Wondering if I have IBS

paniccu · October 24, 2005, 7:29pm

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?

hopeful82 · October 24, 2005, 7:36pm

Hey Liz -
I started posting here too (you know I'm usually on A/P too) because I was experience the same symptoms you're describing. I started taking fiber and calcium pills, and I think apples were causing the bloating for me. As soon as I stopped eating them it went away. Good idea to keep a food journal, that will really help you figure out who the culprit is! Do you feel constipated as well? I know for me when I have increased bloating and gas it usually means I'm constipated. I think you have to experience either constipation or diarrhea, or both, to really get the IBS dx. But I'm still not all to familiar with all this, so I could be wrong.
Anyways, nice to see a familiar face here too :) (and dbab and Flopsie! :) )

ali

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dbab · October 24, 2005, 7:37pm

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?

_{Hugs, Des}

_{Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum}

_{"Sometimes I'm afraid, and I don't feel that tough...But I'll stand back up" - Sugarland}

^{Please help Healing Well continue to help others by donating http://www.healingwell.com/donate}

dbab · October 24, 2005, 7:38pm

Hi Ali... Nice to see you again :)

_{Hugs, Des}

_{Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum}

_{"Sometimes I'm afraid, and I don't feel that tough...But I'll stand back up" - Sugarland}

^{Please help Healing Well continue to help others by donating http://www.healingwell.com/donate}

paniccu · October 24, 2005, 7:53pm

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

dbab · October 24, 2005, 8:02pm

If your insurance allows it, I would recommend going straight to a GI specialist. You will have less anxiety talking about your symptoms to him/her than a regular doctor. You will also most likely be taken more seriously since a lot of general doctors still don't know too much about IBS and most still consider it "in your head". You have taken the first step though in keeping a diary... that is wonderful :)

_{Hugs, Des}

_{Co-Moderator ~ IBS Forum}

_{"Sometimes I'm afraid, and I don't feel that tough...But I'll stand back up" - Sugarland}

^{Please help Healing Well continue to help others by donating http://www.healingwell.com/donate}

Flopsie · October 24, 2005, 8:09pm

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

Don't walk in front of me....I may not follow

7Lil · October 24, 2005, 8:57pm

Hi paniccu, Welcome to the IBS forum! Dbab has given you some great advice... it is important to keep a food diary to see what exactly may be bugging you. Also, it is great to have with you when you see a doc.

Flopsie, I alternate between D & C.

Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Flopsie · October 24, 2005, 9:01pm

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

Don't walk in front of me....I may not follow

7Lil · October 24, 2005, 9:07pm

Hmmm... I think most people on this board have D and the others alternate (I don't think I can remember anyone who ONLY have C).

Co-Moderator for the IBS Forum

Sarita · October 24, 2005, 9:20pm

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.