IBS Without Change in Bowel Movements

Hi,

My doctor has stated he thinks I am suffering from IBS. I have severe stomach cramps and pains, heartburn, headaches, on occasion I find it hard to go to the toilet however this is very seldom. The pains have been horrific, I have had scans done which ruled out Gallstones etc. I had H pylori years ago which tests have confirmed is gone. So this has been ruled out as well. Reading up on IBS most people suffer from a change in bowel movements, can anyone tell me if they have IBS without any change in bowels? I am not 100% convinced I have IBS.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Hello, Sorry to hear you are having a bad time with pain. In answer to your question I am not 100% sure but think that it is possible to have IBS with mainly pain rather than bowel changes. Are you anxious or under

any stress this could affect your digestive system. I am sure you will have answers from other members who

maybe can confirm this. Has your GP given you antispasmodics to help with cramps? Hang on in there and

try to relax hard I know if you are in pain but it does help. Good luck.

Check out Coeliac Org UK - and send your symptoms to them via their "Talk to Us" link...they may be able tohelp. There is lots of information on their website about IBS and bowel problems!

Thank you for getting back to me. I have been tested for coeliac and this came back negative. I was give medication however these didn't help , I am no taking 600mg of zantac and codeine painkillers . These are the only things that seem to help. Thanks for the advice guys!!

If you haven't been referred to a Gastroenterologist by your GP - request this next Fedup! Persist!

Do look at Coeliac Org UK website anyway as lots of info on there which covers bowel problems and research...IBS etc. and .they are finding out more all the time. Good Luck.

Hi there I can help a little, I have post infective ibs. This ibs is different from your average ibs in that my bowel is damaged as normal ibs is mainly an intolerance. Both are stress related tho. My toilet habit have only changed mildly, I just go more often, when I'm having a release this can be 10 times plus a day. Consistency is normal tho, and when I'm having a bad time there is blood and mucus. I suffer with sickness as there are lots of things I can no longer digest, this can be very sudden and violent. No seeds, nuts, pips, hard skins, have to peal veg n fruit to eat it, no beans or pulses, fried food, rbrown rice bread or pasta, the list is endless. Because my ibs is do different it took me 8 months to get diagnosed, 2 operations, 3 months in hospital over 8 months period, nearly lost my job, wreaked my relationship, so I lost my home. But I'm much better now. Ibs is a strange thing, in a sence it saved me aswell tho

For info from Coeliac UK website:

"Keep eating gluten throughout the diagnosis process

If you think you may have coeliac disease, it’s essential to continue eating gluten until your doctor makes a diagnosis.

The diagnostic tests for coeliac disease look at how the body responds to gluten. Some people may start to reduce or eliminate gluten from their diet because they feel ill. Unfortunately this is very likely to cause an inaccurate result for both the blood test and the gut biopsy. Therefore, it’s very important to keep eating gluten throughout the diagnosis process.

If you've already reduced or eliminated gluten from your diet, you will need to reintroduce it to make sure you get the most accurate test results. While it may be difficult and uncomfortable, it’s essential for your long term health.

As a general guideline, the recommendation is to eat some gluten in more than one meal every day for at least six weeks before testing.

For children, you can mix wheat flour into foods such as yoghurt or baked beans to add more gluten into their diet.

If you are reintroducing gluten into your diet, you should discuss how best to manage your symptoms with your GP. Your GP will be able to arrange for you to be tested for coeliac disease as soon as it is appropriate.

We understand how hard it is to get diagnosed if you have started a gluten-free diet. Getting a medical diagnosis, however, is important to ensure you get the medical follow up and support that is recommended for people with coeliac disease. Unfortunately, there are no other tests that can diagnose coeliac disease other than the antibody blood test and the gut biopsy. These tests depend on people eating gluten."

"Irritable bowel syndrome:

Almost a quarter of people with coeliac disease had previously been told they had IBS or were treated for it before they were diagnosed with coeliac disease, according to recent research1. It is important that the NICE Guidelines are followed and that coeliac disease is screened for before a diagnosis of IBS is given".