Abdo Symptoms with eye symptoms

I am a 46 year old male. I'd be grateful for some advice on my symptom cluster. I get severe episodes of...  sore mouth (like after too hot liquid);severe bloating; loose mucusy stool after 3-4 days of no bowel opening; then small-bore pencil stools;  dull abdo pain in the lower left part of my abdomen. No blood. Colonoscopy 2 years ago - normal. Routine bloods normal (including inflammatory markers). Possible diagnosis IBS.  Last 7-14 days then I am totally better until the next episode (4-6 weeks).

But.. here's the interesting bit.. I always get other symptoms with the episodes - a partially red sore eye (always L eye, between the pupil and the nose!); fatigue and a 'full' headache like when you do a headstand!

I treat it as IBS and find peppermint oil does help the bloating. But I'd be grateful for any ideas on the eye symptoms - could they increase the risk of my symptoms being Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Thanks For any ideas!
P

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
IBD is possible.
IBD not only affects gut but also involves other areas like eyes, skin, joints, liver etc.
If it is Crohn's disease ( a type of IBD), it can involve any part from mouth to anus.
It commonly affects the terminal small intestine.
Colonoscopy will show lesions only if colon is involved.
You can have small bowel series or capsule endoscopy or CT scan of the abdomen done for evaluation.