Right flank pain (mostly at night) & post-infectious IBS?

[KJCinAZ]

Hi, I'm unable to post to the general Gastroenterology forum. My basic question is this: Have you ever seen cases of IBS present with one-sided flank pain rather than abdominal pain? Stats/History: Healthy, active 34-year-old female, 5'6" 135 pounds. 2 prior C-sections, Hashimoto's disease (well controlled for 2+ years with Levoxyl), mild asthma Background: I traveled to Mexico (Cabo) in mid-October. I had traveler's diarrhea for a few days. 2 wks after return, I developed vomiting, persistent low-grade fever, and right-flank pain. The vomiting resolved after 24 hours; the other symptoms did not. Thus began weeks of tests through my PCP (urinalysis, a multitude of blood work, xrays, abdominal CT, pelvic & abdominal U/S) with all results normal. Discovered someone on the trip to Cabo was positive for Salmonella, so despite lack of GI symptoms, my doctor ordered stool culture & a blood test for Salmonella antibodies. Stool culture was negative (as were prior blood cultures), but the antibody test did show a high level to Salmonella O Vi.  Dr. diagnosed it as a mild case of Typhoid Fever and I was treated with Bactrim (10-day course) &  all symptoms resolved. Unfortunately I then contracted virul gastroenteritis with profuse vomiting &  diarrhea for 24 hours. With that, my flank pain returned followed by IBS-type symptoms (urgency, gas/bloating, constipation). I was referred to GI, who put me on probiotics and ordered colonoscopy (normal). Despite 3+ weeks of probiotics, I continue to have the flank pain and some urgency/frequency of bowel movements (though these symptoms have improved). Not sure what the next steps are, or if it is even worthwhile to see my GI doctor again. The chronic flank pain greatly impacts my sleep/quality of life. I have also had ongoing chiropractic adjustments, occasional massage, and 4 acupunture sessions - all seem to provide some short-term relief, but the flank pain always returns (particularly at night).
Thanks,
Katie

[KJCinAZ]

Sometimes I do feel some relief of the pain after a bowel movement. If any straining (i.e. have had some bouts of constipation), the pain gets worse. When I did the colon prep prior to the colonoscopy, the pain got much worse. I have lost about 20 pounds since this began at the end of October, but don't believe I have lost any during this past month.

Are there other IBS treatments that might be appropriate for my situation, other than the high-fiber diet plus probiotics I am already doing? Also, what is your opinion on Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth, and do you think that could be a possibility?
Thanks,
Katie

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
Do you find relief from pain after bowel movements?
Any weight loss?