IBS?

[JohnBM]

This is long. I will start with what has been going on for a few years now. I am a male, 49 years old and don't drink, smoke or use drugs. I started  having back and abdominal pain and bloated feeling  a few years ago that were off and on. During these times I hade urinary problems at the same time. I went to my doctor and he would say it was a uti and give me Bactrim. I would start feeling better after a couple of days and that was the end of it. It started happening 2-3 times a year and each time, a uti/prostate infection was the diagnosis. I was sent to a urologist and my prostate was large but nothing out of the ordinary. The urologist had a kub x-ray done and it showed constipation, I was going to the bathroom fine I thought. I did ok for a while and then the pain and symptoms came back. My doctor again thought uti, had a culture done, came back inconclusive/ok. Sent to a different urologist he said no sign of infection. On 11-30-2017, was feeling very bad, same symptoms-back pain, urinary problems and abdominal pain/bloating and soreness along with 2-3 quick bowel movements the night before. The doctor I had been seeing left and I saw an ARNP at the same practice, she suspected diverticulitis and did blood work and sent me TO GET a STAT CT scan. She gave me 14 days of cipro I followed up in a couple od days and the CT shoed diverticulosis. I later got a copy of the CT report and it said that there was no acute process but it did mention diverticulosis, it didn't say anything about any kind of infection. I then had another attack of the same thing the week of Feb. 9,2018. Went to my regular care provider who is also an ARNP and she gave me cipro again. Took the medicine and seemed to be ok but went back the 9th of March with similar symptoms but not as bad. She gave me cipro to have on hand in case I needed it since it was a Friday. I went on a low residue diet and got better . Now, the first week of April, I am back to the pain etc. and am planning to start the cipro ,I don't want to risk a bad infection If this is Diverticulitis. What do those here on the board think? What are your thoughts? Could I have IBS? Thanks for any help.

[specialmom]

Yes, you could have IBS.  Or you could simply have a slow digestive track.  This happens.  My son has one.  He will get 'impacted' with his own feces.  It's painful.  All these UTI's---  was each one found through culture?  Where they found bacteria growing in your urine?  Otherwise, that's irresponsible to keep treating you for it if it wasn't showing through lab work!  If it showed through lab work, then I'd investigate all the UTI's.  A nephrologist would be good.  But I think that is a separate issue.  Although, know that antibiotics can cause an increase in the needs for bowel movement.  When my son takes an antibiotic, it compounds the issue with his slow digestive track and bowel issues.  The remedy for my son was given to us in the emergency room, a cup a day of grape juice.  It keeps it all moving.  AND, while he is severely constipated, you'd never know because he also goes regularly.  That's why it is confusing.  Anyway, do you see a good gastroenterologist?  Are you working with a specialist?  Are you still on the 'low residue' diet?  If it helped, I'd stay on it!