Question about swelling
#23959 - 10/20/03 06:10 AM
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Saralou
Reged: 10/18/03
Posts: 62
Loc: Maryland
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I know that one of the symptoms of IBS is/can be swelling. But I was wondering what kind of swelling is "normal" for the syndrome. To be more precise, I have swelling on the lower right side of my abdomen (right above the pubic bone--where, in anatomy terms, I think the colon would be). It was actually one of the first "symptoms" I had when I first discovered there was something wrong. It is almost like a gradual bump right there (but not a lump) and it is more prominent the fuller I am (from either having eaten too much  or from having not have gone to the bathroom for an extended period of time-- and yes, I have IBS-C). It is not visible to the naked eye, only to the touch. Even my mom and some doctors could not feel it until recently, if I had a full stomach. Some even thought it had always been there and that I had only realized it when dealing with the IBS, but it seems a bit coincidental that the swelling would be right over the spot where I have all the pain and spasms associated with IBS.
I was wondering if anyone had a similar symptom or had heard of this?
Txs
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Hello, that sounds a little odd to me. I have IBS C and often(like eveyday!) swell and bloat up but its all over my belly, not just one spot. Have you had an ultrasound or xray to rule out any sort of growth or other abnormalaties?
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Michele-
Thanks for replying. Although I have not ruled out all possibilities, the likely ones with those symptoms definitely were: ovarian cysts, cancer, etc...I have had multiple pelvic ultrasounds, an abdominal unltrasound, a flexible sigmoidoscopy and many blood tests. Any other recommendations? I mean, how far does one have to go to finalize the diagnosis? Should I also have a colonoscopy?
Thanks
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A colonoscopy isn't a bad idea but if you have had the flexible sigmoidoscopy your probably ok there. I'm assuming you have had a pelvic and pap recently? Other than that I really can't think of much else. Sorry I'm not more help. Do you have any other IBS symptoms?
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Michele-I have had so may pap tests and pelvic exams I can't even count that high! I'm not trying to say that all doctors are incompetent, but they seem to dismiss too easily that it's hard to know if it is nothing serious to worry about or if they just don't know. And since I have not had every single thing in the world ruled out...My other symptoms are constipation, bloating, gas and the bad pain in that lower right part of my abdomen that ranges from knife like to feeling like a blown up balloon and is active sometimes all day and other times not for days.
Thanks again for replying.
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Well it sounds like you have had most of the tests. It does sound like IBS, I often have pains like you mentioned, I was just a little concerned when you mentioned a permenant bump, but we all bloat and have pain differently. I know its so frustrating when the drs don't really give you any answers or take you seriously. Do have have the constipation under control or do you need some help there? I can live with the pain most of the time but the bloating is what really gets to me!
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Hi Michele--Thanks so much for your concern. For the first time in three years, I feel some reassurance that I am not the only one in this and that others understand (I went through this in college and I often felt alone among my pizza-eating, beer-guzzling peers...God bless 'em!)
My other problem is that I cannot seem to manage both the pain and the constipation, jointly. When I have the constipation fairly under control (by eating lots of fruits and veggies and whole grains), the bloating, pain and spasms in my lower abdomen go crazy. But when I get the pain in check by eating the list of foods allowed and not eating all of the triggered ones (dairy, fried, etc...) the constipation is ridiculous. I have gone only twice in the past week (and I sit every morning for 15 mins!) Eating all the white bread and white rice really constipates me. Ugh. I feel it is a Catch-22 and I have to choose between one or the other.
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Hi Saralou: I'm Mary and I was wondering if you could get an abdominal cat scan done-it is not normal to swell up in one place, even for us! have you read Heather's books??
They give good info on how to eat insoluble vs soluble fiber. how to eat fruits and veggies without as many problems! Good Luck! mary 
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Whatever doesn't kill me will make me stronger!
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hi maryh-
i have wanted to do tons of tests but every doctor I have seen says they do not notice anything, so...i do not get any tests. The one doc (specialist) who did say that he might feel a slight swelling in that area just sent me home with instructions to eat about half a box of high fiber cereal a day. Bottom line: still constipated, annoyed tastebuds and not happy!
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I feel for you, I have very similar problems! When I first started Heathers diet I was a little confused and only ate bread, rice and pasta. The bloating and pain was better, but I didn't go poop either for weekes on end! I added a lot more insoluble fiber into my diet and the constipation eases but I'm gassey and bloated! I hear ya sister, what I wouldn't do for a happy medium! I take Mira-Lax for the constipation but even with that I have to be careful not too eat too much soluble fiber. I exercise, drink a ton of water and take 6-8 fibercon a day. I don't have any good answers for you but you are NOT alone! 
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