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tightening and bulging in lower stomach

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 9/4/2006 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
After years of suffering from inconsistent bouts of painful D, I have finally figured out that I have IBS.  For the past 3 months I have noticed a little bulge in my lower stomach when I lie down which I can push back in.  No pain to speak of except lately after a house move and much lifting I now have constant tightness in that area and feels like I am ovulating, except I had a full hysterectomy 2 years ago.  Not enough pain to complain, just know something is there.  Was at a party last night and was talking with a GP friend of ours and he said that could be a hernia, but doubtful because women don't usually have hernias.  He suggested I get to the doctor asap, which I will.  My Mom suffered with adhesions and IBS and after seeing what she had to endure it makes me anxious.  Any thoughts?
Posted 9/5/2006 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
I think it sounds like a hernia too, for as much as I know about them. I wouldn't believe him when he says that women don't usually have them. One of my friends, who was just 27, had five or six repaired last year. They thought that she had had hers since birth, since she was a bit premature and it's not uncommon in premature babies since they don't properly develop whatever membrane that is that holds your intestines in place. Her hernias affected her bowel movements, but as far as I know, she's normal again.
Posted 9/7/2006 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
I hope I am not putting the cart before the horse but I am going straight to a surgeon (friend of a friend) today for an ultrasound.  It is beginning to interrupt my sleep because of the pressure.

Posted 9/7/2006 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I would think if anyone could identify whether you have a hernia or obstruction or anything out of the ordinary, a surgeon would be able to. It's my understanding that they are often brought in to look at test results, x-rays and the like to see what their expert opinion on the situation is.

It's sort of an odd hope, but I hope that you do have a hernia, that it can be fixed and that it solves all your bowel problems. Even surgery is easier than living with IBS!
Posted 9/8/2006 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Update.  Went to surgeon and explained all symptoms and he agreed it sounded like classic hernia.  He did an ultrasound to be sure, but found no hernia and of course the bulge was not there while he was doing the exam.  He came to the conclusion that I strained a muscle and the symptoms could be the same.  I suppose the bulge I have been getting is the muscle on the lower right side of my abdomen near my groin.  I was relieved because I do not want to have surgery, but he wants me to watch it and go back in in 3 weeks.  I think I'll just go to a gastro guy and do the colonoscopy (which I am due) and see if there is anything there.

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