Gastroenterologist Questions

Possible Bowel Obstruction?

I woke up this morning with severe stomach cramping. Thought it was gas so i took two extra strength gas ex which didn't seem to help. i tried a heating pad and ate a crossaint for breakfast which resulted in diarrhea which was not watery. The cramping has continued after this and there is a specific tender spot on the upper right quadrant of my abdomen. I have not been fully diagnosed with IBS but I have struggled ever since i was a kid with on and off constipation which has created other problems such as an anal fistula that i needed to get repaired surgically. My last bowel movement before the diarrhea was the day before which was loose but still formed. The cramping seems to come and go with some bloating in my stomach. I have not been able to pass gas or go to the bathroom since and i seem to be burping instead especially after drinking water. I have loss of appetite as well and some nausea related to the pain but no vomiting. I am debating on if i need to go to the ER. my medications include concerta, lexapro, and birth control. Last week i remember having to take a few doses of docusate to get my bowels moving because of constipation but i havent been constipated since.

Female | 24 years old
Complaint duration: 1 day
Medications: lexapro, concerta, birthcontrol
Conditions: IBS (undiagnosed)

1 Answer

Luckily, it doesn't sound like this is a bowel obstruction. Constipation prevents you from having a bowel movement, but the rest of the GI tract (stomach and small intestine primarily) tends to function normally. You probably need to be more aggressive treating the constipation with OTC or prescription medications.