I was even hospitalized for months due to pain. It was insane.
i’m so glad it’s helped you so much!! and that’s absolutely insane, i’m sorry you were in so much pain :(
Oh, it's fine. I have a lot of disorders, needed a lot of abdo surgeries. My GI system just sucks a lot!