My doctor says I have IBS, I am not sure this is the problem. I have a lot of trouble in my right side just below the rib cage where I have stayed basically sore since back in 1995. Sometimes it is much worse then others. I have to wear VERY loose slacks as I cannot stand anything tight there.

I have had constipation, not all the time, but lately a lot more frequently. I have even taken fiber and stool softners and still some times go 3-4 days. I have had every test in the book by gastro people at least 3 times over these years.

About a week ago I was almost fine other then some soreness. Suddenly here we go again. I am constipated. If I go at all then I hurt in my entire stomach area in the front of me afterwards and I can fell like I am sore down through my colon and intestines too and sometimes in my back on the right side

Some times I am nauseated and other times not, the nausea can be mild to very severe almost to upchucking, though I never have.

My stomach will literally roll and grumble. You can hear it out loud.

I am having the worst bout yet. So far it has lasted 4 days with me going a tiny bit of hard bowel on the first day and then today I did go quite a bit, but I am so bloated, so sore that it hurts to bend forward and if I take a pill it feels like a lump or brick in my stomach.

HOW BAD CAN IT GET? What does this sound like to you. It can get really bad and then go away just as fast. But now, each time it comes back it seems to get worse. I told hubby that It think there is more wrong and that this will eventually kill me.

I don't think I can really help you but wanted you to know you are not ignored. My doctor diagnosed me with IBS, but I don't have the classic symptoms. I get tremendous diahrea without pain and without constipation.

I had all the blood work for the yearly exam run the other day and then I get my yearly physical this coming up week and then the colonoscopy next month. So it will take a while to see if the doctor stays with the diagnosis of IBS.

I'm hoping some others post here to give you more information. You can also read some of the other posts here to get more answers. Good luck and hugs.

IBS is awful, I know exactly how you're feeling.
Some things that have helped me (like you I suffer constipation often) and the pain is excruciating.
I have cut out all nightshade foods (do a Google search about them) basically the acid levels reek havoc with my bowel causing all sorts of problems. Wasn't easy cutting them out either, the main ones potatoes, capsicum and tomatoes.
I also make sure I exercise (even if its just walking) for at least 30 minutes a day, this helps to get my bowel moving.
On days on take pain killers (for my undiagnosed illness) I have to make sure I take either normacol (fiber/laxative) and drink plenty of water.
In the early stages of being diagnosed with IBS I shrugged it off as (arrgghh that's just because the doctors don't know what's wrong with me) but eventually the pain was just too unbearable I had to make serious steps to lessen the pain.
Keep a food diary over the course of two weeks, and see if you note any changes, cut back on certain foods gradually and I promise it will make a difference.

The right sided pain under you rib, curious have you had a CT scan or ultrasound to check your gallbladder?

Good luck. I know how much pain IBS can cause and it's unfortunately life long, but the pain can be lessened if you make changes to your diet and make sure you exercise everyday to help get the bowel moving
xxx

Samantha

http://www.undiagnosedillness.org

[This Message was Edited on 11/04/2008]

I have been in the hospital my pain being so bad from IBS. I feel for you.

I was DX with IBS a LONG time ago but than just a few months ago (at the age of 35) I found out I'm allergic to wheat. I cut wheat out of my diet and no more IBS SX, if I eat wheat now my stomach hurts and my intestines make al kinds of sounds and I have IBS SX again.

I also had IBS bad and than be completely OK and than IBS was awful again but never looked at what I was eating to see if it was that. And I also had odd nausea that come and went.