do i really have IBS?

Hi, I know exactly how you feel, I've had IBS since 1997 now and have gone through the same symptoms for weeks at a time. I think you should go back to your doctor, (book a double appointment if you can) to find out what treatment is available, and if you need to be referred to a consultant (best to request this strongly!) It's different for everyone, but try keeping a food diary for a month or so, as you'll be surprised what can trigger off the attacks. I've found that live natural yogurt can help, or a probiotic drink like Yakult or Actimel. I also take peppermint oil tablets (try Holland & Barrett) as the capsules like Colpermin gave me heartburn.

I used to take loperimide (Diocalm) for diarrhoea, but find that Pepto-Bismol is better. It can also be worse just before you have a period. When I get a bad attack, (been coping with one since Thursday), I go on a very bland diet for 3 or 4 days of dry toast, (sometimes with Marmite though!) bananas, natural yogurt, and you could try eating plain boiled rice and small portions of stewed apple. This combination seems to help calm the ibs down.

I know how you feel about how much it affects your life, as people can't see it and think that you're just making a fuss about it. Stress can be a huge factor in ibs, and I've found hypnotherapy to be very useful since I was diagnosed.

I hope that some of this helps. Good luck

Hi kecki thanks for your reply i feel better knowing im not the only one going through this and relieved that ibs can cause me to feel this bad!

I have asked to see a consultant but my doctor was very reluctant to agree but like you say maybe i need to be forceful so i am going to do as you suggest.

Its so depressing coping with these flare ups ist it? Bravo to you for coping for so long as this is a reccuring thought i have that i could have this for years and how do i cope

I have tried colpermin myself and also suffered heartburn so i will try the peppermint and see how that is for the bloating i have found that chewing fennel seeds helps me to a degree and am thinking about what my triggers are but cant seem to point to anything particular although i fully agree that my ibs is worse just before my period i may try the food diary anything is worth a go isnt it?

Thank you for your help i do appreciate it

Hi ladysparkles, you're definitely not alone! I began to have ibs in 1997 and was eventually diagnosed in 1999, after a lot of different tests. Although I was lucky with my GP who agreed to send me to a consultant quite easily, which is not usually the case!

Try to persist with the doctor though as some of the ibs symptoms that people have are similar to the problems you can get with gall stones. If I hadn't been sent for tests by my GP they wouldn't have found that I had gallstones and needed to have the gall bladder removed in the end.

The food diary doesn't always work for everyone, as sometimes the ibs is mainly triggered by stress and hormones. So I usually have a minor flare-up just before my period, although this month it's a bit worse. The peppermint tablets (I've found Holland and Barrett's to be the best), should help with cramps and I've been taking them on and off since I was diagnosed.

If you drink coffee, switch to decaff or stop drinking it for a while, I found that was one of my biggest triggers, but tea seems to be fine!

Also, take a look at the ibs network site (they used to be called the Gut Trust), there's a lot of useful information on there that can help.

I hope that everything goes well with your doctor, good luck and remember you're not alone!

Take care

hi I was diagnosed with a functional bowel disorder following a stomach upset in 2008. It literally happened overnight when I woke one morning with severe nausea and diahorrea. over time the symptoms persisted and I was referred to a specialist for a colonoscopy and various upper GI tests. All of these thankfully didnt find anything sinister but the symptoms continued. Eventually the gastroentrologist diagnosed a bowel disorder like IBS and having given me numerous nausea treatments etc discharged me. During this time I rapidly lost weight through no appetite (approx 2 stone) in around 1 month. Has anyone experienced weight loss with IBS and also nausea? Up to now I dont know of any triggers (symptoms worse during period). I am 41 years old and a busy mum of 3 young children and the impact on my day to day life is astonishing!!!! Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi gracesam - I have nausea along with my IBS and have lost weight through it too. My triggers weren't obvous for a number of years, apart from certain foods. I've now found out that it can be worse with my periods, and also halfway through my cycle. The food triggers have changed over the years, I now only eat homemade bread (thank god for breadmakers!). I did keep a food diary for about a month, which did show up the obvious ones like coffee, fizzy drinks, cheese etc), which did help. I now have a diary and log my symptoms when they happen, which is really useful.

One thing I have found good is eating live natural yogurt every day as part of breakfast and I've learnt that skipping meals if I'm not hungry is one of the worst things to do. I usually get a very bad bout if I don't eat, it seems to make the IBS worse.

I was told that part of the nausea is due to a rapid exchange of fluids in the colon, and it can also cause dizzy spells for me. Also watch out for artificial sweetners especially sorbitol (used in Orbit chewing gum etc), will usually act as a trigger for IBS.

When I had really bad nausea a few years ago, I had to have treatment for excess acid, which thankfully was a one-off course for me, but maybe you should get this checked out with your doctor, just to rule it out.

