Pain Question

I have come to this message board as someone who hasn't ever posted a question on the internet anywhere - ever...

I am coming out of frustration, because I cannot get a solid answer to one single question from any doctor. I am sincerely hoping I can get some feedback from those "In the know" that experience this everyday! My question is this: Does IBS present with a specific pain in the exact same place everytime that it rears its ugly head? Or would that be more specific to Diverticulosis or to IBD? I get a VERY specific pain in my left rear flank area that is always accompanied by D. I have food intolerances that usually trigger this and sometimes the pain is very severe. Never a fever or vomiting, just this pain - everytime in the exact same place. It is not muscular becasue it usually is relieved to some degree by a bowel movement. I am at wits end since I have had this for over 15 years.... Help anyone?? I would appreciate any thoughts from those who are experienced!!!

Have you had any exams done, such as a colonoscopy or barium enema or ultrasound?  What kind of food intolerances do you have?  Is this pain cyclical (i.e., coming and going at specific times, like around the time of your period, etc.)?  How often do you have diarrhea? 

I'm sorry you're experiencing such pain; I hope we have some suggestions for you.

A gastroenterologist will be the one doing your scope, so you should have an appointment with him/her or another GI afterwards to go over the results and form a plan from there.  You might give an antispasmodic another go.  If it gives you C, you could try cutting the thing in half and that might work well. 

Dairy products and alcohol are typical irritants for IBSers, certainly for me (doesn't stop me from imbibing now and then, but I take it slow ) Have you ever kept a food/symptoms diary?  Track exactly what and how much you eat/drink, then write down how many BMs you had that day and describe the pain as best you can.  Do that for two weeks at least.  Your GI will thank you!  It's amazing how patterns can emerge when we don't think there are any patterns but just pay closer attention.

It's good you're getting another scope, sometimes things change over the years.

Back pain is not unusual.  I've gone to naturopaths who claim it is very common to experience this, especially if you are prone to C.  When the bowels are full and trying to move, sometimes the pain can radiate to the back.  During very severe episodes, I have had back pain that feels like someone has pulled a very tight corset around my back and rib cage.  There are so many different areas of the bowel that can be in spasm.  Over the last 20 years, I've had pain that has been localized on the right side, the left side, the center of the belly, the back, under the sternum, and on and on. 

I wanted to comment about the car!  Yes, yes I have the same responses whenever I get into my car!  It's gotten to the point at times where I am actually fearful of driving because I am so anxious about what might happen!  I am sure part of it is the worry itself which never helps the gut but I am also convinced that part of it is posture.  I find sitting in general to be very difficult.  I am fortunate in that I am standing all day while I work.  But once I sit down, trouble tends to start.  Sitting in the car sometimes feels like sitting on the toilet and I often wonder if just being in this position makes the bowel think it's time to move!