I am getting so tired of these pains down my side...

[Joe Español]

A few years ago at school, I got a really bad cramp in my stomach that meant I had to sit of out of PE (which made me happy! woohoo!!!) but I didn't think anything of it. It wasn't period pains because back then I hadn't even started my periods. Then a few years later I was bent down, then I stood up and I got the pain again. I managed to walk inside and to my bedroom where it became a seriously painful cramp that made me cry, shake and sweat. I went to the doctors and they said it was IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) which the doctor said was caused by dairy products, but the thing is I never have any of the other symptoms of IBS because I researched it, and it hurts whether I have dairy products or not!

The pains happened again before christmas when I was at college, which got my friend concerned because when i tried to lift things it hurt. So I tootled back to the doctors, and she said that I had pulled a muscle that time! But I get tired of these pains, they can come on for no reason. I even got the pain when I was walking the dog!!!!!!

The pain is always on my left hand side, and sometimes comes and goes quickly but sometimes it lingers. I am convinced it isn't IBS, because like I said it can come on for no reason, and also I'm sure a pulled muscle wouldn't hurt for this long!!!!!

Shall I go to another doctor, or isn't it worth it? I am getting worried that these pains may affect me again when I am at college. It is Animal Care, so it is a physical course.

Can anyone help!! Or shall I just go to the vets and have myself put down?

Oh, and if it helps, it just hurt a bit when I moved my leg up... I also got a slight pain higher up too strangely...... I AM DOOOOOOOMMMMMMEEEEEEDDDDDD!!!! (Sorry guys!!)

[Mishi]

I don't think your pains are caused by IBS either, but suspect your pains may be related to your vocation...stomach cramps, shaking and sweating, pains in the bones and joints, can be caused by a bacterial infection...and the transmitters of this infection can be found on dogs, horses, field mice, cats, and in your part of the world in particular, sheep. The bacteria is called borrelia burgdorferi...but there are many different strains (300 I think), and sometimes there are other "bugs" that come with it.

No tests can rule it out or rule it in, so specialists base their diagnosis on symptoms.

Treatment consists of antibiotics...but if left untreated, symptoms can change or get worse as this infection can damage every organ in the body...the brain, the urinary tract, the digestive system, the bones, muscles, nerves, and cartilage...


Bethsheba

[imported_bre_bre]

Thanks, BethSheba!!

I think I might go to a competely different doctor when I go again. Mine doesn't seem to care anymore!

Can stomach pains also be related to stress? They happened more at school, and I hated school and nearly every day something stressed or upset me, but now I am at college I am happier, but the pains have come on again now, and there are a few family issues, and they came on when our cat was very ill and dying.... so maybe it is stress that are causing it too? Hmmmmmm.......

[Mary W]

I might suggest doing some reading about Lyme Disease in the UK...if you do, you'll have a better understanding of why you need to see a doctor who is knowledgeable about these infections...in particular, a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor.

Many doctors blame things on stress...but in my opinion, I don't think it causes anything, just aggravates whatever is existing in that it may weaken the immune system. As an example think of the people who lead very stressful lives...firefighters, emergency medical people, customer service personnel, parents of children under the age of 5...I doubt that all of them would be exhibiting symptoms in multiple body systems.

Being a critter lover/advocate, I know the stress that's involved with caring for a companion animal that has a chronic disease (diabetes) and dies of cancer...only those in similar situations can understand the pain involved. Knowing and experiencing this on a personal level, I will stand by my position and say that stress may be aggravating the way you feel, but not causing the symtoms...whatever the condition.

Good luck and please do some reading...medical politics may have limited the kind of information that people should be receiving about this disease and its coinfections.

Bethsheba