I'm new...looking for some advise please
#252173 - 03/14/06 11:57 AM
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Irishgal
Reged: 03/14/06
Posts: 1
Loc: Ireland
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HI,
I'm new....hope ye don't mind me joining.
Just wanted to ask if my stomach cramps sound familiar to anyone as I've been having cramps for the best part of six months now on and off and my GP diagnosed IBS last Friday when I went to her. I haven't got any tests done but she thought by the sounds of my stressful last year since baby was born that it sounded typical IBS. I'm a bit frusrated since that she didnt' get any tests done on me to at least provee it's not something more serious. My symptoms are pretty horrible stomach cramps/spasms which last from 10 - 20 mins anyhting up to arounf 5 times a day. I usualyl get a bad bout of diarrhoea int eh morning first thing, my first cramp of the day would usually be aroudn lunchtime and I used wake at night with a cramps sometimes before but lately the latest time I get a cramp is aroudn 11pmish....but it varies. The cramps are like labour pains the peak and then slowly go away again. They quite painful at times.....is this what some of you experience too?
My cramps are very low down in my abdomen, in my pelvic area and they radiate around to my lower back too. LAtely I've been a bit tender in my bottom right abdomal area too. Should I get more tests done? and what are the usual ones? I'd love to find a better doctor but i just don't have the time with a 1 year old baby. Is it possilbe it could be something like an ovarian cyst? My menstrual cycles are very regular and I've no problems with them but could cramping be a sign of a cyst?
Sorry for all the questions but I'm just so fed up of all the cramping and diarrhes 
IrishGal
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Does sound like very common symptoms of IBS. I suggest following Heather's diet and seeing if that helps. You could notice results pretty quickly, but be patient as it sometimes takes a while to figure out all sources of triggers. Also for immediate relief of cramps and pain, try peppermint tea, it works wonders.
You should get tests done to rule out other more serious conditions. In the meantime, it would help to follow the proper diet.
As for ovarian cysts, my mother did have some taken out a few years ago. She experienced a LOT of pain related to her menstrual cycle, but she didn't notice pain during normal days. She didn't have any digestive problems from this. So if you are noticing heavier cramping during your period, talk to you doctor about that.
Hope you feel better soon!
Kat
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Kat
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My advice would be a CT scan to rule out anything else going on in your abdominal area. I say this because just yesterday my boss was complaining of a stomach ache, had it over the weekend, and ended up having appendicitis. I'm not saying you have that, but wouldn't you feel safer ruling out everything else.
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IBS C, Spasms
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Make time for this...it won't help your baby or your schedule if you get seriously ill down the line b/c something was ignored.
You'll need a full gyno check-up, blood tests, stool sample tests and a colonoscopy. Pressure your GP or just make an appointment to see another one.
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You need to have tests done. A colonoscopy can usually rule out other syndromes/diseases, etc. That being said, your symptoms do sound a lot like IBS. As far cysts go, I had tremendous ovarian cysts, and they did cause pretty bad cramping. But they also caused long, heavy periods and I had buring sensations in that area (about where the ovaries are) quite often. A vaginal ultrasound can tell you whether or not you have cysts and those are a piece of cake, if you've never had one before. If you're current doc won't run tests to diagnose IBS, get a new one. IBS mimics many other things that have to be ruled out.
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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I agree with the others, see a new Dr., and have the tests to find out exactly what the problem is. You have a baby to take care of and you can't be sick all of the time.
Your health is very important right now.
I hope you get better soon! Come on back and ask more questions! You came to a great place for help!!!
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Hi Edwina,
Fáilte! I'm Irish too and based in Dublin.
Like the others said, the cramps are a very common symptom and were my main one. Following the diet helped me get my symptoms under control.
My Dr referred me to a gastointestinal specialist (Dr Hugh Mulcahy in Mount Carmel/Blackrock Clinic) He did a colonoscopy, gastroscopy and booked me in for a pelvic scan and only after all that did he diagnose IBS and prescribe Colofac (antispasmodic) After a month it had done nothing so he put me on a low dose antidepressant (Cipramil/Citalopram) which I took for about four months and with ruling out red meat, dairy and very fatty food I was better within about three weeks of starting the Anti-D.
Definitely follow up to rule the other things out. Dr Mulcahy said that he wanted to rule out ovarian cysts, Irritable Bowel Disease and other diseases of the gut. If possible I really recommend trying to get your GP or another GP to refer you to Dr Mulcahy. I saw him three times and he did my scopes and it cost 100eur, everything else was covered by my VHI. He is really nice and while my GP was disbelieving that there was anything other than stress wrong with me, he believed me and really helped me.
If you are looking for any specific tips re foods etc in Ireland post for my attention and I will help out- I got diagnosed August 2004 so I am used to all the Irish answers, if you know what I mean.
Sinéad
PS If you saw the article by Muiris Houston in the Health Supplement of the Irish Times yesterday don't take it too much to heart, he basically said it's all in our heads and is purely stress related, I was soo mad reading it!
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S.
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