Hi everyone I am a 19 y old girl I have always suffered with gastro related issues and I was diagnosed with ibs about three years ago. However, it has gotten progressively worse. I have been prescribed things such as mebeverine and I regularly take medicines such as colpermin and gaviscon but they rarely take any effect. To be honest I am nearly at the end of my tether. The pain I get with this condition is ruining my life. I try to single out foods which trigger but I can't work out any sort of a pattern. Sometimes I will have weeks worth of agonising pain accompanied with bouts of constipation or diarrhoea or other times I will be symptomless. I had a sigmoidoscopy last month as a result of rectal bleeding but they didn't find any thing apart from some polyps. The doctor told me to eat more fibre but I don't think it is doing me any good. This week I have been eating loads of veg and fruit, no bread or pasta cos hat always flares me up. But yesterday all of a sudden I had this absolutely agonising pain come up in my stomach. It was probably the worst attack I've ever had. I couldn't even walk and as I was in public I had to lock myself in a toilet for an hour to try and ease the pain. However this did not help and I ended up getting on the wrong bus just so I could sit down. It was just crippling. In the end I got off the bus and went down a road hoping there would be somewhere I could lie down (I know it sounds ridiculous) and I ended up sitting down in the park. I called 111 cos I didn't know what to do and I was just sat there crying my eyes out in crippling pain. Then some passers by ended up calling an ambulance for me despite my protesting.
When the ambulance got to me I could tell they weren't going to take me seriously because I wasn't vomiting etc, but I was in such agonising pain. It was so embarrassing cos I knew they weren't taking me seriously. In the end they just dropped me off at the train station to go home. Needless to say it was the worst journey I've ever had to do. For the life of me I cannot work out what triggered the attack. I'd eaten fruit for breakfast and drank water. I can't emphasize the pain enough. I know I need to see my doctor but I hate being fobbed off and I find it really hard when someone doesn't take me seriously. This condition is ruining my life I have missed so much both in my personal and work life cos of it. I just wanted to get this off my chest and I just wondered if anyone else could relate to it or had any tips. Please don't dismiss me!! Haha.
I haven't got any great advice for you I'm afraid. I've only been diagnosed a few months so this is all a bit new to me. Maybe the acid in the fruit affected you? Either way I do sympathise. The pain can be excruciating. I've been in tears with it rolling on the floor in agony. It can be hard to get taken seriously. Could you maybe see a different gp? Wishing you lots of luck.
helloellenkitty, I can definitely relate to how you feel about seeing GP, I have panic attacks now if I think I have to see them now because I get the same vibes as you, that they are not really interested, and I am a lot older than you ( 55 ). I have oesphagitis, diverticulosis IBS and a rare digestive condition called sphincter of oddi dysfunction and I am in agony sometimes. I get told the same, eat more fibre but if not done in a balanced way it can be the worse thing to do.there are two types of fibre soluble and insoluble. soluble is best for constipation and insoluble is best for loose or diarreah.You can google to find out which ones are which.Also drink plenty of fluid because the fibre needs fluid or it will just block you up.Also if you take antispasmodics they cause constipation so may not always help IBS if you are prone to constipation. I get so angry with these doctors, they diagnose thes conditions and then just leave us to get on with it. I have found more info off the internet than from doctors. Hope this helps.
Hi Helloellenkitty,
Sorry to hear of your distress. My symptoms were exactly as you describe. I have cured mine completely by eating a tablespoonful of natural bran on cereal every day. It was the only way I could get enough roughage to give my system enough work to do. Like you, my doctor said I should eat more roughage, but normal foods didn't have any effect. Bran cured me completely, to the point that I no longer need it, but it took a few years. I would urge you to try it for at least a week. Sounds to me as if you have nothing to lose.
Thanks everyone for your replies it's reassuring for me that other people are going through the same problem. I just don't know what to do cos it seems my body is so unpredictable. One day the tiniest thing will set it off and the next it won't. I guess it doesn't help that I am constantly stressed and overtired. I will have to see a dodoctor next week but I don't think that will help. They'll probly just 'examine' my tummy and then tell me to eat more fiber. I'm totally sick if that. I think with the way things are going I will end up having to pay for an expert to help me.
Hi,
To turn off the symptoms you need to find the cause.
See Sara Southgate in Leamington Spa.
