I Think i have IBS,Need Advice

Digestive health
1

Hello,

I am 15 and i think i have IBS, Well atleast it think i do i suffer from severe stomach cramps, headaches which lead to being loose going to the toilet. I cannot control what times i go to the toilet because it hurts that much. When im at school i get stabbing pains in my stomach and i feel i am going to need the toilet, This gets worse until i go to the toilet.

My Parents and different Doctors have all said i suffer from stress and my stomach is having spasms causing me to keep going.

I really dont think this is the problem and i need tips on how to make it better.

Thanks

2

Before settling for this IBS diagnosis make sure you get whateveritis investigated properly as lots of things can cause the feelings you are experiencing, when all these possibilities have been categorically excluded only then should you think about accepting it's IBS. I'm not talking about becoming a pain in the neck asking for every test under the sun but you just need to make sure there's nothing visible to the naked eye (or detailed scan / x-ray / ultrasound / other) going on in there. Unless they look in detail rather than a bit of poking here and there and chin stroking they're not going to find anything, chronic abdominal problems are classic for being undetectable at first glance / on simple examination / based on external appearences

3

Hi Annonymous,

My daughter is 16 and has been having similar problems for the last couple of months. It started after a 24 hour stomach bug, and she became very anxious about going out with friends as she constantly worried that she would need a toilet, or that she would have stomach pain.This all coincided with me being ill and I know that she was worried about me !!We tried some different prescriptions from the Dr that did not help ,but have discovered that \"Rescue Remedy\", available without prescription or from health shops has made a huge improvement. However, IBS is not an illness itself, but a symptom of something not working properly, or a reaction to certain foods. We kept a diary to see if the pain and loose motions occurred after any particular food, or at a particular time of the month, and that information was useful in ruling out food intolerances.Keep going back to your Dr until you get something to help you as you are far too young to have your life disrupted by constant pain, and it is hard for other people your age to appreciate how uncomfortable and miserable it can make you feel.Best of luck and hope it gets better for you soon. Pauline, Dublin, Ireland

4

I was in my teens when I had similar symptoms, but my GP suggested doing a Food diary, for 3 months, writing everything down that I eat and drink, and what symptoms I get after it, ie. cramps, diarrohea, nausea, pain, etc,

I did this, and went to my GP and he was surprised that certain foods that I have eaten for some years, are now having an affect on me, He then referred me to a Food Intolerance Consultant, who then tested a load of foods on my arm, and monitored the reaction, we came to the conclusion that I was lactose intolerant and protein intolerant, (basically dairy products had an effect on my bowel and Gut).

I was then referred to a Bowel Specialist who performed some (not so pleasant), tests, ie, scopes up the rectum,biopsy of the bowel, barium enema, etc, and gave me diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Put me on a specific diet, high fibre etc, and gave me Peppermint capsules, and bowel tablet, (Loperamide (immodium), a muscle spasm relaxant (colofac), and I have managed to live with the condition now for 30 years,

There is obviously changes in the tests, and treatments to what I have had 30 years ago, but some of the treatments are the same.

I would suggest you keep a Food and Drink diary and everything you put in your mouth, and how the bowel reacts and put down whether you had bowel movements that were like this and that, (not to be too detailed on here), and if you had spasms, cramps, wind, flatulence, constipation, etc,

It will need to be true and detailed correctly for them to fully know your symptoms and then refer to a specialist to get a proper diagnosis.. and once you get the diagnosis confirmed then you can start to manage the condition and move forward in your life - it may not be plain sailing there will be good days and bad days, with your bowel but you will soon adjust to dealing with them.

My neice has been diagnosed with IBS the constipation format, when she was 16, she is now 24 and managing fine with her diet, and lifestyle.

let us know how you get on with the food diary and your gp, we are all on here to support you and understand what it is like to have bowel days.!!

gentle hugs xxx

5

GO STRAIGHT TO THE CHEMIST,BUY VITAMIN B6(ONLY) AND MAGNESIUM.

TAKE ONE OF EACH - ONLY,EVERY MORNING.

YOU SHOULD FEEL A BIT BETTER AFTER A FEW HOURS,AFTER 3-4 DAYS,YOU'LL FEEL AMAZING!