Pain and diarrhea.... please help!

[goLC]

I've just stumbled across this site, trying to find help.  i've posted this on 2 boards, hoping someone can suggest something!  I have had IBS for 10 years.  I have had polyps removed, last time about 4 years ago.  My IBS is almost exclusively diarrhea with urgency.  I almost always have to "go" within one hour of eating anything, and usually takes 3-4 times to "finish."  This is normal for me; usually no pain involved, more discomfort.  For the past two-three weeks, I have had pain - sometimes excruciating - in my lower right abdomen, and while I FEEL like I have to go to the bathroom, nothing happens.  I have a history of kidney stones, and twice I was sure that was what was going on, the pain was so intense.  But then it stops, rather suddenly, only to recur after a couple of days.  And instead of having diarrhea, (this is embarrassing) I have very long, flat-like, thin movements.  It really hurts to have the bowel movement (unlike the usually painless urgent diarrhea.)  It hurts deep in my gut, on the right side only.  I have had a complete hysterectomy and cholesystectomy, so those aren't options here.  My gastroenterologist is out of the country for the next 2 weeks and is booked solid for the 2 months after that!  While I don't guess I'm dying, I am really miserable.  I'm a teacher and can't have this happening during school!  (My "usual" routine is not to eat until the kids are gone!)  What should I do?  (Actually, I haven't seen my gastro in nearly 2 years - just living with it, as nothing we tried ever helped.  Also:  no appendix; grandfather had chronic ulcerative colitis, mother has colitis, but not ulcerative.  At last scope, I had no signs of uc.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
This could still be IBS.
Antispasmodics and fiber supplements may provide relief. Since you already had kidney stones, an ultrasound scan is needed to know the current status.
If there is blood in stools, weight loss or if your symptoms occur even after you go to bed, a colonoscopy has to be done.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.