Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment

Question by Christina: Irregular period, bleeding between periods, brown and black blood, pain and pressure on lower left side HELP?
I am 23. I am prone to UTI’s which I have gotten on and off for the past few years. I have also had some ovarian cysts in the past, but usually the doctor says they are very small and shouldn’t be causing much pain. In the past, the pain has always gone away with my period after 1 or 2 cycles. Now this started in June. I had symptoms of what I thought was a UTI. Went to the doctor and got antibiotics. Everything was fine. This probably was a UTI since I didn’t have any problems for a month.
A month later, the symptoms came back, but I had lost my health insurance so I went to someone I know personally that is a doctor and got antibiotics. They didn’t help and the familiar pain started on the lower left side again so I thought I had another cyst. In the past when I had cysts, I had some urinary problems with them. I waited until the end of my cycle, hoping it would go away, like it had before. My period hardly even came! I had light spotting, mostly brown and black. The pain on the left side continued and I had spotting all month. The urinary symptoms subsided. I went to a doctor who did a chlamydia test and pap smear which were both negative for problems. By this time, my period came again and it was super heavy, again very dark blood. I continued to have some spotting after my period should have been over. Then I started experiencing severe pain and bleeding after intercourse. I went to another doc who said I had cervicitis and gave me an antibiotic. She also had me go for an ultrasound which turned out to be negative for any abnormalities as well. The antibiotics seemed to help. But I still have the pressure and sometimes pain on the left side.

Also, I should mention, throughout these past few months I have experienced nausea, mostly just in the beginning, and extreme bloating. I am an avid runner, and for a solid two weeks I felt too sick to run, but now it’s not so bad and I can exercise comfortably. I just got my period again, and it was very, very light, almost non-existent again. I have been taking low birth control pills since I was 16 (7 years). My doctor, upon receiving all these negative test results flat out told me she doesn’t know what’s wrong and that I should have another doctor examine me when the bleeding starts again. Problem is, since she said that, I haven’t had any bleeding, except light spotting from my period! I only tried having intercourse once because I was scared of the pain and bleeding, but it was okay and I didn’t have any problems. I asked if the problem could be intestinal, something putting pressure on my reproductive organs and the doc said no, i would have rectal bleeding or something else. I also have irritable bowel syndrome and started treating that again recently so the bloating has gone down a bit. I’m still having the pressure on the left side, which is almost constant and sometimes painful. And the irregular period are freaking me out. I’ve always been very regular, since I started the pill. I plan to stop the birth control for a month or two to see what happens, at my doctors suggestion.

Any help would be appreciated. This is getting very expensive since I don’t have insurance.
I saw a doctor at planned parenthood for a the pap and chlamydia test. I went to my regular gyno’s office and saw someone there.. not an MD, i think she was a midwife because she was the only person available. they also did a urinalysis which was negative as well.

Best answer:

Answer by Steph
If it weren’t for your ultrasound I would have suggested either an ectopic pregnancy or ovarian cysts. You didn’t specify what type of doctor you went to, is it an OB/GYN? or a family or general practice physician? If you haven’t seen an OB/GYN you need to see one immediately. There are lots of clinics who have scaling fees if you’re having difficulty paying.

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Question by CJ81: Is there a link between bipolar, IBS and RLS?
I have been diagnosed with bipolar II (1 year), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (4 years) and self diagnosed Restless Leg Syndrome (15 years).

I am a 28 yr old male, could there be a link in the illnesses? I read articles of links between 2 of the 3 but wasn’t sure if anyone else out there had experience of all 3?

Best answer:

Answer by Shawn King
Yes… There easily could be.

There was a time I had around 30 different symptoms. I was able to overcome them all by applying a few Wellness Principals.

I wouldn’t be so concerned with finding the link between the 3 as I would in learning and applying basic Wellness Formulas to my life. Especially since something like Heavy Metal toxicity can cause over 30 different symptoms. Parasites can cause almost just as many. That’s not even getting into nutritional deficiencies.

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Question by Smiles: what is the difference between period cramps and gas?
i’ve only had my period twice.. and i’m pretty sure that i’m pmsing right now.. or i’m going to get it soon because ive been having serious mood swings and just crying alot over nothing.

buut, i can’t tell if i’m having period cramps or if its gas ? because i have irritable bowel syndrome. and i have stomach aches alot. i’m kind of getting rid of ibs actually threw diet and stuff. buut, i was just wondering what period cramps feel like. cause i have a kind of different (uncomfortable pain) in my lower stomach, like right above my vag.. and in the middle.. and sometimes it throbs and sometimes it doesnt. it just hurts.. what do you think ? i alredy went number 2 today by the way. haha.

Best answer:

Answer by MaLi007
It’s cramps…take some ibuprofen it will relieve both.

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Question by Jadeite.: What’s the difference between these two align probiotics?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Align-Digestive-Care-Probiotic-Supplement-42ct/14237846

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Align-Daily-Probiotic-Supplement-Capsules-28-Count-Box/10977941

I’m not sure which one to get. I know one cost more than the other and then one has more capsules than the other one. But what’s the difference? Which one works more better? I always have gas/bloating (ever since 8th grade, 5-6 years ago) & it never went away. I skipped my senior year so yeah, but I’m doing online school. But what’s the difference? Mature, nice and positive comments please thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Andrea
First off, I take align and they have really helped me. I was in the same situation as you. I dont think there is a difference, I looked up the product on the align website and I think it is just a packaging/coloring difference. They both have the same bacteria (bifantis) in them.
That being said—-if it is $ 39.87 for 42 and 29.44 for 28, you are better off with the bigger box.
I found mine at CVS on a buy one get one 50% off promotion….

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Question by That girl: Do you think there is a link between endometriosis and anxiety?
It seems the 2 go hand in hand. I also read that 100% of endometriosis patients have irritable bowel syndrome symptoms if the tissue is attached elsewhere… Interesting.

Best answer:

Answer by Starkissed
Endometriosis is an over growth of the lining of the uterus. Of course if the tissues get into the stomach cavity it is going to screw up the GI tract. It doesn’t have anything to do with anxiety.

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