New Here and Have Some Questions

Hi everyone. New here, but not new to IBS.

I was diagnosed with IBS by my primary care doc, oh, probably 20 years ago, just by my symptoms. I am IBS-C. I had been managing it pretty well with magnesium---until the beginning of December. Started having some post-menopause issues that required surgery (D&C/hysteroscopy) to determine what was going on (did I have cancer, etc). Results of surgery were great--no cancer, no abnormalities. (As a side, to do the hyteroscopy part, they "blow up" the uterus with gas or water of some type.)

When the issues started beginning of December, so did cramping all the way into my back (I know much of this was uterine, but I also know some were IBS, because the bathroom issues went really whacko. My IBS always was so much worse when I used to have "that time of the month!" Had to revert to MOM with the heavier dose of magnesium because the high dose of ibuprofen I was on brought back the constipation big time. Stool softeners didn't really help.

Now I'm two weeks post surgery. I'm having an almost constant "odd" feeling in the center way below belly button (sometimes including crampy feeling), constant feeling that I have to "go," with some rectal pressure. And that symptom we all love--the feeling of incomplete evacuation. Stool is soft, but not as "bulky" as when things were running smoothly! But it won't all come out at once!

I've never had a colonoscopy, or been to that type of doctor, and I know I should (I'm 50 now). Just finishing up this other surgery, I'm not ready for another procedure yet. But, wanted to know what you all thought about all this. Does it sound like IBS, or bladder? Or I suddenly have another colon issue? Could I still be having a reaction to the surgery and/or general anesthesia cause the colon to act up more than usual? (Oh, also picked up hemorrhoids during this period!) My gynecologist said as of last Friday that I'm doing fine as far as the surgery is concerned.

Thanks for any thoughts or insight. I'm so tired of docs right now.

I don't have much advice about what you're going through, but I can give you some advice about a colonoscopy. When I first talked to my doctor about my IBS, we started with getting me a colonoscopy and endoscopy to rule out Crohns and other problems. 7Lil is right, the worst part is the prep. If you have a laptop with a DVD player in it, grab your favourite movies, a BIG bottle of water, and make yourself a little home in the bathroom. It's not a pretty experience, that much is for sure! Thankfully the stuff I took tasted pretty good actually! Just by the end of it I was a little... sore.... because the last thing I had to drink was very acidic and well, by that point everything was just running straight through. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't a horrible experience. It was pretty funny to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger in the waiting room the next day, both of us in hospital gowns and socks, and talking about our D the night before. Strange but it's good to have a laugh and know you're not the only one who had spent the previous night in the bathroom!

Go see your doctor, and if you DO need a colonoscopy, don't be scared. They give you great drugs :)