I first started experiencing IBS symptoms 8/9 years ago went to the GP and they done nothing at first. Then a few years later the symptoms got worse so I went back, they put it down to my gallbladder this time, so that got removed.
Which in fact did not help the symptoms at all. So again another trip to the GP, after a million and one tests ( no colonoscopy as they refused to give me one ) they then suggested IBS. There after I was introduced to a cocktail of drugs and got told "it takes a while to find the right one" I am currently on amitriptyline and lopremide and I feel there of no help. I have tried almost all diets known to help IBS and had no luck. This has altered my life, I'm anxious to eat when I'm out, if i do go out I'm constantly worried incase I need the toilet. I have recently went back to the GP and explained this him and quickly got dismissed AGAIN.
I am at loss of what to do.
Help?
You are the one who has to live with this.Is there another GP who might listen to you?
Is it possible to take a friend or relative to the GP with you who can support you in all this?
Hope you get some answers
Keep in touch
Take care
Sarah
I hope you're not still going to the same GP who decided it was yor gall bladder.
If you haven't already done so, I'd recommend reading everything the Mayo Clinic has to say about IBS on their website. They're tops in the US IMO. Try some of the things they recommend that are outside of standard medical school solutions.
Good luck!
GP's can be very unsupportive. have you kept a food diary? or done an elimination diet?
I suffered similarly for 5 years needing to be near a toilet or just tolerating eating as little as possible and going hungry for fear of not being near one, I tried the low starch approach which although helped to a degree but certainly wasnt the answer and probably more likely just because of how little i was eating, eventually (after 5 years of constantly complaining to my GP and dietician) I started to think I had a problem with egg and peanuts (never really had reason to think it was them before). But since I gave up both those things I pretty much have it under control - and less migraines oddly enough - with avoiding those two things and doing low starch and low dairy it does seem to keep it in check. Although IBS diets in themselves may not be the answer, trying it in combination with eliminating certain foods that you may never have suspected might be - a real pain to try out I know, especially if you've already tried the different diets before! Unfortunately though I found like you it's a case of deal with it and work it out for yourself eventually. Even my dietician was surprised to find out I thought I had a problem with eggs and told me it was more likely to be something else. Although as others have mentioned it sounds like you need a new GP, as I would hope they have at least considered coeliac disease before fobbing you off with IBS? I too had my gallbladder removed and although it doesnt appear to have affected me in anyway, it certainly didn't fix the problem either. Hope you figure it out