I hope that everything settles down for you soon

thanks for your reply. I cant seem to find any food triggers as when it is bad I havent eaten anything different. Also when your flareup dies down do you just go back to feeling normal or would you still not feel 100%. I find that everything I have planned I am hoping "I hope I feel ok that day!!!". Lying in bed at minute with hot water bottle (monthlies!!!!) Thankfully nausea has cleared up well - buccastem tablet when I am feeling bad. Attended Jan De Vries clinic for several months but was costly and each time I went back they changed the remedy prescribed and I prob didnt persevere for long enough with the same one.

Just wish there was some sort of remedy i could take that helps me enjoy my day again!!!

I know how frustrated you feel, I've lost so many nights out and social occasions and because people can't see anything wrong they think you're making a fuss over nothing. With me, after a flare-up, I don't go back to feeling 100% better, I usually feel tired and it can take days for the appetite to improve.

You should get your doctor to check if you need treatment for acid reflux and have you tried taking peppermint oil? I hope things improve soon, take care.

I feel I'm not alone after reading all your messages, I had food poisoning in November and haven't been right since, I had a colonoscopy and there was nothing wrong so have been diagnosed as having post infection IBS, that was back in March and actually the colonoscopy set me back a few months although I still feel bad from time to time and I still find it hard to believe that IBS can make me feel so bad, this last week has been bad, with upset tum, abdomen pain and a total lack of energy and loss of appetite, the weight loss worried me but I see I am not the only one to have suffered this, one of the worst things is not being able to plan anything, I feel my life is on hold. Take care all of you and I hope things improve for you.

Hi, I've been diagnosed today as probably having IBS on the basis of all tests for other possible causes coming back negative. I was convinced it was something more sinister because, like you all, it has taken over my life and I constantly feel exhausted and dread going anywhere in case I can't find a toilet. I have also noticed worsening of symptoms just before and during my period - I'm approaching the right age for the menopause soam hoping that will bring some relief when it comes.

I've been prescribed Buscopan tablets and have bought some Actimel yoghurt drinks as I've also heard that they can help. It's a relief to know that my symptoms are quite typical and that there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if it is rather a long tunnel at the moment 😏

A relation of mine has coeliac disease so I've had blood tests to rule that out and my doctor diagnosed me with ibs after that. I have even changed toothpaste and mouthwash because of an ingredient called sorbitol which aggravates ibs. I will try to cut stuff out. Its been an up and down few years for me and I do let things bother me a bit.

Yes I feel.ill every day no matter what I eat im fed up iv suffered for 2 years like this I can not cope with it drs and specalist just say its bad ibs but I think there is more to it coz iv not ate for 2 days and still today I feel bad I hate it it makes me hate my life and stuff I cant go on like this any more and drs exspect you to I have diarrhoea every day nearly and I hate it it makes me hate my life its taken over my life now and nothings being done about it I feel sick every day I just want to enjoy my life but can not any one no anything about my symptoms

Hi Rosie,

I'm sorry to hear that things are not too good at the moment, I know what you mean about it taking over your life, have you had any tests like a colonoscopy,? I had that and was told it was IBS, if not you ought to keep on to your doctor and tell them how bad you are feeling, in the end I went on a low dose of antidepressants and this helped a lot, I got my appetite back and it wasn't on my mind 24/7 as it was before, this was last year and I am now weaning my self off the andi's, I still get the stomach problems but they aren't as bad and they are not on my mind all the time, I am learning to live with it, I hope you get some help soon,

Hi, Im 18 years old I've been suffering IBS symptoms since early 2013

Since then i had cut out dairy, fructose and gluten products as recommended by my gastro doctor.

within 6 months I lost 11 kgs which scared my family the most.

Even though I had cut out a lot of those foods, the symptoms are so severe, to the point where I can't even go out because I don't feel well, being an 18 year old all you want to do is go out and enjoy yourself but me on the other hand cannot.

My severe symptoms include, bloating (worse at night), loss of appetite due to mild nausea, cramping in the

upper and lower abdomen area, shortage of breath, toilet changes (3/4 times a day)

I just don't know how to manage these things, Ive been to the doctor COUNTLESS times as well with the

hospital, they all give me the same advice that is just not working

Hey I just wanted to reply real quick. I was looking into this because my aunt has similar symptoms for the

last 3 mos. and has lost about 50 pounds. They've done numerous testing and have found nothing. I did read

an article by chance mos. ago as I was bettering my health and came across digestive enzymes and

probiotics. I read an article where this woman who had ibs said that digestive enzymes changed her life. So

just wanted to offer that for anyone to try. From research that I've done for myself (not related to ibs) I've found E-Factor premium japanese plant sourced enzymes to be the best. So I don't know if these will help but it's

something to try if you guys can't find anything to help. I would also recommend and all organic diet. I'm going to put my aunt on them along with probiotics and an organic diet with juicing as well. Sending love and light and healing energy to you all!! Oh and see yourselves healed and healthy ...the brain is miraculous!!