Hi all
I am a 35 year old female. I was diagnosed as having IBS last May. I had been suffering from what I had assumed was a reoccuring stomach bug. Roughly once a month, starting in February, for about 5 days I was feeling nauseous and having all sorts of trouble at the other end (mostly having many successful motions, of varying consistency, but still not feeling empty afterwards). I went to my doctor and after ignoring me for 2 minutes said "you've got IBS" and kicked me out of his office. He prescribed omeprazole and an antisickness drug. I wasn't convinced so I talked it through with the chemist who said the drugs wouldn't harm me, so I took them for a few weeks and felt much better.
After discussion with a friend of mine who has chronically bad IBS I started a food and exercise diary. I wasn't ill for the rest of the year so I stopped keeping the diary at Christmas. A few days ago the whole thing started again.
So, is my doctor right? I'm not convinced. From keeping a diary for 7 months I couldn't see any kind of pattern (admittly because the whole thing stopped once I started the diary). I eat fairly well, I exercise regularly, I'm fairly laid back so stress isn't an issue. Am I suffering from IBS?
Any comments gratefully recieved :-)
Hi..sorry im not replying with an answer to your question but the symptoms you explained are simlar to something i have been experiencing the past few weeks. I thought i had some sort of bug. Reoccouring bouts of diarreah( sorry about the spelling). Vary rarely i have stomach cramps with it just the urge to pass. but i have severe nausea to the point i feel like im going to vomit although i have not vomited at all. I feel hot followed by cold and sweat and shake really badly. I check my temp regulary while i feel like this and it is normal. I had a period of illness like this for about 12 days..i have been better the past 10 days but this morning after a latte (i drink coffee 1-2 times a week but always have caffinated tea) i had severe stomach ache and had to pass soft watery stools twice in about 30 minutes. i also started feeling very sick. after taking 2 immodium the diarreah has stopped although i still have stomach ache and pressure in my bum as if i need to empty my bowels. Have you also experienced symptoms like this? on reading symptoms of ibs it always mentions stomach bloating and cramps and i have only suffered with cramps this morning. I sent a stool sample away with my gp and the results this morning came back normal. I have an appoinytment to see him on wednesday. Im 25, an ex smoker, non drinker and otherwise healthy. Iv always been a fan of rich spicy foods and never had a problem after eating such meals. I have steered clear of those foods since i have been suffering but cannot see a link with my symptoms and anything else ive eaten.
Hi tessy2310,
Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I have found it all the more upsetting because until last year I had a cast-iron stomach! Having read around the subject some more I think it probably is IBS. Mine doesn't seem to be bought on by food, though I think it might be triggered by physical exertion. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine. Particularly always feeling like I need to go to the loo even when I've just been and constantly feeling sick but never actually being sick. It sucks doen't it?!
Hi all,
It could be intolerance to dairy foods. I notice you felt bad after a latte - why not see whether your symptoms are worse after eating anything with milk, cheese, yoghurt or cream. If so, try leaving those out of your diet for a while and see if that improves.
Help your GP to reach a diagnosis by keeping a diary of what you eat and your symptoms. That way certain conditions can be ruled out straight away.
Best wishes
Henhouse Hilary
Hi.. Thank you for your replies. I did Think about the fact it could be something to do with the dairy. But i ate out last week, had jacket potato with cheese and beans, had a latte and was fine. Iv seen my Dr again today. Iv had a blood test and need to call back in 3 days. Until then Im just having to put up with it. The nausea is the worst part. I hate it. I have thought about the fact it could be psychological. My nausea seems to get worse when i know my meal is being cooked. And sometimes the nausea comes from the throat the stomach. I feel like crying at times as its really getting me down now.
Hello again Tessy2310, my doctor put me on omeprazole and that seems to help. He also gave me anti-sickness drugs. It's worth discussing these treatments with the doctor. I hope you are feeling better :-)
Hi again. My Dr has prescribed lansoprazole 30 to take alongside domperidone. Iv been on them 2 days now. However iv found that when i eat now i suffer from chest pain and tightening and a feeling i have something stuck in my throat. I did have to see an emergency gp about the throat feeling (chest pain had not started at this point as i had not eaten) iv now been given Diazepam for possible anxiety.
I have had some of the same symptoms described, but I also have soreness and tenderness at times on my left and right rib cages associated with the above listed symptoms. I have had x-rays, CT scans, upper endoscopy, colonoscopy. All came back normal. Doctor prescribed omeprazole as well as nortriptyline. I find that they help, but after I drink beer my abdomen becomes really sore. Anyone else have a sensitivity to beer?
