Hello, I was going to suggest that you seek a different opinion which is what you are doing.  My son was fobbed off by our gp surgery for over a year turned away from a&e twice and I urge you not to accept lacklustre response, you need to have a colonoscopy at the very least so that you can hopefully put your mind to rest.  Sending you good thoughts and hope the festive season is all that you would want it to be

 leslie.

Thanks for your reply Leslie. And sorry to hear about

your son. Do you mind sharing his story? Symptoms etc. It is a worry when you're told you're too young and you don't want to be a hypochondriac but are really worried. 

Any updates? I've been experiencing pains in the lower part of my stomach for months now, it brings no pain just irritating and my health anxiety is going crazy I've been Googling what it could be which in turn is making me much worse im struggling to eat now through worrying and I've been to the toilet many times.

I am in a similar position, it has been going on for over a year. It is driving me insane. For me, it can be painful (a sudden onset of sharp / burning pain or a dull constant pain), other times it can just feel irritating (like I'm carrying a tennis ball around in the lower right abdomen). There was a period of months last year when I didn't notice it at all. Now, it's only the odd day or few hours here or there when I don't notice it.

I am genuinely terrified something sinister is going on. I am 42, I have two young children - I really want to see them grow up in to great adults. The health anxiety is dreadful, I'm sure it is a vicious circle - I have stopped Googling - it only adds to the anxiety. As me mentioned previously, I have been for 2 abdominal ultrasounds, 2 chest x-rays, a CT of my brain (due to a blackout), a range of bloods (going back next week), a private bowel health/screening blood test. ALT was raised, as was vitamin B12, all else comes back ok - private hospital didn't think raised ALT/vitamin B12 is an issue - they just wanted to retest next week (6 weeks after original tests) - I'm having this done with my GP.  The thing is, I'm told it's nothing to worry about, you'll be fine, don't be negative, but I know my own body and it wasn't like this just over a year ago. 
 

I have cut out alcohol, improved diet (it wasn't bad before but now even less red meat, fats, sugars etc...). I have also improved exercise - but no noticeable in my right side pain and discomfort. 
 

I have been referred to a gastroenterologist, the wait time is approx 4 months.   I can't really afford it but will pay for private gastroenterologist and either a CT or MRI of my bowel - or endoscopy, whatever is best. 

Hey thanks for the reply. My symptoms sound pretty similar. Is yours in the lower left side too? You should be satisfied that the tests you've done have all come back clear. Google is honestly a nightmare for people like us with health anxiety. My pains are usually always lower left I've got time off work this week and they seem more frequent now I had a bad day yesterday where I was just Googling and it scared me.so I couldn't eat a thing. A lot of the issues could be anxiety I've always had it a couple of years ago I was convinced I had a brain tumour. I dont really seem to notice the pain when im off work but unfortunately due to lockdown its hard to keep myself busy

Hi 

I have similar symptoms lower to mid right side pain that radiates in my groin , this has only started in the last 4/5weeks  

my bowel movements have change where they are more narrow than usual and sometimes pencil thin (I've be to my gp and he has told me it's hemorrhoids  and I then went for a second opinion and voiced my concerns and he also said it's hemorrhoids and not to be worrying but he has referred me fora colonoscopy just to be sure which I'm having done next Tuesday (cant say I'm not worried but needs to be done .

How did you manage to get a colonoscopy so quickly. I've been told 4 months waiting list to see a gastroenterologist - who will then decide if I need a colonoscopy or endoscopy - so it will no doubt be 6 months before I get a colonoscopy. 

I getting it done private 

I have these exact symptoms and a small cyst on my right ovary. Bloods all fine just slightly raised crp. Ultrasound found nothing. The pain is barable but it's playing on my mind every day what it could be. Did u get any answers x

Hi thoughts with you, just to say I have the same issues with this pain in my right side. All tests so far show nothing other than slightly raised crp. But mine seems to settle at night when I'm laying down but it comes on when I get up and walk around. Will keep you posted if I get any answers. I hope you get some. It's horrible thinking something is wrong all the time. It takes such a toll on your Life

Hello, sorry to hear that things are difficult for you. My partner is experiencing very similar symptoms, with the dull ache/tennis ball feeling in the lower right hand-side... I am worried sick for him, he's 38, his doctor run some blood tests which came back clear and they just said to wait to see if the pain/feeling goes away... How are you getting on?

Sorry to hear about your partner.

I have been for various tests and scans and all are clear. The pain comes in peaks and troughs. I find a number of things help me keep it under control. It took about 3 weeks for me to see a difference.  If I slip back into the below it flares up very quickly.

Private hospital  test says it is not IBS despite the below.

1. At least 1.5 litres of mineral water each day. 
2. Little to no alcohol. I did not drink regularly before, but I find a few glasses of wine can aggravate it.

3. As little sugar as possible - cutting down on all things with sugar in.

4. Little to no red meat.

5. Not a lot of caffeine. 

6. Generally sticking to a healthy diet.

7. Keep stress levels down. 

Sorry to hear about your partner.

I have been for various tests and scans and all are clear. The pain comes in peaks and troughs. I find a number of things help me keep it under control. It took about 3 weeks for me to see a difference.  If I slip back into the below it flares up very quickly.

Private hospital  test says it is not IBS despite the below.

1. At least 1.5 litres of mineral water each day. 
2. Little to no alcohol. I did not drink regularly before, but I find a few glasses of wine can aggravate it.

3. As little sugar as possible - cutting down on all things with sugar in.

4. Little to no red meat.

5. Not a lot of caffeine. 

6. Generally sticking to a healthy diet.

7. Keep stress levels down. 

Thank you for replying.

The quest for diagnosis can be so challenging at times, can't it?! I think we might have to explore the private options too. Thank you for all the suggestions - the sugar element might be tricky for my partner, he has a particularly sweet tooth! 

I hope things improve for you. If you find any aswers, I would be grateful for any advice.

Best wishes

Hi Roygo.

You wrote: Private hospital  test says it is not IBS despite the below.

Which test was that?  The NHS website says there is no (specific) test for IBS.

It was a Bowel (GIT) Profile - looks for various markers, so doesn't specifically test for IBS, Chrons etc but 'should' flag up any indicators (or so I was told by the hospital). 

I can't find any reference to a Bowel (GIT) Profile test online.  Did they test blood or stool or both?

Just a wide variety of bloods. It was £140 at Spire Hospital 4 months ago. 

If these tests found nothing then that's good news.

I'm not a doctor but I do suffer from IBS, and I don't think there's any blood test that can either diagnose or eliminate IBS.  So, I think you could still have it, despite the test results.

Can I suggest you have a look at my earlier post on this thread where I talk about FODMAP?  This has definitely helped me.  If you think it might help you then have a chat with your GP.  However don't randomly cut out food groups in the hope that you'll stumble upon a combination that helps you - the group are complex and the chances of finding exactly the right combination for you are small, and you run the risk of cutting out certain foods unnecessarily.  Follow the process with the help of a dietician or similar professional.