How is IBS Detected?

Digestive health
1

I've had all the symptoms of IBS, constipation, bloating, excrutiating pain, etc.  and now the doctors are going through all their tests - CT Scan, Ultrasound, X-Ray, Stool samples (ugh), the list goes on.  Each time, something else is eliminated - gall stones, pancreas, twisted bowel, and each time, the doctors are delighted to tell me they've ruled out 'one more thing'. I'm not delighted, just frustrated witht the health care system.  One hospital thought I was 'faking symptoms' - hard to fake pain like this, isn't it?  Now the hospital I'm going to is taking it seriously, but can't come up with anything.

Wonder what tests would detect IBS?  Does anyone know?  

2

The most frustrating thing about IBS is the lack of a test that diagnostically says yes or no to IBS.   All that happens is that all the other possible causes of IBS symptoms are rules out so you know notihbg awful is going on so the only conclusion is ibs  a diagnosis of exclusion.  It does not mean the symptoms are not real or that you are faking them it just means that ultimately all you can do is take preventive measures and be glad nothing awful is happening.  It is unbelievably frustrating and in some ways I'd love to have real diagnosis that this or that is causing my symptoms.

Have you been given any medication or other advice on management

3

Assuming that you are able to maintain weight, have you tried fasting to see if your digestion recovers?

Doctors often order many tests, I guess they feel it is their responsibility to do so, but often neglect to test for one's response to fasting, which was the only thing that helped my digestion after all sorts of expensive tests including a cat-scan.

I usually am back to normal after a 30-hour fast, and can accelerate the process if I am active.

The combined capacity of the liver, muscle and fat cells to manage the intake of nutrients can be exceeded, which then causes a hormonal feedback to the digestive system that can slow digestion or even to expel the intestine's contents, so any number of discomforts can arise from this.

For example, a slowed absorbtion of nutrients from the intestine will tend to cause certain nutrients to convert to gas, which by itself can effectively kink the intestine if the patient is stationary as when sleeping. Sleep disturbance from this alone could cause multiple sleep distruptions per night, even if typically gassy foods were avoided, since sugars of any type are normally absorbed rapidly from the gut.

I note that no doctor ever suggested that I try fasting, whereas fasting has been part of just about every known school of traditional medicine.

4

Don't know meg sorry. I am in a similar position. Gallbladder removed in April last year due to gallstones. Better than I was but recently been diagnosed with a Hiatus Hernia. Apparently that is quite common. Looking at posts on here and reading about IBS on Google I am fairly sure I have got it. One thing that makes me sure is I am taking Colpermin (for IBS relief) and they are definitely helping.

Hope you manage to find out what is going on with you.

Take care and keep in touch

Sarah xxx

5

Has the hospital and your doctor mentioned IBS? When everything else has been ruled out, the diagnosis is irritable bowel.

6

Hi Phillippa61759

Thank you for responding to me.  Yes, they have said I probably have IBS, as you said, after they rule out everything else,  My impression is that they 'haven't got a clue' - so that's what is 'could be'... definitely feel like it isn't taken at all seriously. Awful.

 

7

One of my eight doctors told me that she hadn't got a clue and that my symptoms were confusing!  My eighth doctor finally diagnosed IBS.

8

Hi Sarah,

Thanks so much for answering my query.  So far, I've been diagnosed with a Hiatus Hernia, but they have ruled out gallbladder, pancreas, etc. etc.  Each time, they seem so happy (big smiles) that they've rules out 'one more thing' - the last time I started to cry (unlike me) and said, 'but what in the world is it?  "Probably just irritable bowel"  he said - but to start experimenting with gluten-free and lactose-free  (doesn't work.  So incredibly awful.

9

Hi Dan,

Right now, I can't maintain my weight, which is probably the most reasonable way to test for IBS (lost 40 lbs. since last September.  Mainitaining my weight now, thanks to Ensure, but still.  And, until now, I thought our health care system was so good.  Like you said, CatScans, X-rays, Ultrasounds show nothing whatsoever, so one doctor figures it's all in my mind (right!),  Tended to wish he would come down with IBS at that point.  

Thank you for answering my post... much appreciated, and good advice.

 

10

Hi Jon,

Thanks for answering my post - What you have described sounds identical to me.Elimnating other causes seems to give them the impression that 'nothing is wrong' - well, except one doctor suggested I see a psychiatrist (OMG!).. And I thought our health care system was so good!... Not so.

11

Hi,

All you need to see if you definetley have ibs is a simple blood test, ask the doctor and he will give you a letter to have a blood test to see if what you have is ibs and nothing else.  I did after 2 years of people not takeing my symptoms seriously and I have recently had a confirmation through a blood test i have ibs.  Also I have a referral by my doctor to see a dietician at the end of Jan about a change of diet.

12

Hi,

I can,t maintain my weight either, one minute its up,then its right down, i am seeing a dietician at the end of Jan about a change of diet.  You have to be referred by a doctor, so my advice to you is to go and see your doctor for a referrel.

13

Thank you so much for letting me know.  I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, so I'll ask him then.  My daughter found a good website on IBS - interesting

http://www.aboutibs.org/

14

Thanks, pHillippa - you give me some hope!!  Beginning to feel like a fraud or hyochondriac - one doctor thought the same thing as you said - confusing symptoms, and one hospital had never heard of IBS.  Nothing like our Canadian Health care system.  Found out the most important thing is to find a large downtown hospital, but still, not all that helpful.

15

I needed several tests to diagnose IBS.  I had blood test, an ultrasound and stool samples taken.  None of these showed up anything.  I saw eight doctors and seven had no answers.  One wanted to repeat all the tests and send me for an MRI or CAT scan.  My eighth doctor said this was unnecessary since I had the same symptoms for three months, was no worse, and had not developed anything new.  He diagnosed IBS.  You are lucky if only one blood test confirmed it for you.  Normally, many things have to be ruled out first.

 

16

Oh I wish they could be straight with me from the beginning. . Had a blood test a few months ago, rang up for results and told it was normal. Now when I went back to another GP yesterday I find it was not normal at all. It was raised.

They called it normal because it was what they expected because I had had my gallbladder out!! The result of all this is I now have to have another blood test next week and go back to the GP I saw yesterday the week after. If it is still raised the GP said that was an indication that I have a stone stuck in my bile duct!! Hallelujah!!!

Sarah