Wondering if I have IBS

Hello, I'm usually on the Panic/anxiety board, but I just noticed that there is a board for IBS. Ever since I can remember my stomach had gotten upset easily (cramps & diahrria), but I always attributed it to being nervous and anxious a lot. Over the last 3 or 4 months however, I've also had frequent painful bloating (bloating so bad that pants that fit me the day before were uncomfortably tight) with gas and heartburn (which I rarely had until recently).  So now I'm wondering if it's possibly IBS or a food allergy that's causing this?

I was wondering how bad the symptoms were before you went to the doc (I know, I know, I should go, but I am not looking forward to the tests) and what I could do initially to try to rule out other causes. I was thinking of keeping a food journal for a couple of weeks. I know milk can be a culprit. Anything else I should document, Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help

Liz

Hi Liz,
Nice to see you over here, but sorry that the circumstances brought you over here.

You definitely have the symptoms of IBS. Have you talked to your doctor about it? Bloating is probably the most common symptom for all types of IBS sufferers. You probably know me from the anxiety board too and I know that my IBS symptoms get worse when my anxiety gets worse and vice versa. This is not uncommon also. For food allergies, there are tests that can be done to rule that out but a food diary is the best thing that you can do now. (Everyone here knows that I am a food diary fan) Have you had any GI tests done?

I haven't had any tests done yet. I haven't called the doc yet, but I'm going to. I wanted to keep a food journal first and make sure I'm not just developing some kind of food allergy. I want to keep track of my symptoms too so I can tell him what and how often I'm having symptoms. I tend to minimize things when I go to the doc. As you two probably already know, I really HATE going to the doc. I get anxious and emotional if I think I have a problem. I had to get a mammogram this year because there was a lump on my breast and I started crying in my gyno's office just thinking about it. That wouldn't have been so bad, but it was the first time I went to this doctor, so it was kind of embarassing. I am not keen on having GI tests done unless I have to. I may have to though, because this bloating feeling is not at all comfortable. Thanks for your quick replies. Sorry you guys are on here too, but it's not to see some familiar faces (so to speak )
Liz

Hi everyone,
Just a quick question..Do most of you alternate between C and D?

Thanks Lil, I do too, just wondered if that was the "norm"

Hey newbies :) Welcome to our world, welcome to our world!

There are a ton of wonderful peeps here who can guide you through the world of IBS.  The most common symptoms are bloating, gas, abdominal cramps, and either diarrhea, constipation, or both.  Those are the hallmark symptoms, and you have to have them for a period of at least 12 weeks (can be intermittently) before an IBS diagnosis should be made.  Also, some testing should be done to exclude other problems - about a gazillion million other things can cause similar symptoms, including food allergies, parasitic infections, bacterial overgrowth, etc.

In my humble (but sadly experienced) opinion, the following tests should be done at the get-go:

- Bloodwork.  Complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), plus a sed rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) if you are having other symptoms such as fever or blood in your stool.

- Stool studies.  YUM!  Three ova/parasite tests (O&Ps) are necessary because parasites and ova are shed intermittently in stools, so they may not catch 'em with just one.  Even with three, it's not always a sure thing.  These O&Ps are an absolute MUST if you've had any recent foreign travel.  Also, fecal occult blood and fecal leukocyte tests should be done.  IBSers should not have positive fecal occult blood or leukocyte tests.

- Colonoscopy.  It's not that bad.  Really.  If you are having very bad constipation or diarrhea (going only a couple times a week or more than 10x/day) this is an important test to rule out cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, etc.  Also more important if you are over the age of 40.

about 1 in 5 Americans reportedly suffer from IBS, and most of them don't go to a physician about it because, honestly, most people don't really like talking about their poo.  But if it is bothering you, interfering with your life, just go to the doctor.  I promise you that no doctor is going to be grossed out by your story.  I come from a huge family of doctors, hoping to be one myself, and I swear our dinner conversations used to revolve around blood, guts, and poo on a regular basis.  Anyone with a doctor in the family will know exactly what I mean.

Keeping a food diary, like dbab suggested, is an absolute necessity and will make your doctor incredibly pleased and probably kiss your feet.  Also keep a symptoms diary along with it: how many times you go a day, whether your stools are formed or not, when your stomach cramps occur, when you notice the most bloating, etc.

I can't really commiserate with anyone on this board who experiences bloating, gas, or constipation.  Heck, according to the GI gods, I don't even have IBS.  But I come here because people are very open, honest, caring, helpful, and no-holds-barred when they need to be.  Again, welcome.

Hi ocrap (love the name!), Welcome to HealingWell!
I'm glad you found a place where you can relate. That's why we're all here.... we need somewhere to go to talk to people who understand, and to talk poo (it's taboo anywhere else).
Are you taking any meds for anxiety or IBS? Are you talking to anyone about your anxiety?
It is not uncommon for people with IBS to suffer from anxiety and/or depression. Many IBSers are on anti-depressants, which in turn also helps with the IBS.
I just wanted to welcome you and say hello.
Take care and keep posting!

Ocrap, I think it is wise for you to go on the anxiety meds again. See if you can get an RX for something besides Celexa. Keep pushing your doc until you find something that works for you. Hopefully, when you find the right med, both your anxiety and IBS will get better. In the meantime, keep taking those probiotics and get plenty of fiber. Try some relaxation techniques because that can help too (frankly, I used to think it was a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, but it really does help).

schmoo:

My condition is pretty similiar to yours. If you want a long winded version, read the new thread I just made: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=26&m=354460

I really sympathize for you. We seem to share the following...

1. Constant stomach ache.
2. Loose stools.
3. 'Flare ups'. I'm having one today, but I'm not sure if it's a gut bug or not.
4. Fear of vomiting. There is definitely an interesting trend between IBS sufferers and the fear of vomiting.
5. Heightened temperature sometimes, especially after bad runs.

I'm sorry to say that I don't know what to do about it. However, if you manage to find a solution, please drop a line.

schmoo, add me on msn. I'm korthax@hotmail.com

Hi Schmoo & Mountain, welcome to the site!
I am one who has a phobia of vomitting. Funny too because I feel like I could puke everyday (or just about). I am nauseous a lot. The worst is having someone around me who is puking... I can't handle watching it, hearing it or even knowing about it. I start to panic, shake, get nauseous, and want to run. I used to run from my boyfriend when he'd get sick. I felt like such a horrible girlfriend. He was sweet though, he used to warn me and tell me to leave.
Anyway, you have joined a great group here and I hope you get the help/support you are looking for.

I hear that a lot from mom's. I still don't get it though.... puke is puke no matter who it is coming from. I must admit though, I don't have a problem with baby spit-up (usually - unless I'm alread feeling ill).
I wonder if there is a way to overcome emetophobia....