She found the cause of my IBS : gluten,dairy,chocolate,coffee,red wine.
I have led a normal life since.
Doctors can't help you.
Bob
MY MOTHER HAS LONG TERM IBS, WHICH WAS IRRITATED BY (FEC) CHEMO THAT SHE HAD FOR BREAST CANCER, SO THE CHEMO HAS STOPPED HER BOWEL FROM WORKIN NORMALLY, AND ALL THE DOCS HAVE SAID THAT THAT IS RUBBISH, MY MOTHER IS DOWN IN WEIGHT TO 5 STONE DEAD. HAS ANYONE HAD THE SAME PROBS AND IF SO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO COMBAT THIS . Search took 0.86 seconds
See Coeliac UK website....believe me you all have the symptoms, and...quote the following to your GP:
"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 research.
N,B, It is important that the NICE Guidelines are followed and that coeliac disease is screened for before a diagnosis of IBS is given."
Elizabeth - take your mother back to GP and ask for a referral to a Gastroenterologist asap.
Read up on Coeliac disease on the Coeliac UK website
Two years ago NICE instructed GP's to consider Coeliac disease and test for it first before diagnosing IBS.....clearly this is not happening.
All on this forum need to read up on the condition and see all the different symptoms you can experience with this problem. Gluten causes the villi hairs in the small intestine to withdraw into the gut and thus you no longer absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals...become anaemic, etc.etc. This could be what is wrong with your bowels....and a change to the strict Gluten free diet (which is nothing like as onerous these days as it used to be) may get you well again. You will also get bread and flour and a few other basic products on Prescription if diagnosed.
You need to contact Coeliac UK to get all the information you need - you will get a Food Directory each year with all the gluten free (GF) products at the Supermarkets as well as other providers in the market)....gluten is in wheatflour, barley and rye and is hidden in so many foods that you would not even think of!!
Bobthestock - it could just be the gluten you need to eliminate - perhaps dairy...but as a Coeliac there is plenty of GF chocolate, and coffee and red wine do not contain it....Request the specific blood test via your GP.
Also - please all of you contact Coeliac UK and let them know the responses your are getting from your GP's on this - because GP's are ignoring the Guidelines....you can work out for yourself why that may be....
HI Helloellenkitty, I understand your pain. I feel its very easy for everyone here to say dont eat this, or eat this, but one thing ive learnt is IBS affects everyone differently. Ive had stomache problems for years and years and got diagnosed 2 years ago with IBS. I was prescribed Mebeverine, but have started taking Colofac which is the ingredient in Mebeverine and ive found it a bit easier...but only thro trial and error. I also take alverine (or spasmadol), for after i eat and the pain kicks in...usually 10mins after i eat.
I used to eat a healthy lifestyle...would cook everything from scratch, would eat brown bread, no pasta, eat LOADS of fruit and veg....my diet now consists of white bread, hardly any fruit and veg and i find the worse food i eat ie processed food, the easier i feel... Now.... a lot of people will have uproar and shout to not eat processed food or white bread and how bad it is, but the one thing ive learnt is you do whats right for you. Have you tried keeping a food diary so you can see if there are any triggers?
Work is a nightmare for me, i sit in an office and sometimes can go to the toilet 5x in 10mins,,,,its embarassing and frustrating, but i have no control. i know certain triggers, but there are days where i will have a flare up for no rhyme or reason.
Ive just started seeing a hypnotherapist and going to yoga...im trying anything,
I hope you start to feel easier as i know the pain and how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be
nomio,I have found too with all my digestive problems,that some healty foods can make things worse, and that like you white bread etc is fine. Someone suggested to me that maybe its because the system has to work harder with fibre etc so in a digestive system with problems it causes pain etc. Also people aren't told that if you eat lots of fibre you need to drink lots of fluid or it will cause problems and also antispasmodics slow the bowel down which can then make constipation worse if you are prone to this. Like you I find everything is trial and error.I do take a fibregel supplement everyday and I find this helps me but like you said different things work for different people.
Given the numerous reports by IBS sufferers that there seems no direct triggers, which for most there are not, then food isnt the issue. Sometimes, foods just doesnt agree with the individual, it causes a reaction, like eating too many oranges may give you tummy ache. Bananas give me indigestion. The fact that episodes can go weeks between whilst eating more or less the same diet, makes me doubt it cannot be in the food alone
I have never had an IBS reaction eating fish ever though.
