IBS?

Digestive health
1

I'm 57 and never had any tummy or bowel problems so when I suddenly started having persistent diarrhoea 6 weeks ago I knew it wasn't normal for me. Had blood tests and having a sigmoidoscopy later today. My GP thinks it's probably IBS. Can this condition suddenly develop? I've never had trouble before.

2

IBS can suddenly develop.  In February 2015, I was fine one day and the next morning I woke up with raging abdominal pain.  This progressed to  persistant constipation, nausea, back pain and loose stools. By mid May I had my IBS diagnosis.

3

Did they gave you any meds? If so you stay calm as you did everything on time and take your meds as directed you will be fine

4

Yes, it can develop that quickly. I have had IBS for nearly 5 years. I was absolutely fine then within a month I started to have persistent diarrhoea, which increased in frequency over the following 5 or 6 months. My GP referred me for an urgent colonoscopy ( I had all the “red” flags).  I had the colonoscopy  about 10 days after the referral. Fortunately it didn’t show any signs of cancer, so IBS was diagnosed. I am now mostly able to control and manage my symptoms by diet, but I do still get the occasional flare up. 

Jan

5

Hi Jan, today I had a sigmoidoscopy today and Dr was happy with his examination. He did offer me a CT scan which he said would put my mind at rest but was very reassuring that all looked ok. My symptoms are slightly  improved which he said was good . Am I right in thinking there is no test to confirm IBS? May I ask how you manage yours?

6

I've not been prescribed any meds just been told to take Imodium when needed.

7

You’re right, there is no specific diagnostic tool to identify IBS. It is usually only diagnosed when other illnesses or conditions are eliminated. I manage my IBS symptoms by the Low  Fodmap diet, and occasional use of Immodium when I have a flare  up. I have to say that since eliminating high Fodmap foods from my diet I have been so much better. Foods such as mushrooms, garlic and onions wreak havoc on me. I can highly recommend the Low Fodmap diet but you really do have to scrutinise every single ingredient in all the foods you eat to make sure none of your triggers are included. For example some supermarket own  brands of tomato ketchup have onions in them, major brands don’t. 

Good luck and I hope you’re doing better soon. 

Jan

8

Hi, there is no test to confirm IBS, basically they rule other things out, everything normal, and if the problems persist they say you have IBS, it's a weird sort of complaint, a syndrome is a problem with specific cause, you should check out the FODMAP DIET, gives you a list of foods etc likely to be problematic, and things ok to eat.

9

Hi

Mine developed in my early fifties , im 56 now. after a bad bout of campylobacter stomach infection. But i believe a lot of my bowel problems are because of the perimenopause. Have you stopped your periods yet? are you menopausal? I really believe hormones are playing a big part of my ibs being exaggerated. 

10

Hi Kim, I'm 57 and periods stopped about 2 yrs ago and have not had many menopausal problems apart from the occasional hot flush! I can't think of anything that might have set it off but the last couple of days have been slightly better. Once I've had the CT scam to rule out anything else I'll start keeping a good diary.