constipation/swollen&painful liver/urinary issues

[greg2009]

I'm a 41 year old male. About four months ago, I had a bad attack of diarrhea. Afterwards, I had the feeling like I needed to urinate, but this never went away for several weeks. At the same time I had constipation on and off, and the constant feeling that I was constipated. This persists, and varies between painful and uncomfortable.

A couple months ago, I noticed swelling at the base of the ribs, around the xiphisternum and liver area. This is tender to the touch and more recently had become painful - a constant low-level pain and occasional sharp stabbing pains.

I also get stabbing pains in the rectal area, and occasionally at the same time a kind of 'pinching' I can feel through the penis. I don't have sexual activity very often, but I've noticed that since this started I get a bit of discomfort after ejaculation, and the tip of my penis becomes red and 'blotchy' for a short while afterward.

I went to the GP at the outset and initially focused on the urinary issues. I had two urine samples both came back clear, although the second showed a very slight trace of an infection. I was given Movicol to treat the constipation but although that moved things through me it didn't stop the feeling of constipation. I stopped taking that and still make a movement most days.

I've also had an ultrasound (on the urinary areas) which came back normal. I had a stool sample which came back normal. I had some blood tests which came back with elevated liver function tests. I'm awaiting the results of a second more detailed set of blood tests.

I get a lot of gas (at both ends), both before and after meals. I've seen a gastroenterologist but I'm concerned he may already have decided on an IBS diagnosis, which I'm not sure exactly fits.

Most worryingly, the pain in the liver area is getting much worse (stops me sleeping) and I've lost weight - 2 stone in the past 7 weeks, which doesn't seem consistent with IBS??  I have no history of this kind of thing and I'm really worried.

Final bit of background - I am pretty anxious by nature, but the pain and weight loss seem to me to be good reason. Also, possibly completely unrelated, but I do sometimes suffer with patches of dry/itchy skin, mostly on my legs - have done for years.

Please help!