Bill
hi tessy
this sounds so familiar. I have none of the "normal" Ibs symptoms like bloating, running to toilet but I have still been diagnosed with a functional bowel disorder having wakened one morning with acute nausea (like morning sickness only worse as at least you know what causes it"!!!) and morning diahorrea. I literally go once a day but had a 2 stone weight loss in about a month. I have seen specialists who have done numerous tests but so far have found nothing. as a busy stay-at-home mum everything I have read about IBS doesnt seem to match up to what I am experiencing., nausea, extreme tiredness, light-headedness. I often worry that it is something worse that they havent found yet but have seen 2 different gastroentrologists who both diagnosed a functional bowel disorder. Cant seem to find any triggers (food etc) but worse during period. Please reply as these forums can be a lifeline.
Hi gracesam, its sort of a relief to hear someone is hav iing the same symptoms as me...Im sure my gp thinks Im going mad. Iv not had a referral to a specialist yet as Dr is still running tests. My thyroid test was normal. My lft was slightly elevated but could be because of the tablets i take for nausea so am having it redone in 3 weeks. I have to go and have a celiac test tomorrow...if that comes back ok Il be referred to hospital. Iv started taking Diazepam also now and have been offered CBT as they think it could be due to anxiety. Iv lost just over 2 stone in the same amount of time. My appetite differs. Managed a baked potato yday (yay me!!) but still don't eat as much as i used to. My bowel movements are slightly improving...they're firmer but more frequent. Just hope i get a diagnosis soon. What tests have you had?
Hi gracesam, its sort of a relief to hear someone is hav iing the same symptoms as me...Im sure my gp thinks Im going mad. Iv not had a referral to a specialist yet as Dr is still running tests. My thyroid test was normal. My lft was slightly elevated but could be because of the tablets i take for nausea so am having it redone in 3 weeks. I have to go and have a celiac test tomorrow...if that comes back ok Il be referred to hospital. Iv started taking Diazepam also now and have been offered CBT as they think it could be due to anxiety. Iv lost just over 2 stone in the same amount of time. My appetite differs. Managed a baked potato yday (yay me!!) but still don't eat as much as i used to. My bowel movements are slightly improving...they're firmer but more frequent. Just hope i get a diagnosis soon. What tests have you had?
Hi gracesam, its sort of a relief to hear someone is hav iing the same symptoms as me...Im sure my gp thinks Im going mad. Iv not had a referral to a specialist yet as Dr is still running tests. My thyroid test was normal. My lft was slightly elevated but could be because of the tablets i take for nausea so am having it redone in 3 weeks. I have to go and have a celiac test tomorrow...if that comes back ok Il be referred to hospital. Iv started taking Diazepam also now and have been offered CBT as they think it could be due to anxiety. Iv lost just over 2 stone in the same amount of time. My appetite differs. Managed a baked potato yday (yay me!!) but still don't eat as much as i used to. My bowel movements are slightly improving...they're firmer but more frequent. Just hope i get a diagnosis soon. What tests have you had?
hi Tessy. I think my worry is that I dont really have that many symptoms of IBS. I dont have any bloating, only one bowel movement in the morning which is usually diahorrea. Have been getting a lot of backpain recently - have always suffered from heavy periods so had coil fitted last year which helped but pain so similiar to period pain. I initially was referred to gynae and had all the usual ultrasounds/biopsies but all clear.
I have had a barium enema; ultrasound to check gallbladder and endoscope to check stomach. I have also had food allergy tests which changed every time I went back!!! also attended Jan De Vries clinic every month but each time I went they changed the drops etc I was given and it was costing me a fortune!!! also I felt it didnt give the initial stuff a chance to work. no improvement so stopped going. Some people recommend acupuncture or reflexology. Also IBS sufferers usually have flareups - mine can improve slightly but I never have a day I feel 100%. What about you??
Hello tessy,, I feel so sorry for you with the sickness,, I dont have that thank goodness,,,just the bother at the other end, Mine seems to be worse if i have to go anywhere, i get really anxious and wonder if maybe Diazepam might help?
I see that nobody else has mentioned it but i cant be the only one who has a sore botty after a bad 'do'..?
I found that Anusol HC helps a bit,
Hi Gracesam,
I used to have terrible problems with periods and that used to affect my digestive system and give me terrible back pain. Maybe your digestive issues are gynaecological rather than IBS? I had a microwave endometrial ablution in the end which helped tremendously but isn't advised if you plan on having any children. Now that I have IBS (probably) my symptoms with this are very different to the symptoms I had with my gynae problems. The gynae symptoms were back pain, joint pain, dizziness, nausea, chronic abdominal cramps, feeling like I needed to defecate all the time, loss of apetite and lack of energy (probably from the lack of apetite and nausea). It might be worth discussing this with your GP (though they never seem to have much sympathy for womens problems in my experience).
I hope you feel better soon.