Help me understand

Hi everyone! I'm new here, I was recommended to post this in this forum by a friend. He thinks it'll be more helpful to me.

So I've been having this issue probably a lot longer than I would like to admit. My first thing that made me go to the doctor was lower left abdominal pain that increasingly gets worse. I went to a gyno and had my lady parts all checked out (sometimes the pain happens when I have sex so I went there first. Also was worried about my fertility). So that made me wicked embarrassed so I ignored it for a while, until more became wrong.

On top of the left abdominal pain, I have TERRIBLE bloating and fluctuates like crazy. Literally day to day. I'm constipated, but when I do go, it's always loose, small, thin (sorry....). I haven't noticed any blood, but it is always a coppery color which just doesn't seem right to me (sorry again). This may also sound crazy but I feel maybe some swelling or something in the area of the pain on my tummy. I've gained so much weight within the last year/year and a half. Example: I went to the doctor in April, got weighed and was 158. The beginning of June, a little less than two months later, I was 168. I don't know if that's the bloating or not. I'm constantly tired, have this feeling of being unwell all the time, and occasional nausea (but I haven't vomited yet). And when the pain is bad, it'll radiate up my side, and around my lower back too. Sometimes down my left leg, especially if I'm straining while trying to go.
If I do have a semi normal sized something come out, there's always blood on the toilet paper (sorry again again..).
And the lower left pain sometimes is triggered by lifting things or bending over a lot (like folding laundry).
On top of this, I think I have a reflux problem that I've had since I was 4 or 5 years old, and I have problems swallowing, both of which my GI didn't want to address...

So I went to the ER for an emergency CT for diverticulitis, but came up normal. Told me it was IBS and sent me home with zero help. Then I went to the GI in June (when I got weighed almost 170lbs) and I have a colonoscopy July 19th, but he says IBS too.

I've tried fiber, it just makes the pain worse and doesn't help with movements. I've tried 5,000 different probiotics and none helped. I tried eating healthy, portioning my food, and drinking liquids, but the pain and weight are there and getting worse. I just don't know any more.

I'll stick it through with this guy, but I don't think it's just IBS. Feeling this yucky all the time isn't okay, and needs to be addressed and not just brushed off. (I have generalized anxiety disorder which has been treated and controlled, but doctors see that and just blow me off thinking I'm overreacting)

(Also my GI doesn't even KNOW all of these symptoms, he didn't try to listen)

Thanks for reading and sorry it's so long! Please leave any comments or opinions, I'm really unsure about what to do or anything.

I agree with imagardner. Check for ovarian cysts. I've had lower left side pain from ovarian cysts that's aggravated by lifting. It also caused me to swell and retain fluid causing weight gain. When I have a cyst it feels like I have to have a bowel movement or pass gas but nothing comes out. I'd see an ob gyn to rule out endometriosis or cysts.

Hi Hannah and welcome. I agree with the above advice. I'm sorry your M.D.s are so dismissive, hopefully you will be able to meet with your G.I. after the 'scope and get more detailed info. If not, shop around if you can, maybe look to the teaching hospital physicians. Be sure to get a copy of your pathology report as well.

Regardless IBS (if it is) is a serious painful and life altering illness and you need a supportive M.D., preferably a specialist. I lucked out and got an absolute angel GI.

Anxiety and depression go hand in hand with IBD and IBS possibly due to unbalanced gut flora, and your treating physicians should know that and not ignore an important symptom.

Please keep us posted? Be well soon!