But it is a strange illness due to the variation of peoples responses.
sorry to hear that about your pain.
me too had similar symptoms like you.
but I've go better with some natural herbs "Aloe vera and Senna tea".
try visiting a natural herbs store asking them about "Aloe vera and Senna tea" ?? and see which of two is suitable for you??
hope this helps and get better soon.
regards,
Helloellenkitty, so sorry to hear your problems especially being so young. Now you know why they call it Irritable Bowel Syndrome, because it covers all aspects of bowel problems and is so irritating. My problem is diarrheao - and initially was told to eat more fibre - which is the worst thing to have with my problem. I have had all the medications from the doctor, (people on here have mentioned) even anti depressants for a short time. Had hospital investigations etc., Because it was often related to panic attacks I had CBT, Acupuncture, Hypnotism, Symprove (for 3 months) etc. I'm now taking Loperamide (Immodium) if I didn't take that I'd be house-bound for sure. I know its not ideal taking these drugs, sometimes I take up to 8 tablets per day - I just wish there was a magic cure, as it's not only affected my lifestyle but my husband has to put up with it as well - which makes me feel upset and guilty for all the so often last minute cancellations / disappointments, not to mention time and money wasted. I hope you can get yourself sorted out soon.
Again - do look at the Coeliac UK website which is for sufferers with IBS symptoms as well....a lot of information on here which could help you. If you will try anything to get well, start here! You can contact them to describe your symptoms via their Talk to Us link...and get sound advice.
my mther was tested for celiac in 2010 and found not having it. the problem is that she had (fec chemo) 4 yrs ago now and she had ibs for donkeys years before the chemo, so the specialist told us that the chemo would irritate the ibs (and make It worse) its not impossible to treat but would be difficult. unfortantly the specialist didn't write it in mams notes, so all the other specialists docs don't believe us.
mams bowel doesn't work (she cant push the motions out and has to digitise,(use her fingers), the docs have ruled out a bag, also (she has lost a lot of weight, and she cant use the build up drinks as they are made of fruit / milk and she is lacto intolerant (has anyone come across this problem before or is suffering from this condition we are at the end of our teather, and very worried about mam. she's seen numerous specialists etc, and they have given us no hope. PLEASE PLEASE CAN ANYONE GIVE US ANY HELP. WE ARE DESPERRATE, THANKS LIZ
Is there no way you can go back to the original Specialist if he is at the same hospital? Under the circumstances I think you should follow up this route if you possibly can. You could ring the hospital and speak to his secretary and tell her the difficulty you have....and that other doctors do not believe you. She is likely to take it up with him for you. If he has moved elsewhere the hospital should know where to and/or track him down for you. Good Luck.
For the record it is the Gluten in bread - any type of bread - and anything made with wheatflour, barley or rye, which makes Coeliac's ill....just a crumb of it can cause problems for up to 48 hours until it has cleared the system. Unfortunately it is in all sorts of products which you would not think of.
carol 13, the 1specialist that mam saw (cancer one) has now retired and the chemo (oncologist ) has moved to Canada, so we are stuck .
Don't give up Elizabeth - keep going back to your GP and asking for another referral - perhaps to a Gastroenteroligist. Your mum obviously needs urgent help as soon as possible. As the situation does affect her bowels then you could still ask questions about help via Coeliac Org UK - cick their Talk to Us link. You need to try anywhere you can for help ....they have so many people struggling to find out what is wrong with them they will do what they can to help yo I am sure. Lots of people with IBS contact them - and those with anything strange going on with their bowels. Even Dr Chris was amazed when he found out he had it!
I will try and give you a link below - if this website will allow it to be published, Otherwise do a Search for Dr Christ Steele Coeliac.
I am much older than you, but until recently I had all the same symptoms, and one of my brothers is the same. I went to a naturopath, and found out that I am gluten intolerant, lactose intolerant, and sensitive to a long list of ordinary foods.....cauliflower, brussel sprouts, onions, cabbage. I also react badly to fructose (fruit sugar) and a bunch of chemical additives. Within 3 or 4 days of a non allergic diet (I ate fish, chicken,spinach, carrots, lettuce, eggs and rice/vermicelli - rice noodles). I felt heaps better, a lot more energy, and no diarrhoea or stomach pain......and I hardly ever pass wind......something I previously did, a LOT!