Thank you for sharing detailed history. Based on your symptoms ,chronic abdominal pain for 15 years, altered bowel habits (alternating loose motions and constipation), pain related to certain foods, and partial relief with antispasmodics like mebeverine
this picture is most consistent with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), likely IBS-Mixed type (IBS-M). The fact that rifaximin and mebeverine have helped you also supports this, as these are commonly used in IBS management.
That said, a few points need attention:
1 Right-sided/periumbilical pain of this duration should not be assumed to be IBS without ruling out other causes first especially since you haven’t mentioned any prior colonoscopy.
2 H. pylori treatment addresses gastritis/acidity but not bowel symptoms, so acidity and bowel issues may be two separate but overlapping problems.
• Long-standing sedentary lifestyle and stress from night shifts can significantly worsen IBS symptoms.
Next Steps
1. Get a colonoscopy done once, especially given the 15-year history and right-sided pain this is to rule out structural issues (like IBD, appendiceal pathology, or other pathology) before permanently labeling this as IBS. If normal, it will also give you peace of mind.
2. Basic workup: CBC, ESR/
CRP, stool routine + occult blood,
thyroid profile, and abdominal ultrasound if not already done.
3. Continue antispasmodic (mebeverine) during flares; a low-FODMAP diet trial for 4-6 weeks often helps identify trigger foods more precisely than avoiding “bakery/milk” alone.
4. A consult with a gastroenterologist for formal IBS work-up and to discuss whether a probiotic or gut-directed approach would help.
Health Tips
Night shift work and disrupted sleep-wake cycles are known to worsen gut motility issues if possible, try to keep meal timings consistent even on night shifts. Gentle walking (even 10-15 min) is usually safe despite spasms and can help rather than worsen symptoms ,avoid only high-intensity exercise during acute pain. Please don’t self-medicate long-term with antispasmodics without periodic doctor review.