I am a 36 year old female with a history of severe IBS and chronic constipation. The severe constipation seemed to be kicked off by a combination of fertility treatment, stress and numerous drugs going in and out of my system. Over the past year, I have had the following tests: blood work, thyroid levels, abdominal x-ray, Abdominal CAT scan, upper GI, lower GI, small bowel follow-through, colonoscopy and colon transit marker study. All tests were normal (plan x-ray showed constipation). Have used the following to treat the constipation: fiber, Equalactin, Phazyme, Zelnorm, Miralax, Lactulose and Senakot S. Currently, I'm taking 1 Senakot S per day and this is the only thing that works.
My immediate concern is as follows: About 10 weeks ago, I began experiencing a feeling of abdominal fullness after eating small meals and my upper belly (just below the left rib cage) distends after eating.It's extremely uncomfortable. My doctor has told me that this area is actually my colon and not my stomach. Over the past week, this has gotten worse and is painful when bending over. When I bend over, I get a gripping, cramping pain. The mild distension seems to last through the day now and is only relieved by a BM (and only temporarily). As soon as I eat, it begins again.
I went to a doctor the other day and was give an plain abdominal x-ray. He mentioned that there was nothing noticeable aside for constipation. I took one dose of Milk of Magnesia that night which threw me into severe spastic colon for about 2 days and irritated the area under by rib more after each trip to the bathroom. Now, after 2 days I'm back to the mild distension and fullness after eating a small meal. Here are my questions: Am I experiencing this splenic flexure syndrome? What is the difference between typical splenic flexure syndrome and splenic flexure distension? Should I be concerned that there is a major problem? Or could this be from disfunctional contractions of the colon and constipation? If due to disfunctional colonic contractions, how can I get things to work normally again? Also, any possibility of stomach inflammation or infection? Is there anything else I should ask my doctor to check for? I have a follow-up on Monday and am scared that this is getting worse. Note: Doctor has told me that stomach is emptying fine due to normal upper GI.