Not diagnosed but doc thinks IBS, but symptoms aren't typical

Digestive health
1

Hi,

I've been having some strange things going on recently and many trips to the docs. Blood work is all fine (iron, coeliac, liver, thyroid etc) although I am awaiting an ultrasound scan of my stomach and pelvis, ovarian cancer blood test and a gastorentology appointment. I'm 27, just FYI. 

Here are my symptoms. For the last several weeks I have had nausea (sporadically), some stomach cramping, back ache, acid reflux, bloating, dizziness, headaches (worse on waking), strange feelings in ears and generally just feeling very rubbish. Often things improve as soon as I eat only to return an hour or so later. It's got better since the first week this started but I'm certainly not back to 100%.

So, the doc thinks I might be finally dignaosed with ibs but my symptoms don't seem typical with ibs (e.g. the diarrhea and constipation). I haven't had any change in bowel movements, in fact they've even got better and more regular as I've been eating a lot more to try to build up my strength. I didn't used to eat much prioer to all of this if I'm honest. 

It seems like my symptoms are like a roulette as I'll never know how I'll feel one day to the next. If I'm honest it's really getting me down and has completely changed my outlook. I don't feel like the same person and I'm scared to go out and socialise as often it seems if I go out and have a couple of drinks I'll get cramping and then feel hideous the next day. I used to drink more and feel fine so this is very unusual. 

Anyway, any insight would be very much appreciated. I feel like I'm going out of my mind. 

Thanks in advance

2

First of all if you don't think it's just ibs then keep pushing your Dr for further tests. Ibs can be a symptom of other conditions: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia etc. If you do have any of those conditions any alcohol can make you worse, sometimes up to weeks. I have all 3 and don't drink any alcohol and haven't for 6 yrs. Do a food and symptom diary. You might find a pattern in something you eat or do. It will also help in your diagnosis. Stress will make your symptoms worse as will over ecserting yourself. The more info your Dr has the more they can help you.

3

Have your docs sonogramed your organs?

Have they suggested taking probiotics.

I have IBS. In the beginning it was diarrhea now it's constipation I've been on a healthy diet for months. I've stopped eating diary (yogurt), all breads. I'm on a gluten free for two weeks & my bowel movement has changed for the better. I still have incomplete movement & go various times during the day. Now I only get bloated when I'm constipated.

probiotics, vitamins have helped.

ask your GI to test your stool for parasites, ecoli...

your acid reflux might be a reason too.

I have a hernia along w this & following up w a surgeon bc I breath out a horrible odor.

Hope my experience has helped.

best of luck.

4

Hmm, your symptoms seem to be ibs sort of but you're just too young! You need everything checking out if you change your diet completely then maybe that explains your symptoms. It could be a number of other things who knows you need to speak to the professionals.

5

After almost 10 yrs same being said to me IBS ,due to autoimmune ,but I didn't have IBS symptoms .Ive had private foods and drink done £ 149 ,came back allergic to Wheat ,Barley ,Corn ,Cows Milk ,Egg Whites ,Harricot beans ,Soy ,Almonds .

   Go get a full food/drink bloods done ,least your have what allergys are at root cause maybe ,wish I had it done yrs ago now .

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I think it's a good next step isn't it. I'll see if I can get them done on the nhs first bit of that's going to take too long I'll look into private. Thanks

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As a quick update. I had a couple of drinks last night with some friends. Ive now got painful low left side back ache. And the swelling/bloating on my left side of my abdomen has also been slightly uncomfortable. I don't know if intolerances/allergies or even IBS would contribute to this???

Just to top it all off my top right wisdom tooth has been on the move and has pierced the gum. Might explain the headaches I've been having.

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I had mine done within 9 days I had results Via EMail ,plus a thyroid as well £ 59 ,then follow up written report in depth ,I was very pleased from this Lab here in UK ( recommended to me by another) My thyroid showed up antibodies that were high .

   4 yrs ago I had NHS ,but they only do basic  fur ,pollen etc ,not food or drink ,unless you've got allergies like Ecezema etc ,to get more through NHS its a long winded prossess .As I said private was way I should have gone .NHS its down to time and cost full stop .

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...or check if part of your employment benefit scheme includes basic health insurance. We have the opportunity to pay for treatment, including food tests and claim an amount back as refund xxx

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As an RN for over 40 yrs and an IBS sufferer, I could write a book, but let me answer some questions. There are 2 types, 1)  mostly diarrhea 2 the kind that vacillates from extreme cramping constipation and the diarrhea. You may or may not feel relief on deffication. They now have a test for IBS, but I hear it is not entirely fool proof. I ultimately had an MRI of my colon with contrast(contrast) being very important, that revealed my colon

spasmed every inch. The pain can be anywhere in your bowel, most c/o

pain on your left or right sides where the colon makes the turns. Even

having gas is painful. Foods I know all should avoid are pop ( carbonated

water, caffeine, acid drinks, alcohol, and coffee. These make IBS worse. Yes you can hurt clear through your back and due to the constipation and diarrhea, be bothered with hemorrhoids. Each episode I have, and they are

now nearly everyday, causes extreme fatigue and malaise. I have insomnia

and reflux along with this disease. I have tried every experimental

medication out there and now take an old drug that works better than them

all. Librax, it slows down your gut. I also get a pain pill from my PCP and if

the pain is too severe, I take it. If you do not have reflux, Bentyl with phrenobarbitol works great, just stop it when you begin to feel better as it slows it down too much and makes the reflux worse. Another note, have your gall bladder checked as a lot of people confuse the 2. A note on that, your IBS will get worse once you have you're gall bladder out because the bile is dumped directly in your stomach and then quickly to your colon--- another irritant to your colon. Probiotics help some as does yogurt, neither helped me. I do a least once a week get a headache at the very back of my head. As quick as the food moves through it's a miracle one can gain weight, but you can, oh I almost forgot, 2 things1 milk makes it worse in some and 2 stress always makes it worse. Well hope this helps. If it's any consolation, most people who have IBS, do not develope cancer of the colon. Good luck all and if I can help, let me know

11

Thanks for your response. I felt almost back to normal yesterday but now today I feel very nauseous. No pain and normal bowel movements which makes this whole thing even stranger. In fact I have not had diarrhea throughout this whole episode and constipation has been very minimal, in fact only two days in this whole 2 month ordeal. I'm now very regular as I'm eating a lot more than I did before yet I'm still underweight. Always have been and have struggled with a slight eating disorder for years. 

I've again had a horrible headache and pain all around my jaw with muscle aches and pains in my knees on/off when standing. 

I've been taking probiotics and going to monitor how I feel after a week.  

I'm so confused with it all. I'm keeping a food diary but this has yet to reveal anything. I also have an app. with a dietitian who I hope can make sense of this. 

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Poor you you could do with help this doesn't sound good but a dietician might help you!