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IBS and pain

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:24 pm
by danson16
Hi, I was wondering if the pain I often experience when suffering an IBS attack is normal. I get the pains in my stomach which I know is normal but I often get pains down my legs, my back and sometimes in my chest? I have suffered with IBS since age 16 and since having my children it has become a lot worse and now have to avoid acidic foods, gluten/wheat and dairy along with fried foods.
Many thanks :)

Re: IBS and pain

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 4:17 pm
by Dr Helen Webberley
Hi, thank you for your question, which is an interesting one. IBS can cause a variety of symptoms such as pain, bloating, diarrhoea, slime etc. No two people are the same and symptoms can vary from person to person. However, when the symptoms of what you know as your IBS change, then you should just check with your doctor that nothing else is causing it. It is a change in what is normal for you that needs checking out, rather than whether your symptoms are different to someone else's experience of IBS. I hope this helps, Dr Webberley

Re: IBS and pain

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 6:53 pm
by Julie Thompson
Hi Danson16

You might find the following website very useful if you are told that your symptoms are down to IBS http://www.theibsnetwork.org/the-self-c ... inal-pain/

Hope this helps

Re: IBS and pain

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:53 pm
by Dr Nick Read
IBS is an unexplained illness; there is no obvious cause or specific treatment, though it may be instigated by gastroenteritis or a traumatic experience or the combination of infection and stress. For some people it may be regarded as the visceral expression of what happens, but of course there may be other bodily manifestations. Anything that rekindles the memory of trauma excites the emotional centres in the brain stem which are closely aligned with the centres for the physiological control of breathing, posture, eating, defaecation and sensitivity throughout the body. At the same time the cognitive centres that deal with emotion and bodily sensation go off line. This explains why mindfulness, relaxation, getting in the zone with other activities can help manage IBS and associated symptoms. . .